House Rewiring concern.

hazyjo

Mojisola wrote: »

Is this what the electrician told her?

I've just sold my parents' house, built in the early 60s. It still has the original wiring, although the fuse box has been replaced, and no-one has queried the wiring.

Agree. That's like saying a roof should be replaced after 100 years.

It probably is advisable to update wiring and to maybe think that something over 25 years would be best replaced, but it's not like it's the law or anything!

Always get at least two opinions (I mean don't just ring someone up to come round to quote for a re-wire!). It may be perfectly serviceable for years yet, or may just need an upgrade in places.

Jx
PS Like most on here - I AM NOT AN ELECTRICIAN!

dandelionclock30

Its that one light that needs sorting out, its a pop in switch, like you push it in and after 10 minutes or so it pops out. He wouldnt sort it out as he said it could be problematic and then he would be liable. He looked at the fuse box and turned off the electric. He said that all the electrics were poor.
We are just keeping that light off now for good and use the light from the hall to look in the cupboard.

Mojisola

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

Its that one light that needs sorting out, its a pop in switch, like you push it in and after 10 minutes or so it pops out.

He wouldnt sort it out as he said it could be problematic and then he would be liable. He looked at the fuse box and turned off the electric. He said that all the electrics were poor.

I would definitely get a couple of other electricians in look at it!

Sounds like a "let's scare her into giving me a lot of money" merchant.

dandelionclock30

Thank you everyone for your help and advise here. I will get more opinions and not mention rewiring and see whats said.My Mum says thanks as well, xx

tea_lover

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

He wouldnt sort it out as he said it could be problematic and then he would be liable. He looked at the fuse box and turned off the electric. He said that all the electrics were poor.

Mojisola wrote: »

I would definitely get a couple of other electricians in look at it!

Sounds like a "let's scare her into giving me a lot of money" merchant.

Not necessarily! My OH's an electrician (a very reputable one!) and he wouldn't work on a system that old. It can be difficult to repair/replace parts of old wiring without ending up having to sign off the whole thing. Very few electricians working now would be happy to sign off on work carried out in the 1960s.

Saying that the electrics are poor doesn't make someone a conman! It could well be the case that if there are problems with the wiring, the solution is a rewire. But obviously it's always sensible to get a few people in to see what they think.

Mojisola

Mojisola wrote: »

I would definitely get a couple of other electricians in look at it!

Sounds like a "let's scare her into giving me a lot of money" merchant.

tea_lover wrote: »

Not necessarily!

But obviously it's always sensible to get a few people in to see what they think.

No, not necessarily (which is why I suggested getting other people to look at the problem) but it is possible.

paulineb_2

Ive been in my flat 19 years and I just got an electrical upgrade done, not a lot of mess, also got a new kitchen put in at the same time, wasnt too bad.

Im a council tenant so the refurbishments were done as part of a modernisation programme. Might be worth your while checking out whether an electrical upgrade would be sufficient.

I wasnt having problems with my sockets but a couple of light fittings needed replaced.

candlelight_2013

We had our house re-wired last year after 40 years. The electricians were so good, hardly any mess, and they tidied up each evening, it took them 4 days. We had a bit of touching up of paintwork to do, but certainly no redecoration. I now have more double sockets than I know what to do with!!

I had been really worried about the possibility of having to redecorate every room and expressed this to the electricians, but we had no problems.

I would say I kept them supplied with drinks (tea, coffee and cold drinks) cakes and sausage rolls and chocolate for the young apprentice:)

As everyone else has mentioned do ask for a couple more opinions, but we are really pleased with what the lads did for us. Tell your Mum not to worry too much if it needs to be done be sure to have a reputable firm.

Candlelightx

Mankysteve

Mojisola wrote: »

I would definitely get a couple of other electricians in look at it!

Sounds like a "let's scare her into giving me a lot of money" merchant.

i would agree

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

Its that one light that needs sorting out, its a pop in switch, like you push it in and after 10 minutes or so it pops out. He wouldnt sort it out as he said it could be problematic and then he would be liable. He looked at the fuse box and turned off the electric. He said that all the electrics were poor.
We are just keeping that light off now for good and use the light from the hall to look in the cupboard.

This is blatant scare tactics.

tea_lover wrote: »

First thing you should do is get another electrician in, to see if they agree with the extent of the work that needs doing. NEVER rely on just one person for this.

Indeed it may just need minor remedial work to bring upto spec.

Also note there's no legal requirement to bring upto modern standards, although a modern fuse board is never a bad idea.

Usally ruiles apply get at least three qoutes from reputable electricians.

Alias_Omega

I was a electrician apprentice, in a former life..

The electrician can give you a quote to make the house like for like, ie they will have a plasterer sort the wall chases out. The floor boards will be put back down, and any carpets that are lifted will be relaid as best as possible. If the house has laminate, then this will need to be removed as stipulated before any works is carried out.

Upstairs sockets will come up from the floor, and downstairs sockets will come from the ceilings. Obviously lighting circuits will come from the ceilings...

The work can be surface mounted (trunking) but its a right mess...

Your best bet would be for your mother to live with you for a few days, as the electicians can leave everything in a mess, and put it all back at the end. The last thing they need to be doing is laying floor boards/carpets back every night, as it just adds 1-2hrs per day onto the job, therefore more cost.

Mum to yours, the house stays messy for 2-3 days...then on day 3/4 its put back together, the plaster is dry and its just removing any dust that remains by yourself. Plastered walls can be painted the same colour by yourself to match the existing decoration within limits..