Replacing fuse box and old sockets/light switches

AJMCK

I have just purchased a house that hasn't been updated in c.30 years with a view to renovating it fairly extensively within a few years but want to do a cosmetic refurb now so its pleasant to live in. None of the electrical sockets/light switches are recessed into the wall (i.e., they are the big old switch boxes that are screwed onto the wall) and I want to get a sense of how easy it is to replace those with new sockets/switches so that it looks a bit more modern while we live in the house for a few years until renovating completely. The fuse box is also very old so we'll need to put a new RCD in but don't want to have the entire house re-wired until the renovation (whenever we save up enough to do it!). Any thoughts welcome!

PlutoinCapricorn

I have had my fuse box replaced a few weeks ago: I had those little cartridges and now I have switches. I added one appliance too many to a circuit last week and a switch tripped. You just push it back up.

The electrician told me that it was now the law that bathroom electrics must have their own spur, so he created that. The other wiring is still as it was.

stebiz

Have the fuseboard changed and then maybe work your way down or up, whatever is better for you.

An electrician can simply update/replace

Upstairs Ring for Lights
Upstairs Ring for Sockets
Downstairs Ring for Lights
Downstairs Ring for Sockets
Any separate cables ie Shower/Cooker

AJMCK

Thanks both. Does the electrician need to replace the wires so that they are removing plasterboard etc. or can they just replace the fuse box and the sockets (assuming everything is in the correct spur)?

muckybutt

If the house hasn't had anything done on it in 30 years then I would say it is certainly due a rewire, times have moved on considerably in 30 years.

A full electrical inspection would be the way to go for starters, which would identify any problems / defects etc. Combine that with what works you require and it should all fall into place.

Ozzuk

Worth keeping in mind if the electrics are that old then just replacing the sockets and forgetting the wiring maybe a bad idea due to risk of fire. Certainly worth getting professional assessment done. It may have been fine for years, but start adding different appliances, loading, changing lights etc and could introduce more risk.

lincroft1710

If your sockets/switches aren't recessed then you're probably looking at 60 year old electrics, or even older. The house sounds as if it needs a complete rewire with all wiring, sockets, switches, light fittings and fusebox(es) replaced.

2013yearofthehouse

Our wiring is 40 years old, so when we decided to get a new RCD consumer box, we were convinced we'd need a rewire, but it turns out we didn't. Definitely get an EICR done, it should flag up any problems. In addition to the new consumer unit, we needed equipotential bonding and a light fitting rewired (dodgy DIY job by previous owners). We also took the opportunity to get all the single sockets converted to doubles. We had a few new sockets installed and they were put on their own new circuit, to avoid overloading, as all the existing sockets in the house are on one circuit. We also had one surface box that we had recessed in to the wall - this was a telephone point rather than a plug socket though.

AJMCK

Thanks all...it seems a full electrical inspection is the way forward and hoping it comes out with minimal work required!