is a rewiring automatically required?

retepetsir

AdrianC wrote: »

Part P means that changing the consumer unit (the modern term for what used to be called a fuse box) requires the entire house installation to be tested and certified. In practice, that'll almost certainly mean a rewire.

The current regs - 17th edition - were released in '08 and updated in '11.

'Almost certainly mean a rewire'

I would disagree with this. Properties of the later 70's onwards should have decent PVC insulated cables, not old rubber type which may perish. There may only be one 'ring final' circuit in the house which could be split into two or more, but it doesn't necessarily mean a full rewire.

As an example, we moved into our 1979 property last year with the original Wylex consumer unit. After a full test of the house the wiring was all in good condition, a new circuit was added for the kitchen and a new split-load dual RCD CU was installed to current standards with upgraded main earth bond and utility bonds. A full rewire was not necessary.

Batchy

A full rewire is a messy affair, and costly, but will add value to the house, before you start to make adjustments to the rest of the house, consider if you have enough sockets, two per room used to be the norm, now its about 8 plus, depending on the room.

So its not going to just be a like for like replacement even if you do.

AdrianC

As Batchy said.

I'd live in the place for a while before doing the work - yes, it means the work will be less convenient, but you'll have a MUCH better idea of where you want to move/add lights/switches/sockets etc.