Rewire of Victorian house - being ripped off?

AFAH

We have recently bought a 4 bed 2 bath Victorian house and have been told by one person it does need a rewire and another that it doesn't.

The person that says it does need a rewire says it does because the wires to the switches etc are the old colours, so it doesn't meet the regulations. Is this correct? Can anybody point me in the right direction to find out?

Also, if we replace the consumer unit, apparently we need the unit itself, plus bonding and are recommended to have individual RCBOs. To do this, with mid range materials (rahter than "cheap Japanese stuff"), we have been quoted £900, which I think sounds extortionate! Can anybody explain whether this is at all justifiable or if we are being taken for a ride?

Any help gratefully received! Thank you in advance.

phil24_7

Just beacause wires are the old colours doesn't mean they need replacing. Only new wiring needs to meet the new 'standards'.

I would get 3 quotes from trusted electricians for a new consumer unit with MCB's (as far as I am aware you don't need RCBO's but I may be wrong).

Can you give full details of the quote for £900? This may allow the more informed on here to give better advice.

Regards
Phil

phoenix_w

AFAH wrote: »

The person that says it does need a rewire says it does because the wires to the switches etc are the old colours, so it doesn't meet the regulations. Is this correct?

It's an outrageous lie - one that would have me escorting the tradesman away from my property. As long as the wiring is sound (PVC sheathed copper of appropriate sizes from the 60's onwards) the colour of the sheathing is still perfectly legal. All you'd need in the even of a new CU is a warning label on it to state both colour schemes are in use.

AFAH

Thank you both.

There isn't much detail on the CU quote - Bonding, mains tails, fuse board (all RCBO as this is the best option) and testing. What other detail would you require?

We are in the process of getting the other two quotes, so I'll let you know what they come back with.

AFAH

Actually, I'll also add that we have asked for a 6mm armoured cable from mains to a second fuse board outside, plus a 6mm supply to a cooker. Then the usual feeds for sockets, lights and central heating - I would have thought those are fairly standard.

DRP

Don't forget extra sockets, moving light switches if required etc.

Get it all done simultaneously as it is *very* messy. You won't want to do it again...

casper_g

AFAH wrote: »

Actually, I'll also add that we have asked for a 6mm armoured cable from mains to a second fuse board outside, plus a 6mm supply to a cooker. Then the usual feeds for sockets, lights and central heating - I would have thought those are fairly standard.

Sorry, can you clarify - was this work included in the £900 work for a new consumer unit, or would you only get this done as part of a rewire?

chappers

If including the extra works then that will be about right

AFAH

The whole job has been broken down in to parts. Just for the main CU with bonding, tails etc, it is £900, then to run the cabling to the outside for a second CU it is another £500. The total quote for a rewire is £8.5k... too much? That includes on average 4 sockets per bedroom, some cupboard switches, an understairs cupboard light, three outside lights, as well as the second CU in the outhouse. Plus 5 x downlighters in one bathroom and fans in both bathrooms. Having looked at quotes online it sounds like this type of rewire should be £5k max. We are in Hampshire, but it's not like it's London!

Also, it sounds like we don't even need the full rewire, only a new CU and a few extra sockets...

phil24_7

It seems more than a little high to me but someone more knowledgeable should be along to confirm or deny this!

What did your survey say about the wiring?

Unless your wiring is dangerous then it will not need changing. The PVC on the wire can dry out and become brittle but that takes a long time. I still have red/black wire in some parts of my house and it's fine.

I had a new CU installed a few years ago with MCB's and it's fine.

I would get some more electricians around (trusted or recommended) to quote for the CU works as well as the extra's you want doing.

Regards
Phil

phil24_7

If you are having major works/renovation done then it would make sense to do a rewire at the same time but otherwise I would leave it.