Electrician Rough Costs

CraigFar

Hi All,

This is my first time posting, so apologies if this is in the incorrect area.

Me and my girlfriend are in the process of buying our first house (due to complete this week) and we are needing some work doing to the electrics.

The house is quite old (1970's), so only has one plug socket in most rooms, which isn't enough for our needs. We are planning on getting an electrician to come in and add at least and additional one double socket in most of the rooms (5/6 different rooms). With doing this, we will also need a new consumer box installing also.

My two questions are:

1) How much will this roughly cost? I know this has many different variables, but would be good to have a good gauge. I live in the North West, if this helps?

2) Will this cause much mess with the walls? We are planning on getting a plasterer out for other work, but I am just wondering whether if this creates small holes in the walls, whether this is something I could do?

Any help / feedback would be massively appreciated.

Horse-shoes

I think you will find that an electrician will say that the current system does not meet current EEC standards and will insist on a full rewire... probably about 3-5k my 1970 house caused all manor of problems ... they had to pull up all the upstairs carpets to feed wires through etc

And yes I think you'll then need a plasterer unless they can run the cable up the outside of the wall and cap it with plastic.

rob7475

Where in the north west are you? I can recommend a good electrician who has done several jobs for me including a couple of complete rewires. The last rewire he did for me was in a 2 bed terrace I'm renovating and cost me £1500. That was for standard white hager sockets/switches, about 12 double sockets, 8 lights, 2 smoke detectors, cooker circuit, boiler spur etc. latest metal consumer unit, all certificates etc. It didn't include filling the chases as I can do that myself - I think he has a plasterer he uses though if you want him to arrange it.

He's reasonable, works to a good standard and won't try and push you into having work done if it's not required. Chances are though, if the house still has it's original wiring, a rewire will be be best option.

I'll warn you - if any of your internal walls are brick/block and need chasing, it'll get messy. If you have the option of getting it done before you move furniture in, it'll be much easier.

baldelectrician

You will probably need a new consumer unit, bonding upgrade and a test.
It may be ok (if the original wiring has not been altered much) or a rewire (if DIY dan / shady kitchen / bathroom fitter) has been there.


Just because the wiring is old it does not always need done.


If the lights have no earth then this suggests the wiring is pre 1965 and I would then recommend a rewire.

macman

If you just add extra sockets onto the existing ring mains, then no chasing out is necessary at switch height-he'll just cut holes at socket height and the cabling will run under the floor, if not solid.
But given the age of the property, I'd take the opportunity to do a rewire. One single and one double socket per room is still inadequate for most needs, unless you want to have trailing extension leads everywhere.
Since you will most likely be redecorating, any damage to the plaster will not matter.

CraigFar

Thanks everyone for the quick reply!

@Horse-shoes - We did contemplate getting the house re-wired, but obviously that's quite a big expense for our first time house upfront, so I was thinking of solutions around this. We have a friend we know who is an electrician who is going to have a look around and see if this is required - I was just looking for general costs on what was average for this sort of work.

@rob7475 - We are based in Chester, so not sure if that is nearby or not? I would definitely appreciate a recommendation if it's close enough, as the pricing seems reasonable. Our plan wasn't to move in until the electric work and then the plastering after was completed, so should make things a little easier.

Based on the age and the amount that is going to be spent on the electrics adding in new sockets etc, would it be worthwhile to get the entire house re-wired at the same time? I know it would be easier, but just thinking from a cost point of view.

Any help would be appreciated.

missprice

CraigFar wrote: »

Thanks everyone for the quick reply!
.

Based on the age and the amount that is going to be spent on the electrics adding in new sockets etc, would it be worthwhile to get the entire house re-wired at the same time? I know it would be easier, but just thinking from a cost point of view.

Any help would be appreciated.

If you think of the mess that happens with a full rewire, you would just bite the bullet and rewire before you move in and future proof as much as you can.
Don't skimp on amount of sockets. Get more than you think you need. Put them in useful places. Like top and bottom of stairs, maybe put a light in the understands cupboard, put two in a fitted wardrobe, outside lights, cooker point, extractor hood? And more that I can't currently think of.

baldelectrician

If you go for a rewire I would also recommend you think about data points (cat 6 etc) for smart TV's


wired internet makes things more secure as well.

phill99

TBH NOT doing a rewire now is fools economy. While you aren't properly settled in, biting the bullet and getting it done properly now will save you money and grief in the future.