Buying house- needs rewiring (and redecorating?!)

Vickylll

My partner and I are in the process of buying a house. We've just found out that the house needs a full rewire. I've been told that we'll need to plaster the parts of the wall where the channels have been. I'm trying to work out what the potential costs might be for plastering and subsequent redecoration and I'm not too sure how much redecoration would be needed. Would it just be the walls which are electricity points? Also the kitchen is tiled so would that involve taking the tiles off the walls? How much mess do you end up with? We hadn't anticipated doing any decoration for at least a year when we initially put in the offer. I've been searching online, however if anyone has experience of this we'd love some advice! Thank you!:)

magn8p

As far as I am aware, you only need compulsory rewiring if the wiring has only got two terminals (Positive and neutral) which means the earth terminal is missing. This was a norm with most of the Victorian houses which never got the basic wiring updated. Check out https://www.practicaldiy.com/electrics/electrical-cable/electric-cable-old.php for more information.

With respect to rewiring, channelling and re-plastering - I suggest that you assess the cost on room by room basis. Please go through the following to get a good idea:

https://householdquotes.co.uk/how-much-does-rewiring-cost/

While it may sound like an unnecessary investment, please note that safety is paramount and living in a house which doesn't meet necessary electricity standards will compromise that.

All the best.

Vickylll wrote: »

My partner and I are in the process of buying a house. We've just found out that the house needs a full rewire. I've been told that we'll need to plaster the parts of the wall where the channels have been. I'm trying to work out what the potential costs might be for plastering and subsequent redecoration and I'm not too sure how much redecoration would be needed. Would it just be the walls which are electricity points? Also the kitchen is tiled so would that involve taking the tiles off the walls? How much mess do you end up with? We hadn't anticipated doing any decoration for at least a year when we initially put in the offer. I've been searching online, however if anyone has experience of this we'd love some advice! Thank you!:)

onomatopoeia99

First question is why does it need a full rewire? Not complying with current regs isn't a reason, since they aren't retrospective.

Speaking as a homeowner rather than an electrician, I would do it if it still had cables from before PVC sheaths were introduced (1960s?), but absent any faults that made the work urgent, I'd probably not put it as a priority.

TheCyclingProgrammer

onomatopoeia99 wrote: »

First question is why does it need a full rewire? Not complying with current regs isn't a reason, since they aren't retrospective.

Whilst this is true, as well as considering any safety issues of really old wiring its worth considering that the moment OP wants to do any significant refurbishment that will involve electrical work they may well find themselves needing a lot of upgrades doing anyway in order for the work to be signed off.

PhilE

Before you buy, get an electrician to do a survey. It costs but your going to have to do it anyway if you buy the house.

Depending on where you are in the buying process, and the other various factors in house purchase, you might want to re negotiate the price.

sj90

We have just done the same. Out 1960/70's house requires a full rewire. The rewiring is about £3500-4000, my dad has done the chasing and plastering and we couldn't get an electrician who would do it. Most will only do a rewire when you aren't living in the house.

pollyannaL

just had a full rewire on a 3 bed semi. Price was 3300 - that's with garden lights, doorbell, 6 spotlights in kitchen / 4 in bathroom/ fans, pendent lights in each room, at least 4 double sockets in each room, cleaning socket in landing/ hallway etc. Mind you, i bought all the sockets as didn't like what electrician was going to put in (this came to £400), so similar to above. Wires were chased in, but alot of plaster came off in the process!

Had 2 plasterers quote recently, £3500 and £2500. Got a really good one coming tomorrow so will see what he suggests.

Goodluck.

baldelectrician

I don't know the size of your house so I can't guess on the rewire cost.


When I do a rewire the plastering comes in about £200-£300, this is for plasterers I know and the client pays them direct