Rewiring required?

shu32876

Hi,
I'm a first time buyer and in process of buying my first house. The house we are buying is a 1930's semi-detached and is in need of some modernization which we will carry out gradually. I'm not sure whether it's need complete rewiring or not.
A new consumer unit was installed and the electrics were checked in 2015 but wiring was not changed.
Should I invest in rewiring the whole house? It's not a forever home for us but not sure currently if it is for long term or not.
Any help, suggestions or ideas are welcome.
Thanks in advance.

spadoosh

What makes you think it might need a rewire?

If there was a new consumer unit in there i would be working on the basis that the wiring was suitable when it was installed. +3 years, it probably hasnt changed.

Everyone all ways wants to rush in to doing loads of work in there first house. Its usually always a mistake. Live in it for a while, work out how you use the house then contemplate doing work.

Lets say you get a complete rewire now. You want it top spec so excessive sockets everywhere and things like hardwired sky in all the rooms. You then ask some friends to stay over and they point out that in your second bedroom the sun gets right in the window at 4am, probably worth moving the bed to the other wall. So you do that, it works better. But the problem is your plugs and sky socket are behind the bed so you spent money on something that isnt useful.

After youve lived in it a year or you know these things. And more importantly you probably realise its just not that worthwhile doing.

Of course if you suspect there is a safety issue with the wiring you should get it checked out but that doesnt have to mean a full rewire.


ETA a rewire is a particullarly messy job, you have to chase out walls etc. Its something you do prior to most decoration works but then only if its needed or a particular want. If the modernisation is a lick of paint then its probably not worth doing, if the modernisation is a new kitchen and bathroom its become more practical to get it all done at once.

Davesnave

If the consumer unit was changed by a competent person less than 5 years ago the current installation should still be safe, so there is no immediate reason to suspect a rewire on that account.

Only you can tell, however, whether the current arrangement, no of sockets etc is going to be adequate in the future as you grow into the house.

As FTBs you might be in the ideal situation to organise a rewire, especially if you aren't needing to move in for a week or two, as it will be quicker and easier if the place is uninhabited.

OTOH will you know what you want/ where the cooker/ sockets/ wall lights etc will all be if you decide to update the kitchen,or alter the living room, for example? It's easier for those who've done this sort of thing before to draw up a plan, but much harder when there are no specifics.

I think in your position, I'd wait.

shu32876

Thanks for your reply. I really appreciate it.
I read it somewhere that rewiring should be done after every 20-25 years, that is the reason I was thinking if it's required then doing it first would be ideal.
But, it makes sense that not much would have been changed in last 3 years when the last check was done and consumer unit was installed.
Currently in terms of modernization, the main priority is a new bathroom, paint and flooring.
I agree that probably it's best to wait for a year may be and see show the house works for us.

shu32876

As FTBs you might be in the ideal situation to organise a rewire, especially if you aren't needing to move in for a week or two, as it will be quicker and easier if the place is uninhabited.

This was the only reason I was thinking of rewiring, as the place could be uninhabited for a week or two making it easier.

Risteard

If it is original wiring then it almost certainly needs rewired irrespective of what others have stated. Obviously I don't know what age the wiring actually is though so am not sure whether it is original wiring.

Periodic inspection and testing may be in order to ascertain the condition of the existing electrical installation.

Davesnave

Risteard wrote: »

If it is original wiring then it almost certainly needs rewired irrespective of what others have stated. .

Well, yes, 1930s wiring would probably not be in very serviceable condition, considering that my 1948 wiring was totally knackered in 1977, when I was a FTB!

Ectophile

Any chance you can peek behind sockets and light switches, to get an idea of what the wiring is?


If it's rubber insulated, then it will be way past its "best before" date. Any attempt to move or modify things can lead to crumbling insulation and lots of grief.


If it's PVC, then it's been rewired at some time since the 1960's. The good news is that PVC lasts pretty much forever if it's looked after. The wires may be the old colours, and even imperial sizes, but that doesn't make them unsafe.


There are exceptions for those comments on PVC. Aluminium wiring was a bad idea from the 1970's and is best ripped out. Some wiring from that era also suffered from "green goo" leaking out from the ends of the wires. If the backs of the sockets look like something out of a horror movie, that may also mean that a rewire is in order.

shu32876

Any chance you can peek behind sockets and light switches, to get an idea of what the wiring is?

Thanks, I'll try to see or get some idea what's behind

Risteard

Ectophile wrote: »

Any chance you can peek behind sockets and light switches, to get an idea of what the wiring is?

Pretty silly asking someone who won't know what they are looking at to do that.

konark

Risteard wrote: »

Pretty silly asking someone who won't know what they are looking at to do that.

Pretty sure the OP knows what wires are when he sees them. If they're blue/brown they're less than 20 years old. If red/black more than that but if in PVC 2+earth will still be OK. Older systems that should be replaced use single wires in black and red.