Is changing the sockets really worth it?

charlotte_rose

We have perfectly good MK white double gang sockets and single light plates. They are about 15 years old.

The material cost to change them to brushed steel is £400. The change is just for aesthetics as we are updating the house with the view to selling in the next 3 years.

OH could do it else a sparky would be another £400

In your opinion is it work the cost?

-taff

If I liked them, and I wanted them and I could afford them, I'd do it myself and not pay an electrician.
However, I'd be looking at adding a few of the USB type if it was for selling purposes.

Soulginge

Are you looking at MK brushed sockets or another brand? You will be paying for the name with MK, try a different brand and it will cost you so much less. I have Hamilton switches and sockets in my house and they are just as good as MK ones, all UK made etc. I did a bit of research on them when I saw how much MK would cost me.

With regard to fitting the sockets yourself - You will still need to get them checked by an electrician in order to obtain an electrical safety certificate, whether it works out cheaper to just get them fitted by an electrician in the first place will be down to who you get to do the work I suppose

Chop-D

We have been updating our place recently and have changed some sockets as we went. Just changing the standard sockets for new white sockets with USB ports looks much smarter. It may depend on your target market when you are selling whether the brushed steel look will be worth it? Would definitely recommend having USB plugs if you do change them though, so much easier with everything we need to charge these days!

NaughtiusMaximus

Soulginge wrote: »

With regard to fitting the sockets yourself - You will still need to get them checked by an electrician in order to obtain an electrical safety certificate, whether it works out cheaper to just get them fitted by an electrician in the first place will be down to who you get to do the work I suppose

Is that just for a completely new socket or are you also supposed to get them checked and certified by an electrician if you're only changing the faceplate?

Nick_C

Soulginge wrote: »

With regard to fitting the sockets yourself - You will still need to get them checked by an electrician in order to obtain an electrical safety certificate

Why? This isn't notifiable work.

Nick_C

I've replaced all our sockets and switches with brushed chrome, because we think it looks smart. It cost several hundred pounds doing the work myself. I wouldn't do it in order to sell though. I like chrome or steel, others like gold or brass.

Sockets with USB are useful, but they may not fit into your existing cavity and may need a spacer making them jut out instead of being flush with the wall

d0nkeyk0ng

Yeah I've changed sockets around the house. The previous owners swapped some of them to black nickel (which matched the lighting fixtures), but not all of them.



It's a personal thing - if you're going to do it, do it for yourself. I wouldn't bother doing it just to "improve" things for selling.

roddydogs

Yes, we really must buy this house, its got brushed steel sockets with USB.
Said no one ever.

Grenage

I wouldn't bother, and I say this as someone who replaced all his plates before selling the last house. Unless they're hideous, nobody will even notice.

onomatopoeia99

Soulginge wrote: »

With regard to fitting the sockets yourself - You will still need to get them checked by an electrician in order to obtain an electrical safety certificate, whether it works out cheaper to just get them fitted by an electrician in the first place will be down to who you get to do the work I suppose

This is completely wrong. There is no requirement to employ an electrician either to change them or check the work if you change them.