Flat re-wiring - advice

bbat

Hello, completion due soon on a flat. I have an overlap with rented property so I wanted to get the flat re-wired before I move in and the place is empty. I'm arranging for three companies to come and quote for the work after completion. 
Any tips of things I should make sure I say/ask about? Anything you wish you had asked or had confirmed before re-wiring works?

I'm guessing some may or may not offer a service to 'make good' the plaster after. 

The existing wiring runs all around surfaces around door frames and skirting boards and things and the consumer unit is very old. I'm keen to get it updated and more sockets put in (only one in each room at the moment). 

Thanks in advance.

Hasbeen

The existing wiring by being surface mounted presumably enclosed in pvc conduit was put in on the cheap.

To get all wiring hidden then you will need a plasterer and joiner. Talk to the 3 companies re this. Will be messy.

Look around the flat and you decide where you want to locate new sockets / light switches etc.  

I would ignore any existing sockets as they will not come up to new reg's re heights, amount off etc.

Are you getting new ceiling lights ? LED these days. Are you asking them to fit?

New consumer unit. Recommending metal again these days as plastic fire hazard? Someone will state for definite.

Council requires notification by company to ensure all is certified and certificate issued.

Have a read of this as to Minimum requirements: https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/media/1204/guidance-on-minimum-provision-socketsv2.pdf

Google info as much as you can.  

Someone more expert will be along shortly.  

Ectophile

You don't get the choice of metal or plastic consumer units any more.  Unless you intend to build a fireproof box around the consumer unit, it has to be metal.

theoretica

bbat said:

The existing wiring runs all around surfaces around door frames and skirting boards and things and the consumer unit is very old. I'm keen to get it updated and more sockets put in (only one in each room at the moment).

Far easier to get lots of sockets put in while you're having the work done and not use them right away than decide later you don't have enough or in the right places.  I wouldn't go for the ones with built in USB chargers - one more thing to go wrong and not much of an advantage over a plug in USB converter.  Also don't stint on any two way light switches you might want. 

Might you want an induction hob now or in future?  That may need special consideration.

Might be worth getting wired bases for smoke/CO2 detectors put in while your at it.  Bathroom/kitchen extractor fans?

FreeBear

theoretica said: Far easier to get lots of sockets put in while you're having the work done and not use them right away than decide later you don't have enough or in the right places.  I wouldn't go for the ones with built in USB chargers - one more thing to go wrong and not much of an advantage over a plug in USB converter.  Also don't stint on any two way light switches you might want. 

Still, it is well worth fitting 35mm (or deeper) back boxes just in case opinions change.

If you (the OP) has a hankering for smart light switches at some point, it is a good idea to run a neutral wire to each switch box. A lot of smart switches require a neutral feed - It can terminated safely and tucked away until such time as it is needed.

bbat

Thanks everyone! 
That's a few things to think about.

Hasbeen, the wiring isnt even in the plastic conduit, just pinned to walls. And there are sockets mounted directly into skirting boards! 

Good tip about the two way light switches and just getting sockets put in even if unsure. 

The very very old kitchen has freestanding cooker which will be replaced, but no extractor fan. I may need to think about that. 
Free bear...I've not even thought about smart switches. I'll look them up!

Homer_home

Also get the spark to run a 10mm cable for a shower too , even if you dont intend to use it just yet 

Also i would ask the spark not to fit ceiling roses instead terminate the lighting cables in the ceiling and just have a single cable coming down to connect to the light fitting, this makes it much easier in the future to swap out fittings

ka7e

If you are going to have a new kitchen, you need a plan so that you can have enough sockets for appliances and gadgets in the right places. You will need appropriate cabling for showers, oven and hob (if they are electric - plug-in hobs lack oomph).

Have your BT master socket moved next to a bank of sockets - I have router, Nest hub, telephone and TV signal booster all neatly in one place. As they will likely have floorboards up, the BT cable can go under them instead of being surface mounted.

Get the electrician to install plug sockets and TV ariel high on appropriate walls if you want your TV wall-mounted, then no cabling shows.

Consider where you want to use laptop/PC/printer etc.

Everywhere you think you might need a socket, put in a bank of 4!

FreeBear

bbat said:  ...I've not even thought about smart switches. I'll look them up!

There are some very expensive ones out there, but you can also get them for well under £10 if you shop around. Some will even come with a dimmer function.. The touch pad is illuminated which makes it very easy to find the switch in the dark.

I have some fitted in my kitchen, utility, and kitchen - Got tired of seeing utility & garage lights being left on, so now have them all set up to turn off when the kitchen light is switched off. Just a couple of lines to edit in a setup file, and no extra wiring needed. Also handy being able to turn lights on/off from an app without having to get out of the chair or bed..

Downside apart from cost and the need for a neutral wire is they need a 35mm deep back box - Most electricians will fit a 25mm or 16mm back box.