New electrical installation before or after moving in to property

jcuurthht

We are in the process of buying a house and the electrical installation is very old and we want to replace it. We have 2 options:

1 Hire an electrician to replace it before we move in

2 Move in and hire an electrician in the future

What experience have you had with these options?

I assume option 1 is preferred due to the amount of invasive work that needs to be done (access under floors, in ceilings, drilling canals in walls). I also assume any professionals would also prefer option 1 and not have to worry about performing an installation while people are still trying to live there or have furniture in the property.

molerat

If 1 is an option it is a no brainer

davemorton

Just had mine done, and installer said he did not do re-wires in occupied properties any more. So again, number 1.

jcuurthht

molerat said:

If 1 is an option it is a no brainer

davemorton said:

Just had mine done, and installer said he did not do re-wires in occupied properties any more. So again, number 1.

Yes it sounds easier for everyone involved. Thanks for the feedback.

I assume the same can be said for new water & heating pipes?

Ebe_Scrooge

jcuurthht said:

molerat said:

If 1 is an option it is a no brainer

davemorton said:

Just had mine done, and installer said he did not do re-wires in occupied properties any more. So again, number 1.

Yes it sounds easier for everyone involved. Thanks for the feedback.

I assume the same can be said for new water & heating pipes?

Yep.  Anything like this that involves lifting floorboards, channelling walls, creating lots of mess, etc. - far easier in an empty and unfurnished (and ideally uncarpeted if possible) house if that's an option.

jcuurthht

Ebe_Scrooge said:

jcuurthht said:

molerat said:

If 1 is an option it is a no brainer

davemorton said:

Just had mine done, and installer said he did not do re-wires in occupied properties any more. So again, number 1.

Yes it sounds easier for everyone involved. Thanks for the feedback.

I assume the same can be said for new water & heating pipes?

Yep.  Anything like this that involves lifting floorboards, channelling walls, creating lots of mess, etc. - far easier in an empty and unfurnished (and ideally uncarpeted if possible) house if that's an option.

I suspect that pumbing isn't quite so bad as no chasing of concrete/brick walls will be required.

fenwick458

davemorton said:

Just had mine done, and installer said he did not do re-wires in occupied properties any more. So again, number 1.

exactly this. I've only ever done 1 and that was my last, an occupied rewire takes so much longer, and if it doesn't then they are cutting corners.
moving furniture around from one side of the room and then back again and lifting and relaying floors takes ages, so if you are weighing up the 2 options here's what you need to know

(edited for clarity)
option 1-rewire before you move in, quicker, cheaper, better job
option 2-occupied rewire, it'll take longer, cost more and you'll get a worse quality job and you'll have to endure living in a building site

ka7e

Having lived in a property during a complete rewire, I'd never do it again! The work was all done to a good standard (it was used for the electrician's recertification and was inspected by his trade body) and we could change specs while the work was being done, but the mess, noise and disruption were a nightmare. Ideally the property needs to be totally empty - no furniture or textiles/clothes in storage as the dust permeates everything..

jcuurthht

ka7e said:

Having lived in a property during a complete rewire, I'd never do it again! The work was all done to a good standard (it was used for the electrician's recertification and was inspected by his trade body) and we could change specs while the work was being done, but the mess, noise and disruption were a nightmare. Ideally the property needs to be totally empty - no furniture or textiles/clothes in storage as the dust permeates everything..

Sounds stressful for all involved. How about empty but with a kitchen and bathroom? The dust would probably cover those also.

lesalanos

jcuurthht said:

ka7e said:

Having lived in a property during a complete rewire, I'd never do it again! The work was all done to a good standard (it was used for the electrician's recertification and was inspected by his trade body) and we could change specs while the work was being done, but the mess, noise and disruption were a nightmare. Ideally the property needs to be totally empty - no furniture or textiles/clothes in storage as the dust permeates everything..

Sounds stressful for all involved. How about empty but with a kitchen and bathroom? The dust would probably cover those also.

Bathroom shouldn't be too bad, not much electrical work in there and easy wipe surfaces if you cannot seal the door

Kitchen would be more problematic, you might/will need sockets moving or adding and there is also the risk of damaging the kitchen too

olbas_oil

DD is in same position as you. Having just bought, and partially moved in, she's now moved back out while the rewire is happening.
1) The house is not safe- floorboards up, wires exposed, dust everywhere. Certainly not a space for children.
2) Power off in house apart from a single socket.
3) Quotes were about 20% less because house was unoccupied. It's far easier for electrician.


The only argument against is that she had to make many decisions about positioning sockets, light switches etc. You need to predict how you are going to live in the space (orientation of beds, desks, sofas etc) and that would have been easier if she'd lived there for a couple of months, trying things out. But our electrician is excellent, and willing to allow extra cable in case things get moved later, etc, as well as making really helpful suggestions.

After the rewire, there will be lots of replastering. So that definitely comes before any decoration/floor coverings etc. Best to get it done before moving in.