Buying house - does it need rewiring?

SamwiseGamgee83

Hi all,

We're in the process of buying a 4/5 bedroom property, built in 1975ish.

The building survey noted that there is an old rewireable type fuse board and some DIY electrics in the loft space. 

They recommended an electrical installation condition report and to budget £6000 for rewiring.

I've spoken to an electrician who suggested it might not be worth spending the money on a report and to go straight for a rewire.

I'm of the opinion that I'm employing a professional to give me expert advice, which I usually follow, however, is there anything I should be looking out for or asking?

Many thanks

FreeBear

Will they make good plasterwork after chasing out for conduit & back boxes ?

If they plan on using surface mount conduit & boxes, it is going to look piggin' ugly, and I personally would refuse. Some electricians can make a fair job of patching up plasterwork afterwards, but you might want to budget for a replaster. Certainly look at adding more sockets in each room at a sensible height. And as the consumer unit is being replaced, insist on an isolator switch between CU and meter.

maisie_cat

FreeBear said:

Will they make good plasterwork after chasing out for conduit & back boxes ?

If they plan on using surface mount conduit & boxes, it is going to look piggin' ugly, and I personally would refuse. Some electricians can make a fair job of patching up plasterwork afterwards, but you might want to budget for a replaster. Certainly look at adding more sockets in each room at a sensible height. And as the consumer unit is being replaced, insist on an isolator switch between CU and meter.

If you had asked for my opinion on the piggin' ugliness of conduit a few years ago I would have said that I would never have it. We now live in a house that has the aforementioned white plastic conduit because of the granite walls and frankly it is not as noticeable as I would have expected.
The conduit is hidden well, corners of rooms, along the tops of beams and atop skirting. If I couldn't afford a rewire with carving out walls and extensive making good then surface mounted is better than potentially dangerous electrics.

nofoollikeold

1. There is nothing wrong with re-wireable fuses, although they are not as convenient to reset if one "blows". 
2. Built in the 70's, the wires should be PVC insulated, not rubber, so should give little cause for concern.
3. DIY electrics might be of concern, but in the loft may well be accessible to be re-done.
4. If it were me I'd go for the EICR.  Then get a quote to put anything identified as requiring attention put right.  EICR shouldn't cost more than £200.  
5. I've recently had 6 EICRs done (for rented flats).  All recommended new consumer units, and an additional £300 to £600 of remedial work.  The flats were all built late 60s early 70's.  No total rewiring needed.

FreeBear

With some buildings, conduit is the only option. I'd go for a more industrial look with round conduit (either black PVC or metal) with matching metal back boxes.

TELLIT01

FreeBear said:

With some buildings, conduit is the only option. I'd go for a more industrial look with round conduit (either black PVC or metal) with matching metal back boxes.

In an building where you want an industrial look, round conduit might be appropriate.  I wouldn't buy a more 'conventional' house where it had been used as I think it would look hideous.