Can we avoid a complete rewire?

elisabeth76

Our 5 bedroom house is 100 years old this year and I've long suspected in the 20 years we've lived here that the fuse boxes under the stairs, which is a complete no-go area for me as I have a phobia where electricity is concerned, belong in a museum.
I know some of the wiring is still the old black and red type as I've seen that when I've loosened light switches when decorating.
When I rang an electrician whom I selected at random from the Yellow Pages last week and described things, there was much sucking of air through the teeth, from him that is , and talk of failing this and failing that regulation.
My husband's attitude tends to be one of, if it's not broke, don't fix it, but I can't sleep at night for worrying that we might have a fire risk going on here.
At the same time, I can't face the thought of having the whole house rewired and then having to redecorate.
I'd really appreciate some advice from anyone out there, and can you be a bit gentle with me cos I'm feeling a bit fragile. Thanks.

baldelectrician

The best solution, and to give you peace of mind, is to have the wiring checked.

A wiring check (PIR) should cost around the £150 mark, and will let you know if the wiring is really bad, and what needs done to bring it up to standard

The wiring regs change, but this doesn't mean the house will burn down

I go to houses with 40 year old wiring and all is still in good order, there has been no or very little messing about with the electrics.
The only things needing done is an upgrade of bonding (main gas and water earth wires), and a new consumer unit with MCB's and a RCD

Concequently I visit houses less than 10 years old where DIY dan has been loose, sprinkled with a bit of dangerous kitchen fitter, a hint of dodgy bathroom company and this house would benefit from a rewire more than the one with the 40 year old wiring.

You should use a competent person for the work, links below
In Scotland:
Individuals regitered;
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/register/ListAC.asp
Companies
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/register/SearchCo.asp?T=Construction&ID=2
In England and Wales:
http://www.competentperson.co.uk

Hope this helps

Just a footnote
I give FREE visual wiring checks, as you can usually tell if a house is beyond saving just by looking.
Ask if they will come out and have a look before you suggest a Periodic Inspection Report (PIR)

elisabeth76

Thank you so much for your speedy and reassuring reply. I'll certainly start the ball rolling with your suggestions. First apparently, I need to get the service head changed because that also belongs in the ark. Just waiting for a call back from the electricity supplier on that.:A

Gambler

Looking to buy a house that was probably built in the late 70's would this need rewiring/new fuse box etc and how much (roughly) would that cost for a 4 bed house?

Thanks

Dick_here

£2-2.5k, depends where you live of course.

PBA

elisabeth76 wrote: »

When I rang an electrician whom I selected at random from the Yellow Pages last week and described things, there was much sucking of air through the teeth, from him that is , and talk of failing this and failing that regulation.

That electrician is having you on, definitely don't go with him! The black and red wiring only changed a couple years ago, fine he wouldn't be able to fit it now but it doesn't mean the house needs complete rewiring!

Gambler

!!!!!!_here wrote: »

£2-2.5k, depends where you live of course.

Is it a messy job?

And how do you know if it needs rewiring? My parents live in a 1970's house and he's never had it done.

poppyolivia

I was told if you had concrete walls (like we do) then its the messiest work but if its not its still messy but not too bad because then they can 'thread' the wires through????? With concrete they need to gouge (sp) the concrete out etc and it takes longer...

Might be completey wrong but i was told that from one electrician a couple or so years ago.....we still havent plucked the courage up to get it done.

Dick_here

Gambler wrote: »

Is it a messy job?

And how do you know if it needs rewiring? My parents live in a 1970's house and he's never had it done.

It's pretty dusty yes, as they have to 'chase down' the walls.

Get two or three electricians round, ask their opinion on the least that needs doing and get quotes for it...

benood

Our place is a similar vintage to yours and when we moved in a couple of years ago one of our first jobs was fitting a new fuseboard with rcd - our electrician was a bit concerned that the rcd would be constantly tripping out but in fact its been fine and we don't need to rewire. Of course with the RCD it's now massively safer.

Gambler

benood wrote: »

Our place is a similar vintage to yours and when we moved in a couple of years ago one of our first jobs was fitting a new fuseboard with rcd - our electrician was a bit concerned that the rcd would be constantly tripping out but in fact its been fine and we don't need to rewire. Of course with the RCD it's now massively safer.

We haven't actually moved yet Ben. Having difficulty deciding between 2 properties, one is from the 1970's and the other is 4 years old so obviously up to date !

How much did it cost?