Rewire? whats invlved

halia

I've been advised my house needs its electrics sorting by a homebuyers survey but a bit confused about whats needed exactly.

I'm happy (and so are potential buyers) with placement of sockets and lights, so how much mess is invovled? the wiring is old, probably pre 1980.

Is it possible to have units upgraded/replaced without the mess and hassle of having new sockets put in, new cables chased into walls etc?

Incisor

halia wrote: »

I've been advised my house needs its electrics sorting by a homebuyers survey but a bit confused about whats needed exactly.

I'm happy (and so are potential buyers) with placement of sockets and lights, so how much mess is invovled? the wiring is old, probably pre 1980.

Is it possible to have units upgraded/replaced without the mess and hassle of having new sockets put in, new cables chased into walls etc?

If it is a rewire which is recommended, then it is new cables which are generally understood to be required - and at this stage, it makes sense to renew electrical fittings.

The degree of mess all depends upon how good a job was done originally. If the cables were chased in and plastered straight over, then it is messy to rewire. If they were put in conduit with straight runs and not tightly packed, and there is good access to the other ends to give straight pulls, then it is much cleaner job. It will involve moving furniture to lift floorboards to get access to the pulls in most cases.

darkstar157

hi halia,
i'd recommend getting a periodic inspection report done first, then you will know what(if anything )needs doing. A P.I.R will cost from £150, but it sounds to me that the surveyer is just covering there backside. It maybe that there is nothing wrong with your cables but you might be advised to upgrade your consumer unit and bonding which would not create loads of mess

baldelectrician

I would suggest maybe a PIR

I sometimes also give free visual quotes. If I am rushed off my feet I can't always fit them in.

It may be advisable to call a local registered electrician. If he/she is worth thier salt they should know the estate you live in and how old the wiring is, and if it requires rewiring
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

halia

Thanks all, I did take a couple of sockets off and checked the cabling and its grey plastic coated nto black rubber so at least SOME of the wiring has been updated since the house was built!

I'll see about getting a PIR

Incisor

halia wrote: »

Thanks all, I did take a couple of sockets off and checked the cabling and its grey plastic coated nto black rubber so at least SOME of the wiring has been updated since the house was built!

I'll see about getting a PIR

???? Plastic on rubber? Are you sure it isn't lead on rubber? If it is, you really do need a rewire.

halia

Incisor wrote: »

???? Plastic on rubber? Are you sure it isn't lead on rubber? If it is, you really do need a rewire.

Sorry, mistype, I meant that to say grey plastic NOT rubber