Rewiring your house may not cross your mind very often. However, it can often prove to be a wise decision as old, potentially dangerous wiring is replaced with safer, longer-lasting and more cost-effective electrical wiring solutions.
But, how do you know when it’s time to call your electrician in London or elsewhere and start the process of getting your house rewired?
Luckily, a few key indicators may help you realise your house needs rewiring. These would include:
- Your property is more than 30 years old and still has its original wiring
- Fuses blowing frequently
- Buzzing from plug sockets
- Signs of scorching or discolouration on plugs and sockets
- Lights flickering or dimming often
- A consumer unit (fuse board) with wooden backing, cast iron switches, black cabling and limited labelling
- Fewer than two plug sockets in each room
Why would my house need rewiring?
It’s mainly down to safety. Electrical fires or the risk of electrocution increases with systems that show significant signs of wear or are unable to cope with our ever-increasing reliance on electricity.
This is more prominent in older homes where aged systems no longer meet today’s safety standards.
The best way to determine if your house needs rewiring is to hire an electrician to assess the current system. From their findings, they can establish whether a full or partial rewiring of your home is required.
In most cases, if your home is more than 30 years old and still has the original wiring, it is likely to need at least a partial upgrade.
How often does a house need rewiring?
There is no hard and fast rule for how often you should rewire your house. Old wiring can still be safe, but as mentioned previously, if your home is more than 30 years old and hasn’t had its wiring changed, it would probably need to be replaced.
What is advised, though, is a periodic inspection by a qualified and registered electrician. These should be conducted at least every 10 years for owner-occupied homes and at least every 5 years or at a change of tenancy for rental properties.
This way, you learn whether your current wiring is safe and whether any changes could be implemented.
How much does rewiring a house cost?
Many factors determine how much rewiring a house costs. These include:
- How old the home is
- The size of the property
- How many bedrooms there are
- Whether the home is occupied or vacant
The choice of electrician also plays a large part. Quotes can vary greatly, so it is always wise to obtain multiple quotes before proceeding. At London Property Services, we pride ourselves on transparency and ensure all costs and timelines are fully explained before commencing any work.
As a rough guide, you could spend anything from £2,000 for a 2-bed home to £6,000 or more for a larger property.
What are the benefits of rewiring a house?
The main benefits of rewiring a house include:
- Compliance with current regulations
- Reduced chances of shocks, faults or fires
- Modernising the home to match your needs
- Reassurance for tenants or future buyers
Rewiring a property not only makes it safer, but it also helps modernise an older home and make it more appealing to potential buyers or renters.
With a full rewiring, you can feel safe knowing that the entire home is compliant with current regulations and will provide a safe, reliable electrical supply to those using it. This means that the potential for shocks, electrical fires or faults with your items is significantly reduced. To further help with preventing electrical fires, read our guide for additional advice.
You’ll also be able to mould the electrics to your needs. With phones, tablets, consoles, and more always needing a charge or constant supply, you can add more plugs, include USB outlets, or consider EV charging points.
How long does it take to rewire a house?
Rewiring a house could take anything from a few days to a couple of weeks. Much depends on the scope of the job. A partial rewiring, for example, will take less time to complete than a complete wiring overhaul.
Key factors that determine how long it takes to rewire a house include:
- The size of the house
- How accessible the wiring is
- The number of electricians working on the project
- The condition of the current wiring
- How complex the wiring system is
When an electrician comes to your home, they will be able to give you a clear indication of how long it should take.
Can I require my house myself?
Whilst some websites or YouTube videos may suggest you can rewire your house by yourself; it is not recommended.
There are serious safety implications to remain aware of, and attempting such a job yourself could put you, your household or your tenants at risk.
You may even find that insurers do not honour any claims if electrical fires or other such issues were caused by your failing to have the work completed correctly. Furthermore, it could pose challenges when you try to sell the home. A surveyor may find that the work is not compliant or carries potential risks and report this to buyers, who then back out.
DIY electrical work is not illegal, but it is regulated, and this means that in cases of major work, such as rewiring, any amateur electrician must become a member of a government-approved “competent persons” scheme or submit notice to the local authorities before conducting any work. Once completed, and for a fee, inspectors will assess whether the work has been carried out in line with building regulations.
In short, leave it to the professionals. The potential risk, cost and issues that may arise are too significant.
For compliant rewiring in London, contact us. Our team of skilled and experienced domestic electricians is on hand to provide a wide range of electrical services, including EICR, PAT testing in London, appliance installation and more.
