Is it time to rewire your home?
Are you due a rewire? If you’re like most people, you probably don’t even think about it until something goes wrong. And when it does, you scramble to find an electrician to come out and fix the problem.
But what if there was a way to avoid all that? What if you could take care of basic electrical wiring needs before they turned into big problems? Well, there is. Rewiring your home is a great way to ensure that your electrical system is up to date and can handle anything you throw at it.
There are a few things you should keep in mind if you’re thinking about rewiring your home.
How do I know if I need to rewire my home?
If your home is more than 40 years old, the wiring will likely need to be updated. Rewiring your home can be a big job, but it’s important to make sure that your electrical system is up to date and safe. Here are some signs that you may need to rewire your home:
- Your home has not been rewired in the past 25 years
- Your home has dangerous or electrical wiring
- You’re constantly blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers
- Your sockets or switches are hot to the touch
- Your lights are flickering or dimming
If you’re experiencing any of these problems, it’s time to call an electrician and have your home. Whilst at your home, they can conduct an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) to check the safety of your electrical system and advise you on any work that needs to be done. You may also want to familiarize yourself with fuse box tripping troubleshooting tips to address minor issues before calling for professional help. Understanding these tips can empower you to identify simple causes like overloaded circuits or faulty appliances. Additionally, maintaining good electrical practices can prevent future problems and enhance the safety of your home. Rcd tripping prevention strategies are essential for ensuring the longevity and safety of your electrical system. By implementing these strategies, you can reduce the likelihood of tripping events and create a more reliable power supply in your home. Regular maintenance and periodic inspections are key components of effective rcd tripping prevention strategies that should not be overlooked.
How can I tell if my home has already been rewired recently?
If you’re unsure whether or not your home has been rewired recently, there are a few things you can look for. First, check your consumer unit. If your home has been recently rewired by a qualified electrician, then it should have a sticker saying when it was last tested.
A modern consumer unit should also have a minimum of one RCD (Residual Current Device). If you only have one RCD, we would still advise you to get an electrician out to see if your consumer unit needs upgrading. If you have rewireable fuses still, we would definitely recommend you get an electrician out to do a full test to see if you need a rewire or not. Cost factors for fuse box replacement can vary significantly based on the complexity of the installation and the materials used. It’s important to consider not just the immediate costs but also the long-term benefits of updating your system for safety and efficiency. Consulting with a qualified electrician can help you understand these costs and make an informed decision.
Alternatively, you could also look at the colour and condition of your existing wiring. Older wiring can be surrounded by a lead or cloth sheath, which is often black. Newer wiring will be surrounded by plastic or PVC insulation, which is usually white or grey (grey being the most recent). The wires inside should be brown and blue, instead of red and black. Brown and Blue wiring came into place in 2006, which helps us identify how old the installation is.
Antiquated Wiring
We class anything over 60 years old as antiquated wiring.
This wiring is usually the older VIR (Vulcanised Indian Rubber) style and may not have any earth wire.
Wiring of this age can be unsafe and should be rewired at the earliest opportunity.
Dated Wiring
We classify wiring that is between 20 and 60 years old as dated wiring.
While some of this wiring might pass a test, we ask our clients a series of questions that help determine if rewiring is the best option.
- Are you planning to decorate?
- Do you want to make alterations and additions to the electrics?
- Are you experiencing some problems with the electrics?
- Are you doing other work, such as a new kitchen or outdoor lighting circuits?
- Are you seeking peace of mind and the guarantee of safety with your home’s electrics?
Other Key Signs Your House Needs Rewiring
Wondering if your electrical components need upgrading?
Here are some warning signs of electrical problems that signal that your home’s electrical system is outdated:
Fittings & Hardware
- Toggle-type light switches
- Wooden-backed switches or fuse boards
- Older round pin sockets and round light switches
- Cast iron switches or fuse boxes
- Braided flex hanging from ceiling roses
- Sockets and switches mounted in skirting boards (pre-1960s)
Your Wiring
- Cable with sheathing other than PVC
- Electrical cables coated in black rubber (phased out 1960s)
- Lead-insulated or fabric cabling (pre-1960s)
- Surface-mounted cabling with exposed wires
- Lack of earth cable at switches and sockets
Fuse Box/Consumer unit
- Fuses blowing regularly
- Rewirable fuses rather than trip switches
- A haphazard mixture of fuse boxes
Damage & Overheating
- Signs of overheating at outlets or general outlet damage
- Discoloured sockets, brown or black switches
- Loose connections
Electrical Performance
- Lamps or bulbs blowing regularly
- Flickering or dimming lights
- Electric shocks from outlets or switches
- Minimal sockets per room (one or two singles)
What do I need to consider before rewiring my home?
To rewire a house is a big job, and it’s important to make sure that you’re prepared before you start. Here are a few things to consider before you rewire your home: How long to rewire a house can depend on several factors, including the size of the home and the complexity of the electrical systems involved. Hiring a qualified electrician is crucial to ensure safety and compliance with local codes. Additionally, planning the layout and identifying any necessary upgrades can help streamline the process.
You need to be certain of the number of sockets, switches, and light fittings you want in every room. It is much cheaper to do everything at once than to keep adding in the future if you decide you want an extra socket.
On some occasions, you may be deciding if you want to move house instead of having your house rewired. Doing a full rewire on a 3 Bed house costs on average £6000 + VAT. The cost to rewire any property does vary depending on what is involved. If you decide you want to move house, that cost would inevitably be taken away from your house price, so no saving is made. You can find out more about the cost of to rewire your home here.
How do I choose the right qualified electrician?
The rewiring of your property should not be taken lightly. In the worst-case scenario, terrible wiring may be a serious fire hazard as well as posing a significant risk of injuring or electrocution to those living there. Choosing the right electrician to complete your home rewire is very important.
Always look for someone who is part p registered. This means they will be on the electrical competent persons register, and registered with either the NICEIC or NAPIT. Both of these check companies got enough public liability insurance, along with ensuring that we are working by the current wiring regulations. Ensuring compliance with electrical safety costs in the UK is essential for both homeowners and contractors. Investing in professional services helps mitigate the risks associated with electrical installations. Regular inspections and assessments are also crucial to maintaining safety standards and avoiding potentially costly issues down the line.
At HomeRewire we are registered with the NICEIC. This is the biggest of the two schemes and is more widely recognised throughout the country. We do not cut corners on any of our work and do not skimp on any costs to make sure your job is done to the best possible standard.
Tips for staying safe during the rewire process
Try and keep the family out of the way as much as possible. Rewiring is a very dusty, dirty, and disruptive job, so it’s best if you can keep pets and children away from the work area.
When we at HomeRewire do any rewires, we offer a financial incentive to vacate the property during the rewire. On average, this is around £500. This is because it is much safer for everyone, as we can safely lift floorboards and pull cables through, without worrying about anyone else in the house. We also provide house rewire services in Glasgow, ensuring that all electrical work meets the highest safety standards. Our skilled technicians are trained to handle a variety of wiring issues, making your home safer and more efficient. By choosing us, you’re not just investing in a service, but in the long-term safety of your property.
How to get ready for your rewire project
In an ideal world, a house would be empty before we do a rewire. We understand this is rarely possible. The best thing you can do to help is to move all small ornaments and pictures away from the walls into sealed boxes. It is also helpful if you can empty under the sink as we often have to access this for bonding the earth to your water stop tap. Rewiring challenges in older homes can often lead to unexpected issues, especially when dealing with outdated wiring systems. It’s important to consult an expert who can assess the specific needs of your house. Ensuring safety and compliance with modern standards is crucial in these situations.
You should know exactly where you want any sockets and switches, so please make sure we can access these points easily.
What to do after the rewire is complete
Once we have finished we will give you a copy of your home’s electrical installation certificate, along with a building regulations notification. Any registered electrician has to give you both of these documents.
At Home Rewire, we offer a plastering service. We can plaster over our chases so that all you need to do is paint over the chases. Sometimes this may need some extra work depending on the condition of the wall, and whether it is a painted wall or wallpaper.
We are partnered with Home Skim and Home Decor who can follow us after completing your rewire, and completely re-plaster and re-decorate your home. Ask us about this if you are interested.
What are you waiting for?
So, is it time to rewire your home? Chances are if you’re reading this article, the answer is yes. We hope we’ve given you a good starting point for deciding whether or not to rewire your home and how to go about doing it safely and effectively.
HomeRewire: Scotland & Glasgow Rewiring Specialists
HomeRewire is a home rewiring company based in Glasgow, specialising in full electrical rewires. We are dedicated to enhancing safety and modernising homes across Glasgow, Edinburgh, and beyond.
From inception to our now 18-person strong team of skilled professionals, we’ve set the standard in efficiency. We can completely rewire your home in just two days compared to the industry norm of 1–2 weeks.
Our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction has solidified our reputation as the preferred choice for comprehensive electrical upgrades throughout Scotland. When rewiring a house, we set a competitive, fixed price with no hidden costs.
Whether you are an owner of an occupied dwelling or a rental property, we can assist. If you have further questions regarding rewiring your home, you can always message us on WhatsApp or call/email us on 0141 459 5909 or [email protected].
When you need to rewire, remember HomeRewire. Request a free quote using our house rewiring cost calculator.
