Do I Need To Rewire My House?
If you’re wondering, “Do I need to rewire my house?” trust HomeRewire to provide the experience and expertise to assist you in safeguarding your house.
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How Often Should a House Be Rewired?
When to rewire a house depends on your unique situation, your future plans, and the existing wiring condition of your home. We recommend rewiring work every 25 years to prevent any serious fire hazards.
Since rewiring can be a difficult task for electricians who aren’t experienced or certified in this field, they may try to avoid rewiring a house where possible. Not us! We’re here, ready, and eager to help you upgrade your electricals at an affordable price.
How Do You Know if Your House Needs Rewiring?
Electricians carry out what is known as an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), which is similar to an MOT for cars. The EICR is a snapshot of the quality and condition of the installation at the time of testing.
While some older wiring may pass the test on a particular day, the very same wiring may fail shortly thereafter when your home has new decor due to major renovations. Testing is non-intrusive, so you can never really know the condition of the electrical installation if it’s hidden within the fabric of the building.
At HomeRewire, we make a thorough judgement on the likelihood of rewiring using our experience in de-commissioning and stripping out thousands of electrical systems.
It’s essential to weigh up all the factors in your decision to conduct a house rewire. Want to know the cost to rewire? Find out how much an average rewire costs here.
Avoid a serious fire hazard by safety-proofing your home with HomeRewire. Email us at info@homerewire.com for expert assistance.
Three Types of Electrical Wiring in Your Home
If you’re uncertain about your house wiring and electricity systems, we’ve classified your electrical wiring into three types below.
Modern Wiring
We class anything up to 20 years old as modern wiring.
This should be solid core copper, PVC sheathed cable.
It’s highly unlikely you’ll need to rewire your home unless the electrics have been so poorly installed that it would be more efficient to rewire rather than repair.
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 class 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?
Key Signs Your House Needs Rewiring
Wondering if your electrical components need upgrading?
Here are some warning signs of electrician problems that signal that your home electrics are outdated:
- Toggle-type light switches
- Fuses blowing regularly (you may require a new fuse box or consumer unit)
- Cable with sheathing other than PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
- Lamps blowing regularly (faulty wiring or short-circuiting)
- Signs of overheating at outlets or general damage to outlets
- Rewirable fuses rather than trip switches
- Surface-mounted existing cabling has exposed wires
- Minimal socket outlets in rooms (usually one or two single electrical sockets indicate an old install)
- Wooden-backed switches or fuse boards
- Lack of earth cable at switches and sockets
- Electrical cables coated in black rubber (phased out in the 1960s)
- Lead-insulated cabling or fabric (before the 1960s)
- Cast iron switches or fuse boxes or a haphazard mixture of fuse boxes
- Older round pin sockets and round light switches
- Braided flex hanging from ceiling roses
- Discoloured sockets and brown and black switches
- Sockets and switches mounted in skirting boards (before the 1960s)
- Loose connections and electric shocks
- Flickering lights (flickering or dimming lights)
Are Your Electrics Safe?
We may be able to greatly improve the safety of your home with a few simple upgrades.
What's Involved in Rewiring
We eliminate any potential electrical problems and ensure everything is modern, safe, and certificated.
Cost
Competitive cost to rewire, with a strong focus on quality workmanship and your family’s safety.
Why Use Home Rewire Scotland
We come very experienced and equipped to deal with the most difficult rewiring challenges.
Does My House Need Rewiring? | FAQs With an Expert
If you’re wondering “How to tell if a house needs rewiring”, we’ve answered some key questions to put your mind at ease.
Electrical codes and building regulations ensure that all electrical installations are safe and meet current standards. Compliance with IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) wiring regulations is mandatory, and work should be carried out by a qualified electrician. Instead of carrying out DIY electrical work, a professional electrical inspection is always a safer idea.
Aged wiring can lead to an electric shock, a higher risk of tiny fires, circuit breakers tripping, and damage to your electrical appliance. While tempting to avoid re-cabling, hiring a registered electrician to upgrade your wiring can enhance performance and reduce potentially dangerous risks.
To future-proof your home’s electrics, consider hiring a competent person with electrical qualifications to install a modern consumer unit and new cabling. Also, ensure you are using energy-efficient light fittings and power points.
If your home has outdated wiring, frequent electrical issues, or is over 40 years old, you may need a full rewire. For modern homes, a partial rewire might be enough, focusing on specific areas during the first fix stage. If you’re uncertain, consult a qualified electrician for a thorough assessment.
Yes, rewiring your home can increase its value by ensuring the electrical system is safe, reliable, and compliant with modern standards. When you rewire a house, especially an older property, you ensure that it’s more appealing to potential buyers.
Consider replacing consumer units if they still use rewireable fuses or lack Residual Current Devices (RCDs). Upgrading to a modern consumer unit enhances electrical safety and meets current regulations.
Electrical problems associated with a faulty fuse box include frequent blown fuses, outdated wiring, or lack of Residual Current Devices (RCDs). Upgrading ensures your electrical system meets current safety standards.
Yes, old or faulty wiring can affect the performance of a hardwired smoke detector. This can potentially cause false alarms or prevent them from functioning correctly during a fire. It’s important to have your wiring inspected and maintained regularly by a qualified electrician to ensure safety.
It is much safer to hire a qualified electrician, despite the fact that you can install a new light fitting if you have basic electrical knowledge. This ensures the fitting is installed correctly and complies with important electrical safety regulations.
From the installation of a new consumer unit to a basic electrical inspection, HomeRewire can help.
Request a quote online today.
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.
When you need to rewire, remember HomeRewire. Request a free quote using our house rewiring cost calculator.