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Common House Wiring Questions
Many clients have similar questions before we begin a project with them, which is why we now provide a comprehensive house rewire guide.
This includes how much it will cost, how long will it take, etc.
We have collated a rewiring-a-house guide with a list of the frequently asked questions to assist you.
If you have additional queries or need more detailed information about our house rewire guide, please feel free to reach out to us.
- What is a house rewire?
- When does a house need to be rewired?
- Is deteriorating wiring really a problem?
- How do you know what kind of wiring you have?
- How long will home rewiring take?
- Will the complete house rewire require walls to be broken?
- Will the power to the house be shut off during the house rewire?
- Will the house rewire increase the value and saleability of my house?
- Will the full rewire reduce my homeowner's insurance?
- Can I do my own house rewire?
- How often should a home be rewired?
- How can I reduce the cost of electrical rewires?
- Is a full or partial rewire a messy job?
- What furniture do I need to move?
- Will I need to clear the loft?
- Do I need to remove my pets? Will you leave me with rubbish?
- Will you leave me with rubbish?
- How much does rewiring cost?
- Do you clean after the rewiring project
- Will I lose power during the rewiring project?
- Can I stay in the property when it is being rewired?
- How do I know if my house needs to be rewired?
- What does rewiring a house involve?
- How do I find out what kind of wiring I have?
- What furniture do I need to move?
- Will I need to lift my flooring for rewiring?
- Why get your home rewired?
- Can I partially rewire my house?
- Can you find out when a house was rewired?
- Does rewiring a house save energy?
- How do I prepare my house for rewiring?
- Does a 1950s house need rewiring?
- Is an old fuse box illegal?
- Can you rewire one room at a time?
- Can a qualified electrician condemn a house?
- How long does the wiring in a house last?
- Are rewiring flats more difficult?
- Do I need to tell my neighbours?
- Are my electrics connected to my neighbour?
- Are there any grants available for rewiring?
- Does my insurance cover rewiring?
- Are old cables dangerous?
- Can any electrician rewire a house?
- What makes HomeRewire so fast?
- How should I choose an electrician?
- I'm a landlord. What's my responsibility on electrics?
- What is an RCD?
- When is the best time to rewire?
- Can I add extra sockets during rewiring & how many sockets?
- Will I need to plaster?
- Will I need to decorate after the new wiring is installed?
- Can I get chrome sockets?
- Do you come across asbestos when rewiring?
- Do you have a guarantee on your electrical work?
What is a house rewire?
A house rewire involves replacing all the home’s wiring and upgrading the equipment. The electrical wiring system throughout your home powers all your appliances, equipment, and lighting. Over time, outdated wiring systems and existing wiring need to be replaced, which is where our services for electrical rewiring in Glasgow come in.
When does a house need to be rewired?
Your full electrical wiring should be replaced every 25 years to ensure electrical safety. Regular electrical inspections by a qualified electrician will determine when a rewiring job is necessary to ensure the safety of your home’s electrical system.
Check our “Are Your Electrics Safe?” page about signs for when it’s time.
Is deteriorating wiring really a problem?
Yes, over time, wiring can deteriorate and become a serious fire hazard. Aluminium cables, for example, are more vulnerable to fire risks. Damage to these cables can cause arcing and result in electrical fires. Old wiring is not designed to deal with today's house electrical demands.
How do you know what kind of wiring you have?
We do so many house rewires we can often tell the age of the installation simply by a text image of your consumer unit. If your consumer unit trips frequently, it might be a good idea to consider installing a new consumer unit.
Simply give us a call. We will consult with you and discuss your rewiring project, or you can even send us an image of the wiring needing to be replaced.
How long will home rewiring take?
Most of our full-house rewiring projects take 1-2 days to complete, while normal electricians may advertise a full rewire of your house to take 4-10 days. We can do this much faster by using more means and having experience in rewiring over 6000 homes. When it comes to house rewiring, we are fairly confident we are the quickest team.
Will the complete house rewire require walls to be broken?
Yes, we usually route all electrical cables through your wall. We offer a plastering home rewiring service to put this all back together for you.
Will the power to the house be shut off during the house rewire?
Yes, usually overnight if required. However, we do install temporary rewired electrical supplies on request.
Will the house rewire increase the value and saleability of my house?
Rewiring your home doesn’t necessarily add value to your home, but it does make it more attractive to buy for any potential owners. Updating your home’s wiring will definitely make it more sellable. Many of our clients rewire before selling to ease the sale by installing new light fittings, like security lights.
They may also add an updated electricity meter and brand-new cabling throughout the property. Knowing the home’s electrical system is up to date provides peace of mind to the buyer that they don’t need to conduct costly and disruptive electrical work further down the line.
Will the full rewire reduce my homeowner's insurance?
This is unlikely, however, most insurers now insist on an up-to-date safety certificate for your electrics. It is becoming a necessity to have safe electrics to ensure you get an insurance policy, which is why we provide an electrical installation certificate to address these concerns.
Can I do my own house rewire?
Yes, however, you are not qualified to sign it off. We have seen electrical installations attempted as DIY projects, and they almost always end in disaster. With HomeRewire, you can be assured that our qualified electricians will handle the job professionally and safely. We adhere to all building regulations and provide the necessary certification. This ensures your rewiring meets legal standards and keeps your home safe.
How often should a home be rewired?
We recommend rewiring your house every 25 years. If you notice signs of electrical issues, it might be necessary to rewire sooner. Routine evaluations by a qualified electrician can detect any potential issues early on and determine if a full electrical rewiring job is needed before the 25-year mark.
How can I reduce the cost of electrical rewires?
We discourage clients from doing any work themselves in a bid to save costs. You can make things much easier for us by lifting the carpets, ensuring the furniture is clear, showing us any hidden cabling, and removing cover plates from light switches.
Is a full or partial rewire a messy job?
Yes, an electrical rewire is a very messy and disruptive job. Depending on the type of house construction, there can be a lot of dust and mess generated when rewiring. Good electrical contractors will have suitable dust extraction equipment and methods to help minimise the dust.
What furniture do I need to move?
Most furniture will need moving at some point during the rewire, especially for significant alterations. If new wires are required, our team is more than happy to assist. Speak to the registered electrician to find out when and how.
Will I need to clear the loft?
Yes. The electrician will need to work in the loft.
Do I need to remove my pets?
Yes, it's a good idea to remove all pets when rewiring a home.
Will you leave me with rubbish?
We offer a service to take away all your rubbish for your rewire at a cost; simply request this upon enquiry.
How much does rewiring cost?
Our rewiring projects start from £1995 +Vat. We feel we are very competitive on our costs and consider the value offered to our client to be exceptional. We often offer a price match promise to any comparable quotes, subject to terms. Check out our page on rewiring costs for more information.
Do you clean after the rewiring project?
Yes, with all rewiring projects, we offer a thorough cleaning of the property. We also offer a professional cleaning service should clients require additional post-work cleanup.
Will I lose power during the rewiring project?
Yes, usually overnight if required, but the main power will be off for the duration of the rewiring works. However, we do install temporary supplies on request for things like fridges and fish tanks.
Can I stay in the property when it is being rewired?
We do not recommend being inside the property during rewiring. It is a fast-paced building site environment. For health and safety reasons it's best the homes occupants stay elsewhere.
How do I know if my house needs to be rewired?
The signs that you may need to rewire your home or install new electrical components include:
- Fuses blowing
- Shocks from switches and outlets
- Frequently flickering or dimming lights
- Damaged or exposed wires
- Cables and poor test results
What does rewiring a house involve?
Rewiring involves an experienced electrician, or team of electricians, removing all of the electrical wiring in each room of your home or flat and replacing it with brand-new wiring. This makes the installation safer.
Check out our page for “the process of rewiring” to get a glimpse of the step-by-step guide.
How do I find out what kind of wiring I have?
We can generally advise on which wiring installation is necessary from a few images. You can send us a few pictures to our email or our fusebox finder app to find out more about your installation. We offer free visual inspections should you have concerns about your electrical system.
What furniture do I need to move?
Generally, you will need to pack away all the small loose items, and we can help with any heavy items if necessary. This must be done before electricians arrive at your home. We send out help documents that show how to prepare for rewiring.
Will I need to lift my flooring for rewiring?
Generally, on the second level upstairs, we will need to lift any floor coverings. This depends on the access we have throughout the property. If there is crawl space under the ground floor, we may not need to lift any flooring.
Why get your home rewired?
The obvious answer is safety. However, there are many other benefits. Rewiring your home allows you to completely redesign your electrical system from scratch and add in new outlets and accessories.
Can I partially rewire my house?
You can partially rewire a house, but it can be difficult. It's not always clear where cables run and how they are connected to other circuit breakers. We generally only get involved in partial rewires if the original electrical installations are well-presented and organised.
Can you find out when a house was rewired?
There may be a date listed on the original consumer unit. If not, then it’s impossible to tell an exact date. We can usually give a good indication of which decade it was rewired by carefully assessing the installation.
Does rewiring a house save energy?
Modern wiring is much more efficient than older systems, meaning energy bills are likely to reduce over time. We also install energy-efficient lamps and other methods to reduce energy consumption.
How do I prepare my house for rewiring?
We go into detail on this if you accept a quote. However, as a rule of thumb, you want to create a meter permitter space around the outside of every room, pack small belongings away, and then dust sheet up every room.
Does a 1950s house need rewiring?
Unless the wiring is the modern PVC, then a house rewire is likely to be necessary. If you see any old rubber-insulated cabling, fabric-insulated cabling or lead-insulated cabling, then it needs replacing ASAP.
Is an old fuse box illegal?
No, there is no legal requirement to replace your old fuse boxes. However, it's in the interests of safety that the wiring be replaced. The fusebox may be non-compliant with the current building regulations, but it is not illegal.
Can you rewire one room at a time?
This can be done, but it will take a lot of time and cost a lot of money. We do not recommend this method.
Can a qualified electrician condemn a house?
Yes, but it takes a VERY serious issue, like an immediate risk to the occupant. This would include violating building regulations and wiring regulations resulting in exposed live wires, outdated wiring, or significant fire hazards.
How long does the wiring in a house last?
Modern wiring, if maintained well, is expected to last up to 30 years.
Are rewiring flats more difficult?
Top flats are easiest, bottom flats are more difficult, and middle flats are the most difficult type of rewire job. This is because there is no easy access above or below.
Do I need to tell my neighbours?
It’s worthwhile letting your neighbours know you are getting rewired, as it can be noisy work.
Are my electrics connected to my neighbour?
Some homes have a shared supply, but it's nothing to worry about. It just means the mains goes into one house and then feeds into another. It's pretty common, and you do not share the actual electrical usage as this is metered individually in each home.
Are there any grants available for rewiring?
We have heard of this in the past but have never actually come across anyone who successfully got a grant to rewire their home.
Does my insurance cover rewiring?
Insurers treat rewiring as an essential maintenance task, so they would not cover these works as maintenance. If an accident such as a fire occurred due to faulty electrics, then they may cover the damages.
Are old cables dangerous?
If really well maintained, they can be safe, but our experience shows that aged wiring disintegrates. Old wiring can be very dangerous, posing significant risks such as electrical shocks, short circuits, and even fire hazards. It's crucial to have a professional assessment to ensure the safety and reliability of your home's electrical system.
Can any electrician rewire a house?
Yes. While any qualified electrician should have the knowledge to rewire a house, having the practical know-how to rewire homes fast takes years and years of experience. Fortunately, our house rewiring electricians are highly experienced and NICIEC-certified.
What makes HomeRewire so fast?
Our teams are specifically trained in rewiring with many years of experience in rewiring homes.
How should I choose an electrician?
You should check their qualifications, accreditations and online reputation. HomeRewire is NICEIC-certified and ensures that all work undertaken by our team meets all required safety standards.
I'm a landlord. What's my responsibility on electrics?
As a landlord, your property must pass a satisfactory electrical installation condition report (EICR) to allow you to rent it out. A house will not pass an EICR unless the wiring is up to date.
What is an RCD?
An RCD (Residual Current Device) is a device we will install during rewiring which can potentially save your life in the event of electric shock. In layman’s terms, it’s a sensitive device that detects faults and dangerous wiring issues.
When is the best time to rewire?
It's always a good idea if you can rewire when you move into a house or when you opt to decorate. However, it's not always possible to use these windows of opportunity. Reach out to us and we’ll assist with tailored advice.
Can I add extra sockets during rewiring & how many sockets?
Yes, when you rewire your home, you can completely resign the electrical layout. This includes adding extra plug sockets and TV aerial sockets to meet your needs. The number of sockets you can add depends on your specific requirements and the capacity of your electrical system.
Will I need to plaster?
Yes, we provide a plasterer with all of our projects unless you decide not to use this service. The amount of plastering required varies from different properties.
Will I need to decorate after the new wiring is installed?
Yes, we can arrange a free quote for decoration works if required.
Can I get chrome sockets?
Yes, you can specify your rewiring any way you like and we can advise on additional extras such as decorative sockets. With our home rewiring in Glasgow, we ensure your electrical system is tailored to your preferences and meets all your functional and aesthetic needs.
Do you come across asbestos when rewiring?
Yes, particularly within Artex wall coverings. We are trained to identify asbestos and can arrange a test and removal if required.
Do you have a guarantee on your electrical work?
Yes, all of our installations come with a standard 6-year NICEIC guarantee. This includes the installation of other electrical components like heating controls and burglar alarms, and inspecting exposed parts.
All of our electricians are fully certified and hold a NICEIC Certification to ensure electrical work carried out is safe and effective.
Rewiring costs don’t have to be a mystery with our rewiring-a-house guide.
Get a clear, upfront quote today and light up your savings.