As house rewiring is an unfamiliar subject for many, we’ve wrote this guide to answer you questions such as: Does my house need rewiring and if so, how often should it be done? What sort of house rewiring costs should I expect? Is rewiring your house yourself a good idea?
1
How to know when your
house needs rewiring
Rewiring a house might seem expensive, but as a homeowner or landlord the cost of ignoring the warning signs can lead to fire, failed insurance claims and even prosecution. Here’s what to look out for:
1. Flickering or dimming lights
Flickering or dimming lights is often a sign your house needs rewiring. If there’s a constant change in power going to your lighting, it’s usually a tell tale sign your house needs rewiring.
2. Burnt out sockets
Voltage fluctuations may cause light bulbs to burn out their sockets. If this has happened, it’s a sign you may need to rewire your house.
3. Sparking outlets
Although sparking outlets can be normal, they also present a problem. Short circuits build up excessive heat melting insulation, this can lead to electrical fires.
4. Discoloured outlets or switches
Sparking outlets or switches lead to discolouration. This can be caused by a loose connection or faulty wiring and can lead to sparking, possibly a small fire which leaves outlets or switches discoloured.
5. A faint smell of burning
If there’s an electrical short near a switch, you may well notice a burning smell that you can’t find where it comes from. If the wiring in your house is old, you should speak with an electrician as soon as you can.
2
House rewiring cost
in the UK
The cost of rewiring a house depends on the size and the age of the property.
We’ve outlined some typical prices below for rewiring a house in Shrewsbury and Shropshire:
|
House Size
|
Price
|
Completion Time
|
|
1 Bedroom
|
£1,700-£3,000
|
4-7 days
|
|
2 Bedrooms
|
£2,100-£3,500
|
5-8 days
|
|
3 Bedrooms
|
£3,200-£4,500
|
6-10 days
|
|
4 Bedrooms
|
£3,700-£6,500
|
1-2 weeks
|
|
5 Bedrooms
|
£4,200-£6,200
|
10-15 days
|
House rewiring – some considerations.
If you’ve decided that your house needs rewiring there are a number of stages to consider, especially when rewiring an old house.
Whether you are changing the electrics of your whole house, or perhaps want to add more sockets or light switches, it’s always worth chatting to an electrical engineer. As we’re based in Shrewsbury and have worked throughout Shropshire, we can advise what’s the best way to rewire your home.
Can I rewire my own home?
You can rewire your own home in the UK but unless you have a qualified, registered electrician performings the work you risk putting your property at risk.
What’s more is that unless you’re working with straightforward wiring configurations, it’s hard to know how your house was wired. The IEE Wiring Regulation only became British Standard BS 7671 in 1992. So the chances are, what you’ll be working with will be non-standard.
An experienced electrician will not only improve the speed of the job but also provide a certified voice of reason; working to current British Standards.
Considerations Before Rewiring Your House
- Begin to Prepare the house by lifting carpets and removing any obstructions on the floor or walls.
- Identify and lift floorboards where the wire will be laid.
- Rewiring will require loft access, prepare space where possible.
- Manage the post-rewire cleanup.
- After rewiring, self-decorate your house.
3
Other electrical
services
Shrewsbury Electricians we offer a wide range of support for our domestic and commercial clients in Shrewsbury and Shropshire:
Fuse board and consumer unit upgrades
Wiring, re-wiring and extension wiring in old and new buildings
Electric underfloor heating and air conditioning
Electric showers, boiler wiring and storage heaters
Customer testimonials
The team carried out various electrical works at our property all to high standard. We will be definitely using Shrewsbury Electricians again.
Shrewsbury Electricians carried out a test and inspection at my rental property, they arrived on time and were very friendly. I received the certificate the following day.
Very pleased with the job. All completed to a high standard. Professional workmen, both reliable and friendly. I would highly recommend Shrewsbury Electricians.
Choosing the right electrician to rewire your house
House rewiring is a big job. On the rare occasion when we can’t meet someone’s timescale we’ll be asked: ‘who’s the best electrician in Shrewsbury or Shropshire that can rewire a house?’ We most likely know someone who can help, but if even so, here’s some important points to look out for.
