Rewires: everything you need to know...

You should start by deciding exactly where you want your sockets, switches, lights etc. This will ensure you can have a good plan from the beginning and that the wiring system can be designed accordingly. It will also mean that when you have electricians round to quote (I always recommend getting 3 by the way) you can be certain that they are all quoting for the same work.

Signs you may need a rewire:

Sometimes it’s possible to tell that a rewire may be needed just be having a quick walk around. Visual tell-tale signs that a rewire may be needed include: 

• Sockets mounted too low on the skirting boards. Usually a low amount per room.
• VIR cable, also known as “black rubber”.
• Break down of cables, noticeable from a “green goo” like substance.
• Burning or fishy smell coming from switches or sockets. (not the cooking!)
• Fuse board regularly trips or blown fuses.

VIR cable in ceiling light

What to expect

Your chosen Electrician should guide you through the process of what is and isn’t included. There may be more work to follow such as plastering and decorating. Fortunately, Yeovil Electrics have some limited experience in plastering, meaning we can offer an end-to-end product to a good finish if required. There will no doubt be some dust which is unavoidable. It may be worth checking with the electrician how they intend to chop out boxes and chases to keep dust to a minimum, as I’ve had a customer surprised when I’ve used dust extraction tools in the past.

Rewires are often completed in 2 stages, known as “1st and 2nd fix”:

1st fix usually involves removing all the old wiring, cutting out for any boxes, chases, lights etc and installing the new wiring. The house can then be plastered, decorated and painted, ready for the 2nd fix. 2nd fix will then involve returning to connect all the switches, sockets and lights.

So what else should I do?

I’m sure it goes without saying but you should ensure that your chosen Electrician is registered with a governing body such as NAPIT. Not only does this guarantee their work but it also means they can notify building control which is essential, should you ever need to sell or move home in the future. Without this it’s very difficult to prove that the work was completed to a satisfactory condition.

I always recommend having a full EICR undertaken before any major decisions are made. This will highlight any defects with your current installation and weather a full or partial rewire is necessary. Just because someone has told you it's needed, doesn’t necessarily mean it always is. Of course, if your planning major renovation work it may be wise to get it done, as a new installation should last well over 60 years.

For more information regarding full and partial rewires in Yeovil contact us today. 

1st fix kitchen rewire in Yeovil