Your Questions Answered on Rewires

What is a rewire?

A full rewire is when all the electrical wiring in your property is replaced and the equipment is upgraded including the fuse board.

How do I know if my house needs rewired?

You should get a full rewire around every 25 years. There are signs which indicate that a rewire is necessary:

• Your lights start to flicker or dim even after replacing the light bulbs.
• The consumer unit is over 10 years old. It may not have an RCD (A Residual Current Device – This is a safety mechanism which monitors the electricity flowing through the circuits.)
• The consumer unit has asbestos flash guards which are never on newer models due to the harmful effect of asbestos fibres if breathed in.
• The sockets are found in skirting boards rather than the wall and perhaps have rounded pins.
• Sockets are unresponsive.
• Old cables which are not earthed.
• Circuit breakers which trip regularly.

How big a problem is deteriorating wiring?

Wire deterioration can become a massive problem. Over time your cables will deteriorate, that’s a fact. This can lead to the wires becoming a fire hazard.

How do I find out what kind of wiring I have?

The best way to find out if you’re unsure is to give us a call. We can discuss it or you can send us a photo and we’ll be able to tell you.

How much will a rewire cost?

The cost will depend on the spec of your house. For example a three bedroom house in Edinburgh will cost somewhere in the range of between £3000-£5000.

How long does a rewire take?

A full rewire will normally take approximately 1 week.

Will the power to the building be turned off during the rewire?

Yes, but temporary supplies can be installed.

Does a rewire increase the value and saleability of my home?

Many people rewire before putting their house up for sale as it makes it easier, but it probably won’t increase the property value.

Do rewires reduce my homeowners insurance?

Not usually, however, insurers now generally insist on an up to date safety certificate for your electrics.

Do you need a permit for a rewire?

Not in the majority of cases

Is it possible to do a rewire yourself?

Doing your own rewire is possible but you won’t be qualified for sign-off. Rewires are difficult work and can go wrong so we don’t recommend it as a DIY job.