Is it time for a Rewire?
What you as a homeowner should consider and what's involved
Whether or not you should have a rewire or not is a daunting prospect. Not knowing what's involved, how long the work will take or how much it will cost are just a few of the factors to consider. We aim to make the decision easier with upfront pricing, modern wiring methods to ease disruption and effective communication throughout to ensure you are back to your daily routine as soon as possible.
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Full Rewires :
Full rewires are often carried out on older properties that havent been updated in many years. They are the best option for older homes as many have older circuitry which may not meet todays modern standards and therefore cope with the modern demands of todays appliances and accessories. Other occasions a full rewire might be necessary is during extensive renovations or during an ongoing build. When large scale building works are planned its often necessary to alter and install cabling throughout the property to ensure the new plans are adequetly catered for. By choosing a full rewire during this stage you can limit the potential disruption and often save on cost due to the cables and their routes being much easier to gain access too.
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Partial Rewires :
A partial rewire is as it sounds. Only partially rewiring parts of your home where absolutely necessary. Perhaps parts of your home are suffering repetitive faults which are unable to be fixed easily, you are undergoing small building works such as a new kitchen or bathroom and only part of your property requires electrical alterations to meet these new demands. Perhaps you require a new consumer unit and as such part of the existing wiring needs replacing to bring the existing installation up to modern safety standards.
In all of these case we would carry out what's called an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) to determine the current condition of your electrical system and discuss what work is required.
Is It time for a Rewire? What Surrey Homeowners should know
If you Live in Surrey whether that be Guildford, Dorking, Redhill or Epsom you maybe wondering whether your home's electrics are safe and suitable for todays modern standards. A Full or Partial rewire might sound like a big job, but its one that's worth investing in. By planning the rewire correctly you could actually save money, time and inconvenience future proofing your installation.
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Lets breakdown what's involved, how much it may cost and how long it might take to see if your home needs one.
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When should you think about a Rewire?
Eletrical systems don't last forever. if your home is over 30 years old and hasnt had any elecrical alterations during that period you may find your installation requires work to bring it upto todays safety standards. Older wiring simply wasn't designed for todays modern appliances and in some cases could acually be dangerous if you chose to use a dated installation with power hungry accessories.
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Look out for these common warning signs:
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Frequent tripping or fuse wire replacements - Your system might be struggling with modern power demands
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Flickering lights or buzzing - Often caused by a breakdown in insulation or deteriorating connections
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Warm outlets or signs of thermal damage - This could signal a serious fault or fire risk due to a heat build up within the accessory
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Aluminium or tinned wiring - Found in some older home and whilst not necessarily a case for a rewire it would be advisable to have an EICR carried out due to its age and its unreliabilty due to the breakdown of insulation
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Old cloth covered cable or cabling known as VIR (Vulcanised Rubber) - this cabling will need replacing as soon as practically possible and is no longer considered a safe installation due to the cabling having a short life span.
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If you're planning major renovations particulary in key areas where crcuits will require larger loads such as kitchens. A Partial or Full rewire can often save you money by having this work done at the same time.
How much does a Rewire Cost in Surrey?
Whilst its generally not possibly to give an accurate idea on a rewire cost as every property will have different requirements and layout, here is a guide:
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2 Bedroom Property: £4000 - £5,500
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3 Bedroom Property: £6000 - £8000
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4 Bedroom Property: £8000 - £10,000
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Expect a full rewire to take anywhere between 7-14 days dependant on the complexities of the project, access and finish required. Occupied homes or those with decorative plaster work and historic features like those around Dorking and Guildford may require more time and care.
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Why you should seek advice from a registered Electrician
Instructing a qualified, Insured and certificated electrician like Empowered Electrical can give you a clear picture of your current installation. They can provide an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) which will outline the age, condition, and current safety risks of your installation.
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They'll also consider:
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General wear and tear of the installation
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The scale of current issues and financial benefits
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Your future plans and ensuring the system is ready for things like EV charging and smart home automation.
By ensuring you seek advice from an NICEIC registered electrician you will gain a professional insight helping you plan for the future and remain confident in knowing your home is safe.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How do I know if i require a rewire?
A: Frequent tripping, flickering lights, buzzing lights or sockets or outdated wiring and consumer units are all signs a rewire maybe due. An EICR is the best method in getting a better understanding of its condition
Q: Do I need permission from the council for a rewire?
A: Most larger projects must comply with Part P of the UK Building Regulations, and must be carried out or signed off by a competent electrician. Empowered Electrical is NICEIC registered and takes care of this so you don't have to.
Q: How often should wiring be checked?
A: Homeowners should have their electrical installation checked every 10 years: landlords every 5 years. If you're buying a property, always get an EICR carried out first to ensure you're moving in to a property which is safe to use.
Final Thoughts - Keeping Your Home Safe
If you're based in areas such as Leatherhead, Horley or Guildford and you suspect your electrical system may need updating feel free to get in touch. Rewiring is an important investment that improves safety, efficiency and even increases your properties value.
By asking us to talk you through what's needed you gain peace of mind knowing your home is safe, compliant and future ready.
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