Rewiring a property can often be quite a big undertaking – budget and project length need to be considered, as well as how disruptive the work will be for day-to-day life. As such, it is not uncommon to have important questions about rewiring a home.
To help, we have answered several common questions – from ‘how much does rewiring cost?’ to ‘what are the benefits of rewiring?’ below in our ‘What Does Rewiring a House Involve?’ guide.
What Does Rewiring Mean?
Over time, a property’s electrical wiring system, which acts as a source of electricity, will deteriorate and need replacing. Rewiring is the process of replacing this electrical wiring system.
How to Tell if Your House Needs Rewiring
Not sure how to tell if your house needs rewiring? There are a number of tell-tell signs which are a key indicator that your property needs rewiring. These include:
- Electricity trips regularly – A repeatedly tripping consumer unit is one of the clearest indicators your property requires rewiring.
- Discoloured wires – A clear sign of repeat overheating, discolouration in your property’s wires is a clear signal to get your electrics checked by a professional electrician.
- Cracking sound emanating from electrical components – Often due to faulty wiring or a blown fuse, a strange sound emanating from electrical components is often a sign its time for a complete rewiring.
- Faint burning smell – An unidentified burning smell in your property may be due to an electrical short of your wiring. In such a situation, it is always best to contact a professional.
- Last rewiring 25 years ago – If the property hasn’t been rewired in over 25 years, it is very likely the wires and components will be out of date and not meet the relevant safety regulations.
What is the Rewiring Process?
Performed by an electrician, the rewiring process involves the removal of all the property’s electrical wiring installations from within the walls and under the floor. Once removed, new wiring is installed in place of the old cabling.
New components, such as switches and sockets, are then fitted before the electrician performs several post-installation tests to check the process has been successful. If there are no issues, the electrician will provide you with an electrical safety certificate to prove your property meets the latest regulations.
How Much Does Rewiring Cost?
The cost of rewiring a house depends on a number of factors, including property size and age. A three-bedroom property will typically cost between £3,000 to £5,000 to completely rewire.
What are the Benefits of Rewiring?
When it comes to rewiring a property, there are several benefits, making the process an attractive proposition. These include:
- Help save on energy bills – Inefficient wiring can often leak energy, which means more power is required to function, which in turn increases usage and costs.
- Improve the value of the property – A property recently classified as safe by an electrician is much more likely to be an attractive proposition than one that has not had its wiring checked in several years.
- Guarantees property meets current regulations – Ensuring all relevant regulations are met is essential for the safety of all those who live or visit the property.
- Reduces risk of power outages – A recently rewired system is much less likely to suffer with issues than an older, neglected one.
- Helps prevent appliances from malfunctioning – Faulty wiring can often lead to the damage of household appliances as deteriorating wires struggle to evenly distribute power, resulting in overloading.
How Long Does Rewiring a House Take?
The rewiring process typically takes from a few days up to a week for an averaged sized family home. However, the larger the property the longer it will typically take to complete the work.
Rewiring a House: Final Thoughts
We hope our What Does Rewiring a House Involve article has provided the answers you are looking for. Here at A & J Bartlett Ltd, our electricians are available for commercial and domestic rewiring services. To learn more or book an appointment, get in touch by calling us on 01530 412504 or email info@aandj-bartlett-ltd.co.uk.
