outdated electrics

[cazza0310]

Hi,  I'm in the process of buying a 1940's 3 bed semi. I've just had a homebuyers survey done on the house and it's come back as damp on internal walls and a that the electrics needed to be brought upto date.

I've got a damp proofer going out to have a look at that but wondered if anyone give me any info about the electrics. The report said they fuse box look 'old fashioned' this is prob case as couple in there now have been in for aprox 40yrs, is it likely that the whole house needs rewiring or just the fuse box that will need replacing? and what sort of price will i be looking at? Thanks for any help you can offer.  

[j2buttonsw]

If the wiring does not pass the modern safety standards then an electrician will not just replace the consumer unit (fuse box) as it is illegal. A rewire costs about �1000 but you can do most (99%) of it yourself. Ask a qualified electrician to look at it. I think the only thing you can't do is wire the consumer unit to the supply spur.

[druiaghtagh]

j2buttonsw is right, i wpuld say under under a grand including the new conumer unit box.If you are not absolutely sure , do not attempt any of this yourself, as there are all sorts of regulations to comply with

[drbsparks]

I'm sorry to say but the previous 2 answers are extremely wide of the mark. Electric cable is only expected to last 25 years max so a re-wire is definately necessary. The only sure way to confirm this is have whats known as a periodic inspection done. You need to have an NICEIC approved contractor carry this out. Go to www.niceic.org.uk where you can search by post code for your nearest approved contractor. This inspection will cost you approx �100. To have the property re-wired you will be not looking to get any change from �2000, and if you wanted decorative lights, downlighters or chrome or brass sockets you can expect that figure to get higher. On a further note, there is new government legislation coming in from the 1st January 2005 which makes it illegal for any non qualified person to carry out electrical work in the home. As was a similar legislation with Corgi registered gas.

[flopsy000]

I have been told recently that the average 3 bed house is �4000 to rewire. How is a non-sparky sposed to do 99% of their rewire??!

[cazza0310]

thanks for your answers. I dont think attempting even 1% of the rewire myself would be a very good idea as I cant even wire a plug without instruction!!!

Ive got a sparky going out to have a look, am fully expecting a full rewire and to be honest its an unexpected cost but if it needs to be done it needs to be done.

[Kev_UK]

Make sure they use the new colours..

Brown, Blue, Green with Yellow stripes (the same as plugs)

The old colours.. Red, Black, Copper (covered in green sleeving) is being phased out.

[plick]

im an niceic approved electrical contractor and part p approved, i just cant stop laughing at some of these statements regarding prices ie a rewire for �1000, to install a socket for �20 part p is just bathrooms and kitchens you can do 99 per cent yourself its easy blah blah blah if this is the case u would earn more money doing a paper round.if they are charging u that much, there not qualified and dont no what they doing.house rewires should depend on how many points ie light point, socket outlet etc etc a 2 bed house in my experience would be between 2300 2700 plus vat a three bed 2600 3200 plus vat testing 2 bed 130-140 plus vat 3 bed 140-150 all this prices can go up depending on how big/how many points/are the premesis occupied. any way i hope this helps someone the above statement is a lot more accurate than some of the ******** ive read regarding this matter.just remember if someone offers to do you a rewire for �1000 look for his tools in his milk float.be safe always use a part p qualified niceic contractor.

[plick]

just read js buttons comment rewire �1000 this man does not no what he is talking about sorry j2 druiahtagh why are u agreeing with j2 are u electricans (no) so why do u think u can give an opinion on a rewire when u couldnt even change a light go to college and do at least five years on site before u give people information which could kill themselves there familar etc etc drb sparks might be a spark and has giving some good comments.not sure about the prices a little cheap if u get them prices let me no ill hire them flopsy 4000 could be this high on spec number of points low voltage lighing alarms smokes shower heating etc etc