Rewiring a flat to modern standards

[MGPB1936]

I have a flat to convert from offices above a shop in Northampton that needs a complete rewire to modern standards. Currently it has surface mounted and trunked cabling, there is only one circuit for power outlets and only one for lighting. I suspect that the amount of 13 amp sockets exceed regulations.
My plan is to upgrade to modern standards and as I need to lift the floorboards to to fit rockwall slabs to meet fire regulations, I would like to have the cabling installed at the same time.
Is it sensible for me to chase the walls and fit the boxes ready for the electrician to do the wiring or would the electrician want to do this work?
Can anybody suggest the amount of sockets needed in living room, kitchen and bedrooms and a good electrician in the Northants area?

[Catso]

You really want raysparx to answer this, but he said he was leaving...

I'd say, yes, it is sensible to do your own donkey work and fit the boxes etc. Have a word with your sparks before you start though, to make sure what you do is sensible and legal.

When we had our house rewired, I went mad in the kitchen, and had 11 sockets fitted! Seems to be about right, now, though - just think of all the things you plug in there. I went for at least 2 double outlets in each bedroom, and 3 doubles in the dining room and lounge. But it depends on the layout of your rooms, I suppose. If you're doing the hard work, I'd say err on the side of too many, they cost nothing to run.

BTW, consider the aerial and satellite connections also.

[james25]

there is no upper limit on the amount of sockets that you have on one circuit, as long as the circuit is a ring. (one leg going from your fuse board to first socket looping in and out thorugh all your sockets and back to the board wired in 2.5 t&e)

but you need to remeber that you only have 32amps, so you don't want to many fixed appliances (big heaters etc)

for standard two bed flat you would proberly have two circuits one for the kitchen, and one for everything else living room, bedrooms.

doing the donkey work will help keep costs down, but make sure you put your boxes in straight, you won't be able to blame your sparks if your sockets are wonky.

[turboped]

But there is a limit to the lenth a cable used for a ring based on several variables. Building regulations part P will tell you the requirements for the minimum number of outlets/room but an electrician will be able to guide you. The job can be done as a diy job but your local authority, building control department will need to be informed before you start then you would need to self certify after completion, or use an electrician who is a registered part P installer the main policing orgs for these are NAPIT - www.napit.org.uk - NICEIC - Elecsa - and 2 or 3 others (not sure if CORGI are up and running yet). Any member of these orgs should be able to advise.

[MGPB1936]

Can you suggest a good practical book up to date with the building regs.
Kind regards