Order of work - rewire or replumb first - or both?

[sunny24]

Having just moved into a 6 bed 4 storey house (basement not useable yet), we need to completey rewire and redo all plumbing and three bathrooms (with 20 radiators). Question is, which do we do first? We have no shower working so am desperate to get the plumber in, but is it better to get the sparky in before (to get it ready for power showers?). Or should we get a firm to do both - and how much is that likley to cost roughly so that we know how much longer to save up?

I dont want to get someone in to quote us, if its too much and we end up having to wait until we can afford it, because its not fair on the tradesmen.

Anyone had or done somethimng similar?

Thanks very much

 

[Agile]

It sounds like a lot of work to be done.

I would suggest you get an electric shower installed over the existing bath for about £200-£500 and then sit back and take your time to decide what to do and when.

To do a rewire might be £4k-£6k and to completely renew the plumbing and heating about £6k-£11k but that does NOT include replacing any bathroom fittings.

Tony

 

[Maxxy]

3 power showers - if used at the same time could put you very close to your maximum allowance. Do they all need to be power showers? and maybe 3 on at the same time could use too much water flow (just guessing here) so the plumber may advise against it - or have to use bigger pipe etc. If they are likely to be used at different times of the day then it shouldnt be a problem. I'd say get the sparky in for a quote first, so he can do his maximum demand calcs etc. He may end up telling you that youve only got the power to run one shower. Then get the plumber in aswell for a quote.

Make sure you get 3 quotes for each job aswell. Get all the quotes before you start any of the work.

Dont feel bad about asking people to quote it - with a 1 in 3 chance they will get it im sure they wont mind!

 

[JohnD]

Summer's here so leave the CH if funds are tight.

Electrical work will mean digging into all the walls so do it while the house is empty (because of the dust) and undecorated.

The electrician can run the shower circuit before the shower is fitted. Then the plumber just has to connect it later.

You can also show the electrician where the boiler and immersion heater will go and he can provide outlets ready for later use.

Electrics and plumbing will both mean taking floorboards up (but keep cables from touching hot pipes). Cables are best fed through holes drilled in joists, pipes are usually laid in notches.

Start by drawing up a spec of what you want, including lots of sockets and appliance outlets in the kitchen. Do layout diagrams per room. Say if you want white accessories or chrome or brass ones, and what make and range. Do not go for the cheapest available. Say if you want it finished ready for decorating or ready for plastering. Otherwise you will not be able to compare quotes as they will not be for the same thing. Let your installer buy the parts for you. Let your installer make suggestions as he will have done lots of similar houses. Don't pay in advance. It is often said that a rewire costs about the same as a second-hand car. You need to provide enough information to work out if it is a 1-year old Bentley or a ten-year old Hyundai.

Start asking round friends and neighbours for recommendations of local firms. For the electrician, ask if is a member of a self-certification scheme, which one; and how long he has been a full member (you can check this). many people would prefer to get someone with a few years of experience rather than newly-qualified. Ask to see an example of his recent work, and ask the homeowners how satisfied they are.

 

[ChrisR]

It's worth doing, or getting done, scale drawings for the whole house, one sheet per floor.
Makes life easier when it comes to planning, quoting, reworking etc.