Specc'ing a rewire

[Colin Brenton]

One for the Sparkies on here.

I'm fairly soon (I hope!) going to exchange on a house that needs to be rewired. I had hoped to get away with a bit of updating and a few additions, but looking at it in more detail (VIR cables around the meter, no earth on lighting, very few sockets, much DIY-bodgery) it looks like a full rewire will be the better option.

If you were to quote for this, what info would you want?

I'm thinking along the lines of simply drawing on the walls (no decorations to worry about preserving in this place, yet!) the locations of sockets, switches and lights, cooker point and shower.

Is that detailed enough, what else would be useful?

Cheers,

Colin

 

[Notch7]

£4,800 cash
I shall be there Monday

 

[scousespark]

One for the Sparkies on here.

I'm fairly soon (I hope!) going to exchange on a house that needs to be rewired. I had hoped to get away with a bit of updating and a few additions, but looking at it in more detail (VIR cables around the meter, no earth on lighting, very few sockets, much DIY-bodgery) it looks like a full rewire will be the better option.

If you were to quote for this, what info would you want?

I'm thinking along the lines of simply drawing on the walls (no decorations to worry about preserving in this place, yet!) the locations of sockets, switches and lights, cooker point and shower.

Is that detailed enough, what else would be useful?

Cheers,

Colin

Get quotes from 3 electricians and ask them to advise. Also, ensure they are members of one the competent person schemes so you get the job notified. It’s impossible to advise as to what you need without seeing the property.

 

[sparkwright]

It would be useful to know if any doors are going to rehung on the other side (old houses tend to have the doors opening in a space-wasting manner.

You need to consider that every usable corner needs a socket, rule of thumb.

You should consider mains powered smoke alarms.

Outside lights, separate RCBO protection, bathroom and toilet fans, 32 amp cooker supply, 5 amp sockets for lighting in reception rooms...

All a bugger to do later on, so worth considering now.

 

[securespark]

I use 2A ones.

 

[OwainDIYer]

I use 2A ones.

I use them for the public address system.

Not all homes may be fitted with such an amenity, of course.

 

[sparkwright]

No, I don't have a public address system in my home.

 

[securespark]

Nor me, I use them for table lamps.

 

[SpecialK]

Run neutrals to the light switches for smart switches if required.

 

[333rocky333]

chase in deep back boxes where possible a lot of stuff coming out now dont fit too well with the old 25mm deep boxes

 

[Taylortwocities]

No, I don't have a public address system in my home.

I have Mrs Twocities who fulfils that function.

 

[winston1]

Do you really want an electric shower? If you have hot water from a gas boiler that is much better and cheaper.

 

[Adam_151]

Decide if you want anything in the way of data cabling, TV/satelite distribution, cables pulled in for intruder alarm, interlinked smoke detectors.

Its already been said, but decide if you want all RCBO, on a domestic job you;ll get dual RCD board unless you ask for different

 

[Notch7]

How would a sparkie quote such a job?

I wouldve though a written schedule might be useful that could be emailed over -obv in conjunction with a site visit.

I know builders often quite from an architects schedule -say from a tender pack, in conjunction with drawings.

 

[flameport]

I know builders often quite from an architects schedule -say from a tender pack, in conjunction with drawings.

That is valid for electrical - but only if the electrical installation has been designed and specified properly.

For the typical homeowner, they have very little idea of what is actually required even in terms of the number of sockets etc., and that before all the other things which people only seem to consider after they have spent £50k on a new kitchen, bathrooms, hardwood floors, carpets and £100/roll feature wallpaper.