Complete House Rewire
OLD OR FAULTY WIRING IS THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF ELECTRICAL FIRES SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE YOUR WIRING IS SAFE AT REGULAR INTERVALS.
Some people may want to undertake a full rewire or upgrade the current system – particularly those moving into a new property which might be 25 years or older.
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Undertaking a full or partial rewire in a property is a big job and one that should only be carried out by a registered electrician.
When Do I Need A Rewire?
Periodic Electrical Test & Inspection
All electrical installations, over time, will deteriorate naturally as they are a working mechanism made up of various components and working systems.
For wiring systems more than 25 years old we would always recommend having the electrical system checked out at regular intervals.
This will help identify any faults or defects which could require improvement. It will also give you an idea of any work that might be required and potential cost if you are considering upgrading the electrical installation or remodelling it to include additional circuits.
A full rewire usually takes place when major building work such as an extension or conversion is being carried out – prior to any plastering or decoration.
Other occasions when a rewire might be necessary
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include; After flood or fire damage
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If electrical installation has become unsafe
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Installation of several new circuits
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Upgrade of building/property
What Does The Work Involve?
Carrying out a rewire will require a large amount of disruption to the main fabric of a property. It is likely that all switches, fittings, sockets and the consumer unit will be replaced and require
new wiring.
A total rewire will involve two stages of working; first fix and second fix.
All first fix work will take place before plastering work and, usually, at the same time as any central heating and plumbing work.
This is to ensure all cabling is hidden so the installation will involve lifting the floor coverings and floorboards and possibly the skirting boards too, chasing out channels in the walls and possibly in some ceilings that are inaccessible from above.
As well as installing new cabling, first fix stage may involve
fitting new back boxes for all sockets and switches. In addition to rewiring for all power and lighting circuits, it is a good opportunity to rewire for modern central heating controls, alarms, smoke detectors and doorbells, to add outdoor lighting and sockets, and to rewire the telephones and television aerial sockets. It is also worth redesigning the wiring plan for sockets and switches to make sure it meets your needs and those of modern house buyers.
Think about specifying two-way or even three-way switching
for hallways and landings and other rooms with more than one main access. For a high-value property, consider adding a separate circuit with separate switching for table and standard lamps in the main living rooms and principal bedrooms. It may also be worth considering adding automated lighting, home network cablings, speaker cabling and other modern technology.
How Long Will A Rewire Take?
A full rewire can take, on average up to between 5-10 days, depending on the size of the property. The time taken depends on the number of contractors working and the exact scope of work involved.
For more information about periodic electrical testing for your home, give B.E.S. a call today on 0121 403 0000.
TESTIMONIALS
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MRS E SMITH
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MS SUSAN CLARKE