When Do I need a Rewire?

As a silent contributor to our daily lives, electricity provides light and warmth, and powers our electrical appliances. However, most of us take electricity in our houses for granted. The cables run inside the walls, and fuse boxes are often hidden away, making it easy to forget that electrical systems do need checking periodically.

Cables, switches, socket-outlets and other accessories deteriorate with use and misuse, and require regular checking. All houses should have their electrical systems checked at least every ten years. There are several signs to look out for that indicate the age of your electrical system and whether your property needs rewiring:

- Cables coated in black rubber - black rubber was phased out in the 1960's. Cables coated in lead or fabric are even older. Modern cables use PVC insulation.
- A fuse box with a wooden back, cast iron switches, a haphazard mixture of circuit boxes
- Older round pin sockets and round light switches, braided flex hanging from ceiling roses to light fittings, black switches, sockets mounted in skirting boards
- Wall mounted light switches in bathrooms

WARNING:

If any of these features are present in your house, your wiring system is probably several decades old. Safety in your home is vital, and we strongly recommend that you choose an NICEIC Approved Contractor (such as Costellos) to carry out any electrical work.

Some Questions and Answers relevant to carrying out an electrical rewire of an existing property:

When will Work Start?

After receiving your instruction to proceed , we will normally issue notification at least 5 days before work is due to start. Obviously, every effort is made to accommodate any timescales that you may be working to.

Will I need to Lift Carpets?

We will arrange for carpets to be uplifted on the day and re-laid at the earliest after rewiring is installed. Due to the nature of the work, not all your carpets may need to be lifted. If you have any further questions then we strongly recommend that you speak to our office prior to the start of the work or to our electricians during the installation.

During the initial survey, note is made of the type, age and state of your floor coverings. If the floor coverings are old, of poor quality, or stuck down, there is no guarantee that they will not be damaged. In these instances we cannot be held responsible for any damage caused. Needless to say, we shall inform you of any potential damage prior to start of any work and will look to suggest other options if practicable.

What is involved in the work?

We will be changing your existing cabling, sockets, lighting pendants and consumer unit (your fusebox) as part of the works. However, this is not by any mean an exhaustive list as each installation varies in nature from another.

Rewiring could be carried out on a point to point basis or the client can take the opportunity to increase the numbers of sockets, lighting points as well as add other features such as low voltage lighting, intruder alarm etc. The works entails lifting floorboards, removing existing sockets, light pendants, etc. The Contractor will take as much care as possible when carrying out this work. If your walls require to be channelled out to insert cables, every care will be taken to reduce the impact upon the existing decor. However, you should note that sometimes, depending on the condition of the type and finishing of walls etc, this process is difficult to achieve.

Please note that as floorboards are lifted the house may become dusty. This will be minimised by the use of dust sheets etc. but cannot be totally avoided.

How long will the Work take to Complete?

This is highly dependant upon the work scope for each project. However, as a guideline, it is common for a rewire (for a normal family home) to take anything between one to two weeks.

What Type of Consumer Unit (fuse box) will be fitted?

Your new consumer unit is user friendly and is fitted with a series of switches miniature circuit breakers (MCBs), controlled by an RCD (Residual Current Device). These are fitted as standard against protection from electric shock. Due to the sensitivity of the RCD, it is possible, that some of your electrical appliances i.e. cooker, iron, kettles etc., may trip this switch. This is an indication that there may be a fault in your appliance.

Will I have Hot & Cold Water while Work takes place?

We will try to ensure that any periods without hot water are kept to a minimum.

Will my electrical shower be connected?

We will reconnect any existing appliances if they are deemed to be in an acceptable condition, and are compatible with the new system. Our workshop engineers are capable of carrying out rewiring of antique light fittings, repairs to household appliances, other than white goods. If need be, these can be repaired and reinstated at the client's property.

Will I need to be present when Works are carried out?

Prior to undertaking the rewire, we carefully plan and execute the works in an orderly manner. This greatly reduces the impact upon the householder. The work is divided into logical sequences so that only an area at a time is worked upon, leaving the rest of the property with the necessary electrical supply. However, it is advisable that, if possible, elderly, children and infirm vacate the home during the day to allow us to carry out the works. Nevertheless it is entirely up to you if you wish to be present.

Will I need to pack away any Ornaments, Breakables etc?

Since we will be working in all rooms, cleared working areas will be required. All breakables, etc. should be cleared and packed away to prevent any accidental damage. Any furniture will be moved by the contractor.

Will my Electricity be off?

We will make sure that you have electricity throughout as much of the installation as possible but unfortunately we cannot guarantee that this will be the case at all times.