Currently reading:
Must I rewire the whole house?

Discuss Must I rewire the whole house? in the Electrical Wiring, Theories and Regulations area at ElectriciansForums.net

From this EICR, should the whole house be rewired or not?


  • Total voters
    24
Honestly, all I want is a house that is electrically up-to-date/safe for me and my family. It is the electrician who is suggesting a full rewire.
I am on a tight budget and I'll rather the house be electrically safe and have no paint on the walls. Although, not waste money that I don't have.

Wow, wish my customers were like you. Most of mine are just concerned about their new kitchens & bathrooms. :rolleyes:

My house was built in 1989, I wouldn't really need to test to say it doesn't need rewiring. That said, it seems most manufacturers only give a life span of twenty years for their pvc sheathed cables. Think they are rather cautious. If your house hasn't been subjected to DIY alterations, then as others have said perhaps a partial rewire, using the good bits.

It's your money, so do what you feel most comfortable with.
 
I am not so keen on aesthetics of the house due to my budget. If I did decide to go full hog - Is it possible to do this without ripping the kitchen and bathroom apart? I mean full rewire but not have to fork out money on kitchen and bathroom till another time. I ask because I was told if I am doing a rewire, I should just start all over again. Rewire it all, I can manage to do that. But to get a new kitchen and bathroom cos of full rewire....no funds for that.

You should have a chat with your electrician. Its worth keeping in mind the kitchen will be altered in due course, and allow for some spare flexibility in cables. Not sure you would need that in a bathroom, which is basically lighting and perhaps a cable for a electric shower or shower pump, perhaps dual fuel towel radiator. There's only so much that can go in a bathroom, electrics wise?
 
Alarm bells should always ring when the content of the Report only makes reference to absence of rcd protection. This instantly tells me a thorough inspection has not taken place and whether you pay £20 or £200, NICEIC or no NICEIC you are entitled to thorough job. Unfortunately there is a band of people out there undertaking EICRs who are not competent to do so and hence there view on an installation stretches no further than looking for additional rcd protection and consumer units with metal enclosures.
 
I'd be amazed if 25 year old T&E failed any tests. Unless it had been nailed through somwhere of course! But as above, it depends on what needs adding/moving etc. as to the extent of what work is actally needed. Get a 2nd opinion from someone on here.
 
As Midwest said ^^^^^

If I was quoting for you then I would consider all options and advise on what is best for you. I have done re-wires where the client has had a tight budget to work with. Rather than cutting corners we agreed to have a thorough job done over a period of time as & when finances were available. Some circumstance may allow you to have certain rooms done at later dates.Its not ideal and can be a pain for both the client and the electrician. As I said it will cost you more in the long run, but may fit in with your requirements.

A decent electrician will take a look at the job in hand and will be able to offer you advise on what you can and can't do with your electrical installation.
 
That EICR, the £120 paid for it and the location (presuming London) makes me smell a rat. A really big humongous rat at that! The limitations of the report are poor. It would take very little time to do the R2 tests for instance, and given the lack of Zs figures there is no effective knowledge as to whether the protective earth conductors are satisfactory.

The wording in the observations column will mean little to nothing to the average customer, and my guess is that it is like that on purpose, so the customer is left in the dark. It is extremely vague wording also with no particular reference to where the issues are found within the property.

I also think that the company that carried out this report are probably of the ilk that carry out cheap EICRs to then serve as an income generator for remedial works.

Not all electrical contractors are like this. I think you have been had on this occasion - sorry.

I would suggest getting the consumer unit changed and earthing/bonding upgraded, where by which you will get all the circuits tested. Going forward this will give you an idea of which, if any circuits are in need of rewiring. It will also mean new sockets etc can be added much more easily.

I would be looking for a new electrician, and I would show them the report and even your forum post (if they are interested to look!) Tell them your concerns and take it from there. There will be someone on here who should be able to help.

Good luck.
 
That EICR, the £120 paid for it and the location (presuming London) makes me smell a rat. A really big humongous rat at that! The limitations of the report are poor. It would take very little time to do the R2 tests for instance, and given the lack of Zs figures there is no effective knowledge as to whether the protective earth conductors are satisfactory.

The wording in the observations column will mean little to nothing to the average customer, and my guess is that it is like that on purpose, so the customer is left in the dark. It is extremely vague wording also with no particular reference to where the issues are found within the property.

I also think that the company that carried out this report are probably of the ilk that carry out cheap EICRs to then serve as an income generator for remedial works.

Not all electrical contractors are like this. I think you have been had on this occasion - sorry.

I would suggest getting the consumer unit changed and earthing/bonding upgraded, where by which you will get all the circuits tested. Going forward this will give you an idea of which, if any circuits are in need of rewiring. It will also mean new sockets etc can be added much more easily.

I would be looking for a new electrician, and I would show them the report and even your forum post (if they are interested to look!) Tell them your concerns and take it from there. There will be someone on here who should be able to help.

Good luck.
Thank you!!! Sparkie30 has agreed to have a look by weekend. Maybe I'll be able to do what is electrically necessary and still have some money left for a coat of paint. Happy days :blush:
 
Sounds good. Let us know the outcome. Hope all goes well for you.
 
Hi, I have not even read the whole thread, you say the property is 29 years old.? PVC then if the installation has tested ok no need to rewire PVC has more or less life long span, would agree with a CU upgrade, good luck.
 
As for the kitchen/bathroom - if the rewire is the best way forward- you should be able to kerp the kitchen/bathroom as they are (subject to satisfactory test results) and just run new legs to rooms & leave trill your ready to start them
 
Older wiring does not mean a rewire
However as you have not moved in yet I would suggest you have another contractor look over this.
My ex apprentice (now time served qualified tradesman) lives and trades in London.
He says he comes across lots of sub standard installs by suitably qualified and registered persons.

On a side issue- if the existing wiring is OK and you add to it things will probably be OK, but if you are planning lots of extra sockets etc a rewire will give you peace of mind as you know it will all be new and guaranteed.

As far as tradespeople go- check recommendations but always use your gut feeling - it is usually right.
 

Reply to Must I rewire the whole house? in the Electrical Wiring, Theories and Regulations area at ElectriciansForums.net

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Electrician Courses Green Electrical Goods PCB Way Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Pushfit Wire Connectors Electric Underfloor Heating Electrician Courses
These Official Forum Sponsors May Provide Discounts to Regular Forum Members - If you would like to sponsor us then CLICK HERE and post a thread with who you are, and we'll send you some stats etc
This website was designed, optimised and is hosted by untold.media Operating under the name Untold Media since 2001.
Back
Top