Does My Property Need Rewiring?

Are you considering having your property rewired? Not sure if it's really necessary? Concerned about having the work done safely? In this blog, we'll address some of the common questions property owners have about electrical rewires. The following material is a summary of official advice from the NICEIC - the leading electrical certifier. The original PDF can be downloaded at the bottom of this blog.
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Does my property NEED rewiring?
The best way to find out whether a property needs rewiring is to have an inspection (sometimes known as a "periodic inspection") carried out by a qualified electrician. After doing this, your electrician should issue you with an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) detailing everything about your electrical system - including any deterioration or things not in accord with modern safety standards. 
Your property also might require a rewire if:

• Your electrics are 25 years old or older.
• Several new circuits are to be installed. (E.g. extending the property)
• The property/building is being upgraded.
• And, of course, if your electrics have become unsafe.​​

​What does the work involve and how long will it take?
A full rewire will involve a large amount of disruption to the fabric of the property - sometimes including lifting floor coverings and skirting boards, and cutting channels in walls and ceilings. On average, a full rewire can take between 5-10 days. It does of course depend on the size of the property and the extent of the work to be done. A full rewire is a great opportunity to upgrade your electrics to the latest safety standards. It also gives you the opportunity to install those extra sockets and switches you may have been missing or even install up-to-the-minute security, entertainment and home automation technology.

​Who should carry out the work?
The simplest way to have a full rewire carried out to the latest safety standards is to use an electrician registered with the NICEIC - the foremost electrical certifier. Such electricians are regularly assessed to ensure high standards of workmanship and that the work is always in line with safety regulations. In addition, all NICEIC electricans are covered by the Platinum Promise. This means if any work is found to be non-compliant, the NICEIC can instruct the electrician to go back and complete the work to the required standard or have another contractor complete the work at no extra cost to you. This covers installations up to 6 years old and up to a maximum value of £25,000.

What next?
If you're still considering whether a rewire is right for your property, why not contact SafeSwitch Electrical to arrange an inspection? With no obligation, you could get an update on the condition of your property's electrics to help you make an informed decision. If you decide a rewire is the right thing for your property, feel free to get in touch for a free quotation.
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YourGuideToASafeElectricalRewire.pdf
File Size:	303 kb
File Type:	pdf

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