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What Is An Electrical Rewire And Why Do I Need One?

6 March 2023

AMP is one of Manchester leading experts on all aspects of electrical rewiring for domestic and commercial properties. In our latest guide, we’ll explain what exactly a house rewiring is, and what to expect when you book a property rewire with our fully qualified team.

What Is An Electrical Rewire?

Every home has an electrical wiring system that powers all your appliances, lighting, sockets, and other electronic equipment. However, over time, this wiring system can wear down and become less efficient due to the high electricity demands of modern homes.

That’s where rewiring comes in. It involves replacing all of the wiring in your home and upgrading the consumer unit to ensure your electrical system is safe, up-to-date with the latest regulations, and running at maximum efficiency.

When Does A House Need Rewiring?

As a homeowner, it’s important to know the warning signs that indicate when your house needs rewiring. Here are some signs to look out for:

1. Your electricity keeps tripping regularly

If this happens, it could mean that your fuse box needs to be replaced, which may indicate that your house needs to be rewired. You may also notice that your lighting dims or you need to replace bulbs frequently.

2. Cracking or buzzing sounds around your electrical components

These sounds could be an indication of faulty wiring. It’s also possible that you have blown fuses that need to be replaced or upgraded.

3. Outdated fuse box / consumer unit and fittings

If your consumer unit is made of wood, has cast iron switches, outdated or cracked plug sockets, black cabling or old cable colours, no labelling, or has no RCD (residual current device), you may need to have your house rewired. An RCD is a critical lifesaving device that can prevent serious injury or even fatal electric shocks.

4. Discoloration of wiring or fittings

If you notice discoloration, it could be a sign that your wiring has been consistently overheating and burning, indicating that you may need a rewire.

5. Your house has not been rewired in 25 years

Electrical standards and technology change over time. If your property hasn’t been rewired in the last 25-30 years, we recommend that you contact a qualified electrician as soon as possible to assess whether a rewire is necessary.

What Does Rewiring A House Involve?

Many homeowners wonder what exactly is involved in rewiring their house. Our expert electricians have broken down the process for you below:

1. Planning & Budgeting

Rewiring your house is a big project and it’s important to plan and budget accordingly. A complete electrical rewire is not cheap and you must make sure you can afford to complete the job properly. This means getting an electrical contractor to estimate the cost of rewiring your house. You should also plan what fittings and components you want to have installed, including the number of lights, switches, sockets, and power points.

2. Choosing An Electrician

It’s crucial to choose a fully qualified and licensed electrician for your house rewiring project. Don’t be afraid to ask for documentation to confirm their credentials. Remember, cheaper isn’t always better when it comes to electrical work.

3. Existing Wiring Inspection

Before starting a full rewire, have an electrician inspect your existing wiring and installations to determine if it’s necessary. This could save you money if the electrician finds your wiring to be safe and up-to-date.

4. Fitting Your New Wiring & Components

If a full rewire is needed, the process starts with removing the old wiring and installations from the walls and floors. Then, new wiring and a consumer unit will be installed in the same spaces as the old cabling. The electrician will also install new electrical components like sockets, lights, and switches. Keep in mind that installing new fittings may require cutting into walls and ceilings.

5. Post-Installation Tests

Once the rewiring is complete, all installations must be tested again to ensure safety. This is known as an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) and will result in an electrical safety certificate if everything is up to standard. This certificate is important to keep, especially if you plan on selling your home or if it’s a rental property.

Choose AMP Manchester To Carry Out A Complete Rewire

AMP Manchester are fully accredited in all aspects of rewiring on domestic and commercial properties, relying on years of experience – from installation to correcting faulty wiring, maintenance, and everything in-between.

Get in touch today for a free home rewiring quote from the Manchesters’ leading electricians.

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AMP provided a seamless service, not only were they great at communication and punctual they were also very tidy and cleaned up after themselves. Would and have highly recommended.

Poppy

The lads went out of the way to get what I needed done, brought my dreams a reality and nothing was a single issue to them, very polite teams of lads, and a well structured company.

Liah

I have been using AMP electrical contractors Manchester Limited for some time now and I would highly recommend them as a business. They help with all our requirements from small jobs to rewire and new build projects. Brandon is an honest self motivated and humble person who always goes the extra mile.

Mark

Exceptional work from your company, the lads really have gone above and beyond, nothing was too much trouble, they were pleasant and polite and very respectful whilst working in my home, 100 percent recommend AMP Electrical, they really are amazing at what they do.

Leanne

Dealt with Brandon since he was an apprentice. Fantastic electrician & very professional service

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The best team around, fast friendly and reasonably priced

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