Electrical Re-wiring

[bonnie&clyde]

I need help. I'm buying my first home and it needs damp proofing, a combi condensing boiler, the roof checking, a back boiler removing and probably a total re-wire, as it is approx 100 years old. I live in the north east and wondered if there is anyone out there who would know, on average, how much a 3 bed terraced house would cost to re-wire. I don't have a great deal of money and feel like backing out of the purchase. If anyone could give me an idea it would really help. Thanks!

[raysparx1]

Hi bonnie&clyde,

I would think betwwen �1300 and �1600 for a complete rewire if the house is empty, hope this helps you, Ray

If the house is good buy, don't back out, you can cut the costs down a bit by offering to chase the walls out and sinking the socket boxes into the walls, most self employed sparks wouldn't mind you doing this.

[bonnie&clyde]

Thanks for that. I've had an electrician round tonight and he said i'd just about 'get away with' not having a complete re-wire. But, when I rang another electrician to give me a quote and mentioned this plus answered a few questions concerning the fuse box etc, he said that's a load of old '!"'@! It's all really confusing. I don't want to be taken for a ride and spend more than I need to but, since both are qualified experienced electricians, which do I believe? Any advice would be very much appreciated!

[raysparx1]

Go with the one that says you might not need a complete rewire, not all old properties will have bad wiring, in fact the wires we put in 25 years ago are better than the ones we use now, you may need new Consumer unit & earthing upgraded,plus a few more sockets, good luck, Ray

[bonnie&clyde]

Thanks for your help with this. The other electrician is coming round today to give me a quote, but I think i'll feel more confident in going with the first one now.

He checked the light fittings and switches and they had earth things in them. Is that good or bad? Would they still need updating?

[raysparx1]

If the wires have an earth wire,that is good, you may only need sockets doing,let us know what he says, Ray

[bonnie&clyde]

The second electrician apparently spent 10 minutes looking at the fuse box then said the house would need a total rewire. He told my father it would be between �1200 and �2000 pounds. He didn't check any of the sockets or light switches. Although originally he said to me as he was so busy he would be able to do the work only now and then, he has now said he can start tomorrow. Also, if he did do the work we would have to remove every carpet and piece of furniture in the house. If we didn't he'd add an extra �400.
I don't feel confident getting the work done by this electrician. What do you think?

[raysparx1]

I don't like the sound of him, if he is that good he would not be able to start tomorrow,he would be to busy, also the fact the estimate has got a huge gap of �800, that is not a good sign also the �400 for lifting carpets, we do that all the time,that should be within the estimate, it is virtually impossible to spend just 10 minutes properly estimating how much a job will be, and don't forget an estimate is a rough idea, �2000.00 could end up at �3000.00 I would get another price, and tell the electrician you are willing to lift the boards and chase the walls,it will save you a couple of hundred and save him time, he would mark on the wall where to chase and what boards to lift, good luck, Ray

[bonnie&clyde]

I have to say I thought he was a bit dodgy aswell, so I got my Dad to call him and say we weren't interested. I've now called the first electrician back and he is coming out on Monday to do a periodic inspection report. At least then i'll know exactly what needs doing and won't be surprised. I'll let you know how it went. Thanks for all your advice.