Planning a re-wire

[Note3]

We are having our house rewired and it commences tomorrow. We've mapped where we want everything like plugs, phone sockets, tv and phone but are concerned we will not have enough plugs or will have forgotten things.

If you were having your house rewired what would be on your must have list or what would you consider?

We have also said to rewire to same height as current regulations - would you do the same? (Apparently as it's not a new build we can have the plugs any height we desire)

It's lovely to have this opportunity but feels stressful too as I have no idea about all this!

I would consider mains wired smoke alarms.

We opted not to go for regulations height sockets and switches as we find the really impractical. We did opt for mains wired smoke alarms and a heat alarm in the kitchen. Have more sockets than you think you'll need. If you think you'll ever have a loft conversion get the electrics put in place now (I just mean the wires ready in the loft).

We had lighting sockets put in which are wired to our main light switches so that we can turn our table lamps, floor lamps etc on and off using a switch by the door. I find it really handy.

We are planning this when we move. Can I ask how much it is costing you. Will all Rooms need replastring afterwards?

Thanks everyone, lots to consider!

Flame what is a heat alarm? Also out if interest what makes the regulation height impractical? Did you go for them nearer skirting board? Very interesting point about loft conversion as we are hopeful to do one in 5ish years.

Really I'd not heard of that at all...will look into it as does sound useful. Do I need to select certain sockets that it turns off and the make sure lights go into them?

mooney we have a large 3 bed semi and it's costing 3500 including things like external socket, cctv system wires and so on. Also make sure you plan to do it while house empty as apparently it is one of the messiest most disruptive things you can do

You need sockets like these and then you just change the plugs on the lamps to the correct plugs.

Haha that confused me. I thought you were not in UK when I saw the 3 pin sockets and then realised you are and I reread your post and it made sense. Can you tell it's been been a long day

To be fair my post probably wasn't the clearest or most eloquently explained - it's been a long day here too!

We've got a load of the sockets that are two normal sockets & two USB. Means you have 4 sockets for modern appliances in the space of two.

We had ours from first fix and installed total home automation(not cheap but very cool). Aside from that think of the future - want hot water taps/waste disposal? Outside plugs for cars? Sensors on bathroom lights are handy

in the kitchen and utility room (which will need their own circuits) have the ring round around the wall about 900mm above floor level, in plastered-over conduit. This makes it easy to have a vast number of sockets over the worktop, with switches in the same row for your undercounter appliances (e.g. dishwasher) and your overcounter ones (e.g. extractor). It also makes it easy to cut into it at a later date to add more. In a kitchen, a double socket every metre is not too many.

Have a cooker circuit on each side of the kitchen, for when you change your mind about layout and want a double oven somewhere else.

Have a dedicated freezer circuit on its own RCBO so that no trip on another circuit will cause it to go off.

Older people who have got used to old positions for switches and sockets think that modern standards look odd. If they live long enough to be disabled, or have a bad back or bad knees, or get fat or pregnant, they will change their minds. Future occupants will think that sockets at skirting level are very strange.

RCBOs on every circuit are superior to MCBs and one or two RCDs.

Have a big consumer unit with ample space for expansion. A 24-unit case costs little more than a 12, it's just an empty tin box and some fresh air.

One of the less usual points we've got, are light switches by the bed - that way you can put them on when you come into the bedroom and turn off from the bed when ready to sleep.

There are also nice sockets that include USB ports which I find useful. That means I can connect 4 things into a double socket.

One thing I wish I had thought of are separate light circuits for side lights in the living areas. They make it possible to put on your table and floor lights with one switch instead of doing each one separately.

Have you considered asking the electrician to also include some 'structured cabling' for internet access? Wifi is great these days, but often it's handy to have a plug-in connection by a PC or TV if you watch any streaming TV services.

The other thing to perhaps consider is whether you'd like 'switched side lights'. I.e. plug-in lamps that you can turn on together from a switch by the door etc.

Excellent advice on here - I just wanted to echo pigletjohn on the placing of plug sockets. Following safety advice, I'm having mine repositioned about about a foot and a half (roughly) from the floor. It's excellent. You can plug stuff in, even with bulky plugs, and you don't have to bend the bit of the plug where the flex goes in. Also, less bending.

Think about where you'll plug in the hoover, and whether you want outdoor lighting or power at all as it's often better to get everything done in one go.

Ask your electrician HOW he's going to chase in the new wires, and if he says he's going to use powered angle grinders in an inhabited house, tell him to get lost. (I learned this one the hard way).

Aesthetically, I think brushed metal sockets are worth the extra.

Thank you everyone you've been incredibly helpful. I did lots of reading online but nothing beats first hand experience. I've been scribbling notes to add to our markings and things to ask electrician