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Original poster

Full rewire - what else is needed (future proofing)

53 replies

NewNormalLife · 21/02/2022 15:46

We're unexpectedly having to get our house rewired..had thought the 50 year old wiring would do for now but we need lots of sockets replaced and added so figured its best to do it all in one hit before we decorate more rooms.

anyway, while they are doing it, what else is worth installing?

I was wondering about getting the wiring sorted for an electric vehicle charge point in case we get one in future. my husband isn't convinced that would be worth it. what do you think?

any other ideas?

We've tried to think about how the kids will use their rooms when older and put in plugs for a computer desk.

will probably get wired smoke alarms but don't feel we need built in wired music systems

any thoughts?

OP posts:
BammBamm · 21/02/2022 15:52

I'll ask DP when he's home as he's an electrician Smile

I have thought about music system but I feel like they become dated relatively quickly and would be a pain to take out.

I would say more sockets than you think you need including for vacuum etc. and potential electric showers/supplies in kitchen.

Twizbe · 21/02/2022 15:57

More sockets, car charging point and perhaps an outside plug socket

DonGray · 21/02/2022 16:00

We are planning to network cable the house - possibly with fibre optic cable

AluckyEllie · 21/02/2022 16:06

Definitely get the sockets that have a USB port as well. We have and it’s super useful as loads of electrical devices seem to come with the charger cable without the plug bit now.

HerNameIsIncontinentiaButtocks · 21/02/2022 16:09

Wired smoke alarms definitely yes.

As a massive geek myself I wouldn't bother with the wires to the kids rooms to be honest - wireless is already good enough and will only be better as time goes by. Maybe from the telephone master socket over to a cupboard-under-the-stairs if you want to hide the internet router mess though?

Second the 'more sockets than you think you need' - and make sure they have USB sockets. With USB-C if you can get them yet.

Original poster
NewNormalLife · 21/02/2022 16:13

Thanks. we've just had 2 sockets put in the small kids rooms and now I'm thinking that it might not be enough but one room has already been decorated :(

I also forgot about USB sockets. anyone know of its just a case of changing the covers or if more cables need to be layed to change them over?

OP posts:
AskingforaBaskin · 21/02/2022 16:15

We're in the same situation!
So far we have on our list
Outside lights and outside sockets (for Christmas :D)

We are going with approx 4 double sockets per room

Light fixtures
Smoke alarms

I also want to see if we can have a socket in our bedroom floor.
I don't even know if that is possible!

AskingforaBaskin · 21/02/2022 16:17

We're having some usb ones. I believe they are the same as the double ones. My husband swapped them with the normal ones in the last house with no problems.

BruceAndNosh · 21/02/2022 16:22

A competent electrician can change a standard plug socket to a usb one.
We have a socket with 4 x usb beside a shelf so everyone's phones end up there.
We have connected smoke / heat alarms that ring upstairs if the kitchen one is set off.

Are you interested in Smart Home tech? You could install light switches compatible with that . (UK ones are tricky because of the neutral wire)

TheVanguardSix · 21/02/2022 16:25

How much is it? Probably a stupid question, but I've been wondering. Mid-divorce, need to put the house on the market at some point. The wiring in our house is just dying on the vine and I'd like to rewire it. Perhaps it's not worth doing it if I'll be selling in the next year. But I am curious what the cost of a full house rewire would be.

AskingforaBaskin · 21/02/2022 16:27

@TheVanguardSix

How much is it? Probably a stupid question, but I've been wondering. Mid-divorce, need to put the house on the market at some point. The wiring in our house is just dying on the vine and I'd like to rewire it. Perhaps it's not worth doing it if I'll be selling in the next year. But I am curious what the cost of a full house rewire would be.
The quote I like the most includes the plastering and is £5K full rewire in 4 bed 2 bath house with office. 4 double sockets in each room and outside lights.
Purplewithred · 21/02/2022 16:30

If its an older house where the doors are hinged on the long wall side rather than hinged by the corner of the room you can take the opportunity to “other hinge” the door and move the light switch to the other side. I think I may have to do a diagram for that.

MrsMoastyToasty · 21/02/2022 16:33

Do you have a shed or summerhouse? Does it have electrical equipment in it? Lawnmower etc.

Original poster
NewNormalLife · 21/02/2022 17:30

@AskingforaBaskin where in the country do you live?

I'm south east London and have been given a ballpark of £7k if we exclude the kitchen. more likely about 10k. I'm not even sure if that includes the new sockets. Electrician will be giving a full quote tomorrow

OP posts:
User76745333 · 21/02/2022 17:32

Ethernet ports throughout so you don’t need to rely on WiFi. Makes a massive difference.

User76745333 · 21/02/2022 17:32

My recent rewire was £10k. Large 5000 square foot detached house

AskingforaBaskin · 21/02/2022 17:33

[quote NewNormalLife]@AskingforaBaskin where in the country do you live?

I'm south east London and have been given a ballpark of £7k if we exclude the kitchen. more likely about 10k. I'm not even sure if that includes the new sockets. Electrician will be giving a full quote tomorrow[/quote]
South Wales.
He seemed really nice and knowledgable and I liked the idea of the package he had with the plasterer as it would get it all over and done with.

stealthninjamum · 21/02/2022 17:36

I’d love to put a socket in my coat cupboard so I could charge a cordless hoover. I’d love a dyson but don’t want to have it charging in the kitchen.

Original poster
NewNormalLife · 21/02/2022 17:38

@Purplewithred great tip. we actually wanted to change the door direction in one room but didn't think about the light socket. unfortunately we've just decorated that room so we might have to get it opening outwards instead.

OP posts:
Original poster
NewNormalLife · 21/02/2022 17:40

@AskingforaBaskin thats a great price including plastering. we're paying £800 a room for that.

OP posts:
trumpisagit · 21/02/2022 17:42

We had the day off downstairs otlf the house rewired (alongside new extension). It cost nearly as much as a full rewire. Apparently the biggest cost is the kitchen.

Whymustyoubringinthebirds · 21/02/2022 17:43

@User76745333

Ethernet ports throughout so you don’t need to rely on WiFi. Makes a massive difference.
Came to say this, if you work from home/have a office room I would 100% put these in
AskingforaBaskin · 21/02/2022 17:43

[quote NewNormalLife]@AskingforaBaskin thats a great price including plastering. we're paying £800 a room for that.[/quote]
That's good to know. The other man quoted £3K just for the re wiring but I preferred the other one.

I'm a bit worried about missing something but he was really informative and helpful.

MacaroniCheeseCat · 21/02/2022 18:02

When we did this a few years ago, we put in USB sockets - which have been brilliant and I kind of wish we’d put in more. We also put in front and rear security lights, with the option to also make the rear one a normal light, a separate outdoor light, a bathroom fan (and would have put a shaving point in but would have had to re-do the tiling), mains wired smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detector, and a wall light in the hall.

Think about anywhere like a porch that might not yet have lights. Also really think about where you want to turn lights on and off from - eg turning the downstairs hall light off from upstairs, turning the porch or outside light off from inside the house, etc.

Glad to hear you have plastering arranged for afterwards. It is a pig of a job mess-wise!

GuidingSpirit · 21/02/2022 18:06

We had a full rewire 4 years ago. Our electrician put in USB sockets for us but wouldn't give us the same warranty on them as for non USB plugs, as he said they fail more quickly. It didn't stop us installing them, but just something to bear in mind.

Our 3 bed end of terrace in London was £5k without plastering.