Can DH move plug sockets ourselves (DIY) // do we need electrical certificates?

[Schoolzie101]

we have recently bought a house- am unsure if it will be our "forever home" or more like "10 year home".
our plug sockets are in awkward places - and need moving up above the skirting boards.
is DH able to do this? he's quite handy with DIY but am thinking should we sell in a few years time , shouldn't we get electrical installation certificates? (or would indemnity insurance cover this)

and just to add, if it is better to get a professional to do this - can they just move plug sockets without having to do a full rewire?

Technically he's perfectly allowed to do it and there won't be any certificates needed - it's non notifiable work - but depends if he's competent.

You are unlikely to need a rewire, but this depends upon the existing wiring. Assuming the electrics are fairly recent it's just a case of chasing out the wall and repositioning the socket or adding another socket to an existing ring.

Just thought it might help to say from what I have read (I'm in the process of buying a house, so preparing) If the sockets aren't above the skirting it is very likely the installation is very old and house will be in need of a rewire...... Perhaps ask an electrician to have a look before starting anything

Also chasing out old houses can be very problematic and the bricks can crumble apparently 😬

This is only from what I have read so maybe others who are more knowledgeable will respond 🙏

we had this in our house sockets in the skirting boards and we got a company to uplift them wasnt that expensive about £25 each one and didnt take long to do each one and he added some extra ones too from the same circuit but we did have to have a new pcp board put in

Ok, so I assume if I got someone in for an Electrical Inspection they could also confirm a quote for moving the sockets up? We are happy to pay and get proper certificates but thought you would need a rewire in order to move sockets... if someone can simply move them up without a rewire that would be good (and much cheaper!)

It depends whether the wires will extend to the new position and whether the electrician is happy extending them. If the wiring is relatively modern and in good shape then they will probably be ok with extending it. If it looks 50 years old and needs replacing they may recommend a rewire which obviously costs a lot more.

I am sure they will be able to quote you for moving the sockets and let you know whether they think a rewire is necessary on the inspection.

How old is the house and do you know when it was last rewired ?

House is 1930s, house was sold by a family friend of someone who had passed away so no information on the rewiring.
Best to get someone in to give us a quote then :)

just to add to age of house ours is 1940s but it looks like they had a lot of work done in the 1980s so our wiring was in good enough condition to do the work

yes he’s allowed to and it is a reasonably simple DOY job. Only foreseeable issue is if there is not enough slack in the cables to bring them up the wall as then he will need to either bond them, get them into wago type connectors or replace the whole wire. Again, it’s not an incredibly complex job, but he’ll need to of course be sure he’s isolated the circuit. If in doubt of course, don’t mess with electricity!

Regs wise, you could get an EICR report after for peace of mind.

I doubt your insurer would be happy unless the work was at least inspected by a qualified electrician. Who may well charge nearly as much for doing the certification as for doing the job anyway. AFAIK fixed wiring- which surely this is?- needs to be either done and certificated by a qualified electrician, or at the very least checked and certificated by one.
Personally I'd want a qualified electrician to do it. They can work out what's possible and allowable within your system, do it, and give you the appropriate certificates for if your insurer or any future buyer of the house asks. If the sockets are on the skirting boards it sounds like a pretty old system to me. Judging by the remnants we found when renovating, it's two or three rewires ago on this 1920s house that they were on the skirtings -back when the wiring was cotton-covered, in steel conduit, embedded in plaster. Now there's a system I wouldn't want to be messing with.

Yes your husband can do it . If the wires go up then its just a case fitting new boxes higher and shortening the cables. Basic diy, if he can wire a plug , then he will have no problems.

Incorrect. Additions and alterations to an existing circuit is not notifiable work. Certification and sign off is only needed for new electrical installations and circuits alongside work within special areas such as bathrooms. Of course if you aren’t competent / confident in what you are doing then get a sparky in, but if you are then have at it! I’ve replaced many electrical items / wires / fixings etc in our Victorian home. The work the OP wants to do is perfectly DIY’able.