Re-wiring a whole house - have you had this done??

[NoodleSquidOodle]

House we might buy will need re-wiring throughout apparently - (along with many other problems ).

I've no idea how much these things cost . Have you had this done, do you have any idea??

Anyone know how much installing new central heating system costs???

It's a 3 bed semi.

Any advice gratefully received...

Had it done about three years ago - cost about £4k (although we used posh fittings and had some extras). We also live in London which means we probably got ripped off.

We were told ours neeeded rewiring and given quotes of £1500 and £2500.

THen we got one bloke in to give us a quote who explained that actually we didn't need a total rewire, just a partial one, so it cost £800. He was the only person who actually took off a couple of socket and light covers and actually looked at the current wiring rather than taking our word for it that it needed doing..

DO get a few quotes and ask exactly what they include. Out most expensive quote was from someone who wanted to moce the position of the light switches and plug sockets in ever single room. They just seemed to be looking for ways to increase the price.

New boiler cost us £1500 - £1800 I think. Didn't include fitting radiators, it was just the boiler and flue.

We're going through the same thing. Ours is a large 4 bed semi which hasn't had much done to the wiring since the extension was built in 1974. We had one quote in at £2.5K but the quote we are going for gave us new fuseboard and main bonding, 2 smoke alarms, 19 lights, 18 switches, 28 sockets and outside lighting for £3.5K all by a Trustmark registered electrician and guaranteed for 6 years.

Would recommend looking at the Napit website for reputable electricians, the NICEIC website provided us with guys who did back of a fag packet quotations. The Screwfix website forum can put you in touch with people who can either quote for you or tell you if any quotes you have are reasonable.

If you can arrange for the electrician to have access to the house before you move your stuff in it will be a lot easier and cheaper. You might also need to think in terms of getting a plasterer in to make the walls good again after the electricians have done the rewiring.

HTH.

We had our three bed semi completely done in 2004 - it cost just short of £2k at the time, but that didn't include replastering/skimming afterwards, which cost about another £1000 if I remember correctly.

Would seriously recommend getting the work done before moving in - we didn't and regretted it!!

We've just had (well, 2 years ago actually) a new Worcester Bosch boiler put in, some new pipework and thermostatic valves on all of our rads, and that was about £3k, including the cost of the boiler....we're now in a 4 bed, 3 storey Victorian semi in the SE if that helps at all...

We had our 2 1/2 bedder done 2.5 years ago. Cost us £5k. Virtually every room has a double socket in each corner and lounge and 2 sockets behind TV and 2 sockets by telephone etc. Also doubled up behind desk in study/dressing room. Sockets etc chrome too.
Can't advise on central heating.

We had our 3 bed detached done summer 2008 for £3000 and that was with DH doing all the chasing out (we needed lots of new sockets). That included elecs for the garage, 2 outbuildings and 4 outside lights as well as the usual stuff inside. You will need hard wired smoke detectors and CO alarms as it's the law! Don't let them insist on a particular socket and switch height as it's only advisory in the Regs. You need to get an electrician with the right qualifications to do the certificates or get Building Control to come and do it for you - think it's about £150.

Also had full central heating, new Worcester Bosch boiler and 8 radiators, push fit and plastic pipes under the floor to reduce costs - £2500.

Like others have said, do try and do this all before you move in - electrics are really messy if you need any chasing out done rather than just replacing cables and plumbers will need to lift your floor coverings. Also budget for a plasterer and redecorating.

Thank you everyone for your posts - that is really really helpful to have an idea of costs, thank you so much for replying to my question .

Thanks for the tips as well.

It does sound like it would be a good idea to get it done before moving in if possible.

Which leads me on to one more quick question - how long does it take them to re-wire a house and how long to put in new heating system??

Same as Wombles - surveyor said we needed a whole rewire but electrician came round and said no just parts need doing.

We had it done whilst we were here but we don't have a brick house so dust wasn't probably as bad as the others.

It took about a week to rewire, Noodle - but that was with serious chasing into every wall and taking up all of the floorboards etc. Heating and plumbing probably about the same - I think it would be difficult to get them done simultaneously as they will be tripping over each other - would do electrics first....

Thanks again

mine was done - 3 bed semi - it cost about 2.8k. very disruptive and messy and took about 4 days.

we also put in central heating - it had none so for a condensing boiler and 6 radiators, plus a towel rail it cost about £2.5. we had a myson kickspace heater in the kitchen which cost about another 300.

What is the exact state of your wiring? I've just had a survey as I want to rent out my 3 bed semi. I have original red/black wiring but each point is earthed, some extra wiring has been added since.

My quote was for £1475 plus VAT. Works to be done include new RCBO fuseboard, replace and knock in to plaster each light switch, 2 double sockets (existing locations) per room, new ring main and 5 double points in kitchen moving cooker point, wiring in cooker hood, supply & fit new shower, bathroom light fittings, electric smoke alarms x 2, and few more things I've forgotten about! He is also going to replace all pendants in the house. Fully certified too.