What is a Partial Rewire?

A partial re-wire of a property can mean anything from rewiring one circuit, such as the cooker circuit, right through to everything but one of the circuits. A partial rewire is often needed after damage to one or more electrical circuits in the property.

Partial rewires are common where a property has flooded affecting the downstairs sockets circuit, kitchen wiring and consumer unit. In this case, it would be necessary to replace the affected cabling to each of the circuits and install new plug sockets along with an modern consumer unit.

Partial rewires are also required where light circuits do not have an earth. It was common before 1966 for lighting circuits not to contain an earth. Since this date, an earth connection has been required on all lighting circuits.

It may not be financially viable to rewire all the circuits at the same time or the other circuits may return acceptable readings when electrical testing and inspection is carried out.

Is it better to get a full rewire?

There is no simple answer to this question as it depends entirely on the circumstances. If the majority of electrical wiring, circuits, accessories (such as plug sockets and switches) and earthing is safe and compliant with modern regulations then there may be no need to fully rewire a property.

Despite acceptable test results on electrical circuits, it may be sensible to fully rewire a property when considering a partial rewire. There are good reasons for this:

Costs

Whilst undertaking a partial rewire will save some money on costs, much of the labour involved is at a similar level to that of a full rewire. Floorboards still have to be lifted, walls still have to be channelled and cables still have to be routed throughout the property in order to install new circuits.

The additional costs of rewiring the other circuits may make you think about the possibility of having a complete rewire carried out instead of a partial job. Ask us for a quote and we will be happy to discuss this with you.

Future problems

Whilst test results following an electrical inspection may indicate that existing circuits are acceptable, please bear in mind that electrical cabling does not last forever. The main issue with electrical wiring is the quality of the insulating material that covers the copper wires.

This insulation can degrade with time and cause nuisance tripping at the consumer unit. Eventually, the consumer unit may not turn those circuits back on!

Selling the home

When selling you home, it is arguably added value to have a newly rewired property and as a minimum the home should sell quicker with buyers safe in the knowledge that they are unlikely to have any electrical problems going forward.

Rewiring the whole property is likely to mean that the electrical system will not suffer any faults for a long time.

What is involved in a partial rewire?

A partial rewire involves much of the same work as a full rewire, just, less.

A new consumer unit is often required along with testing ALL the existing circuits as well as the newly installed circuits. Certification will be issued for the works and the work will be notified to the local building control department.

Wall need to be cut open, ceiling and under floor access will be needed and cables will need to be routed throughout the property to reach the places where plug sockets and light switches are to be installed or replaced.

Friendly and Professional

As your local ELECTRICIAN IN HARLOW, we regularly carry out rewiring and partial rewiring so we are well placed to offer advise along with quotes. Get in touch with us and we will do our best to advise and help.