Table of Contents
Even the best electrical installations deteriorate over time and require maintenance, upgrades, and remodelling.
For considerably old wiring systems, it is recommended to have them regularly checked by a professional electrical service to ensure all the electrical installations are working as they should.
This helps identify any faults or problems in the installation that may turn into a potential hazard. Faulty wiring can lead to injury, damaged property, and even death in case of electrocution or electrical fire.
In addition to safeguarding from these risks, a regular maintenance check also gives a detailed report on the health of the electrical system as well as any work that might be required.
A full rewire may be required if the property is too old, the current installations are unsafe, it has been damaged by fire or flood, or when an extension or upgrade is required.
Complete rewiring is divided into two phases; first fix and second fix.
In this basic introductory guide, we will discuss in detail what second fix electrics installation is, how to prepare for it, and the time and money you’re expected to invest in it.
The second fix installation phase starts right after the first fix is completed. When the cables, wiring, and circuits are replaced, the walls and ceilings are re-plastered so that the contractor can move on to the next step.
The second fix includes:
After all, this is done, the installations are tested to make sure they are working properly, and once all is good, the electrical system is made live.
The first fix is known to be messy due to the plaster on the walls, carpets, floorboards, furniture, and equipment being removed, wiring going through walls and across ceilings, and quite a lot of work involving tools such as hammers, drilling machines, and the works.
On the other hand, the second fix doesn’t require any structural work such as drilling and channelling and is far less disruptive.
Nonetheless, as is with the first fix, it is crucial to plan out everything before the second fix as well.
Since the work is carried out in flow with the second fix beginning right after the first ends, it is best to plan for both the phases before any sort of work begins, which includes determining your requirements and setting a budget for the job.
Communication must be clear with your electrical contractor regarding the type of fixtures you’re looking for so that everything can be bought and prepared for in advance.
A great starting point is drawing a complete plan of your property with all the rooms and the position of the furniture and equipment. Once that is done, you can easily determine where the lights, switches, and sockets are required.
The property owners must do their best to try and stay out of the electrician’s way and cover all furniture and valuable items with a heavy cloth to protect them from dust, and move all electrical equipment into a separate room.
Here are a few important things to consider when planning your domestic electrical installation:
Switches are a huge part of the second fix installation, and selecting the right ones for your property is a huge contributing factor to the time and money it’ll cost you. Here are the options:
And they are available in the following designs:
When deciding to turn your regular property into a smart one, smart lighting is a great place to start. It allows you to remotely control the lights through your smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
If you’re new to the concept, you can start by testing a smart bulb and then move on to smart switches.
Smart lighting plays a vital role in enhancing your property’s security. Integrated with burglar alarms and CCTV cameras, smart lighting can deter criminals away from your property.
If you wish to have smart lighting installed and integrated with other security systems, let your electrical contractor know beforehand so that they can plan and undertake the job accordingly.
A complete rewire for a 3-bedroom semi can take up to 5-10 days, with half the days required for the first fix and the remaining ones for the second fix electrics installation.
The duration depends on several factors such as the size and type of the property, the level of planning and preparedness on the property owner’s part, the nature of the requirements, and the number of contractors working on the job.
Naturally, any hindrances and additions to the original plan would prolong the duration.
Rewiring your property not only brings the electrical installations up-to-date with the wiring regulations but also gives you the chance to upgrade it with modern styles and fixtures.
Quite obviously, it comes at a price, but one that’s well worth it.
The average cost of rewiring a house, including both the first fix and second fix installations, ranges somewhere between £2,500 and £4,500.
The figures are heavily dependent on the type and number of fittings and switches, and how long the work is expected to take which depends on many factors such as:
To give you a general idea, you can expect to pay a minimum of £2,000 to £3,000 for a 2-bedroom semi, £3,000 to £4,000 for a 3-bedroom semi, £4,000 to £5,000 for a 4-bedroom semi, and £4,500 to £6,000 for a 5-bedroom semi.
Similarly, the age of the house will determine if rewiring is needed in the first place, and if it is, how much work will go into it.
If the house is very old, it’s most likely that the wiring system is out of date and obsolete which is one of the reasons why you might experience a power surge whenever you plug in your high-powered appliances.
The older the house, the more outdated the current wiring is, and the more work required to bring it at par with current wiring regulations.
The general structure of the property and the material of the walls is also a huge contributing factor to the total cost. Hollow walls make the rewiring process easier and quicker since it is easier to break into them as compared to a solid brick or block wall.
The number of light fittings will also determine how much wiring is needed and the amount of work required to install the fittings. More light fittings equal to more light switches, and vice versa.
The quality of the fittings and the type and style of the material you choose will also greatly influence the cost. If you opt for simple plastic switches and plain light fixtures, your overall cost would naturally go down as opposed to using premium quality materials and designs.
As a general rule of thumb, if your property’s wiring is really old and outdated, say 25 years or over, it is best to get it inspected and rewired to bring it up to current standards.
Before carrying out a full rewire though, it is recommended to have your electrical installations checked to determine the need for one. Who knows, you might need just an upgrade, a partial rewire, or no rewiring at all.
The best way to do so is through a professional electrical contractor who will be able to identify any potential or developing problems and fix them before they become an issue.
It is recommended for private homeowners to get their electrical installations checked every 5-10 years or if they are selling the property, for landlords to get it done every 5 years or whenever there is a change in occupancy, and for businesses to get done every 3-5 years to make sure that it is safe for use by the employees and the public.
According to the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC), two kinds of checks must be carried out; a visual inspection that generates a Visual Inspection Report (VIR) and a more detailed electrical inspection that generates the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
A Visual Inspection Report (VIR) provides a general summary of the electrical installation’s health by recording all the observations and recommendations.
The electrician is likely to check the fuse board, sockets, lights, plugs, switches, cables and leads, earthing and bonding, visible signs of wear and tear, and burning, as well as the kitchen and bathroom safety.
An EICR is more detailed than a VIR and allows the electrical contractor to identify issues that couldn’t be found in the latter.
It identifies any damage, defect, or deterioration that may turn into a potential hazard, along with recording several observations in line with BS 7671 and providing recommendations for improving the installation.
A full rewire needs to meet the appropriate safety standards set by the wiring regulations, which is why the local building control department needs to be notified.
You must make sure all the rewiring work complies with Part P of the building regulations and that certification will be handed out to after the task is completed.
A simple way to make sure you are complying with the law is by using an NICEIC registered professional contractor.
At Calder Electrical, we will take the hassle away from you and notify all the relevant departments on your behalf in addition to ensuring all the regulations are met.
At Calder Electrical, we understand how overwhelming rewiring can be which is why our experts do all that they can to help you feel at ease with the entire process.
We are experts in our field and can help you with our professional services. All our work is fully insured and we work to meet the standards set to us by the NICEIC to make sure all your electrical installations meet the current regulations.
We have been undertaking electrical work since 1976 and have plenty of experience and are specialists in all aspects of electrical work.
Our installation services include:
If you are looking to undertake a refurb of a kitchen or bathroom, or build an extension or a new build property, we can help design, install, and commission it. We will also notify any work to the relevant authorities and departments to make sure you are fully covered in meeting the wiring regulations.
A full rewire can be avoided if the existing wiring is up to the mark and can carry the additional load. Our experts can upgrade it by adding a modern consumer unit in addition to upgrading the earthing and bonding.
At Calder Electrical Services we can also survey any existing installation and advise on the best way to increase the safety by either upgrading the consumer unit/distribution board or the protective devices inside them.
We can help in all aspects of commercial electrical installation and offer a wide range of skills to help achieve whatever your business or premises may need whether it is a full rewire, a partial rewire, or just adding in extra data and socket points.
Under the new 18th edition wiring regulations BS7671 its now recommended that surge protection is incorporated into domestic dwellings, as before it was only commonplace in commercial and industrial installations.
It is a device that is installed in line with a circuit or installation to protect electronic equipment sensitive to surges such as an Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS), laptops and computers, TVs, consoles, phones etc, saving hundreds or thousands in damages in homes and businesses.
If you would like us to provide a survey and quote, please contact us and we will be happy to help.
Photo by Mandy Choi on Unsplash
Even the best electrical installations deteriorate over time and require maintenance, upgrades, and remodelling.
For considerably old wiring systems, it is recommended to have them regularly checked by a professional electrical service to ensure all the electrical installations are working as they should.
This helps identify any faults or problems in the installation that may turn into a potential hazard. Faulty wiring can lead to injury, damaged property, and even death in case of electrocution or electrical fire.
In addition to safeguarding from these risks, a regular maintenance check also gives a detailed report on the health of the electrical system as well as any work that might be required.
A full rewire may be required if the property is too old, the current installations are unsafe, it has been damaged by fire or flood, or when an extension or upgrade is required.
Complete rewiring is divided into two phases; first fix and second fix.
In this basic introductory guide, we will discuss in detail what second fix electrics installation is, how to prepare for it, and the time and money you’re expected to invest in it.
The second fix installation phase starts right after the first fix is completed. When the cables, wiring, and circuits are replaced, the walls and ceilings are re-plastered so that the contractor can move on to the next step.
The second fix includes:
After all, this is done, the installations are tested to make sure they are working properly, and once all is good, the electrical system is made live.
The first fix is known to be messy due to the plaster on the walls, carpets, floorboards, furniture, and equipment being removed, wiring going through walls and across ceilings, and quite a lot of work involving tools such as hammers, drilling machines, and the works.
On the other hand, the second fix doesn’t require any structural work such as drilling and channelling and is far less disruptive.
Nonetheless, as is with the first fix, it is crucial to plan out everything before the second fix as well.
Since the work is carried out in flow with the second fix beginning right after the first ends, it is best to plan for both the phases before any sort of work begins, which includes determining your requirements and setting a budget for the job.
Communication must be clear with your electrical contractor regarding the type of fixtures you’re looking for so that everything can be bought and prepared for in advance.
A great starting point is drawing a complete plan of your property with all the rooms and the position of the furniture and equipment. Once that is done, you can easily determine where the lights, switches, and sockets are required.
The property owners must do their best to try and stay out of the electrician’s way and cover all furniture and valuable items with a heavy cloth to protect them from dust, and move all electrical equipment into a separate room.
Here are a few important things to consider when planning your domestic electrical installation:
Switches are a huge part of the second fix installation, and selecting the right ones for your property is a huge contributing factor to the time and money it’ll cost you. Here are the options:
And they are available in the following designs:
When deciding to turn your regular property into a smart one, smart lighting is a great place to start. It allows you to remotely control the lights through your smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
If you’re new to the concept, you can start by testing a smart bulb and then move on to smart switches.
Smart lighting plays a vital role in enhancing your property’s security. Integrated with burglar alarms and CCTV cameras, smart lighting can deter criminals away from your property.
If you wish to have smart lighting installed and integrated with other security systems, let your electrical contractor know beforehand so that they can plan and undertake the job accordingly.
A complete rewire for a 3-bedroom semi can take up to 5-10 days, with half the days required for the first fix and the remaining ones for the second fix electrics installation.
The duration depends on several factors such as the size and type of the property, the level of planning and preparedness on the property owner’s part, the nature of the requirements, and the number of contractors working on the job.
Naturally, any hindrances and additions to the original plan would prolong the duration.
Rewiring your property not only brings the electrical installations up-to-date with the wiring regulations but also gives you the chance to upgrade it with modern styles and fixtures.
Quite obviously, it comes at a price, but one that’s well worth it.
The average cost of rewiring a house, including both the first fix and second fix installations, ranges somewhere between £2,500 and £4,500.
The figures are heavily dependent on the type and number of fittings and switches, and how long the work is expected to take which depends on many factors such as:
To give you a general idea, you can expect to pay a minimum of £2,000 to £3,000 for a 2-bedroom semi, £3,000 to £4,000 for a 3-bedroom semi, £4,000 to £5,000 for a 4-bedroom semi, and £4,500 to £6,000 for a 5-bedroom semi.
Similarly, the age of the house will determine if rewiring is needed in the first place, and if it is, how much work will go into it.
If the house is very old, it’s most likely that the wiring system is out of date and obsolete which is one of the reasons why you might experience a power surge whenever you plug in your high-powered appliances.
The older the house, the more outdated the current wiring is, and the more work required to bring it at par with current wiring regulations.
The general structure of the property and the material of the walls is also a huge contributing factor to the total cost. Hollow walls make the rewiring process easier and quicker since it is easier to break into them as compared to a solid brick or block wall.
The number of light fittings will also determine how much wiring is needed and the amount of work required to install the fittings. More light fittings equal to more light switches, and vice versa.
The quality of the fittings and the type and style of the material you choose will also greatly influence the cost. If you opt for simple plastic switches and plain light fixtures, your overall cost would naturally go down as opposed to using premium quality materials and designs.
As a general rule of thumb, if your property’s wiring is really old and outdated, say 25 years or over, it is best to get it inspected and rewired to bring it up to current standards.
Before carrying out a full rewire though, it is recommended to have your electrical installations checked to determine the need for one. Who knows, you might need just an upgrade, a partial rewire, or no rewiring at all.
The best way to do so is through a professional electrical contractor who will be able to identify any potential or developing problems and fix them before they become an issue.
It is recommended for private homeowners to get their electrical installations checked every 5-10 years or if they are selling the property, for landlords to get it done every 5 years or whenever there is a change in occupancy, and for businesses to get done every 3-5 years to make sure that it is safe for use by the employees and the public.
According to the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC), two kinds of checks must be carried out; a visual inspection that generates a Visual Inspection Report (VIR) and a more detailed electrical inspection that generates the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
A Visual Inspection Report (VIR) provides a general summary of the electrical installation’s health by recording all the observations and recommendations.
The electrician is likely to check the fuse board, sockets, lights, plugs, switches, cables and leads, earthing and bonding, visible signs of wear and tear, and burning, as well as the kitchen and bathroom safety.
An EICR is more detailed than a VIR and allows the electrical contractor to identify issues that couldn’t be found in the latter.
It identifies any damage, defect, or deterioration that may turn into a potential hazard, along with recording several observations in line with BS 7671 and providing recommendations for improving the installation.
A full rewire needs to meet the appropriate safety standards set by the wiring regulations, which is why the local building control department needs to be notified.
You must make sure all the rewiring work complies with Part P of the building regulations and that certification will be handed out to after the task is completed.
A simple way to make sure you are complying with the law is by using an NICEIC registered professional contractor.
At Calder Electrical, we will take the hassle away from you and notify all the relevant departments on your behalf in addition to ensuring all the regulations are met.
At Calder Electrical, we understand how overwhelming rewiring can be which is why our experts do all that they can to help you feel at ease with the entire process.
We are experts in our field and can help you with our professional services. All our work is fully insured and we work to meet the standards set to us by the NICEIC to make sure all your electrical installations meet the current regulations.
We have been undertaking electrical work since 1976 and have plenty of experience and are specialists in all aspects of electrical work.
Our installation services include:
If you are looking to undertake a refurb of a kitchen or bathroom, or build an extension or a new build property, we can help design, install, and commission it. We will also notify any work to the relevant authorities and departments to make sure you are fully covered in meeting the wiring regulations.
A full rewire can be avoided if the existing wiring is up to the mark and can carry the additional load. Our experts can upgrade it by adding a modern consumer unit in addition to upgrading the earthing and bonding.
At Calder Electrical Services we can also survey any existing installation and advise on the best way to increase the safety by either upgrading the consumer unit/distribution board or the protective devices inside them.
We can help in all aspects of commercial electrical installation and offer a wide range of skills to help achieve whatever your business or premises may need whether it is a full rewire, a partial rewire, or just adding in extra data and socket points.
Under the new 18th edition wiring regulations BS7671 its now recommended that surge protection is incorporated into domestic dwellings, as before it was only commonplace in commercial and industrial installations.
It is a device that is installed in line with a circuit or installation to protect electronic equipment sensitive to surges such as an Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS), laptops and computers, TVs, consoles, phones etc, saving hundreds or thousands in damages in homes and businesses.
If you would like us to provide a survey and quote, please contact us and we will be happy to help.
Photo by Mandy Choi on Unsplash
