House Rewire

[Mark Roberts]

Hi

Im new here and am not an electrician but a homeowner who needs a full rewire in a four bedroom house.

Ive got a few quotes in and there more than I thought £5500- £6500.

Id like to bring this figure down. Can you suggest ways of cost saving spec wise and labour wise. EG. one guy said the four extractor fans hes fitting in the bathroom, ensuite etc are costing around £50 each as there much better than the £15 fans. All the four rooms have windows with trickle vents so do I really need the higher cost fans.

What labouring jobs could a good DIYer do that would save the electrician time.

Any other hints and tips?

thanks
Mark

 

[telectrix]

i might be wrong, but was under the impression that smokes were only mandatory on new builds and major refurbs. think it's basically that if the job requires planning permission, then the smoke detectors are compulsory. no doubt someone will correct me if i'm wrong.

 

[Octopus]

Isn't a rewire a major refurb then?

As a matter of policy I'm surprised that a full rewire doesn't call for mains powered interlinked smokes. After all,we have to do tails upgrades, bonding upgrades, RCD's on "all" circuits - so why omit smokes??

 

[telectrix]

by major refurb. i' mean structural alterations /extensions etc. don't get me wrong, i advocate the fitting of smoke detectors on all rewires, full or partial. just debating at what point they are mandatory.

 

[Octopus]

Maybe mandatory is a bit strong, but IMHO if they're not mandatory as part of a rewire, they should be.

Just debating. LOL

 

[telectrix]

couldn't agree more. i would like to see at least 2 smokes and 1 heat (in kitchen) as a minimum requirement.

 

[Paul.M]

The way I understand it is that smokes need to be installed in the new build part of the house extention but not in the original part of the house. Imho it should be compulsory to install smokes and heats with all rewires, we have to do it for new builds?

 

[Octopus]

couldn't agree more. i would like to see at least 2 smokes and 1 heat (in kitchen) as a minimum requirement.

Mind you, 2 smokes and 1 heat is a bit OTT in a studio flat! LOL

I did a PIR the other week and found that smokes had been added to the house when a big extension had been added. The (IMHO) sensible electrician had even put one in the enormous loft.

 

[telectrix]

if the customer will pay they can have 20 detectors, even in the karzi if they want one there.

 

[oxocube]

There is no requirement for Fire alarm systems in existing dwellings unless they are multi occupancy.

From BS 5839-6 2004 Fire alarms .........dwellings

"The installation of automatic fire detectors is, effectively, required in newdwelling houses, flats and maisonettes in order to satisfy building regulations. Inexisting houses in multiple occupation, the installation of an automatic firedetection and fire alarm system is normally required by the relevant enforcing​

authorities."

 

[GLENNSPARK]

I was under the impression that you had to have at least 2 interlinked mains smokes/heats with battery backup............

 

[oxocube]

Read all about it - http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADB1_2006.pdf

 

[Mad Spark]

A rewire is considered a new installation, the requirement for smoke alarms is for new installations as apose to new builds. Alot of clients try and get the cost down as little as possible, in such a situation the minimum requirement is one up and one down interlinked mains with battery back up, if however the client doesnt object then there should be one in each habitble room.

With regards to a rewire and the cost, everyone who has ever done a rewire should understand how much work is involved in carrying out a complete rewire. Not only are you carrying out work which is strenuous on your self and body, its also a big responsibility to ensure your work does not cause any accidents in the future. Electricity is a dangeroous thing and can cause death if not handeled correctly and as we are putting our reputation at risk, along with our self in the hands of the clients for at least the next 10 years, i for one would not work on a job if i felt that i would have to comprimise quality because there wasnt enough in it for me. I have been out bidded on jobs and sometime it hurts knowing that there are people who may have spent along time in the industry perfecting their skills and trade would undercut someone so much just to win a contract.
I cant see how anyone can do this job for under 3000. There, if i understand correctly, are 4 bedrooms, 2 lounges, dinning room, bathroom, ensuite, garage, outbuilding, and the lighting is not going to be pendant all over they are downlighters in kitchen hallway stairs, etc. I am asuming the shed is not going to be adjoingin the main building, so digging a trench to run the cable is also a cost.



So guys before we start to make our industry a cheap industry which fails on quality, lets sit down and think who it is that will be afffected the most with cheap quotes.

 

[oxocube]

the requirement for smoke alarms is for new installations as apose to new builds.

That is completely wrong, perhaps thats why your quotes are so high, because your quoting for unnecessary work.

There is no requirement for Fire alarm systems in existing dwellings unless they are multi occupancy.

From BS 5839-6 2004 Fire alarms .........dwellings

"The installation of automatic fire detectors is, effectively, required in newdwelling houses, flats and maisonettes in order to satisfy building regulations. Inexisting houses in multiple occupation, the installation of an automatic firedetection and fire alarm system is normally required by the relevant enforcing​

authorities."

 

[ackbarthestar]

Insurance companies now require FAs of one form or another to be connected. Usually class D, hard wired and a minimum of two sensors

 

[oxocube]

Insurance companies now require FAs of one form or another to be connected. Usually class D, hard wired and a minimum of two sensors

BS 5839-6 has always required domestic FA sounders to be interlinked, in any building new or old.