Re-wire preference - under floorboards or removed ceiling

[littlespark]

Lift the floorboards AND remove the ceiling. Best of both worlds

 

[Pete999]

With the ceilings down you also get the chance to clip along the joists rather than fishing . Also much easier to plot out downlights.

Customer still has to deal with payment for replacing the ceiling.

 

[Pete999]

With the ceilings down you also get the chance to clip along the joists rather than fishing . Also much easier to plot out downlights.

With the floor up and the joists exposed it would be quite simple to plt down light positions, unless of course you are a complete numpty.

 

[Pete999]

With the floor up and the joists exposed it would be quite simple to plt down light positions, unless of course you are a complete numpty.

 

[Midwest]

Agree with doing it from below, if your taking down the ceiling anyway. Floorboards never go back the same, and if they're quite old they might split etc, and some end up having to be replaced. Is the flooring chipboard?

That said, even doing it from below, you might end up with a few flow boards up anyway. Also removing the ceiling may reveal some horrors (not just electrical), that'll need fixing.

 

[Pete999]

Agree with doing it from below, if your taking down the ceiling anyway. Floorboards never go back the same, and if they're quite old they might split etc, and some end up having to be replaced. Is the flooring chipboard?

That said, even doing it from below, you might end up with a few flow boards up anyway. Also removing the ceiling may reveal some horrors (not just electrical), that'll need fixing.

So, with the possibility of splitting a few floor boards that will be covered up with carpet anyway, plus you might expose some dangers that may effect the lives of the occupiers, you would rather (sorry you mentioned " if the ceiling is coming down anyway") then I would agree do the work from below, still don't agree that it will be easier regardless, I spent many years rewiring by lifting floors, so to label my method as in your day, thats how I learnt my Trade, (not you Midwest) was / is a bit of a neck, still times and methods change.

 

[stevethesparks]

With the floor up and the joists exposed it would be quite simple to plt down light positions, unless of course you are a complete numpty.

With furnished rooms above, you will have limited access. With an open ceiling below, any possible obstructions become blindingly obvious and enables a much easier install.
I think it's more a case of you being stuck in your ways I'm afraid, and I'm no Numpty.

 

[Pete999]

With furnished rooms above, you will have limited access. With an open ceiling below, any possible obstructions become blindingly obvious and enables a much easier install.
I think it's more a case of you being stuck in your ways I'm afraid, and I'm no Numpty.

Never said you were a Numpty Mate

 

[mattg4321]

Ceiling down will be far easier. Added benefit is that you can clip the cables properly too

 

[Leesparkykent]

Ceilings down is far better job, easier to drill holes in the correct span of the joists, cables can be clipped rather than fished, easier to get down lights in, don’t have to move furniture as much, don’t have to pull carpets up above. To take floors up imo is madness if the ceiling is coming down , as in the OP. I ping a line with the chalk line, cut a bit of wood half the height of the joist and use it to mark the centre, get the angle drill out with a decent wood bit and drill the row of holes....Takes minutes

 

[telectrix]

have to agree with lsk. a decent 22mm auger bit on a mains/110V makita ploughs through joist in seconds. recently done a job with 4" joists. drilled the whole property in under 1 hour.

 

[Leesparkykent]

have to agree with lsk. a decent 22mm auger bit on a mains/110V makita ploughs through joist in seconds. recently done a job with 4" joists. drilled the whole property in under 1 hour.

I have the makita 110V but been toying with idea of getting one of these....I see a plumber using one and it was brilliant.

Milwaukee M18CRAD-502X M18 FUEL Hole Hawg - https://www.milwaukeepowertools.co.uk/milwaukee-m18crad-502x

 

[telectrix]

only problem i find with the makita is due to it's length and the length of the bit, you can't drill straight, you need to drill at an angle. to overcome the threading of the cables, (TIP). drill alternate joists from one direction, then the intermediate ones from the other, that eases pulling the cables through.

 

[telectrix]

I have the makita 110V but been toying with idea of getting one of these....I see a plumber using one and it was brilliant.

Milwaukee M18CRAD-502X M18 FUEL Hole Hawg - https://www.milwaukeepowertools.co.uk/milwaukee-m18crad-502x

how does a plumber botch notches with that?????

 

[123]

I use a Makita Brushless Combi and these wood bits. They fly through joists, and they don't tend to catch like Auger bits would. Also the holes are nice and straight and bit and drill fit quite comfortably in between joists.

On the original topic, the ceiling is coming down anyway so leave the floor alone, and if I had a preference it would be ceilings down each and every time.