REWIRING Small 3 bed house.

graysonlad · Mar 9, 2019

My grandson is confused by conflicting information given by contractors quoting to rewire his house, which is a small 3 bed semi.
The incoming mains and meter are located at the front of the property (external meter cupboard). The consumer unit is located in the kitchen at the rear of the property.
One contractor has quoted for an 80 amp switched fuse at the meter location and running , within the property, a T&E 16 mm cable to the consumer unit. They also want to run a separate earth conductor to the T&E cable to the consumer unit. The distance from meter to consumer is some 10 metres.
The consumer unit, as well as controlling circuits within the house, will also supply a feed to a domestic garage and garden shed situated some 40 metre from the consumer unit. The electrician proposes to run a 3 core SWA cable size 2.5 mm. to a smaller consumer unit in the garage. This unit to supply Fridge Freezer. Tumble Drier. Lights and approx three 13 amp sockets.
The confusion comes because the quotes obtained are all different. I accept that are likely to be differences with regards to labour charges but expected there to be conformity with regards to cable sizes etc and similar approaches to the installation.
Can any one clear up this confusion.

Risteard · Mar 9, 2019

You really need a spec to get comparable quotes.

davesparks · Mar 9, 2019

telectrix said:
fair comment, but that would mean extending all the final circuits.

Why? It's a rewire, all the circuits will be going in new so no need to extend anything.

ChrisElectrical88 · Mar 9, 2019

Bored would be moving closer to the meter if possible, if not 16mm SWA, and a 6 or 10mm is going out to the garage and shed TTed.

Pete999 · Mar 9, 2019

ChrisElectrical88 said:
Bored would be moving closer to the meter if possible, if not 16mm SWA, and a 6 or 10mm is going out to the garage and shed TTed.

I ain't bored I'm having fun.

graysonlad · Mar 14, 2019

My Grandson is away on holiday and I can't ask him for clarification on the excellent points raised in reply to my posting.
I think the 16 mm T&E , from meter to Consumer Unit, is following the route of the current mains cable. That is; via the cavity wall at the front and under the floorboards.
Not sure if it is a total rewire or is just updating and re positioning/installing extra sockets.
The garage installation (swa cable) is new. I think the 40 mtr I mentioned is an inclusive distance from house to garage and to garden shed. The distance from house to garage would not exceed 10 mtr. I agree that the swa, for garage and garden, should be greater than the 2.5 mm swa cable mentioned i.e. 6 mm to cater for future loads.

Thanks for the comments and apologies for the vagueness of the information. I live some 200 miles from the family and it is some years since I visited the house.