What you need to know about rewiring an old property

Dealing with and renovating an old property is a whole different kettle of fish to a newer property. The materials they’re made from are generally weaker (such as lime plaster), but they’re also in desperate need of repair because of their age.

When it comes to electrical works such as rewiring, your approach should be completely different to how you would rewire a newer property. Old buildings generally have issues with architectural preservation, safety, and compliance with contemporary building regs, all of which are critical factors that must be considered by anyone who wants to complete electrical work.

But try not to be daunted! Here, you’ll find all the information you need to complete a rewire on an old property.

Understanding the scope of the work

Before you can start any of the work, there are certain steps that need to be taken first that will help you to evaluate the existing wiring and what needs to be fixed or replaced.

First, determine what needs to be completely replaced because it’s currently not working or unsafe. Where are the main risks within the building? Then, determine which parts are obsolete and need to be upgraded with newer alternatives. This could be a long list, such as fuse boards, light switches, junction boxes, or the wiring itself.

It’s essential to define the extent of work required to create a targeted rewiring plan that addresses the requirements and peculiarities of the building. For professional help, you can turn to a reputable electrician or specialist rewire firm to help you.

Preserve architectural integrity

When upgrading a very old or period property, it’s easy to get rid of its special features and its character that makes it the home it is. However, their character should absolutely be maintained where possible.

If you’re rewiring an older home, one of the most important things to consider is how you will maintain its architectural features. Old houses have special structures and construction materials and thus require special attention when rewiring.

Preservation specialists should be consulted before electrical upgrades are undertaken so that the upgrades don’t detract from the historic character of the property.

Navigate building regulations and codes

Building regulations are in place for any building, but they tend to be stricter for older homes. When rewiring, you must adhere to the building regulations and codes.

There are particular electrical standards for the present day to ensure our homes don’t spontaneously combust and to keep us safe. These are focused on safety and efficiency/performance, and older properties generally don’t have wiring or sockets/switches that correspond with modern standards.

Since rewiring work has to be done legally, it is important to work with professional electricians who are conversant with the law in your region.

Address structural challenges

No house is perfect, but older homes are much more prone to wonky floors and walls, structural issues and weak materials that are easily damaged (such as crumbling brick). This can make it even harder to rewire.

Any work that you wish to carry out must be planned out thoroughly to prevent further damage to the property. Consider putting a plan in place should you run into problems, or solutions that you can foresee. If a wall is crumbling and can’t be drilled into like you planned, how will you continue to run the cable and where will it go?

Such difficulties require the use of specific approaches and equipment by electricians to avoid compromising the home’s structure.

Upgrade to modern standards

Electrical retrofitting is essentially the process of renewing the electrical system in old homes by replacing old components with new and efficient ones.

Some of these may involve the replacing or installing grounded outlets and surge protectors, or upgrading old fuse boxes with more modern circuit breakers. Upgrading an electrical system does not only increases safety but also increases the functionality and efficiency of the property.

Manage costs and budget

Old properties are renowned for draining your wallet. They can be money pits, so it’s important to appreciate this and understand the full costs involved with a rewire.

Rewiring an older home can be very costly because of the challenges that are associated with wiring, as well as the structural adjustments that may be needed. You should be sure to estimate the amount of money that could be spent on things like labour and materials, adding on an extra 10 or 15% to account for unforeseen problems.

I’d advise that you get a quote from several electricians or rewiring companies to compare their fees and what they’re offering.

Ensure safety and longevity

Older homes are more prone to electrical hazards and fires, purely because they likely weren’t built to handle electricity, or the systems that are installed are antiquated and unsafe.

Upgrading to modern electrical standards enhances the safety of you and your family, and protects the property from potential risks or fire, so it’s definitely something to consider.

Once you have invested in the rewire, you should make sure that the electrical system is maintained and inspected regularly. This will not only increase it’s longevity but any potential hazards or risks will be caught early on.