Have you fallen in love with a house you have viewed in Bracknell but have concerns about its electrical wiring?
Don’t panic! Buying a house that needs rewiring is not the end of the world. In fact, knowing that a house needs rewiring can help you negotiate a better price and there really is no better time to rewire than before you move in and begin decorating. No one wants to discover that the time and money they have spent renovating their new home is about to be wasted when the wiring needs replacing! As your local rewire specialists, Thames Valley Electricians in Bracknell are here to set your mind at ease and explain what you need to do now.
How do I know a house needs rewiring?
Many prospective buyers can overlook the condition of the electrical installation when viewing a property. The electrical wiring in a property is mostly hidden from view and there can be a lot else to consider when you are looking for your dream home. However, it is incredibly important to know how safe the electrical system is, and you should prioritise checking the electrics on your second viewing. Some of the obvious signs that a property may need rewiring include an old-style fuse board with removable fuses, sockets set into skirting boards and evidence of old electrical cabling. If any of these are present, or you are in anyway uncertain, you should ask a qualified electrician to inspect the property. They will perform an electrical installation condition report, or EICR for short, and advise you if the house you are buying needs rewiring. An EICR is the thorough inspection of the electrical installation of a property and will let you know exactly how healthy its electrics are.
Can I buy a house that needs rewiring?
There is no reason why, provided you are aware, you should not buy a property that needs a rewire. The electrician who performed your EICR will have given you advice on the next steps and an estimated cost for the rewire. This puts you in a good position to negotiate and plan. From both a financial and safety standpoint, the electrical health of a property is of high importance. Rewiring a home can be costly and if this expense is unexpected, it can mean some of your other plans are put on hold. Finding out that a property needs rewiring before negotiations are finalised gives you a chance to build this into the final offer you make. A home that needs rewiring will also be potentially hazardous and could put you at risk of either electrical fire or shock. Knowing the situation before you move in helps to keep you and your family safe.
What happens during a rewire?
Rewiring is undoubtably a large project and will encompass your whole home, from loft to basement and every space in between. Floorboards will need to be lifted, walls will have channels cut into them for the new wiring and it will be both dusty and noisy. Power will be turned off for periods as the rewiring progresses and rooms will be out of bounds as the electrician works. Rewiring a house that is completely empty of both contents and inhabitants is a much simpler process. It is also much more comfortable for you. By the time you move in, the dust will have settled, the walls will be made good, and you can rest easy that your electrics are safe. All that remains is for you to start decorating your new home and making it yours!
If you are in the Bracknell area and would like some advice about buying a house that needs rewiring, Thames Valley Electricians are here to help. Our experienced, fully qualified and NICEIC registered electricians will talk you through your options and help you make sure your new home is electrically safe. Contact us today.
