Jotauras Electrician Plymouth

House Rewiring in Plymouth

house rewiring Plymouth

Looking to improve the safety and efficiency of your home? Our expert house rewiring service is here to cover all your electrical needs, ensuring your peace of mind.

If you want to entrust electrical work to us or find out more - contact us. We are always ready to help you.
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Power saving tips

  • Turn off unnecessary lights.
  • Use natural light.
  • Take shorter showers.

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Signs Your Home Needs Rewiring:

1. Take a look at the fuse board

 If your fuse board appears like the one in this picture, it’s a sign that the wiring behind it could be outdated and may need replacement. Additionally, this type of fuse board lacks essential safety features that could make your electrical system more secure. Upgrading with a rewire and a new fuse board or consumer unit will provide important protections like an RCBO, which safeguards users from electric shock, and an SPD, which protects your appliances from damaging power surges.

Old wylex rewireable fuse box

Old bakelite light switch

2. Switches, sockets, isolators

 Another clue can come from examining your switches, sockets, and isolators. The one shown in the picture is made from an old type of plastic called Bakelite, and if yours look similar, it may indicate that outdated wiring is still present behind them and could need replacing. It’s also possible that someone updated only the front plates of the sockets, switches, and isolators to make the property look better before selling, without actually replacing any deteriorated wiring underneath. If your socket outlets appear aged, yellowed, or damaged, this is another sign that there may be old, unsuitable cabling behind them.

3. Cables

 Today, electrical cables are typically insulated and sheathed with PVC. If you look around your property—outside near a socket, around your fuse board, or even in the loft if accessible—you might spot some of the existing wiring. Older installations often used cables like the one shown in the picture, insulated with vulcanized Indian rubber (VIR). Over time, this type of insulation becomes brittle and can deteriorate. If the cables in your home resemble this older style, it’s a strong indication that a full rewire may be necessary.

Old vulcanized indian rubber cable

Socket wired up in old colour conductors

4. Earth connections

 If you’ve ever replaced or removed a socket or switch in your home, you may have noticed that modern cables contain three conductors. The red (line) and black (neutral) conductors allow your electrical system to function—if either one isn’t connected, your appliance simply won’t work, signaling an obvious issue. The green-and-yellow conductor, known as the CPC, is a safety conductor. It connects the metal casing of an appliance to earth. If this conductor isn’t properly connected, most appliances will still appear to work normally, giving no indication of a problem. However, if a fault occurs inside the appliance and the metal casing becomes live, anyone who touches it could receive a dangerous—or even fatal—electric shock. If you’ve ever opened a socket or switch and noticed the absence of this green-and-yellow conductor, it’s likely that your wiring needs to be replaced with modern cables that include proper earth protection.

5. Cracked insulation

 If the insulation is cracked or brittle, it’s a clear sign that the electrical installation is aging and may need to be replaced.

Cracked conductors insulation of the power cable

Pre 2004 cable conductor colours

6. Cable colours

 The colours used to identify electrical conductors were changed in 2004 to align with European standards. You don’t need to rewire your home solely because of colour changes, but they can help you estimate the age of your installation. If the conductors in your property are red and black, the wiring was installed before 2004 and could be several decades old—especially if the earth conductor is solid green instead of green and yellow. If the conductors are brown and blue, then the installation was done sometime after 2004.

7. Rodent damage

 This may not be the first thing you consider when assessing whether a property needs rewiring, but in older homes it’s not unusual to find that rats or mice have chewed through cable insulation. This can leave live parts exposed, creating a serious risk of electric shock or fire. Such damage is most often found in places like the loft or cellar, if your property has one. If the problem is widespread, the home may require rewiring with a system specifically designed to prevent vermin from damaging the cables in the future.

Mouse chewed power cable

Insufficient amount of sockets in a room

8. Convenience of the installation

 You might also want to consider whether the current installation actually meets your needs. Do you often rely on extension leads because there aren’t enough sockets, or because they’re positioned awkwardly? Years ago, it was common to install just one socket per room, which was assumed to be sufficient at the time. If your home has very few outlets, it could be a sign that the installation is older and may need rewiring—or you might simply want to add more socket points to improve convenience.

If you’re thinking about buying an older property, it’s important to have a qualified electrician carry out a full inspection beforehand to ensure the wiring is safe.
Regular inspections are also recommended—every 10 years for owner-occupied homes and every 5 years for rental properties.
Additionally, if you’re planning an extension or conversion, all new or altered wiring must comply with current Building Regulations to ensure safety and reliability.

Contact trusted local electricians today to learn more about our services or to request your free quote.

house_rewiring

Here’s what you can expect when you choose us:

  • Comprehensive Service Package: Choosing our house rewiring service means you’ll get a complete electrical inspection, replacement of old wiring, installation of modern electrical panels, and the addition of new outlets and fixtures. We make sure your entire electrical system meets current safety standards and is customized to suit the specific needs of your home.
  • Solving Your Electrical Concerns: We know that old wiring can create significant safety hazards and cause frustrating electrical problems. Our rewiring service tackles these issues by removing potential risks, improving your home’s energy efficiency, and providing a dependable power supply for all your devices. Say farewell to flickering lights and tripped circuits, and welcome a safer, more efficient, and fully functional home.
  • Who We Help: Our service is ideal for homeowners, real estate agents getting properties ready for sale, or anyone wanting to upgrade their home’s electrical system. Whether you’re renovating an older property or just want to ensure your electrical setup is safe and up-to-date, we’re here to help.
  • Long-Term Benefits: After your home is rewired, you’ll benefit from improved safety, lower energy costs, and the capacity to support modern technology with confidence. Our service enhances your day-to-day living while also increasing your property’s value, providing lasting peace of mind.
  • Why Choose Us For House Rewiring?: What makes us different from the rest is our dedication to quality and customer satisfaction. Our skilled electricians are fully licensed and insured, and we use only top-quality materials. We listen carefully to your needs and deliver a tailored service, ensuring your rewiring project is completed efficiently and to the highest standards.

Some Of Our Happy Clients

customer review

Gabija Jokubkaite

"I was looking for an electrician in Plymouth and came across Jotauras. He is very professional and knowledgeable. The work was completed to a very high quality. Would 100% recommend.Thank you"

customer review

Sarah Halliwell

"Jotauras has worked on various electrical projects for us. He is very reliable and knowledgable. I would definitely recommend him."

Ready to enhance your home’s electrical safety and efficiency? Contact us today for a consultation, and let us help you transform your space!

Cost to rewire a house in 2024 in the UK

 A commonly asked question by our clients is, "How much does it cost to rewire a house?"
 The cost of rewiring depends on several factors, including the size of the property, the complexity of the work, and the materials used. Larger properties require more time and resources, which increases the overall cost. Careful planning is essential, as electricians work most efficiently in empty, quiet spaces. Being prepared for all eventualities is important. Additionally, your location within the UK can affect costs, as contractor rates vary regionally.

Our indicative prices

Property type Time Costs
2 Bedroom house 6-8 days Between £2900 and £4200 inc VAT
3 Bedroom house 7-10 days Between £3600 and £5400 inc VAT
4 Bedroom house 11-15 days Between £4500 and £6500 inc VAT

 Please note: Costs and times are estimates based on previous projects completion and may vary depending on the complexity of the work required and the age of the property.

What is involved in a full house rewiring?

 It’s important for clients to understand what a full house rewire entails. This process includes updating not just the fuse board, but also all sockets, switches, and wiring throughout the entire property.

The rewire typically comprises two main phases:

 1. The first stage, called the "First Fix," typically takes place before walls are plastered. It works best in an empty space, free of furniture or carpets. If you’re moving into a new home, it’s recommended to plan the rewire before furnishing to avoid potential issues later. During this phase, a qualified electrician installs the wiring and fits back boxes for all sockets and switches.
 2. The second stage, known as the "Second Fix," focuses on connecting the electrical system by installing switches, sockets, and lighting, as well as connecting the consumer unit. In a full house rewire, all existing wiring is replaced with new, safe wiring to remove potential hazards. This phase also involves fitting sockets, switches, cooker points, and lights, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the rewiring process.

Need an electrician in Plymouth? Contact us today—we’re ready to help with all your electrical needs.