Potential House Wiring

[Dan~]

So I went to look at a housetoday but noticed it has the old fuse box, which immediately made me feel sick, as I know thats a few hundread to replace with the new consumer units. From what I can remeber there was also red & black cables going to where the little meter was under the stairs. Does this mean re-wire straight away? The problem is we may be able to get some money knocked off the asking price, but still no money to pay for the re-wire, really putting me off

 

[Toonlad]

Get an electrician to do you a electrical installation condition report. From that point you will have a better idea how you would like to proceed.

 

[Bobster]

we may be able to get some money knocked off the asking price, but still no money to pay for the re-wire, really putting me off

So how does that work?

 

[Baker1988]

Doesn't really mean it needs a rewire just cos it has old board and old color wiring the vest thing to do would get a spark around to do a eicr and test it that will tell you the condition the wiring is in.

New board with RCD and 60898 MCB would probily be better but it doesn't have to have it

 

[Stroppy]

Just because its an old fuseboard and red/black cabling doesn't automatically mean it is condemnable and dangerous, you may get away with simply adding an RCD for additional protection, assuming one isn't present already.

Having said that, for housebuying purposes: "oooh its lethal, a rewire will cost thousands so we need £20k off the asking price for starters."

 

[telectrix]

20K rewire. you been sneaking a look at my quotes? :gunsmilie:

 

[ipf]

So I went to look at a housetoday but noticed it has the old fuse box, which immediately made me feel sick, as I know thats a few hundread to replace with the new consumer units. From what I can remeber there was also red & black cables going to where the little meter was under the stairs. Does this mean re-wire straight away? The problem is we may be able to get some money knocked off the asking price, but still no money to pay for the re-wire, really putting me off

Just one of the problems involved in buying a home. You get the money knocked off to pay for the rewire, if necessary.

 

[Dan~]

So how does that work?

First time buyers, so our mortage is only on our salary, so if we get money knocked off, we don't need to borrow as much if you get me.

 

[Dan~]

Is it best for me to take a photo next time? Because I think we'll do a second viewing then post up here for opinions/advise to start with?

 

[Stroppy]

It would certainly help to see how old "old" is.

 

[telectrix]

all depends if it needs rewiring or not. only way to tell is to pay for an inspection/test. your problem is that if you don't then buy the house, you've paid out £100 - £200 that yseller having a reopt done. that way, it's his cost, and even if you don't buy, he's got the report for other potential buyers. ou've then lost. i would put in an offer subject to the

edit: bloody laptop. anyone tell me how to disable the on board mouse. it moves clumps of the post around.

 

[kingeri]

Red/black wiring could be from 2000 for all we know! Probably not due to old fusebox. Photo would help, but remember cartridge fuses are still an acceptable method of circuit protection! Getting an EICR will tell you whether or not the wiring is ok. This is far more important than what fusebox is present. If the wiring is ok, a few hundred quid for a new consumer unit might be a good investment.

 

[ipf]

all depends if it needs rewiring or not. only way to tell is to pay for an inspection/test. your problem is that if you don't then buy the house, you've paid out £100 - £200 that yseller having a reopt done. that way, it's his cost, and even if you don't buy, he's got the report for other potential buyers. ou've then lost. i would put in an offer subject to the

edit: bloody laptop. anyone tell me how to disable the on board mouse. it moves clumps of the post around.

Break it's legs....big eared sod

 

[Dan~]

Excellent thanks From what I remember the house is 1937 or so, but who knows if any electrics have been changed since then, if not is that such and old time thats its worth re-wiring? From what I saw the fuses looked like cartidge type ones, but I'll try to get pictures sometime next week

 

[Sparks1962]

It would certainly help to see how old "old" is.

If it's got pre-war ( and I mean WW2)! fittings and DP fuseboards and gear I'll buy them for my museum!

 

[telectrix]

If it's got pre-war ( and I mean WW2)! fittings and DP fuseboards and gear I'll buy them for my museum!

not if tony gets there first. LOL.

 

[markythesparky]

The problem is we may be able to get some money knocked off the asking price, but still no money to pay for the re-wire, really putting me off

I you can afford the property without money knocked off then surely with money knocked off for a rewire would be no different?!?!
Or do you just not want to pay anyone to do the work?

 

[bigbaddave]

Red and black cable... Thats at least £1000.. or £500 if boots have there blue and brown nail varnish on 50% off

 

[GLENNSPARK]

So I went to look at a housetoday but noticed it has the old fuse box, which immediately made me feel sick, as I know thats a few hundread to replace with the new consumer units. From what I can remeber there was also red & black cables going to where the little meter was under the stairs. Does this mean re-wire straight away? The problem is we may be able to get some money knocked off the asking price, but still no money to pay for the re-wire, really putting me off

neither this nor this means a rewire....

 

[telectrix]

i have just done a thorough EICR on some flats. all had the old rewireable fuse boxes from circa 1970. guess what? all flats passed all tests and were considered safe for continued use.

you will find that some of the younger sparks will condemmn these installs, just because 1. they don't know better. or 2. they want the work involved in updating them.

 

[Knobhead]

not if tony gets there first. LOL.

I have enough junk thank you. But if anyone's got a Ellison OCB kicking around I'm interested.

 

[Knobhead]

I you can afford the property without money knocked off then surely with money knocked off for a rewire would be no different?!?!
Or do you just not want to pay anyone to do the work?

That's more like it. He'll be back in a while wanting free information to rewire a house.

 

[Dan~]

It's not that I don't want to pay, it's just I don't want to pay for a electric survery for a house I may not even get, I just wish these sort of things were law before selling a house, so much less hassel for the potential buyer then

 

[Sparks1962]

I have enough junk thank you. But if anyone's got a Ellison OCB kicking around I'm interested.

Any particular model or size?

 

[trev]

It's not that I don't want to pay, it's just I don't want to pay for a electric survery for a house I may not even get, I just wish these sort of things were law before selling a house, so much less hassel for the potential buyer then

Well the government tried to introduce something similar to what you want with the HIP but iirc everyone went up in arms about it plus how would such a law work and how would it be policed?

 

[pmf]

Have a EICR Done this will tell you what condition the installation is in gets my vote!!

 

[markythesparky]

It's not that I don't want to pay, it's just I don't want to pay for a electric survery for a house I may not even get, I just wish these sort of things were law before selling a house, so much less hassel for the potential buyer then

You should be asking for the electrical certificates and or EICR's anyway. Pretty much all property sales need this nowadays. If they havent got it, ask why. This will give you an upper hand for the negotiation and you could suggest that it may need a completet rewire. This will probably give them the idea of gettin gthe EICR done themsleves.