Rewire while house occupied. - Tips and strategies?

[1Justin]

I'll be quoting this week on a 1950's rewire. House occupied by couple with young lad. They might be able to take the odd long weekend away but basically I'm working round them.

They understand there will be mess, and I've said I can channel where necessary only with bolster/chisel to reduce dust. The old CU is a dangerous mess, lighting is rubber (but in metal wall conduit which should help replacement in some of the places). Sockets are 1980's white T&E and very DIY. Carpets are either up or expendable.

There is not much space where the CU will go. I might grab an old 2 way CU to give me temporary power (via RCD socket) while I selectively take down the rest.

Exact strategy would depend on circumstance, but got any tips for when folks want to stay in the house throughout?

 

[telectrix]

make sure your quote is high enough to cover the extra time it will take you. sometimes it helps to work area by area, 1st & 2nd fix each room/circuit, rather than 1st fix the lot then go back into rooms and move furniture again to 2nd fix.

 

[MDJ]

You will need to allow time to put the boards and carpets back every night even if loose and the carpets just temporary, a rewire normally takes around a week IMO to do the job properly, I would allow another day or two on top of that if working around a family, JMO.

 

[telectrix]

i'm must be getting old and slow. generally allow 8-10 days for occupied rewire. much prefer the smaller jobs. in and out in a day or less.

 

[Spark92]

Tip: Never leave the house a mess keep hovering throughout the day

 

[grumpyjohn01]

A great idea I reckon with occupied rewire is to get a VERY clear agreement before you start ripping up boards as to what they want / where it goes sort of stuff, defo agree about the area by area approach dapping in to the old board as you go then do the board change last. The upstairs lights is a good job for first thing, first day as you get in easy and have a while to suss things fully..

 

[telectrix]

keep hovering throughout the day


helicopter uses too much fuel for that. i usually drop the tools off, then park the chopper on the lawn.

 

[1Justin]

LOL @telectrix.

Thanks for those tips guys. I'll be getting back to the customer after the weekend.

 

[Spark92]

Hoovering .You know what i mean guys ! Lol

 

[DNS1]

helicopter uses too much fuel for that. i usually drop the tools off, then park the chopper on the lawn.

Hope the "Training Centres" offering the earth for £6000 don't see that post...

Next thing is we'll be seeing new advertising popping up... "Train to be a fully qualified electrician in 5 weeks! Earn £50,000 and have your own helicopter to get to work!"

 

[ruston]

Don't touch cheap wardrobes or furniture, they fall apart. Ask them to secure any vulnerable special personal possessions .

Clean up as you go is good advice too, saves loads of time at the end of the day when you are tired.

Don't take liberties , ask if you need to use their facilities, just be well mannered.

Loads of drawbacks but you should see them coming.

 

[Guitarist]

I must be really old then. I find an occupied rewire with everything involved takes 2-3 weeks, as it always involves getting specific circuits and rooms up and running, and a whole lot of messing about. I did spend 6 weeks once on a big rewire, as the elderly couple hadn't moved a single bit of furniture and every bookcase had to be emptied, every ornament moved....
Make sure they are aware of what will be off, when, and for how long before you start. Also, be very clear exactly what you are responsible for, as some clients will take advantage of a good nature.

 

[telectrix]

i was talking 8-10 days with a mate. doubt i could do a full rewire on my own these days. if it ain't the knees, it's the back. thank god for voltarol and tramadol. LOL.

 

[1Justin]

I said ten days, not wanting to overplay the disruption thing at this stage (They have eyes on two other quotes..). I think it'll take at least that.

They do understand the problem anyway, - but hope that's still the case when I turf them out of their bedroom.

 

[AndrewMgan1976]

I usually either work top to bottom or bottom up. But agree with allowing extra time for getting house back in order each day