Most homeowners don’t think about their wiring until something goes wrong. But by the time you notice a problem, the wiring may have been a risk for years.
The good news is there are warning signs — and knowing what to look for can help you act before it becomes a serious issue. Here are five things that should prompt you to get your electrics checked
1. Your Lights Flicker or Dim Unexpectedly
The occasional flicker when a large appliance kicks on (a washing machine or fridge compressor) can be normal. But if lights regularly flicker, dim for no obvious reason, or go off and come back on, it’s worth investigating.
This can indicate loose connections, an overloaded circuit, or wiring that’s degraded over time. None of those things fix themselves — they tend to get worse.
2. Breakers Trip Regularly
Your circuit breakers are designed to trip when something is wrong — they’re a safety feature, not an inconvenience. If you find yourself regularly resetting the same breaker, or multiple breakers trip together, your circuits may be overloaded or there could be a fault on the line.
Modern homes run far more electrical equipment than properties from even 20 years ago — laptops, multiple TVs, phone chargers, smart devices, EV chargers. Older wiring wasn’t designed to handle this load. A consumer unit upgrade or additional circuits may solve it, but sometimes the wiring behind the scenes needs attention too.
3. Sockets or Switches Feel Warm, or Look Discoloured
A socket or switch should never feel warm to the touch. If it does, there’s resistance somewhere in the connection — and resistance generates heat. Scorch marks, discolouration, or a burning smell around outlets are serious warning signs that should not be ignored.
Switch off the socket at the consumer unit and don’t use it until it’s been checked by a qualified electrician.
4. You Have Old Wiring Types
If your home was built or last rewired before the mid-1990s, there’s a chance it still has wiring that’s past its safe working life.
Rubber-insulated wiring — common in properties from the 1960s and 70s — becomes brittle and cracks with age, exposing live conductors. Fabric or lead-sheathed wiring is older still and poses serious risks. Aluminium wiring, used in some properties during the 1960s, can cause connection problems over time.
If you’re not sure what wiring you have, an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) will tell you. It’s a full inspection of your electrical installation and gives you a clear picture of its condition.
5. You’re Buying, Selling, or Renovating
If you’re buying an older property, always get the electrics checked before you commit. Problems that are invisible to the eye can be significant on inspection — and expensive to put right after you’ve moved in.
If you’re selling, buyers and their solicitors increasingly ask for electrical documentation. Outdated wiring or a failed EICR can slow down or derail a sale.
And if you’re renovating — fitting a new kitchen, adding an extension, converting a loft — it almost always makes sense to deal with the wiring while the walls are open. Running new cables through finished walls and ceilings later costs significantly more in both time and disruption.
How Much Does a Rewire Cost?
A full rewire is a significant job, and the cost reflects that. As a general guide for Surrey and South London:
- 1–2 bedroom flat: from around £2,500–£4,000
- 3 bedroom house: typically £4,500–£6,500
- 4 bedroom house: typically £6,000–£9,000+
These figures include materials, labour, testing, and your Electrical Installation Certificate. They don’t include any plastering or redecoration after the first fix — your electrician isn’t a plasterer, and any quote that bundles that in should be questioned.
The best way to know what a rewire will cost for your specific property is to have it looked at. Prices vary based on the size of the property, how accessible the wiring is, whether the floors are suspended or solid, and what condition the existing installation is in.
Not Sure if You Need a Full Rewire?
An EICR is the right starting point. It gives you a clear, honest picture of your electrical installation — what’s in good condition, what needs attention, and whether a full rewire is actually necessary or whether targeted work will do the job.
At Wesparx, we carry out EICR inspections across Sutton, Cheam, Carshalton, Wallington, and the wider Surrey area. We’ll tell you exactly what we find — no upselling, no unnecessary work recommended.
👉 Request a Free Quote or EICR
Wesparx is a qualified domestic electrician based in Sutton, Surrey. All work is Part P registered and fully certificated.
Need an Electrician in Sutton or Surrey?
Fixed price, no call-out charge, fully qualified. Get in touch for a free quote.
Request a Free Quote