How to tell if your home needs to be rewired
Warning signs, risks and how Hines can help
How do you know whether your house needs minor electrical work or a full rewire? Old, damaged or poorly installed wiring can be inefficient and dangerous, so it’s important to look for warning signs of a major issue.
Here’s what you need to know:
What is a house rewire?
A house rewire involves removing and replacing all the electrical components in your home, including wires, cables, circuits, plugs, switches, light fittings and the fuse box. Depending on your needs, it could also involve reconfiguring the layout of your wiring and changing the position of lights or outlets.
By replacing old fixtures with updated versions, rewiring can make your home safer, more modern-looking and more energy efficient.
When should your house be rewired?
Generally, your house should be rewired if the wiring shows signs of age. While electrical wires can last up to 100 years, wire casings, switches and plugs can deteriorate more quickly. If your wiring was installed 45+ years ago, it could be time for an update.
Your house may also need rewiring if you’re doing a significant renovation or extension, as this can put extra stress on existing wiring.
Of course, it’s also important to watch for signs of a wiring issue.
6 signs your house needs to be rewired
Warning signs that your house needs rewiring include hot power outlets, blown fuses and burning smells.
Here’s what to watch for:
Discoloured and/or hot power outlets
A power outlet that’s discoloured or feels hot is a sign of a serious issue. This could mean the wires leading into the outlet are overheating, usually because of excessive electrical current or a poor termination. Overheated wires are a serious fire risk, so it’s vital to get help from a qualified electrician as soon as possible.
Regularly blown fuses
Fuses blowing and appliances switching off regularly? This could be a sign of an overloaded circuit or faulty wiring. Overloaded circuits could be a result of older wiring that can’t serve modern needs, which rewiring could resolve. Faulty wiring, even if it’s been functioning for years, generally needs to be replaced to reduce the risk of fire or other issues.
Burning smells
Burning smells in your home are never a good thing. When it comes to wiring, a burning smell could indicate overheating wires or components in your walls, which could damage your home or cause a serious fire.
Flickering lights
Flickering lights could be a sign of a loose connection, an overloaded circuit or fluctuations in voltage from your power source. If you notice that some of your lights flicker frequently, talk to an electrician to investigate the underlying cause—a full rewire could be the answer.
Humming or buzzing sounds from outlets
Humming or buzzing sounds from electrical outlets are another clue that something is wrong. This could be caused by loose connection points, faulty or poorly installed fixtures, or voltage problems.
Circuit breakers regularly tripping
Circuit breakers are designed to protect your circuits, appliances and electronics from electrical surges or fluctuations. They sit in your fuse box and interrupt the flow of current if they detect a change. While it’s not unusual for circuit breakers to be tripped, if they’re turning off regularly, it’s a sign that your circuits are overloaded or faulty.
Worried about a wiring issue? Hines Electrical can help.
What is the process for rewiring a home?
The process for rewiring a home includes scoping the problem, planning and permits, and then installing and testing. Of course, details and timing will vary, depending on the size of your house, the type of fittings and fixtures being installed and whether walls or ceilings need to be removed.
1. Inspection
The first step is a thorough inspection by a licensed, qualified electrician. They will assess your wiring, outlets and other electrical fixtures and let you know whether you need a minor fix, partial rewiring or a complete rewire. At this point, your electrician should give you a detailed quote, complete with scope details and a rough timeline.
2. Planning and consent
The next stage involves planning the rewiring project, including materials and logistics. Your electrician should manage much of this but will talk to you about preferred lighting fixtures, outlets and timing. In New Zealand, major rewiring projects may require consent to ensure work meets safety standards – your electrician should handle this, too.
3. Installation
Qualified electricians will remove old wiring, cables, electrical fittings and fuse boxes and replace them with modern versions. In some cases, removing and replacing wires may involve cutting into or taking down sections of your walls or ceilings – it depends on the design of your house and how accessible your wiring is, so you may need to factor in some plastering and painting.
4. Testing and signoff
Your electrician will test the new wiring to ensure everything is connected correctly. You’ll receive an Electrical Certificate of Compliance (CoC), which shows that work has been done to the legal standard. Keep this certificate safe, as you may need it for insurance purposes or when selling your home.
What is a partial rewiring?
Partial rewiring means replacing parts of your home’s electrical system while leaving some intact. This may be necessary for houses that have modern additions or updates but not a full rewire. For example, your kitchen or bathroom may have been renovated and rewired, while bedrooms and living areas still rely on outdated electrics.
How much does it cost to rewire a full house in New Zealand?
The cost of rewiring a full house in New Zealand varies significantly based on its size, age and construction style. The details of the work are a factor as well – if you want high-end light fittings, extra features or specialist appliance installation, it will add to the final cost.
Rough price guide:
Basic rewire, small home: $3,000–$4,000
Standard rewire, medium home: $4000-$10,000
Complex rewire, larger home: $10,000+
Want to know the cost of rewiring your home? Get a free quote now.
House rewiring: FAQs
How long does it take to rewire a house?
It can take from two days to two weeks to rewire a house. The timing will depend on the size of your home, the complexity of your electrical needs, the materials used and whether other construction is happening at the same time. For example, if your rewiring project is part of a wider renovation, electricians may need to work around other contractors, which could take longer.
How can you tell if a house has old wiring?
You can tell your house has old wiring in several ways. Your home’s LIM report can tell you when wires were last upgraded, although these details may not be included for older homes. Check outlets and plugs – older fittings tend to be yellowed or faded and may show signs of wear and tear. You can also look for signs of wiring issues, like hot or discoloured plugs, flickering lights, frequent circuit trips and burning smells near outlets.
What is the process of finding faulty wiring in a house?
Finding faulty wiring in a house usually involves professional help. If you notice signs of a wiring issue, like hot outlets or a burning smell, call a qualified electrician for help. They’ll be able to isolate the fault, test wires and circuits for issues, and give you a quote for rewiring or other work.
How often should the wiring in your house be replaced?
The wiring in your house should be replaced every 25-30 years on average. While modern wiring is designed to last longer, most homes will need upgrades and replacements over the years – even if they don’t need a full rewire as frequently.
Worried about your wiring? Our highly qualified team can help.
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