Form Vs. Function: All About the Aesthetics of Rewiring Your Home
If you are currently rewiring your home or even just consideringa full house rewire chances are that you are thinking about how it will impact the aesthetics of your living space.
Are you the type of homeowner who needs to have every cable tucked way out of sight, or are you okay with some surface mounting?
When rewiring your home, it’s important to understand your own preferences. However, regardless of how clean and elegant the final result is, you must be aware that the process of rewiring is likely to make your home pretty messy for as long as the project may take.
What Is a Full House Rewire?
When your electrician is talking about a full house rewire, they’re referring to the replacement of all your wires. Whether an upgrade has been needed for a long time or whether you’re moving into a new house, be prepared for all of your floors, walls and ceilings to be affected by the rewiring.
Chances are that your electrician will be diving into areas of the home that do not often see the light of day. You will want to make as many accommodations for them as possible, realizing that they may need to explore nooks and crannies inside your plaster, right outside your drywall, and even beneath your insulation. Nothing is off limits as your electrician optimizes your home for the ultimate rewire.
Brace for Dust and Dirt
For some reason, many homeowners are unprepared for just how messy a full house rewire can be. You have to think of your home as a miniature construction zone when the rewiring is going on. Although your electrician will likely bring some protective sheets, the onus is on you to keep the home up to your standards.
Small preventative actions can make for a big impact; covering your vents, for instance, can go a long way when you’re trying to prevent dust from spreading all over the place. If you have a shed or garage that’s a separate structure from your house, consider temporarily relocating household items that you are particular about keeping clean.
If you can’t relocate something important, cover it up yourself so that the electricians can focus on the rewiring itself — and not your furniture.
Dirt May Travel
Plan for your full house rewire like you would for your drywall to be replaced. Take important items off of the wall and consider separating each work area so that dust stays put.
This allows you to vacuum it right up after the work is done. With no separate areas, you may find that the dust is following you wherever you go.
Make life easier for yourself — and your electrician — by clearing out potential work areas and cordoning them off from each other.
If you’re worried about the amount of times your electrician may have to cut into the wall, ask them if you can collaborate and figure out ways to avoid some of the disruption. For example, they may be able to do some of their work from the attic — thus preventing a mess before it even occurs.
Communication Is Key
During a full house rewire, your electrician may need to move light switches to slightly different spots. They may have to take your light fixtures out of their normal positions and to go underneath your flooring. Of course, if you are working with a conscientious and mindful electrician, they will exercise extreme caution during these more delicate parts of the rewiring process.
However, even the best electricians can accidentally lose a vintage lamp or scuff up your hardwood floors. This why it is so crucial to discuss your expectations and concerns ahead of time. If you get ahead of the issue and describe your priorities, the rewiring will be a better experience for everyone.
Can I Stay at My Home During a Full House Rewire?
Again, this is something you will want to discuss with your electrician. Chances are that you may be able to stay home, but will you want to? If you work from home, realize that the workers will be making noise — and that your internet access will likely be disrupted for hours at a time. If there is any way you can stay somewhere else during the rewiring, you probably should. Lock up your valuables — or take them elsewhere — and discuss with the electrician what hours your home will be accessible.
Work Smart with Your Scheduling
If you’re doing a lot of renovations, you’ll want to take care of the rewiring prior to making any cosmetic alterations that may be disrupted by the process. For example, if you plan on doing any painting, make sure you schedule it for after the rewiring.
Plan for a Deep Cleanup
No matter how careful your electrician is, there will still be some dust and dirt after your full house rewire. If you know what to expect and you plan for this, it can make life a lot easier. And when you work with a trustworthy electrician, rewiring can truly be a great experience. There’s something empowering about knowing that your home is up to code and that your electrical system is primed to perfection. If you have any questions, it’s time to relax and ask the experts. Don’t put up with any malarky, call Mister Sparky.
