Contributed Content
Image Source
When youβre scouring the market for a new home, there are always plenty of things on your mind. From location and budget to dΓ©cor and features, youβll want to ensure that a new home ticks all of the boxes. However, checking the functionality of a property should always be a top priority. To learn more, take a look at these five reasons why you should always check the electrics on a potential property purchase:
1. Home Safety
The electrical system in a property has a major impact on whether or not the building is safe. Sadly, 53.4% of all accidental fires in dwellings are caused by electrics. To ensure you and your family are safe in your new home, itβs vital to check your electrical certificates and confirm that the circuits are safe to use.
2. Avoid Unexpected Costs
The cost of rewiring a property is not insignificant. You can expect to pay around Β£3,000 – Β£4,000 to rewire a three-bedroom home and Β£4,000 – Β£5,000 to rewire a four-bedroom property. Being hit with such a large bill can be disastrous for many families, particularly after a house purchase when your budget may already be stretched. Checking the electrical certificate prior to purchasing a property will allow you to include any repair or rewiring costs in your budget and may even give you bargaining power when it comes to negotiating a sale price.
3. Rental Options
Landlords must ensure their properties reach certain safety standards prior to tenants moving in. If youβre purchasing a buy-to-let property or you want to retain the option of leasing your house in the future, itβs important to check your home electrical certificate in advance. With fixed prices and NAPIT or NICEIC registered technicians, Trade Facilities Services can help you to ensure your property meets the relevant standards.
4. Valid Insurance
Most homeowners choose to take out buildings and/or contents insurance immediately after purchasing a property. However, having up to date electrical certificates may be a condition of your home insurance policy. If a property doesnβt have the relevant documentation, you may find it hard to buy insurance or, worse still, you may find that any cover you acquire is invalid.
5. Plan Renovations
Upgrading the electrics in an average home doesnβt necessarily take a long time, but it is disruptive. Wires are situated behind walls and underneath floorboards, for example, so every room in the property is affected by such works. Viewing the electrical certificate and confirming whether any work needs to be undertaken prior to purchase will give you the flexibility to plan necessary renovations before you move into your new home.
Buying a New Home
Purchasing a new home is an exciting prospect, but the process can be stressful and overwhelming at times. By keeping safety at the forefront of your decisions, however, youβll have peace of mind that your new home will be a safe haven for your family. Whatβs more β once youβve checked the electrics on a potential property purchase, you can free your mind to focus on other things, such as interior dΓ©cor and exterior design.