Guides · Electrical
Wynberg has the highest concentration of historic buildings in South Africa. Its story goes back to 1657, when the first free burghers were granted farms along the Liesbeek River, and today's Chelsea Village is a mix of Cape vernacular cottages with Georgian and Victorian detail. Homes like these are part of what makes Wynberg special. Behind the walls, though, the wiring is often far younger than the house, or far older than it should be.
Signs your wiring is out of date
- Old fuses instead of circuit breakers in the distribution board.
- No earth leakage unit, or one that never trips when tested.
- Old cable with rubber or cloth insulation that cracks when handled.
- No earth wire to plugs and lights.
- Plugs that feel warm, lights that flicker, or a board that trips for no clear reason.
What a rewire involves in an old house
A rewire replaces the old cable, brings the distribution board up to standard with an earth leakage unit, and adds earthing where it's missing. In an old house, the challenge is doing it without spoiling what makes the house worth having: thick walls, original ceilings and period detail. Where we can, we run new cable through existing routes and roof spaces rather than cutting into walls, and we agree the route with you before we start.
If your home is in one of the City's heritage protection areas, check with the City before changing anything visible from the street.
Selling an older Wynberg home
Every property needs a valid electrical certificate of compliance before it can be transferred, and older homes are where the surprises tend to be. Inspecting before you list gives you time to fix what's needed without pressure. Our electrical certificate guide explains what's checked, and here's how a transfer runs with us.
How we work in Wynberg
A registered electrician inspects and tests the installation. You get a photographed report, recorded on site in our own app, and an itemised quote before any work starts. We cover Wynberg and the rest of the Southern Suburbs on one flat call-out rate.
Common questions
How do I know if my house needs rewiring?
Old fuses, no earth leakage unit, cracked rubber or cloth-covered cable, missing earth wires and warm plugs are the usual signs. An inspection and test gives a definite answer.
Does rewiring mean breaking into all the walls?
Not always. In older houses we use existing routes and roof spaces where we can, and agree the cable route with you first.
Will old wiring stop me selling?
The transfer needs a valid electrical certificate. If the wiring doesn't comply, the faults must be fixed before the certificate can be issued, so it's best to inspect early.