# Does my house need rewiring? Signs and what to do 1. [Home](https://arlite.co/) 2. [Support](https://arlite.co/support/) 3. [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) 4. Does my house need rewiring? Signs and what to do **Browse support** [Support home](https://arlite.co/support/) [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) - [How does a solar power system work in a Brisbane home?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/how-does-a-solar-power-system-work-in-a-brisbane-home/) - [How do I turn off a solar inverter safely?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/turn-off-solar-inverter-safely/) - [Do solar panels work during a blackout?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-during-power-outage/) - [Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/add-battery-to-existing-solar-system/) - [Hail or storm damage to solar panels: what to do](https://arlite.co/support/solar/hail-storm-damaged-solar-panels-what-to-do/) [Air conditioning](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/) - [Why is my air conditioner not cooling or heating properly?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-not-cooling-or-heating/) - [Why is my air conditioner leaking water inside?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-leaking-water-inside/) - [Why does my air conditioner smell musty or like dirty socks?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-smells-musty-dirty-socks/) - [Can solar panels run my air conditioner at night?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/can-solar-panels-run-my-air-conditioner/) - [What should I ask before getting an air conditioner installed?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/questions-to-ask-before-air-conditioner-installation/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) - [Does my house need rewiring? Signs and what to do](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/does-my-house-need-rewiring/) - [Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/circuit-breaker-keeps-tripping/) - [Why does my safety switch keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-keeps-tripping/) - [Burning smell or hot power point: what to do right now](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/burning-smell-hot-power-point/) - [Why is there no hot water? Electrical faults explained](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/no-hot-water-electrical-checks/) [Costs and finance](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/) - [How does interest-free finance work for home energy upgrades?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/interest-free-finance-home-energy-upgrades/) - [What affects the cost of a home battery in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/what-affects-home-battery-cost-brisbane/) - [Can I get compensation for a power outage in Queensland?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/power-outage-compensation-energex/) - [How much does an electrician cost per hour in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/electrician-cost-brisbane/) - [What affects switchboard upgrade cost?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/switchboard-upgrade-cost/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) Age alone does not decide it; a licensed electrician's inspection does, and warning signs include frequent tripping, flickering and burning smells. By Amanda Cooper, Arlite Energy Last reviewed 30 October 2026 4 minute read **No DIY.** Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. Never open, repair, test or modify electrical equipment yourself, even if it looks simple. This guide explains what is happening; it is not a how-to. **On this page** 1. How old is too old for wiring? 2. What warning signs should I watch for? 3. What does a licensed electrician look at? 4. Will insurance cover problems with old wiring? 5. Should I rewire before buying or renovating? 6. Why does wiring become a problem over time? 7. What to do if you are worried about your wiring 8. Frequently asked questions Whether a house needs rewiring cannot be decided by age or by looking at the walls. The reliable answer is an inspection by a licensed electrician. Warning signs include frequent tripping, flickering lights, burning smells, visibly damaged cables and heavy reliance on extension cords. Treat burning smells and heat as urgent. ## How old is too old for wiring? Sources give different ages at which wiring starts to be a concern, and there is no single number that applies to every home. Wiring can last a long time if it was installed well and has not been damaged, overloaded or altered. Older homes may also have had parts rewired over the years, so one house can have wiring of several ages. The more useful question is the condition of the wiring and whether it can cope with how you use power today. A licensed electrician can inspect the installation and tell you. ## What warning signs should I watch for? Signs that are worth getting checked include: - circuit breakers or safety switches that trip often - flickering or dimming lights - a burning or hot smell, or buzzing, from power points, switches or the board - power points or switches that look scorched or discoloured - cables you can see that are cracked, brittle, frayed or have exposed wires - needing many power boards or extension cords because there are too few power points You can notice these by looking and listening. You cannot check inside the walls, and you should not try to. Burning smell, sparks, heat or exposed wiring If you see smoke or sparks, or smell burning, leave the building with everyone in it, including children and pets, and call 000. If anyone has had a shock, call 000. If you see exposed wiring or a scorched power point or switch, stay away from it and anything wet nearby, keep children and pets away, do not touch it, and call a licensed electrician urgently. ## What does a licensed electrician look at? An electrician can inspect the switchboard, test circuits, check the condition of accessible cabling, power points and fittings, and tell you what, if anything, needs to be done. Sometimes the answer is a targeted repair, a switchboard upgrade or adding protection such as safety switches. Sometimes it is a partial or full rewire. They can explain the options so you can decide. In Queensland, electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician, and the Electrical Safety Office Queensland is the regulator. ## Will insurance cover problems with old wiring? Policies differ, and electrician websites make different claims about insurance and wiring. Ask your insurer directly what your policy says, and keep the paperwork from any electrical work. ## Should I rewire before buying or renovating? A pre-purchase or pre-renovation inspection by a licensed electrician can show what you are taking on. It is useful before adding large loads, such as solar, an EV charger or air conditioning, because old wiring may not suit them. ## Why does wiring become a problem over time? Cable insulation can age. Very old cables may have cloth or rubber insulation that becomes brittle with age, and connections can loosen over the years. Homes also use more power than they did when they were first wired, with more appliances, more electronics and often air conditioning. Overloaded or deteriorating wiring can overheat, which is why warning signs should be taken seriously even when they seem minor. ## What to do if you are worried about your wiring 1. Note what you have noticed — Write down any tripping, flickering, smells or noises, where they happen and when. 2. Photograph visible damage — Photograph visible cables, power points or switches that look damaged, without touching or opening anything. 3. Ask for an inspection — Contact a licensed electrician and describe what you have seen. Check their licence number first. 4. Keep the paperwork — Keep any report or certificate you are given, and check your insurance policy wording if you are unsure about cover. ## Frequently asked questions - There is no single figure. Condition and use matter more than age, so a licensed electrician's inspection is the reliable way to know. - Burning smells, scorched power points, sparks, exposed or crumbling cables, frequent tripping and flickering are all warning signs. Stay away from anything that looks damaged and call a licensed electrician. - No. After an inspection, the answer might be a repair, a switchboard upgrade or added protection, with a rewire only where needed. - Policies vary. Ask your insurer what your policy says about wiring and electrical faults. [Learn about Electrical](https://arlite.co/services/electrical/) ## Official guidance For the rules and safety information that apply to your home, go to the regulators and industry bodies directly. - [Electrical Safety Office Queensland](https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/) - [Energex](https://www.energex.com.au/) Was this helpful? Written by the team at Arlite Energy, a Brisbane business that designs and installs solar, air conditioning and electrical work for homes and businesses. We write these guides in plain English so you know what is happening in your home. ## Related articles - [ElectricalDo I need a switchboard upgrade?Old fuses, frequent tripping, burn marks, no safety switches or new solar, EV or air conditioning loads are reasons to ask about an upgrade.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/do-i-need-a-switchboard-upgrade/) - [ElectricalWhy are my lights flickering? Causes and when it’s dangerousFlickering lights can come from the bulb, a dimmer, a loose connection or a street fault; crackling or a burning smell is an emergency.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/why-are-my-lights-flickering/) - [ElectricalBurning smell or hot power point: what to do right nowFor a burning smell, smoke, sparks or a hot power point, keep away; call 000 for fire or sparks and a licensed electrician urgently otherwise.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/burning-smell-hot-power-point/) - [ElectricalWhat is a certificate of compliance for electrical work?A licensed electrician gives you a certificate after electrical work in Queensland; keep it, because you may need it later.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/electrical-certificate-of-compliance-queensland/) ## Still stuck? Tell us what is going on and we can arrange a call-out. [Book a call-out](https://arlite.co/contact/) On this page 1. How old is too old for wiring? 2. What warning signs should I watch for? 3. What does a licensed electrician look at? 4. Will insurance cover problems with old wiring? 5. Should I rewire before buying or renovating? 6. Why does wiring become a problem over time? 7. What to do if you are worried about your wiring 8. Frequently asked questions --- **Arlite Energy**, Unit 1, 1468 Anzac Avenue, Kallangur QLD 4503. Phone [(07) 3062 9299](tel:+61730629299), email [info@arlite.co](mailto:info@arlite.co). Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm. Page: https://arlite.co/support/electrical/does-my-house-need-rewiring/ Site index for agents: [llms.txt](https://arlite.co/llms.txt), [sitemap](https://arlite.co/wp-sitemap.xml), [developer resources](https://arlite.co/developers/).