Old electrical wiring in an apartment - when should it be replaced?

How old the wiring is in an old apartment

An explanation on LV portāls says that in many homes the electrical wiring was installed in the Soviet era and the wires are 30–50 years old and worn.

For series buildings, worn electrical wiring is also mentioned among the typical problems of the building, for example in the 464 series and the 119 series, where electrical risers are mentioned.

An inspection every 10 years

The Fire Safety Regulations in force (Cabinet Regulation No. 238 of 19.04.2016) require an inspection of the electrical installation every 10 years, and the results are recorded in an inspection report. Likumi.lv states that these regulations will cease to be in force on 2 January 2027.

The inspection report is the best basis for a decision. It shows whether the installation is usable or needs to be replaced. The tests (wire resistance, full loop resistance, earthing) are carried out by a certified electrical specialist. Certified construction specialists can be checked in the BIS register of construction specialists.

When it is worth replacing the old wiring

• The inspection report states that the installation does not meet the requirements.
• You are planning a full renovation: the walls are opened anyway, and replacing the wiring later would mean damaging the new finish.
• You need more sockets or new circuits for the kitchen and bathroom.
• You are moving walls or changing the layout of the rooms.

If the inspection report finds no non-compliance and you are planning only a cosmetic renovation, the wiring can be left. The wiring can also be replaced later, but then the wall finish will have to be renewed too.

What the rules require if the installation is rebuilt

From 01.07.2025, in new buildings and when the electrical installation in existing buildings is rebuilt, it must be equipped with residual current protection. For household installations, LBN 261-15 requires residual current protection with a tripping current of no more than 30 mA for general-purpose socket circuits up to 32 A and for lighting circuits.

The installation of electrical wiring takes place under the supervision of a certified construction specialist. The user is responsible for connecting their own electrical equipment and its technical condition, while the electricity supply of the common property is provided as part of managing the building. So the apartment's installation is your responsibility, but the building's riser and the stairwell distribution board are the building manager's.

How wiring is replaced during a renovation

1. Plan A list of sockets, switches and light points is made room by room and the circuits are determined.
2. Running the wires Before plastering and skimming, chases are cut in the walls and the new wires are pulled in.
3. Distribution board The apartment's distribution board is installed with residual current protection.
4. Tests After installation, tests are carried out and a report is drawn up.
5. Finishing After that the walls are plastered, skimmed and painted, and the sockets and switches are fitted.

What to write in your request about wiring replacement

• The address, the apartment area in m² and the number of rooms.
• The building series or year of construction.
• Whether there is a report from the last inspection and what it says.
• How many sockets, switches and light points you need in each room.
• Whether you will replace the wiring together with a full renovation or separately.
• What the distribution board is like and how old the sockets are.

This information allows an initial calculation by area and points. We agree the price and the list of work before the job starts.

How much wiring replacement costs

Example: a 2-room apartment of 50 m². Replacing the wiring 50 × €20 = from €1,000 and 20 points × €12 = from €240, in total from €1,240. Prices are for labour. Materials are calculated separately in the estimate.

The price is affected by the number of points, the wall material and whether the wiring is replaced together with a full renovation. An exact estimate can be made after seeing the apartment.

What can go wrong

• The wiring is replaced in only part of the apartment, and the new part stays connected to the old one.
• The new finish is done before the installation is tested, and the walls have to be opened later.
• There is no inspection report after the work, although the rules require the results to be recorded in a report.