History:
We have over 16 years experience in the trade and have worked for some of the U.K.'s largest firms whilst also undertaking domestic works throughout Sussex and Surrey
Answers:
You may be surprised to know that the regulations do not say that you must change your fuseboard, providing that your fuseboard complied with the regulations at the time that it was installed. however, the regulations recommend that you upgrade to ensure you are as safe as possible but this is your choice. i would usually suggest installing a 17th edition complaint fuseboard (especially where no rcd protection is present).
the cost would usually depend on the size of your existing fuseboard (ie number of circuits), and the price might increase if the fuseboard has any access restrictions. you should expect to pay between £300-£400. you can of course find an electrician to do this for you at a lower cost but chances are they will not be registered with a scheme provider which is required for this type of work.
There are a number of factors that can effect the lifespan of a halogen spot light.
the quality of the lamp itself - in my experience the cheap lamps available in diy stores and ebay are poor quality and often blow after just a few weeks (or less). i would recommend using a premium brand such as osram or philips.
the amount of airflow - if there is not enough airflow around the lamp it can overheat causing the lamp to blow. this is often a problem when loft inhalation is used.
poor connection - a lamp is more likely to blow if a loose connection is present.
i recommend replacing halogen lamps with leds, they are 80% more efficient than halogen and they last for years. they are initially more expensive but they more than pay for themselves in the long run.
It's often hard to tell if a house needs rewiring without taking a closer look at your electrical system. even if your wiring is old it may not need rewiring depending on its condition.
i would recommend having an eicr (electrical installation condition report) carried out, this will tell you exactly what is needed to bring the property up to scratch. depending on the size of the property you can expect to pay £100-£160