Like the paint in your home, the lights in our homes are always part of your day-to-day life, your style and tastes, and the events of your life. They can need updating when you get them second-hand, when they wear out from day to day use, or when something major happens.
Most people will come in with lamps they inherited or bought as an antique. Lamps haven’t changed too much in over a hundred years so it can be hard to judge sometimes. Some easier to identify problems are cut or brittle cord covering, broken or missing socket covers, broken, open or corroded plugs, flickering, and just not turning on. Those problems are a good reason to rewire a lamp.
We always recommend that you do not test lamps that you are unsure of or feel uncomfortable to use. Modern parts can match historic characteristics without leaving exposed plug connections, flammable fabric wiring, or weak switch mechanisms.
Accidents happen, so don’t get too upset if your cat chews your (hopefully unplugged) lamp cord, or your kids knocked the socket off while playing ball in the house. Some problems are just a quick fix and are done more smoothly in the trained hands of a professional. These oopsies are a good reason to rewire a lamp.
My personal favorite reason to rewire a lamp is to make it your own. A white plastic cord never bored anyone to death, but black twisted fabric cord adds more character. An on/off socket might not blind you but the charm and warm glow of a dimmer lamp socket is hard to resist. Changing your mind or refining your taste is the most honest trait of a lamp owner - also a good enough reason to rewire a lamp.
Bring a lamp in soon to get it rewired or even just evaluated. We have rewired lamps from 3 centuries and they all work the same. Don’t be afraid to make a change and come down to Rome Lightery.