Rewiring a home can be a daunting task, but also a necessary one if your electrical system is outdated or unsafe. As a homeowner, I want to upgrade and rewire my home properly without breaking the bank. However, most electricians seem reluctant to provide all the details and insider tips that could save me thousands.
Through extensive research and conversations with industry experts, I've uncovered key steps every homeowner should follow for a smooth, cost-effective rewiring project. In this guide, I'll walk through the entire process to help you avoid critical mistakes.
H2: Evaluating If a Rewire Is Necessary
Before deciding on a full rewire, determine if your home's electrical system needs an upgrade. Here are salient signs it's time for an overhaul:
- Frequent tripped breakers or blown fuses
- Underlined outlet sparks or overheating
- Dimming lights or fluctuating appliance speeds
- Not enough circuits or outlets for modern needs
- Old wiring material like cloth-insulated copper
Consult a licensed electrician to inspect your electrical panel and outlets. They can assess safety issues and estimate rewiring costs. If the system passed inspection but is merely outdated, consider less invasive upgrades like a new panel or strategic circuit additions.
H2: Choosing the Right Electrician
This is one of the most critical steps in the process. The wrong electrician will overcharge for poor workmanship. When selecting a pro rewiring contractor:
- Bold Check they are fully licensed, bonded, and insured
- Verify they have extensive rewiring experience with proven success
- Ask for local references and look at reviews
- Get at least 3 detailed quotes for cost comparisons
- Choose based on experience and expertise over lowest bid
Also, beware electricians who try to upsell you on unnecessary work. A good one will stick to the scope of work you outlined.
H2: Preparing Your Home for a Rewire
Before work begins, I take key steps to prepare:
- Bold Clear all access areas like the attic, basement, and walls
- Move large furniture away from outlets and work areas
- Turn off power at the main breaker
- Disconnect electronic devices and computers
- Remove wall art, mirrors, etc. where wiring will run
- Check insurance coverage for rewiring projects
- Agree on start date and finalize all details in writing
Proper prep work allows the electrician smooth access and prevents damaged belongings. Be sure to ask your contractor for a prep checklist too.
H2: Understanding the Rewiring Process
The rewiring steps vary based on your home's needs but typically include:
- Full inspection of current electrical system
- Creating a rewiring plan and pulling local permits
- Installation of new electrical panel or upgrade of existing
- Running new wiring through walls, attic and basement
- Replacing all outlets and light switches
- Connecting all new wires to panel and devices
- Thorough safety testing and inspection
- Cleanup work, drywall patching, paint touch up
Expect walls and ceilings to be affected, but a good electrician will repair all surfaces. For a single family home, rewiring often takes 2-3 days.
H2: Types of Wiring for Rewires
Today's safest and most cost-effective wiring options are:
- Copper - Very conductive but more expensive. Provides fast power delivery.
- Aluminum - Affordable option but less conductive than copper. Can present fire risks if improperly installed.
- Bold PEX - Flexible plastic-coated aluminum. Won't corrode and pulls through walls easily. Cost-effective choice.
- Bold Romex - Plastic-insulated copper wire. Durable and safe but tough to install around obstructions.
Discuss options with your electrician to choose suitable wiring for your home's needs and budget. I prefer PEX for its balance of safety, performance and cost.
H2: Saving Money on Your Rewiring Project
To avoid inflated costs, implement these money-saving strategies:
- Get quotes from 5+ licensed electricians to encourage competition
- Bold Supply your own high-quality wiring at wholesale costs
- Only rewire the rooms or circuits that need upgrades
- Choose less expensive underlined aluminum or PEX wiring if appropriate
- Perform prep work and simple tasks yourself
- Avoid peak months when electrician rates are highest
- Ask about discounts for bundled work or new customer deals
- Negotiate rates and review final quote line-by-line
If you stay involved, provide materials, and scrutinize costs, you can potentially save thousands on a rewiring project.
H2: Rewiring Risks to Avoid
While rewiring is necessary in many older homes, it does come with safety risks. As the homeowner, I stay diligent to avoid:
- Bold Unlicensed or inexperienced electricians - Vet all contractors thoroughly
- Incorrect wiring gauge for the electric load size - Follow code and inspector guidelines
- Overlooking existing aluminum wiring - Use special CO/ALR outlets if present
- Poor wire splicing and terminations - Ensure tight, secure connections
- Leaving uncapped wires exposed - Major shock or fire hazard
- Rushing inspections - Confirm completed work is safe
- Skipping final testing - Make sure all outlets and lights function properly
By taking the proper precautions, you can avoid fires, shocks, or other hazards related to incorrect rewiring work.
H2: Maintaining Your Rewired Electrical System
Your work isn't over once the rewiring is complete. To keep your new electrical system running safely for decades, I recommend:
- Testing GFCIs and AFCIs monthly
- Checking for hot outlets and breaker tripping
- Replacing old extension cords and power strips
- Having an electrician inspect every 5 years
- Taking care around electrical during renovations
- Never overloading circuits
- Upgrading panel if you add major new appliances
- Addressing any observed issues immediately
Don't take shortcuts when maintaining your newly rewired home. Schedule regular inspections and fix problems quickly to get the longest lifespan from your electrical investment.
Rewiring your outdated home electrical system is a major undertaking, but pays off through enhanced safety, performance and value. By following these insider tips throughout the preparation, installation, and maintenance phases, you can complete a quality rewire without overpaying. Let me know if you have any other rewiring questions!