5 Things to Know Before You Rewire an Older Home

If you are considering rewiring an older home then you have many things to consider. At Sonner Electric we are happy to come out, assess your home, and give you an estimate on what we think should be done and the cost. We also recommend that you consider the following five factors before you start rewiring an older home.

1. You Need to Be Aware of Your Home’s Electrical Usage

Before you decide to rewire your home, go through each room in the house and make a list of every electric thing within it that you use. Note all lights, outlets, large appliances, lights, small appliances, HVAC systems, etc. When you map out where you use electricity you will have a better idea of what type of drain you are creating and how we can best rewire your home.

2. You Should Check Your Building Codes to See if You Need Permits

Before doing any rewiring you absolutely must be sure that you are aware of local electric and building codes. If necessary, you need to have permits pulled. Building codes cover what type of wire can be used, how many outlets each room can have, how much wattage is appropriate – on and on. This is just one reason it is always best to hire a professional electrician to handle the rewiring of your home.

3. It May Be More Than Electrical Wiring You Need

Today’s home has more sophisticated wiring in it that does more than just turn on the lights and give power to appliances. You may want to consider adding data lines, a built-in security system, or even a fire protection line all at once. If you upgrade to the latest in home automation, you can get it all done at once – which is both easier and generally more cost effective.

4. You Don’t Have to Do Everything

While we do want to encourage our clients to know the options available to them, we do not want to give the impression that if there is a technology available then you must take advantage of it. We are happy to go over all options, describe the pros and cons, and give you honest estimates. You can then decide what makes sense and what you can skip.

5. The Estimate Your Electrician Gives You Should Be in Writing

If you work with an electrician who does a quick walkthrough of your home and claims to have a decent estimate of how much the rewiring will cost, you should be wary. A good electrician has a lot of homework to do on the needs of each home before they can make an estimate. The estimate they come up with should be detailed, specific, and include all steps. To learn more contact Sonner Electric at 661-728-0126.