A whole house rewire is one of the most significant electrical projects a homeowner can undertake. It's also one of the most important for safety and long-term peace of mind. If your home was built before the 1980s and still has its original wiring, here's what you need to know about the process.
When Is a Rewire Necessary?
Not every older home needs a full rewire, but several factors make it strongly recommended:
- Aluminum wiring: Common in homes built between 1965-1973, aluminum wiring is a known fire hazard due to its tendency to overheat at connection points.
- Knob-and-tube wiring: Found in pre-1950s homes, this outdated system lacks a ground wire and can't safely handle modern electrical loads.
- Cloth-insulated wiring: The fabric insulation deteriorates over time, exposing bare conductors and creating a fire risk.
- Insufficient capacity: If your home's wiring simply can't support modern appliances, HVAC systems, and electronics without constant issues.
What Does the Process Look Like?
A whole house rewire typically follows these steps:
- Assessment: We inspect your entire electrical system, map out existing circuits, and plan the new wiring layout based on your needs and current code requirements.
- Permits: We pull all necessary permits from your local building department. This ensures the work is inspected and meets California electrical codes.
- Panel upgrade: Most rewires include upgrading to a 200-amp panel to support the new wiring and modern electrical demands.
- Running new wire: New Romex (NM-B) copper wiring is run through walls, attics, and crawl spaces to every outlet, switch, and fixture in the home.
- Device installation: New outlets, switches, and cover plates are installed. We also add outlets where needed to meet current code (no more extension cords running across rooms).
- Inspection: The city inspector verifies all work meets code before we close up any openings.
- Patching: Small access holes in drywall are patched. A skilled crew minimizes the number of openings needed.
How Long Does It Take?
For a typical 3-bedroom home in the Lake Elsinore or Temecula area, a full rewire takes 5-7 business days. Larger homes or those with complex layouts may take longer. You can usually stay in your home during the process, though power will be off in sections as we work through each area.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of a whole house rewire depends on the size of your home, accessibility of the wiring (single-story vs. two-story, attic access, crawl space), and the scope of work. For most homes in our service area, a rewire including a panel upgrade typically ranges from $8,000 to $15,000. We provide detailed, transparent estimates before any work begins.
Is It Worth It?
Absolutely. A whole house rewire eliminates fire hazards from outdated wiring, brings your home up to current safety codes, supports modern electrical demands, and can increase your home's resale value. Many insurance companies also offer reduced premiums after a rewire.
Get a Free Assessment
If you're concerned about your home's wiring, Westek Electric Corp. offers free electrical assessments. We'll inspect your system, explain what we find, and give you an honest recommendation. Call us at (909) 996-6678 to schedule yours.