Frequently Asked Questions

Whole-home rewiring replaces all the electrical wiring in your house—from the main panel to every outlet, switch, and fixture. This comprehensive upgrade is essential for homes with outdated, damaged, or unsafe wiring systems.

Common signs include: flickering or dimming lights, frequently tripping breakers, discolored outlets or switches, burning smells near outlets, two-prong (ungrounded) outlets throughout the home, visible knob-and-tube or cloth-covered wiring, or a home built before 1970 that has never been rewired.

Three types require attention: Knob-and-tube wiring (pre-1940s) lacks grounding and can overheat when covered by insulation. Aluminum wiring (1965-1973) creates fire hazards at connections. Cloth-insulated wiring (1940s-1960s) deteriorates over time, exposing conductors.

Yes, partial rewiring addresses specific problem areas—a kitchen needing more circuits, a bedroom addition, or rooms with deteriorated wiring. However, if most of your home has knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring, a complete rewire is usually more cost-effective.

Absolutely. Modern, code-compliant wiring is a significant selling point. Many buyers walk away from homes with outdated wiring, and some lenders won't finance homes with knob-and-tube. A rewire can increase home value by 5-10%.

A complete rewire typically costs $8,000-$20,000 depending on home size, accessibility, and existing conditions. A 1,500 sq ft home averages $10,000-$14,000. We provide detailed quotes after an on-site assessment.

Knob-and-tube replacement typically costs $6,000-$15,000. The price depends on how much K&T exists, accessibility in walls and attics, and whether the entire home or just specific areas need attention.

Aluminum wiring remediation costs $3,500-$12,000. COPALUM crimping (the gold standard) is often less expensive than full rewiring and addresses every connection point. Full replacement is recommended when combined with other upgrades.

Our quotes include: all new wiring (Romex NM-B), new outlets and switches, circuit breaker panel evaluation, permit fees, electrical inspection coordination, and cleanup. Drywall repair is quoted separately if needed.

Yes, we offer financing for larger rewiring projects. A $15,000 rewire can be made manageable with monthly payments. Ask about financing options during your quote consultation.

Standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover rewiring as an upgrade. However, if you have a claim (fire, water damage), insurance may cover rewiring as part of repairs. Some insurers require rewiring for continued coverage of homes with K&T or aluminum wiring.

Most whole-home rewires take 3-7 days depending on home size and complexity. A 1,500 sq ft home typically takes 4-5 days. Larger homes or those with difficult access may take a full week or more.

Yes, some drywall work is necessary. We use strategic access points and fishing techniques to minimize damage. Typical access holes are cut at strategic locations and can be easily patched. We can coordinate with drywall contractors if desired.

Yes, in most cases. We work room-by-room and maintain power to essential areas. You may have brief periods without power to specific rooms, but the kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms usually remain functional throughout the project.

We ask that you clear a 3-foot working area around outlets and switches in rooms being worked on. Large furniture can usually stay in place—we'll work around it. We'll let you know before starting each room.

Yes! We handle all permitting and coordinate the electrical inspection. Permit costs are included in our quotes. We're licensed in Missouri, St. Charles County, and St. Louis County.

Yes. While K&T was safe when installed, modern usage patterns and added insulation create fire hazards. The wires were designed to dissipate heat in open air—covering them with insulation causes overheating. Additionally, K&T lacks a ground wire, creating shock risks.

K&T has distinctive white ceramic tubes where wires pass through joists and ceramic knobs that hold wires away from wood. Look in your attic or basement—you'll see individual wires (not bundled cables) running between white ceramic fixtures.

Many insurers won't write new policies for homes with active knob-and-tube, or they charge 20-30% higher premiums. Some require K&T removal within 30-60 days of policy inception. Call your insurer to understand their specific requirements.

No. Building code prohibits adding insulation over active knob-and-tube wiring due to fire risk. If you want to insulate your attic or walls, the K&T in those areas must be replaced first.

We remove all accessible K&T components. Some may remain in inaccessible wall cavities, but all circuits will be de-energized and cut at both ends. The remaining ceramic pieces pose no hazard once disconnected.

Check the writing on cable sheathing in your panel or attic. Aluminum wire is marked 'AL' or 'Aluminum.' The wire itself is silver-colored, not copper-colored. Homes built between 1965-1973 are most likely to have aluminum branch circuits.

Aluminum expands and contracts more than copper, loosening connections over time. Oxidation at connection points increases resistance, creating heat. The CPSC estimates homes with aluminum wiring are 55 times more likely to have fire-hazard conditions.

COPALUM is a special crimping system that creates a permanent, cold-welded copper-to-aluminum connection. It's the CPSC-recommended repair method and creates a connection as reliable as copper-to-copper. We crimp every outlet, switch, and fixture connection.

COPALUM repair is often more cost-effective and less invasive for otherwise well-maintained homes. However, if you're also planning other electrical work (panel upgrade, additional circuits), full rewiring may make more sense.

Yes. COPALUM is the CPSC-recommended remediation and is accepted by all major insurers. You'll receive documentation of the repair for your insurance company, which may reduce your premiums.

We install Romex NM-B (non-metallic sheathed cable), the current standard for residential wiring. This is modern copper wiring with proper insulation and grounding. Circuit sizes (12 AWG for 20A, 14 AWG for 15A) are selected based on load requirements.

We can add outlets during a rewire at minimal additional cost. Modern code requires outlets every 12 feet along walls and within 6 feet of doorways. We'll bring your home up to current standards and can add outlets wherever you need them.

Often, yes. Most homes needing a rewire also have outdated panels. We'll assess your panel and include an upgrade if needed—most rewires include a new 200-amp panel. If your panel is newer and adequate, we can reuse it.

Modern rewiring includes GFCI protection for bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and outdoor areas as required by code. Arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) are required for bedrooms and living areas. These provide superior protection against shocks and electrical fires.

Absolutely. This is the perfect time to add dedicated circuits for kitchens, home offices, workshops, or EV chargers. Adding circuits during a rewire costs much less than doing it separately.

We serve the greater St. Louis metro area including St. Charles County (O'Fallon, St. Peters, Wentzville, Lake St. Louis), St. Louis County (Chesterfield, Ballwin, Kirkwood), and surrounding areas. Our home base is in Cottleville.

Yes. We hold Missouri electrical contractor license #2025001688, St. Charles County license #E25-000008, and St. Louis County license #ES4501. We carry full liability insurance and workers' compensation.

Yes. All our rewiring work comes with a lifetime warranty on workmanship. Materials are covered by manufacturer warranties. If anything fails due to our installation, we'll fix it at no cost.

Call us immediately. We stand behind our work and will address any installation-related issues promptly. Most new wiring issues show up within the first year if at all—our warranty ensures you're protected.