How Do You Know When You Need To Rewire Your Home
Rewiring a house can be very costly and requires the homeowner to be prepared to commit a significant amount of their time and money. But, in some cases, rewiring can be a necessary expense when safety or operational issues are present. So, how do you know when rewiring is needed in your home?
The Warning Signs
Wiring problems spring from a variety of things, including age, overuse, or damage to the home from a natural disaster. Regardless of the cause, here are some of the warning signs that indicate your house might need rewiring:
- Rodents: Rodents are notorious for chewing on wiring. If the home has had a rodent infestation, after they’re gone, have an electrician inspect the home’s wiring.
- Dead outlets: Even if an outlet is dead, it could still be a fire hazard.
- Frequent breaker tripping: While it’s common for a breaker to trip occasionally, take notice if it seems to happen randomly or more frequently.
- Unusual or excessive electric bills: Paying more for electricity than usual could indicate faulty wiring or electrical systems.
- Mildew or mold: Mold and mildew grow where there is excessive moisture. This moisture could also have caused problems with the wiring.
- Flickering lights: Flickering lights are a strong indicator that you have a problem with the home wiring. Frequent burnt-out bulbs are another indicator.
How Much Does It Cost To Rewire a House?
The cost of rewiring a house depends on several factors, the most important of which is the size of your home. For example, rewiring a 2,000-square-foot home can run in the neighborhood of $4,000 to $8,000. However, on average, rewiring a 3000-square-foot home costs around $6,000 to $12,000. Other factors include if you need a new electrical panel or if you’re having new outlets installed.
How Long Will Rewiring a House Take?
It depends. The average home of 3-4 bedrooms takes around seven days. The time it takes can vary depending on whether your home has a lot of outlets or if you have a lot of appliances that need to be disconnected. It also depends on if some of the areas are difficult to access. If the wiring in your home is older, it will likely take longer to rewire.
