What to Expect During a Home Rewire

Rewiring a home means replacing outdated electrical wiring with modern, safe, grounded wiring. It’s usually necessary when a house has older systems such as knob and tube, aluminum, or any wiring that no longer meets modern insulation and grounding standards.

While it’s a major project, with the right approach it can be handled cleanly and with minimal disruption to daily life.

Signs a Home May Need Rewiring

Insufficient insulation

Older wiring was often a smaller gauge and not designed to carry the amount of electricity modern homes use. Today’s electrical loads can cause that older wire to heat up more than it was meant to. The insulation used decades ago — materials like cotton, silk, tar (1940s and older), rubber, or early plastics (1950s–1970s) — can also break down over time, especially when exposed to excess heat. Once the insulation deteriorates, the bare copper can come into contact with nearby surfaces, which creates a fire risk.

Lack of grounding

Grounding gives electricity a safe path to follow if there’s ever a fault or surge. Without grounding, stray electricity has nowhere safe to go, which raises the chance of electric shock. Homes built before the 1960s often have no grounding at all. A quick visual indicator is the outlets — if they only have two slots instead of three, it’s likely the electrical system isn’t grounded.

The Assessment & Planning Stage

Every rewire begins with a licensed electrician assessing the existing system. This isn’t a quick guess — it’s a careful review that ensures the right solution for your home.

Once the assessment is complete, you receive an exact quote before any work begins. That means no rough estimates that shift later and no surprises on the final bill.

We take care of any necessary permits or inspections so the process stays compliant and straightforward.

The Rewiring Process Step by Step

Rewiring is done in a systematic, room-by-room process:

  • Old wiring is removed if possible. If it was stapled inside walls during the original installation, it is left in place to avoid damaging the wall.

  • Outdated devices are removed.

  • New wiring with modern thermoplastic insulation and grounding is run where needed — through attics, crawlspaces, basements, or walls.

  • New outlets, switches, and fixtures (if applicable) are installed.

  • Terminations are made and every device is tested.

  • Each room is finished, cleaned, and put back in order before moving on to the next.

Advantages of Rewiring

  • A safer home with reduced fire risk.

  • Protection against electric shock with properly grounded circuits.

  • Modern wiring capable of supporting today’s electrical needs.

  • Long-term reliability — a system built to last for decades.

  • Confidence knowing your home’s wiring is properly insulated, grounded, and up to code.

  • Assurance that all work is performed by licensed electricians who follow the National Electrical Code (NEC).

Conclusion

Rewiring is one of the most important investments you can make in the safety and reliability of your home. With the right process, it can be completed smoothly, cleanly, and without major disruption to your daily life.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No. Alokin Electric’s process is to replace one circuit at a time, usually room by room. This allows the electrician to work safely while most of the home maintains power.

  • The timeline depends on the size of the home, but most rewires take about one week (five 8-hour workdays). Your electrician will discuss the timeframe for your specific project during your assessment.

  • No. Rewiring a home does not require cutting into walls. If your electrician anticipates an exception, they will discuss it with you before any work begins.

  • Yes, you can safely remain in your home during the project. Your electrician will coordinate with you so you know which rooms will be without power on which days, so that any temporary adjustments (like moving a fridge cord or internet router to a different outlet) can be made while your home remains safe and functional throughout.

  • We almost always complete a rewire within the timeframe estimated during the assessment, but sometimes unexpected things happen that can slow the work down. We don’t rush or take shortcuts. If the job requires more time to finish properly, we communicate that with you right away. You never have to worry about the price changing because we needed more time — our quotes are exact and guaranteed.