How to Calculate Costs for Replacing Outdated Wiring

Older homes often bring many qualities not found in present day homes, including unique architectural details and character. Unfortunately, many older homes include outdated wiring too. Outdated wiring may be unsafe or not able to handle today's energy needs. Calculate your costs for replacing outdated wiring.

Instructions

1. Estimate the age of your home to determine whether wiring should be replaced. The knob and tube wiring in older homes is hazardous, as is the aluminum wiring of the 60s and 70s. Copper and steel wiring last a long time, but occasionally overheating or age damages the wire insulation.

2. Realize that the costs of replacing wiring are based on the size of the job with house-wide updated wiring more expensive than doing one room. However, most electricians include a service call fee, which may add to your overall costs if you divide the job into sections.

3. Consider whether you plan to hire out for this job or do it yourself. The main difference will be labor costs. With labor that can run approximately $60 an hour, you can easily find yourself spending in the thousands. However, if you know little about replacing outdated wiring, you're better off hiring a professional electrician.

4. Check your voltage system by looking for wires that come from a utility pole to your house. A two-wire system means that you may only have 120-volt capacity. Contact your electric company about updating the voltage to 240 volts.

5. Save money if you do it yourself, but make certain you have the correct materials, which may include junction boxes, cable, grounded receptacles, breakers, ground fault interrupters, conduit and more. An electrician will charge you for the materials you use.

6. Add the costs of tools to your estimate of replacing outdated wiring if you don't already own them. You will most likely need needle-nose pliers, wire cutters, electric and right-angle drills, voltage tests, strippers, tape and more.

7. Call a few different electricians for cost estimates to replace your home wiring. Some may charge for a service call; others may waive the service call fee, particularly if it will result in your hiring them.

Tips & Warnings

• Take safety precautions when working with electricity. Shut off the electricity at the main breaker before replacing outdated wiring.