Outdated Wiring
Outdated Wiring | Whole Home Rewires | Electrical | Hixson
If the thought of frayed cloth-covered wires or scorch marks around old outlets keeps you up at night, it’s time to call HEP. Our Hixson electricians specialize in breathing new life into aging electrical systems—replacing brittle aluminum, ungrounded circuits, and overtaxed breaker panels before they turn into costly hazards. You’ll enjoy the confidence that comes from knowing every inch of your wiring meets today’s stringent safety codes and has capacity for modern appliances, smart devices, and future upgrades.
HEP’s whole home rewires service is designed for comfort as much as safety. We pull the permits, coordinate inspections, protect your walls and flooring, and finish each room as clean as we found it. Add in upfront pricing, flexible financing, and a workmanship warranty, and you have every reason to schedule a free assessment today—so you can power tomorrow’s memories without yesterday’s worries.
FAQs
How can I tell if the wiring in my Hixson home is outdated or unsafe?
Warning signs include frequently tripped breakers or blown fuses, flickering lights, warm or discolored switch plates, two-prong (ungrounded) receptacles, or wiring types such as knob-and-tube (pre-1950s), cloth-covered wiring (1950s-60s), or aluminum branch circuits (1965-73). A professional inspection using load testers and infrared cameras is the safest way to confirm the condition of hidden conductors and connections.
What hazards are associated with old knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring?
Aged insulation on knob-and-tube becomes brittle, increasing the chance of arcing and fire. It also lacks a grounding conductor, which leaves modern electronics unprotected. Aluminum branch circuits can oxidize and overheat under screw terminals, leading to loose connections and potential fire. Insurance carriers often surcharge or deny coverage for these wiring systems, so replacement improves both safety and insurability.
What does a whole-home rewire involve and how long will it take?
A whole-house rewire replaces all branch circuits, installs a modern load center, adds GFCI/AFCI protection, and brings grounding and bonding up to the latest National Electrical Code and Hamilton County amendments. In a typical 1,800-sq-ft Hixson home, the job takes 5-10 working days, depending on attic/crawl accessibility, number of circuits, and whether service-panel upgrades are required. We coordinate with EPB and the county inspector so power interruptions are limited to brief, scheduled periods.
Will my walls be destroyed, and do I have to move out during the project?
We use a “fish-through” rewiring technique that allows most cables to be pulled through attics, crawlspaces, and closet backs with only small patchable holes around outlets and switches. Drywall disturbance is kept to a minimum and is repaired before we leave. You can usually remain in the home; we stage the work room-by-room so essential circuits (HVAC, refrigerator, select lighting) stay energized overnight.
How much does a complete rewire cost in the Hixson area?
Pricing varies with square footage, accessibility, and the number of devices, but homeowners can expect $4-$7 per finished square foot. For a 2,000-sq-ft residence, that equates to roughly $8,000-$14,000, including labor, materials, permit fees, patching, and a new 200-amp panel if needed. We provide a detailed, fixed-price quote after an on-site evaluation so there are no surprises.
Do you handle permits and inspections, and will my home’s value increase?
Yes. As a licensed Tennessee electrical contractor, we pull the Hamilton County permit, schedule all rough-in and final inspections, and furnish a Certificate of Completion for your records. Modern wiring and a new service panel add safety, energy efficiency, and code compliance—features that appraisers and prospective buyers in Hixson value, often recouping 80-100 % of the project cost at resale.