Should I Rewire My Old House?
The honest decision guide -- including when patching is the right call.
The Wiring Types in Utah Homes
Knob-and-tube (pre-1950s):
- Insulated wires through ceramic tubes and knobs
- No ground conductor
- Insulation: rubber/cloth, degrades over decades
- Verdict: If still active, plan to rewire. Insurance companies increasingly refuse coverage.
Cloth-insulated copper (1940s-1960s):
- Single conductors with cloth-and-rubber insulation
- Insulation cracks and falls off with age
- Verdict: Depends on condition. Some 70+ year installs are fine; others dangerous.
Aluminum branch wiring (1965-1973):
- Solid aluminum for branch circuits (not just service entrance)
- Aluminum expands/contracts more than copper -> loose connections
- Verdict: Depends on whether outlets/switches are pigtailed with COPALUM or AlumiConn. Pigtailed: safe. Original devices unmodified: meaningfully dangerous.
Romex / NM cable (1960s-present):
- Bundled cable: two conductors + ground in plastic jacket
- Standard in every Utah home built after 1970
- Verdict: Generally fine, even 40-50 years old, if protected from heat and rodents.
When Patching Is the Right Call
- Modern Romex/NM in good condition, only one specific repair needed
- Aluminum wiring already pigtailed at every device
- Cloth-insulated wiring in good condition AND insurance accepts it AND no major electrical load additions planned
- Home you're selling within 2-3 years AND wiring isn't actively unsafe (disclose to buyer)
- Budget genuinely can't allow full rewire -- address worst circuits first
When Rewiring Is the Right Call
- Active knob-and-tube anywhere in the home
- Cloth-insulated wiring is brittle, cracked, or exposed
- Aluminum branch wiring not pigtailed
- Multiple circuits overloaded (tripping breakers, warm outlets, dimming lights)
- Insurance has refused or non-renewed policy due to wiring
- Major remodel anyway -- walls open is the cheapest time to rewire
- Long-term residence with safety + insurance peace of mind goals
- Adding significant load (panel upgrade, EVs, hot tub, central AC, generator, solar)
What a Rewire Costs in Utah
- Under 1,200 sq ft: $7,500 - $14,000
- 1,200-1,800 sq ft: $11,000 - $20,000
- 1,800-2,500 sq ft: $16,000 - $28,000
- 2,500-3,500 sq ft: $22,000 - $38,000
- 3,500+ sq ft older custom: $30,000+
Partial rewires (one floor, kitchen-only): $4,000-$12,000.
Pigtailing aluminum (no full rewire): $35-$75 per device. ~$3,500-$7,500 for a 100-device home.
What's Involved in a Rewire
- Free in-home assessment (1-2 hours)
- Permits with the city
- Tear-out of old wiring (1-3 days)
- Pull new circuits (3-7 days)
- Install boxes, outlets, switches, fixtures (2-4 days)
- Panel upgrade if needed (1-2 days)
- Rough inspection by city
- Drywall patching (by drywall contractor, separate scope)
- Final inspection
- Cleanup + walkthrough
Typical timeline: 2-4 weeks of electrical work, plus drywall and paint.
The "Rewire During Remodel" Sweet Spot
If you're already remodeling a kitchen, bathroom, basement, or addition -- rewire that area during the remodel. Walls are open, drywall contractor is on site, marginal cost of new wiring is a fraction of doing it later.
FAQ
Will my insurance company drop me for knob-and-tube?
Increasingly yes. Many carriers now require K&T removal as a condition of coverage. Some grandfather existing policies but won't renew.
Can I rewire just part of the house?
Yes -- partial rewires are common. We focus on the highest-risk areas first.
Can you rewire without tearing out drywall?
Sometimes -- fishing wire through finished walls works for shorter runs. Full home rewires usually require some drywall removal.
How disruptive is a rewire?
Most homeowners stay in the home. Power is cycled circuit-by-circuit, not whole-home for long periods. Dust and minor drywall damage are unavoidable.
Need a Rewire Assessment?
Free in-home assessment. We'll tell you straight -- rewire, partial, or just patch.
801-885-4521