What cost to rewire 1957 house with total of 48 outlets/fixtures one floor w/crawl space and unfinished attic?

Question

New 125 amp service already in. Too many outlets/fixtures on existing circuits. Most outlets ungrounded.

Answer 1

outlets were grounded by the bx cable. if you have bx and there is no ground you have to rip it all out. cost is unfathomable.

Answer 2

First thing, is what code do you have to work to? Code sets requirements for how many outlets per breaker, how many feet minimum between outlets,etc. Most cities have building codes; small towns and farms generally have to satisfy their mortgage lenders minimum standards. In any case, there are national building codes.

Call up your city or county and ask about codes and permits. They can tell you what is required.

If I were doing it, I would start with a new breaker box, especially if the house now has fuses.

And I would definitely go with grounded outlets. And don't let anyone tell you it's alright to ground to a drain pipe. My house has copper drains, and I have had enormous repair bills because of electricity causing the metal to pit and leak.

To figure the length of wire you need, generally, the wires go from the breaker box up into the attic, across the attic and down into the walls to an outlet. Sometimes one wire powers two outlets, located on both sides of the wall between two rooms.

You have to consider what electrical appliances you intend to use where, because the more you have, the more outlets you will need, and the larger the breaker amperage.

If I were doing this, I would replace the entire system, including outlets and light switches, and I would also build the system big enough to last for years to come. It's amazing how many more appliances there are now than when your house was built, and that trend will most likely continue, so that in tewnty years, you will need to add more circuits again.

Go to your local Lowes or Home Depot for advice, or if you are in a rural area like Kansas, any hardware or lumber yard can help you out.

I believe, however, that codes require a licensed electrician to make all the tie ins. You could string the wires, tho, and set the boxes for switches and outlets into the walls.

Answer 3

YIKES! No way to answer that except in terms of estimated hours and amount of material. Scenario A: Assume no additional receptacles (except as noted) are added and that overhead lights and associated switches are not rewired. Assume that any chases cut into the walls are not repaired by the electrician but by you. One day, two people to do the ground floor completely and install a new electrical service - and install dedicated circuits to the washer, dryer, refrigerator and any other critical applications - such as a wide-screen TV. Two days, two people to do the upstairs and install code-compliant GFI devices in wet locations. Unless there are established raceways to each receptacle, this is tough work to get new wire to every point. Scenario B: Add two men, one day if overhead work - lights and switches - are done. And expect lots of holes in the ceiling where it meets the walls. Take at least a full day off if you have an accessible attic with a clean shot to the panel below. Distribution to the second floor from above is much easier than from below. So, perhaps 30 receptacles 15 switches - some 3-way. At least two GFI devices, 250' of 12 gauge and 250' of 14 gauge wire. An electrical panel, breakers, service cable (100, 150 or 200A), dedicated lines to heavy stuff and so forth. You are at six (6) man-days at perhaps $300 - $500/day + material. Go figure from there. Not cheap but if you do have aluminum branch wiring - a necessary expense.

Answer 4

Re-wiring a house is a major job! I would have put in a minimum of a 200 amp service. It does make it easier to by being a one level house though. Right now copper is at a premium, a all time high, so the cost of re-wiring a home will be very expensive in labor and material. Most electricians don't even like to take on the task of re-wiring a older home because of the time and work that is involved, but if you have the money then someone will be glad to do it.
You can switch out the ungrounded outlets with GFCI outlets (Be sure to check the local codes in your area) You can split the outlet circuits up and put them on a separate breaker if you have any spare breaker spaces in your panel. That would be the two cheapest solutions to your problems.

Answer 5

I would not involve the City or County in this or you will wind up with a bill for 10 or 12 thousand dollars- and such a task will involve breaking holes in the Sheetrock- so you will have that repair also, plus painting. That wire has been there and done the job since 57 , so its probably not a dangerous situation, best bet is to locate the Feed circuits and split them up into two or more- new circuits-

Answer 6

It's free if an 'accident' were to be arranged and a fire happened to get out of hand. I know a guy.

Answer 7

I would call at least three certified electritions to get estamates.Estamates should be free.