Expert: Master Bob - 4/9/2004

Question
I'm purchasing a house built in 1910.  Its a wonderful houise, but requires some electrical updating.  the house (2 floors) is stil wired with Tube & Knob, is on hald circuit breakers/hald fuses, and has 60amp service.  My first goal once I purchase it to increase the amps to at least 100, replace the old fuse box with circuits, install additional outlets, and replace the T&K wiring.  I have a decent amount of moneyt aside for this fromthe sale of my previos home. I am wondering if there is any way I can get a ballpark of the cost I'm looking to inccur with this project.

Thanks,
Tom

Answer
Hi Tom,

   Sorry just responding...put in a 15 hour work day yesterday and never even looked at the computers last night - very busy here this time of year..

 Not familiar with the term "hald"...I take it you mean a manufacturer named Hald..?

 In any event...it is a wise decision to gut the old home of the K-n-T (knob n tube) wiring...the ancient wiring is no longer up to today's Code safety standards....nor does it provide a ground for any devices and receptacle outlets.

 Upgrading the service to the now Code MINIMUM 100 amps is also a wise choice...today's appliances and loads demand this as a minimum. Older homes also did not comply with the now required receptacle outlet every 6' linear space...so adding new receptacle outlets will help you meet this requirement and avoid extension cords (the main purpose of the 6 foot rule). Also note that any bedroom circuits will now need to be protected by AFCI (arc fault circuit interrupters) and all recpetacles in the bath, near kitchen sink, outdoors, etc...will need GFCI (ground fault) protection to meet todays' Codes. These are all now MINIMUM requirements...and if your going to put the time and expense into re-working the electrical in this house...you might as well do it right.

 Ballpark costs..? Impossible to answer without knowing more about this 2 story dwelling..(square footage,structure type, firewalls?, etc..).as well as the typical going rates for work in your area....no two homes are the same.

 I can only give you typical rates for similar work in this area (Northeast)...60 amp to 100 amp uprade (service only) runs around $600-$1000...and should be done FIRST (it requires a shut down and co-ordination with the power company). A new meter trim will need to be installed as well as 100 amp service cable on the outside of the house...ground rods, etc. The service entrance cable from the meter to the new panel is usually included in this quote. The new 100 amp panel costs vary on the amount of circuits (12,16,20, 24, etc)...and I always recommend going with the largest circuit capacity...in case future circuits are added (no need to upgrade again). Once the new service is in ...and the new panel.(which can temporarily reconnect to the old wiring for critical circuits while the inside rework is being done)...the inside work can begin. (you can do this all in phases to help budget). And this is where the costs can vary substantially...depending on how difficult it is to fish new wire into the walls, etc... Does this home have a basement and attic...??.if so, this can be a blessing for re-wiring...helping keeping time and costs down. Are the walls dry-wall (sheet-rock) or plaster..? This also varies costs...plaster being vary difficult to work with and cut in new boxes.

 To help provide a ball-park estimate...I would need to know much more about the house...but based on the limited information you supplied...I'd say your looking at $3,400- $5,000 all said and done...this includes all new wiring, new service and panel, breakers, receptacles, etc...but again - rates could vary 20-30% +/- from this figure depedning on the difficulty, how much you want done, going rates, etc.

 Your decision to make this wonderful house safe and modern electrically is a wise choice...and will add to the value of the home in the future.(if you later re-sale)

 Hope this helps...please follow-up if you need more details or have more info for me...

Best wishes,

Bob Osgood
Master Electrician

RKO ELECTRIC

www.rkoelectric.com