Everything You Should Know About Electrical Wiring Upgrades for Your Property
Properties built decades ago frequently hide electrical systems that were never built to handle today's electrical loads. Wiring upgrades address this problem head-on, replacing worn-out, code-violating, or insufficient wiring with modern, code-compliant materials and configurations. At our team, we specialize in delivering wiring upgrades that protect your investment for years to come.
Property owners of all types come to us when they start experiencing problems — burning smells, warm outlets — or when they plan a renovation. Wiring upgrades aren't just for older homes; they represent a critical improvement in the reliability and performance of any property.
Our licensed electricians work throughout Palos Hills, IL and the surrounding southwest suburbs with comprehensive wiring upgrades across a wide range of property types. Whether your system has never been touched or just partially updated, we bring the knowledge and equipment to complete the job correctly.
What Do Electricians Mean by Wiring Upgrades?
Wiring upgrades encompass the systematic replacement or improvement of a property's electrical conductors and termination points to bring the system into compliance with modern codes. This involves far more than switching out a single outlet or switch. A full wiring upgrade means running fresh conductors throughout the structure. The age and condition of the existing conductors shapes how the job is approached.
Aluminum branch-circuit wiring, installed widely in the 1960s and 1970s creates distinct problems that modern copper wiring simply does not. Knob-and-tube offers zero equipment grounding protection and the cotton or rubber wrapping deteriorates badly over time. Aluminum branch-circuit wiring loosens at connection points more readily than copper, which can cause arcing. Wiring upgrades address each issue with the correct modern solution.
At its core, the procedure involves de-energizing circuits, removing old conductors and routing fresh NEC-compliant conductors through walls and junction boxes. Updated termination points and overcurrent protection complete each upgraded circuit. Each completed circuit undergoes testing under load to check for faults before the panel is re-energized.
Top Advantages Wiring Upgrades
- Significantly lower chance of electrical fires — Cloth-wrapped or aluminum conductors is one of the leading causes of electrical fires in older buildings. Wiring upgrades replace dangerous materials with modern, rated wire.
- Meeting current NEC standards — Real estate transactions and remodeling permits often require verified code compliance. Wiring upgrades ensure your system meets current requirements.
- Handling EV chargers, smart home systems, and more — Households now run more high-draw devices. Wiring upgrades prevent overloading on every branch circuit.
- Better rates from your homeowner's insurer — Several major insurers add premiums or decline to cover homes with knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring. Documenting the completed wiring upgrades may eliminate those surcharges entirely.
- Full equipment grounding throughout the structure — Ungrounded outlets cannot protect sensitive electronics. Wiring upgrades add a proper ground to every circuit.
- Better home appraisal results — Buyers, agents, and appraisers notice updated electrical. A documented electrical upgrade strengthen your listing.
- Stable, reliable power throughout the property — Old conductors struggle under load and cause instability. Wiring upgrades deliver the clean, steady current your appliances need.
- Knowing your building meets current safety standards — It's genuinely reassuring to confirm that the electrical infrastructure you depend on won't create problems in the middle of the night.
The Wiring Upgrades Experience From Start to Finish
- Initial Electrical Assessment — One of our certified professionals arrives and performs a comprehensive review of every accessible circuit. Our technician documents what's installed now and note any code violations or dangerous conditions. This inspection drives the entire upgrade plan.
- Tailored Wiring Upgrade Proposal — Drawing from the initial evaluation, our team prepares a detailed written proposal. We clarify what can be retained and what must be changed and provide transparent, itemized pricing. We also confirm which permits are needed so everything is above board from the start.
- Permit Pulling and Scheduling — Reed Electrical Services, LLC. manages all required paperwork so you don't have to. Scheduling accounts for the size of the project and your availability. We make sure the required inspections are built into the timeline so code officials can verify completed work.
- Full Wiring Replacement and Installation — Our licensed electricians kill power to every section being worked on before pulling out existing conductors and hardware. Fresh cable of the appropriate size is pulled through walls, conduit, and framing. New outlets, switches, GFCI devices, and fixtures complete each new circuit run.
- Load Testing and Circuit Verification — Once wiring is complete, the upgraded circuits are energized. Our team uses calibrated test equipment to confirm correct ampacity, polarity, and fault protection. Problems identified at this stage is resolved immediately, not passed along to you.
- Code Authority Review and Approval — A city or county inspector reviews the completed wiring upgrades to confirm everything meets current NEC standards. We are present for every inspection to make sure the sign-off process goes smoothly. A successful inspection finalizes the permit, giving you legal confirmation the wiring meets code.
- Completing the Project and Briefing the Property Owner — Once inspection is passed, we review everything with the property owner. We explain what was upgraded, where, and why, answer any remaining questions. All permit documentation is provided to you for your own records and any future transactions.
Who Benefits Most from Wiring Upgrades?
The ideal candidate for wiring upgrades typically fall into a few clear categories. If your home was built before 1970 could still be running on conductors that were never updated. This includes knob-and-tube systems, early aluminum branch wiring — all of which fall short of current standards. When a home inspection report notes old or unsafe wiring, wiring upgrades should move to the top of your project list.
Homeowners planning significant renovations are also strong candidates. Opening walls for a renovation usually requires the existing wiring to be brought to current code. Similarly, installing an electric vehicle charger or adding a large standby generator requires properly-sized wiring to support those loads. Real estate investors have strong financial and liability reasons to upgrade aging wiring.
Not every situation calls for a full upgrade, if a thorough inspection reveals only minor issues and carries documentation of prior licensed upgrades, a full wiring upgrade may not be necessary. We only propose wiring upgrades when the condition and risk level justify them — honesty is the baseline of how we operate.
Wiring Upgrades Frequently Asked Questions
How much time does a wiring upgrade take to complete?
How long it takes depends on the number of circuits being upgraded and the building's layout. Upgrading a single floor or section can often be completed in a day or two. A full-structure wiring upgrade across a typical residential property generally runs three to five days. Getting the municipal sign-off can extend the total project timeline slightly.
What does it cost to have wiring upgrades done in Palos Hills?
What you'll pay for wiring upgrades is shaped by several factors including the type of existing wiring, the size of the home. Replacing wiring in a defined zone tend to be significantly less expensive than a complete residential rewiring project. We provide detailed written estimates prior to starting the job — no mystery charges on the final invoice.
Will the upgrade process mean we can't use the house?
In most cases, you can remain in the home during wiring upgrades. We isolate and complete one area at a time, leaving the rest of the property functional. We schedule work in high-use rooms strategically to reduce inconvenience. When a complete panel shutdown is required for a portion of the day, we plan around your availability so it causes the least disruption.
Is all knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring unsafe?
Not every old electrical system is in imminent danger — but older wiring carries compounding risks that grow over time. Knob-and-tube wiring that has been covered with insulation can and does cause fires. Our inspection will tell you exactly what condition your wiring is in — and from there, you make an informed decision.
Does updated wiring affect homeowner's insurance?
Yes, and often favorably. A significant number of insurers surcharge or refuse to cover homes that Reed Electrical Services still contain outdated wiring types. Finishing the upgrade and submitting proof to your insurer can reduce premiums, eliminate surcharges, or restore coverage eligibility. Reaching out to your insurer once the permit is closed to make sure your policy reflects the improvement.
Wiring Upgrades Serving the Palos Hills Area Residents and Businesses
The Palos Hills area and its neighboring towns include a large stock of mid-century housing where the wiring has never been updated. Reed Electrical Services, LLC. works regularly throughout the region, including residential streets around Palos Hills City Hall and the adjacent subdivisions. Homes adjacent to the Palos Hills Recreation Center, near Oak Park Avenue corridors, or in subdivisions close to Moraine Valley Community College often have the exact electrical profile where wiring upgrades deliver the most meaningful safety improvement.
Navigating permits with the Village of Palos Hills is a straightforward part of every project we do here. Our history working in the area means smoother permitting and can move projects through to final sign-off efficiently. Whether your structure is a post-war ranch or a two-story brick colonial in our community, wiring upgrades are completed with the professionalism and code compliance that has earned us repeat business throughout the southwest suburbs.
Get Moving on Your Wiring Upgrades Today
When you're ready to move forward on wiring upgrades, our team are ready to help. There is no single upgrade with a stronger return you can make to protect your property and your household. Our crew brings licensed expertise, proper permitting, and genuine accountability to see every upgrade through to a passed inspection and a satisfied client. Contact us today to schedule your assessment — and get the honest answers your property deserves.
Reed Electrical Services, LLC. | 9735 South 81st Avenue | Palos Hills IL 60465 | (708) 837-9993