Everything You Should Know About Wiring Upgrades for Your Building
Properties built decades ago frequently hide electrical systems that were never intended to handle modern power demands. Wiring upgrades address this problem at the source, replacing worn-out, code-violating, or insufficient wiring with new, properly rated materials and configurations. At Reed Electrical Services, LLC., we specialize in delivering wiring upgrades that protect your investment for years to come.
Property owners of all types come to us when they notice warning signs — flickering lights, tripped breakers — or when they add major appliances or EV chargers. Wiring upgrades aren't just for older homes; they are a necessary step in the safety and functionality of any property.
Our licensed electricians continue to help Palos Hills, IL and the surrounding southwest suburbs with expert-level wiring upgrades across a wide range of property types. Whether your wiring is aluminum, knob-and-tube, or simply decades old, we have the tools and training to handle the upgrade safely.
What Is Involved in Wiring Upgrades?
Wiring upgrades encompass the systematic replacement or improvement of existing electrical wiring, conductors, and associated components to meet current NEC code standards. This is not simply swapping a fixture or plug. A full wiring upgrade involves pulling new wire through walls and ceilings. What material or configuration exists now determines the scope and method.
Aluminum branch-circuit wiring, installed widely in the 1960s and 1970s carries unique risks 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 eliminate these hazards permanently.
Mechanically, the process requires isolating each circuit before removing and replacing and installing new copper wire of the correct gauge. Updated termination points and overcurrent protection complete each upgraded circuit. Each completed circuit undergoes testing under load to ensure proper voltage and continuity.
Key Benefits Wiring Upgrades
- Significantly lower chance of electrical fires — Cloth-wrapped or aluminum conductors is a top contributor of home fires nationwide. Wiring upgrades eliminate the hazard at the source.
- Code compliance and permit approval — Refinancing and insurance underwriting commonly copyright on electrical inspection results. Wiring upgrades bring everything into compliance.
- Handling EV chargers, smart home systems, and more — Modern homes rely on significantly more power. Wiring upgrades deliver the ampacity modern devices require.
- Better rates from your homeowner's insurer — Several major insurers add premiums or decline to cover homes with knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring. Finishing the upgrade work often unlocks better policy terms.
- Proper grounding at every receptacle — Circuits without a ground path leave equipment vulnerable. Wiring upgrades resolve this throughout the entire electrical system.
- Increased property value — Home inspectors flag old wiring immediately. Completed wiring upgrades add real, measurable value.
- Stable, reliable power throughout the property — Overloaded, aging circuits trip breakers. Wiring upgrades restore stable, consistent power.
- Peace of mind for your household or tenants — Few things matter more than understanding that every conductor in your building is safe, rated correctly, and properly installed.
The Wiring Upgrades Experience Step by Step
- Whole-System Inspection — A licensed electrician from our team visits the property and conducts a full walkthrough of the electrical system. We note the conductor material, age, and condition throughout and flag any immediate hazards. This inspection drives the entire upgrade plan.
- Tailored Wiring Upgrade Proposal — Drawing from the initial evaluation, our team outlines every circuit and area to be upgraded. We explain which sections need full replacement and give you a clear breakdown of costs. Applicable local permits are addressed here so everything is above board from the start.
- Permit Pulling and Scheduling — Our office handles all permit applications so you don't have to. Work dates are planned around the complexity involved and any occupancy or access requirements at the property. Proper scheduling also means municipal inspections are arranged before we proceed to the next section of work.
- Active Wiring Upgrade Work — Our certified crew safely shut down the circuits being upgraded before pulling out existing conductors and hardware. Properly-rated NEC-compliant conductors is pulled through walls, conduit, and framing. Modern code-compliant devices at every termination point wrap up every upgraded branch circuit.
- Energizing and Verifying Every Circuit — With the installation finished, we re-energize the system section by section. Our electricians use digital meters and circuit analyzers to verify voltage, continuity, and ground integrity. Anything that doesn't pass verification are corrected before moving on.
- Official Inspection and Permit Closure — The authority having jurisdiction reviews the completed wiring upgrades to verify code compliance at every circuit. We are present for every inspection to address any questions in real time. A successful inspection finalizes the permit, giving you legal confirmation the wiring meets code.
- Project Wrap-Up and Owner Orientation — Prior to calling the project done, our electrician tours the finished work with you. We explain what was upgraded, where, and why, address anything still on your mind. All permit documentation is provided to you for your files, insurance copyright, or future buyers.
Who Is a Good Fit for Wiring Upgrades?
The ideal candidate for wiring upgrades generally share a handful of common traits. If your home was built before 1970 may still contain original wiring. This applies to fuse-panel-fed circuits, ungrounded receptacles throughout — each of which represents a real safety and insurance liability. If an inspector or insurance adjuster has already flagged your wiring, wiring upgrades should move to the top of your project list.
Anyone adding a major addition or ADU are also strong candidates. Pulling permits for a remodel usually requires the existing wiring to be brought to current code. Putting in a whole-home EV charging setup or installing a battery backup system needs circuits that older wiring simply cannot deliver. Landlords and property managers benefit particularly from staying ahead of wiring issues.
That said, when a home was constructed in the modern era and carries documentation of prior licensed upgrades, you may need only panel work or circuit additions rather than whole-home rewiring. Our team will always recommend only the work that is genuinely needed — your safety and budget both matter to us.
Wiring Upgrades Frequently Asked Questions
How many days does a wiring upgrade usually take from start to finish?
How long it takes depends on the size of the property and scope of the project. A targeted partial upgrade typically wraps up in under 48 hours. A full-structure wiring upgrade for a 1,500 to 2,500 square foot home generally runs three to five days. Scheduling the required inspections is the step most likely to affect your final completion date.
What does a wiring upgrade cost in Palos Hills?
What you'll pay for wiring upgrades is shaped by a number of variables including the type of existing wiring, the size of the home. Upgrading a specific section of wiring are generally much more affordable than a complete residential rewiring project. Reed Electrical Services, LLC. delivers transparent proposals before any work begins — no vague ballparks, no surprise additions.
Will wiring upgrades require us to vacate?
The majority of the time, staying in the property during the project is possible. Our crew works section by section, so you retain power everywhere we aren't actively working. Kitchens and bathrooms are prioritized to minimize daily disruption. When a complete panel shutdown is required for a portion of the day, we coordinate the timing with you in advance.
Is all knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring unsafe?
Age alone doesn't make wiring automatically catastrophic — but older wiring carries compounding risks that grow over time. Cloth-wrapped wire with cracked or missing insulation is a documented cause of residential fires. We give you a clear picture of what's actually there — and from there, you make an informed decision.
Does a finished wiring upgrade affect my insurance premiums?
Yes, and often favorably. Several well-known providers add premiums for properties with knob-and-tube, aluminum branch circuit, or other pre-modern wiring. Having the work permitted, inspected, and documented 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 Palos Hills Homeowners and Property Owners
The Palos Hills area and its neighboring towns are home to many homes built in the postwar era that still carry original electrical systems. Our electricians travel throughout the local community, including residential streets around Palos Hills City Hall and the adjacent subdivisions. Properties near the Palos Hills Country Club, along Wolf Road, or bordering the Cook County Forest Preserves commonly fall into the age range where wiring upgrades are strongly recommended.
Coordinating with Palos Hills building officials is something our team handles routinely. We know the local inspection process 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 the Palos Hills area, wiring upgrades from our team are delivered with the same standard click here of care that has earned us repeat business throughout the southwest suburbs.
Ready to Book Your Wiring Upgrades Consultation?
When you're ready to move forward on wiring upgrades, our licensed electricians are ready to help. There is no single upgrade with a stronger return in terms of safety, compliance, and peace of mind. Our crew brings licensed expertise, proper permitting, and genuine accountability to complete every job to the highest standard. Contact us today to schedule your assessment — and find out exactly what your electrical system needs.
Reed Electrical Services, LLC. | 9735 South 81st Avenue | Palos Hills IL 60465 | (708) 837-9993