Understand
what you have.
Trace the questions from an unfamiliar wire to the circuits serving each room.
Read the circuit guide
OLD-HOUSE WIRING JOURNAL
Old home.
New current.
Keep the character.
Understand the changes.
Drag the divider to look inside. You can also use the arrow keys.
A familiar room.
A different perspective.
BEFORE THE WALLS OPEN
The character stays.
The questions change.
What is behind the plaster? What needs replacing? How much of the house will the work touch? Start with the questions that make the next conversation useful.
Explore an illustrative wall cutaway. Actual wiring, access and repairs depend on the house.
WHERE WE WORK
At home in the
Bay Area.
We serve homeowners across the Bay Area, including:
- San Francisco
- San Mateo County
- Santa Clara County
- San José
- Alameda County
Understand
Plan around
the original details.
Find out how access routes and repairs affect the plaster and woodwork you want to keep.
Explore wall accessKnow what
the quote includes.
Separate the wiring work from a panel upgrade, then get clear about who repairs the walls.
Plan the handoverTHE DEWIRING JOURNAL
Look a little deeper.
Materials & tools
Mapping Old-House Circuits Before Planning a Rewire
Build a useful circuit map with stable endpoint names, confirmed relationships and explicit unresolved questions.
Routing & preservation
Rewiring Plaster Walls Without Gutting the House: What Is Realistic?
Compare selective access routes that can preserve plaster while completing an old-house rewire.
Costs & planning
Separating Panel and Service Costs From a Whole-House Rewire
Separate branch rewiring from panel and service costs so each equipment recommendation has a clear reason and comparable scope.
QUESTIONS BEFORE THE QUOTE
The same worries.
Better answers.
Practical answers, with sources you can check and questions to take to your electrical contractor.
All common questionsDoes a new electrical panel mean the house has been rewired?
No. A panel replacement can leave existing branch circuits in service, including older wiring concealed in walls. Ask which circuits and endpoints were replaced, what remained, and which permit records and inspection results support the description. A newer panel is evidence of panel work, not proof of a whole-house rewire. Read the full guide →
Can I get insurance with knob-and-tube wiring?
An insurer may decline the property, require an evaluation, or impose conditions. Decisions depend on the carrier and the property; there is no universal acceptance rule. Describe what is known and uncertain, request the underwriting requirements in writing, and resolve the timing before relying on coverage for a purchase. Read the full guide →
How much will it cost to replace knob-and-tube wiring?
The useful starting point is a defined scope, not a national price per square foot. Access, the number of circuits and devices, preservation of plaster, service work, permit requirements and hazardous-material precautions can change the total. Compare itemized bids and identify who pays for patching, painting and discovered conditions. Read the full guide →
Can an old house be rewired without tearing out all the walls?
Often some finishes can be preserved, but no-wall-damage promises deserve scrutiny. The available attic, basement and crawlspace routes, concealed blocking, room layout and historic details determine access needs. Request a route survey and a written access-and-repair plan before treating minimal disruption as a contractual promise. Read the full guide →
How can I tell whether old knob-and-tube wiring is still active?
Appearance, a new panel or a quiet non-contact tester reading is not enough to establish that wiring is permanently disconnected. Have a qualified electrician evaluate the circuit and document the findings and limitations. Do not cut or pull old conductors on an assumption that they are abandoned. Read the full guide →
LET'S TALK
Tell us about
your home.
Planning a rewiring project or have a question? Send us a note and tell us what you have in mind.
You can also call 510-277-3332 or email [email protected].