Everything You Should Know About Electrical Wiring Upgrades for Your Building
Aging buildings and outdated structures typically contain electrical systems that were never designed to handle today's electrical loads. Wiring upgrades correct this problem directly, replacing deteriorated, unsafe, or undersized wiring with safe and up-to-date materials and configurations. At Reed Electrical Services, LLC., we take pride in delivering wiring upgrades that protect your investment for years to come.
Homeowners and business owners alike reach out to our team when they realize something isn't right — flickering lights, tripped breakers — or when they add major appliances or EV chargers. Wiring upgrades are not a luxury; they are a fundamental investment in the safety and functionality of any building's infrastructure.
Our licensed electricians work throughout Palos Hills, IL and nearby areas with top-tier wiring upgrades for homes, rental units, and small businesses. Whether your system has never been touched or just partially updated, we carry the certifications to get it done right.
What Do Electricians Mean by Wiring Upgrades?
Wiring upgrades encompass the structured removal and installation of existing electrical wiring, conductors, and associated components to match today's safety and capacity requirements. This is not simply swapping a fixture or plug. A full wiring upgrade requires routing properly-gauged cable to every circuit. What material or configuration exists now shapes how the job is approached.
Aluminum branch-circuit wiring, installed widely in the 1960s and 1970s carries unique risks that modern copper wiring simply does not. Knob-and-tube has no grounding path and the cotton or rubber wrapping deteriorates badly over time. Aluminum branch-circuit wiring expands and contracts differently than copper, which creates fire hazards at terminals. Wiring upgrades address each issue with the correct modern solution.
From a technical standpoint, the work requires isolating each circuit before removing and replacing and installing new copper wire of the correct gauge. New devices — outlets, switches, and fixtures complete each upgraded circuit. Every new run is then verified under load to check for faults before the panel is re-energized.
Why Homeowners Choose Wiring Upgrades
- Fire hazard elimination — Failing insulation and loose connections is a primary driver of electrical fires in older buildings. Wiring upgrades remove that risk entirely.
- Meeting current NEC standards — Refinancing and insurance underwriting often require verified code compliance. Wiring upgrades ensure your system meets current requirements.
- Capacity for today's appliances and devices — Today's electrical demands far exceed what older wiring anticipated. Wiring upgrades size conductors correctly for every circuit.
- Improved insurability — Many insurance carriers surcharge or even refuse to insure properties with outdated electrical systems. Completing wiring upgrades often unlocks better policy terms.
- Elimination of two-prong ungrounded outlets — 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.
- Peace of mind for your household or tenants — It's genuinely reassuring to confirm that the wiring inside your walls meets code and performs reliably.
The Wiring Upgrades Process From Start to Finish
- Whole-System Inspection — Our experienced electrician arrives and performs a full walkthrough of the electrical system. We identify the type of wiring present and note any code violations or dangerous conditions. This inspection drives the detailed proposal that follows.
- Custom Scope and Project Proposal — Using what we learned during the assessment, our team outlines every circuit and area to be upgraded. We explain which sections need full replacement and provide transparent, itemized pricing. Applicable local permits are addressed here so work begins with full authorization.
- Permit Pulling and Scheduling — Our office manages all required paperwork so you don't have to. Work dates are planned around the complexity involved and your availability. This step ensures inspectors are lined up so every completed phase gets signed off.
- Running New Conductors and Installing Devices — Our licensed electricians kill power to every section being worked on before pulling out existing conductors and hardware. New copper wire of the correct AWG gauge is pulled through walls, conduit, and framing. New outlets, switches, GFCI devices, and fixtures are installed at every connection point.
- Load Testing and Circuit Verification — Once wiring is complete, we re-energize the system section by section. Our team uses calibrated test equipment to verify voltage, continuity, and ground integrity. Any issues found during testing are corrected before moving on.
- Official Inspection and Permit Closure — The authority having jurisdiction reviews the completed wiring upgrades to sign off that the installation is correct and safe. We are present for every inspection to answer technical questions. Passing inspection closes the permit, giving you a permanent record of compliant work.
- Project Wrap-Up and Owner Orientation — Prior to calling the project done, a member of our team walks the property with you. We explain what was upgraded, where, and why, answer any remaining questions. We hand over every record from the project for your files, insurance copyright, or future buyers.
Who Benefits Most from Wiring Upgrades?
Homeowners who benefit most can usually be identified by a few straightforward factors. If your home was built before 1970 could still be running on conductors that were never updated. That category covers cloth-insulated wiring, two-prong-only outlets — none of which meet today's NEC requirements. If your insurer has demanded upgrades as a condition of coverage, wiring upgrades need to be scheduled promptly.
Anyone adding a major addition or ADU are also strong candidates. Submitting plans for an addition often triggers mandatory wiring inspections. Adding a Level 2 EV charger or upgrading to a whole-home generator requires properly-sized wiring to support those loads. Landlords and property managers have strong financial and liability reasons to upgrade aging wiring.
That said, if your property was built after 1985 and shows no signs of degraded wiring or overloaded circuits, 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 take to complete?
Duration varies based on the number of circuits being upgraded and the building's layout. A targeted partial upgrade can often be completed in a day or two. A full-structure wiring upgrade for a 1,500 to 2,500 square foot home usually takes between three and six days. Coordinating permit and inspection timelines may add a few additional days to the overall schedule.
What does a wiring upgrade cost in Palos Hills?
What you'll pay for wiring upgrades is shaped by project-specific details including the number of circuits, the current wiring material, and access conditions. Targeted partial upgrades tend to be significantly less expensive than a complete residential rewiring project. Reed Electrical Services, LLC. delivers transparent proposals so you know the full cost upfront — no hidden fees or scope creep after the fact.
Will having wiring replaced require us to vacate?
In most cases, occupying the building while work is ongoing is generally fine. Our electricians de-energize only the circuits being worked on at any given moment, which keeps most of the home powered. High-traffic areas are addressed with your schedule in mind. 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?
Age alone doesn't make wiring automatically catastrophic — however, the risk profile increases significantly as wiring get more info ages. Knob-and-tube wiring that has been covered with insulation is a documented cause of residential fires. An honest assessment gives you real data — not a sales pitch, just the findings.
Does completing wiring upgrades affect homeowner's insurance?
Yes, and often favorably. Several well-known providers add premiums for properties with knob-and-tube, aluminum branch circuit, or other pre-modern wiring. Completing wiring upgrades and providing documentation can reduce premiums, eliminate surcharges, or restore coverage eligibility. We recommend contacting your insurance agent ensures you get the full benefit of the upgrade.
Wiring Upgrades Serving the Palos Hills Area Homeowners and Property Owners
Palos Hills and the surrounding southwest suburban communities include a large stock of mid-century housing that were never fully rewired. Our electricians travel throughout the local community, including neighborhoods near Talala Avenue and 107th Street. Residences around the Richard J. Daley College-area neighborhoods, near the Southwest Highway corridor, or close to the Cal-Sag Channel corridor commonly fall into the age range where wiring upgrades are strongly recommended.
Coordinating with Palos Hills building officials is not a barrier — it's part of the service we provide. Our familiarity with local code enforcement means fewer delays and permits close on time because we know the process. Whether you own a single-family home or a multi-unit building in our community, wiring upgrades are completed with the professionalism and code compliance that has earned us repeat business throughout the southwest suburbs.
Ready to Get Started with Your Wiring Upgrades Consultation?
If your home or building is overdue for wiring upgrades, our licensed electricians are here to guide you through every step. Wiring upgrades are one of the most impactful improvements in terms of safety, compliance, and peace of mind. Our crew brings licensed expertise, proper permitting, and genuine accountability to every wiring upgrades project we take on. Reach out now to set up your initial evaluation — and find out exactly what your electrical system needs.
Reed Electrical Services, LLC. | 9735 South 81st Avenue | Palos Hills IL 60465 | (708) 837-9993