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House fires can be devastating and can result in significant loss of life and property. With that in mind, you need to consider ways to reduce your risk. One of the most significant ways to protect yourself is by updating your electrical system. Some types of wiring are more vulnerable to fires and can become a hazard. Especially if you have an older home without updated wiring, you want to work with a professional to make essential updates for safety and security.
Have Your Electrical System Inspected
When you’re considering updating your home’s electrical system, you first want to have it inspected. You need a good baseline and starting point for the health and safety of your current system. Then, you can make a more informed decision about what needs to be done next so you can focus on how you want to proceed. If you have an electrician inspect your wiring and are told it all needs to be redone, getting a second opinion’s also a good idea.
Then, you have two quotes for what needs to be done and can compare them to help you decide the best course of action. It’s essential to take the information from those quotes seriously, since an older electrical system is typically more at risk than a new one. While some electricians will suggest that you leave old wiring alone if it’s working correctly, today’s modern appliances typically put a lot of strain on wiring that’s not up to current code, which can mean more fire risk.
Get a Few Estimates for Rewiring Your House
If you’re thinking about whole-house rewiring to bring everything up to date and reduce your fire risk, don’t just have an inspection. Get specific estimates from at least three electricians for the work you want done. You don’t need 10 different estimates, but you do want to make sure you’re not just choosing the first person you can find to do the job. Even within the same town, prices can vary from one electrician to the next. It’s not just the price you want to consider, either, since experience and other aspects can make a significant difference in the end result of the work.
Consider Any Additions or Changes
During a rewiring of your entire house, there are opportunities for you to make changes. If you need a switch moved, or you’ve always wanted another outlet on that one kitchen wall where the coffee maker sits, this is the right time. It will be an extra expense, and you may have to have some drywall repair done afterward, but it’s often easier to get everything done at once.
Rather than have an electrician come in later to do one or two things, adding them into the rewiring project can bring down their overall cost and get them completed for you. Then you can have peace of mind knowing the electrical wiring in your home is safe, and you’ll also have some more convenience and overall enjoyment of your home due to the additions or changes that were made during the process.
Work With Licensed, Insured Professionals
Licensed and insured professionals are the right choice when you need your home rewired. You don’t want to hire an unlicensed contractor or handyman for something as important as wiring, since making a mistake could increase the fire risk you were trying to avoid. Also, a rewiring project requires permits and an inspection when the work is completed. Trying to avoid that part of the process could get you fined by your local city or county, and could result in additional expense to have a professional correct any issues. Hiring a licensed electrician avoids all of that and improves peace of mind for the future.