The Complete Guide About Wiring Upgrades for Your Home
Older homes and commercial properties typically contain electrical systems that were never built to handle the appliances and devices we rely on now. Wiring upgrades address this problem at the source, replacing deteriorated, unsafe, or undersized wiring with modern, code-compliant 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 contact Reed Electrical Services, LLC. when they start experiencing problems — burning smells, warm outlets — or when they purchase a new property. Wiring upgrades are not a luxury; they represent a critical improvement in the long-term health of any property.
Our licensed electricians have served Palos Hills, IL and neighboring communities with top-tier wiring upgrades for residential, commercial, and light industrial clients. Whether your wiring is aluminum, knob-and-tube, or simply decades old, we bring the knowledge and equipment to handle the upgrade safely.
What Is Involved in Wiring Upgrades?
Wiring upgrades describe the structured removal and installation of the wires, circuits, outlets, and connections inside a structure to meet current NEC code standards. This goes well beyond just replacing a breaker or fuse. A full wiring upgrade means running fresh conductors throughout the structure. What material or configuration exists now determines the scope and method.
Aluminum branch-circuit wiring, installed widely in the 1960s and 1970s creates distinct problems that modern copper wiring simply does not. Knob-and-tube lacks a ground conductor and the surrounding insulation breaks down over decades. Aluminum branch-circuit wiring expands and contracts differently than copper, which leads to dangerous heat buildup at outlets and switches. Wiring upgrades eliminate these hazards permanently.
Mechanically, the process starts with safely shutting down affected circuits and pulling old wire and installing new copper wire of the correct gauge. New devices — outlets, switches, and fixtures replace all old hardware throughout the system. Every new run is then verified under load to confirm safe, stable operation.
Why Homeowners Choose Wiring Upgrades
- Dramatically reduced fire risk — Cloth-wrapped or aluminum conductors is one of the leading causes of electrical fires in older buildings. Wiring upgrades remove that risk entirely.
- Meeting current NEC standards — Renovations, home sales, and insurance renewals commonly copyright on electrical inspection results. Wiring upgrades bring everything into compliance.
- Handling EV chargers, smart home systems, and more — Today's electrical demands far exceed what older wiring anticipated. Wiring upgrades size conductors correctly for every circuit.
- Better rates from your homeowner's insurer — Many insurance carriers surcharge or even refuse to cover homes with knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring. Finishing the upgrade work often unlocks better policy terms.
- Proper grounding at every receptacle — Two-prong receptacles offer zero surge or fault protection. Wiring upgrades bring grounding to every outlet in the structure.
- Higher resale appeal — Buyers, agents, and appraisers notice updated electrical. Updated wiring throughout the property add real, measurable value.
- Consistent voltage with no flickering or dropouts — Overloaded, aging circuits trip breakers. Wiring upgrades deliver the clean, steady current your appliances need.
- Confidence that your electrical system is safe — Few things matter more than understanding that the electrical infrastructure you depend on is safe, rated correctly, and properly installed.
The Wiring Upgrades Experience Step by Step
- Whole-System Inspection — One of our certified professionals visits the property and conducts a full walkthrough of the electrical system. We note the conductor material, age, and condition throughout and mark any circuits that pose active risks. This assessment forms the foundation 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 clarify what can be retained and what must be changed and provide transparent, itemized pricing. Permit requirements are identified at this stage so you're protected throughout the project.
- Permit Coordination and Project Scheduling — Reed Electrical Services, LLC. coordinates with the local authority having jurisdiction for you. Work dates are planned around the complexity involved and your schedule. Proper scheduling also means municipal inspections are arranged so every completed phase gets signed off.
- Active Wiring Upgrade Work — Our certified crew safely shut down the circuits being upgraded before removing old wiring and devices. Fresh cable of the appropriate size is routed through the structure using the most effective path. Modern code-compliant devices at every termination point wrap up every upgraded branch circuit.
- Load Testing and Circuit Verification — Once wiring is complete, each circuit is carefully brought back online. We test with professional-grade instruments to confirm correct ampacity, polarity, and fault protection. Anything that doesn't pass verification is resolved immediately, not passed along to you.
- Municipal Inspection and Code Sign-Off — A city or county inspector walks through the upgraded system to confirm everything meets current NEC standards. Our electrician attends the inspection alongside the code official to answer technical questions. Passing inspection closes the permit, giving you legal confirmation the wiring meets code.
- Project Wrap-Up and Owner Orientation — Before we consider the job complete, we review everything with the property owner. We walk through each area that was worked on, make sure you understand your new electrical system. All permit documentation is provided to you 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. Any property constructed prior to 1970 often retain the electrical system that was installed at the time. This includes knob-and-tube systems, early aluminum branch wiring — none of which meet today's NEC requirements. When a home inspection report notes old or unsafe wiring, wiring upgrades are no longer optional.
Anyone adding a major addition or ADU also need to evaluate wiring upgrades as part of the project. Submitting plans for an addition frequently leads to required electrical upgrades in affected areas. Adding a Level 2 EV charger or installing a battery backup system requires properly-sized wiring to support those loads. Rental property owners have strong financial and liability reasons to upgrade aging wiring.
Not every situation calls for a full upgrade, if your property was built after 1985 and has had its electrical system professionally maintained, a full wiring upgrade may not be necessary. Reed Electrical Services, LLC. never upsells work that isn't warranted — your safety and budget both matter to us.
Wiring Upgrades FAQ
How much time does a wiring upgrade take to complete?
Duration varies based on the number of circuits being upgraded and the building's layout. Upgrading a single floor or section might take one to two days. A whole-home rewire for a 1,500 to 2,500 square foot home typically requires a week or less of active work. Coordinating permit and inspection timelines is the step most likely to affect your final completion date.
What does it cost to have wiring upgrades done in Palos Hills?
What you'll pay for wiring upgrades is shaped by a number of variables 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. We provide detailed written estimates before any work begins — no mystery charges on the final invoice.
Will the upgrade process disrupt our daily routine?
In most cases, occupying the building while work is ongoing is generally fine. We isolate and complete one area at a time, which keeps most of the home powered. Kitchens and bathrooms are prioritized to minimize daily disruption. For the specific phases requiring the main service to be de-energized, we coordinate the timing with you in advance.
Is wiring that hasn't caused problems still a hazard?
Not every old electrical system is in imminent danger — but deterioration is predictable and the hazards accumulate. Cloth-wrapped wire with cracked or missing insulation is a documented cause of residential fires. An honest assessment gives you real data — and from there, you make an informed decision.
Does a finished wiring upgrade 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. Finishing the upgrade and submitting proof to your insurer may qualify you for lower rates or remove exclusions. We recommend contacting your insurance agent so they can update your policy to reflect the completed work.
Wiring Upgrades for the Palos Hills Area 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, from neighborhoods near Stevenson Drive to subdivisions close to Roberts Road and 111th Street. Residences around more info the Richard J. Daley College-area neighborhoods, near the Southwest Highway corridor, or close to the Cal-Sag Channel corridor often have the exact electrical profile where wiring upgrades deliver the most meaningful safety improvement.
Navigating permits with the Village of Palos Hills is not a barrier — it's part of the service we provide. Our history working in the area means smoother permitting and we get inspections scheduled without unnecessary waiting. Whether you own a single-family home or a multi-unit building in our community, wiring upgrades come with the same attention to detail and licensed workmanship that has built our reputation in this area.
Reach Out to Begin Your Wiring Upgrades Project
When you're ready to move forward on wiring upgrades, Reed Electrical Services, LLC. are here to guide you through every step. There is no single upgrade with a stronger return a property owner can make for safety, insurability, and long-term reliability. Our team provides the licensing, insurance, and field experience 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