Electrical services · Kitchener
Home rewiring in Kitchener
Wiring ages. Homes built before about 1950 may still have knob-and-tube, and many built from the mid-1960s to the late 1970s have aluminum branch wiring. Both can be made safe, and both come up at insurance renewal and at sale.
Rewiring work we do
- Knob-and-tube wiring replacement, whole house or in stages
- Aluminum wiring repair with approved connectors and devices
- Replacing ungrounded two-prong outlets with grounded circuits
- New circuits for kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms
- Basement finishing, additions and secondary suite wiring
- Pot lights and lighting layouts during renovations
- ESA notification, rough-in and final inspections
- Documentation you can give to your insurer
Signs of ageing wiring
- Two-prong outlets with no ground
- Cloth or rubber insulated wire visible in the basement or attic
- Lights that dim when an appliance starts
- Outlets or switch plates that feel warm
- An insurer or home inspector has flagged the wiring
Older Kitchener homes
Century homes around Victoria Park, Civic Centre, Mount Hope and the East Ward often have a mix of original and newer wiring behind plaster walls. Bungalows and split-levels in Forest Hill, Stanley Park and Forest Heights are where aluminum wiring turns up most. We open as little wall as possible, plan the work room by room, and can stage it so you stay in the house.
Licensed and inspected
SafeHands Electrician Kitchener partners with licensed electricians. Work that requires it is filed with the Electrical Safety Authority and inspected, and you receive the certificate.
Rewiring questions
Does knob-and-tube wiring have to be replaced?
It is not illegal to have, but it has no ground, its insulation breaks down with age and it was never designed for modern loads. Many insurers require an inspection or replacement before they will write or renew a policy.
Is aluminum wiring dangerous?
Aluminum wiring is safe when the connections are right. Problems come from devices and connectors that were not rated for aluminum. We repair it with approved connectors and compatible devices, or replace circuits where that makes more sense.
Can I live in the house during a rewire?
Usually, yes. We work in sections and restore power to the rooms you need at the end of each day where possible.
Will you patch the walls afterwards?
We keep openings small and tell you during the quote where access is needed. Drywall and plaster finishing is normally done by a finisher after inspection.
Book rewiring in Kitchener
Call us or request a callback. An electrician comes out, assesses the job in person and gives you a price before work starts.