Rewiring older homes
Knob and Tube Replacement Caledonia
Get rid of knob and tube or make aluminum wiring safe, with small access holes instead of torn-out walls.
Older wiring and why insurers care
Knob and tube wiring shows up in homes built before roughly 1950. It has no ground wire, its insulation turns brittle over the decades, and many Ontario insurers won't cover a house that still has live knob and tube, or they charge extra until it's gone.
Aluminum branch wiring from the 1960s and 70s is a different issue. The wire itself is fine, but the connections can overheat. Approved connectors and rated devices often make it safe without a full rewire.
How we handle it
Trace what's live
We map the circuits so you know exactly how much old wiring is still in use.
Rewire room by room
New grounded cable is fished through walls and ceilings through small openings.
Fix aluminum connections
Approved aluminum-to-copper connectors and rated devices make the connections safe.
Paperwork included
The work is done under an ESA permit, giving you the documents insurers and buyers ask for.
Knob and Tube Replacement in Caledonia: The Process
- We inspect the house and show you how much old wiring is still in service.
- You get a written quote listing the circuits and rooms included.
- We file the ESA permit and plan the work so you can keep living at home.
- Old circuits are disconnected and replaced with new grounded wiring.
- ESA inspects, and you receive the paperwork for your insurer.
Rewiring is a good moment to add kitchen or basement circuits or upgrade the panel. See panel upgrades or our licensed Caledonia electrician home page.
Signs your home has old wiring
- Porcelain knobs and tubes visible in attic or basement joists
- Two-prong, ungrounded outlets in a house built before about 1950
- Cloth-wrapped wiring inside old fixtures or boxes
- Dull silver wire at outlets or the panel, a sign of 1960s–70s aluminum wiring
- Your insurer or home inspector has asked about the wiring
Please don't take fixtures apart to check. If you notice any of these, we can confirm what's in use.
How Much Does Knob and Tube Replacement Cost?
A whole-house rewire typically costs about $10,000 to $30,000. The size of the home, how much knob and tube is still live and how easy the walls and ceilings are to reach all play a part. Drywall or plaster patching is usually extra, and partial jobs cost less.
Knob & Tube Replacement questions
Is knob and tube dangerous?
It wasn't built for modern electrical loads, has no ground and its insulation degrades over time. It's one of the most common causes of insurance problems.
Does all of it have to go?
Insurers generally want every live knob and tube circuit removed. We'll show you exactly what's still connected.
Can aluminum wiring be repaired?
Often, yes. Approved connectors and devices can make aluminum connections safe without rewiring the whole house.
Can we stay in the house?
Usually. We work room by room and keep power on to the rest of the home wherever possible.
Insurer asking about your wiring? Call to book an inspection.
Call (289) 779-3531Where we work
We serve Caledonia and nearby communities across Haldimand County and south Hamilton.