Planning to renovate a kitchen or bathroom without costly surprises?
Whether it’s dreaming about that gorgeous kitchen renovation or relaxing in a spa-inspired bathroom… Everyone wants their home to be amazing. The problem is that most homeowners make renovations mistakes before they even pick out paint colors or fixtures.
The Home Wiring Upgrade.
A dated electrical system can cause delays, increase costs and even become dangerous. BEFORE spending time picking out countertops or showerheads… the house needs to be able to handle the electrical load.
What you’re going to learn:
- Why Electrical Systems Matter In Renovations
- The Hidden Danger Of Outdated Wiring
- 5x Signs A Home Wiring Upgrade Is Needed
- How To Budget For Electrical Work
- Choosing The Right Professional
Why Electrical Systems Matter In Renovations
Kitchen and bathroom renovations are by far the most popular home improvement projects. Kitchens and main bathrooms are year after year the rooms homeowners choose to spend their money on.
The problem with kitchens/baths and renovations is…
They require A TON of electricity to function properly. Kitchens have heavy running appliances such as dishwashers, stoves, microwaves, vent hoods and refrigerators. Bathrooms require their own circuits for everything from heated floors to exhaust fans and vanity lighting.
If the home’s wiring can’t handle that kind of demand…
Expect the renovation to turn into a headache REAL fast. That’s why the wiring in a home should be the first thing assessed when planning a renovation. Bringing in a qualified electrician Airdrie homeowners trust is the easiest way to have the electrical situation assessed. From there they can point out any problems and upgrade the electrical panel to fit the renovation’s needs.
Let’s face it. Running a renovation without knowing if the electrical in the home can handle it is like building a house on sand.
The Hidden Danger Of Outdated Wiring
Wait… Electrical fires?
Yes! This is one that tends to surprise a lot of homeowners.
Electrical fires are extremely common in older houses with outdated wiring. In fact, the Electrical Safety Foundation estimates that roughly 51,000 home electrical fires are reported every year in the United States.
That’s over 50,000 homes per year!
Knob and tube wiring was never meant to handle the electrical load of a modern kitchen or bathroom. And while aluminum wiring is a bit newer, it has its own set of downsides. When wiring becomes overloaded, it overheats. When it overheats, the home is at risk for electrical fires.
And the worst part…
Most homeowners don’t know their home has these wiring issues until they start their kitchen or bathroom renovation. The contractors pull up the walls and suddenly that mini-van budget kitchen renovation costs tens of thousands of dollars. All because the wiring in the home wasn’t assessed.
Running a home wiring upgrade during or before the renovation stops this nightmare before it starts.
5x Signs A Home Wiring Upgrade Is Needed
Not sure if the home’s electrical system needs work? Here are some of the most common signs:
- The circuit breaker is constantly tripping
- Lights flicker when appliances turn on
- Warm or discoloured outlets are present
- The home has 2 prong outlets
- The home was built more than 25 years ago
These are just some of the most common signs that a home could benefit from a wiring upgrade. If any of these problems are present, call a qualified electrician right away.
Don’t wait until demolition day to learn the wiring in the home can’t handle a kitchen renovation!
How To Budget For Electrical Work
Here’s a fun fact.
Electrical work is one of the biggest reasons bathroom and kitchen renovations go WAY over budget.
Why?
Because when the contractor tears into the walls and discovers the wiring needs replacing… the renovation budget disappears.
Plan for it ahead of time.
The average home wiring upgrade can cost anywhere from a couple thousand dollars for minor electrical panel upgrades to much more if a complete rewire of the home is needed. It all depends on how old the home is, how extensive the renovation is and the local area’s building codes.
Take these steps to ensure electrical work stays on budget:
- Have an electrician assess the wiring BEFORE renovation starts. That way there are no surprises and the full scope of work is understood upfront.
- Get itemized quotes from licensed electricians. This ensures fair pricing and allows for an apples to apples comparison when weighing out options.
- Budget for the unknown. Every homeowner should budget 10-20% of their renovation budget for unexpected costs. Most of the time that money is used on electrical work.
Budgeting for the home’s electrical work BEFORE picking out the paint colour will save money and headaches.
Choosing The Right Professional
This is arguably the most important step.
Not all electricians are the same. Kitchens and bathrooms require licensed professionals who specialize in residential electrical and have experience with renovations.
Look for these qualities when hiring:
- Licenses and Insurance. Always hire an electrician who is licensed and insured.
- Experience with kitchens and bathrooms specifically. Every room in the house has different electrical requirements. Make sure they know what they’re doing.
- Great reviews and references. Like any home contractor, find someone with a great reputation that other people trust.
- Detailed and easy to understand pricing. The electrician should be able to provide a detailed quote and explain any additional costs that may come up before work begins.
Bringing It All Together
Kitchen and bathroom renovations are exciting. They add value to the home and make life more comfortable. Don’t let one simple thing turn the renovation into a headache.
Remember…
- Always assess the electrical in the home prior to starting a renovation
- Look for telltale signs that the home needs a wiring upgrade
- Budget for electrical work before work begins
- Hire a qualified electrician to do the work
- Expect the unexpected and budget for surprises
A house wiring upgrade may not be the most exciting part of a renovation but addressing the issue upfront is the best decision any homeowner can make. It protects the home, saves money and allows for enjoying the renovations worry-free.