Wiring & Lighting
Knob & Tube Replacement
The wiring that came with your century home has done its time. We find every live run, replace it with grounded circuits and give you the paperwork your insurer wants.
Knob and tube wiring was standard in homes built before about 1950: single wires run on ceramic knobs and through ceramic tubes, with no ground. Much of it still works, but its insulation is now brittle, it was never meant to be buried in insulation, and decades of add-ons have often been spliced into it. Many insurers won't cover a home with live knob and tube, or charge more until it's gone.
What's included
- Tracing every circuit — we find what's still live and what's been abandoned, in the attic, the basement and the walls.
- New grounded wiring — each knob and tube run replaced with modern copper cable, with grounded, tamper-resistant outlets.
- Disconnecting the old system — live knob and tube is disconnected at the source, so nothing old is left energized.
- Careful access — attic floors, basement ceilings and closets used first, with small openings elsewhere and patching included.
- Paperwork — the ESA permit and inspection, and a letter for your insurance company listing what was replaced.
How the job runs
- Assessment. We trace the system and show you how much knob and tube is still live.
- Written quote. Every circuit, the access plan and the patching, in writing.
- Replacement. Room by room, with power restored at the end of each day.
- Inspection and paperwork. You get the documents your insurer and any future buyer will ask for.
Knob and tube homes usually have small, older services too, so this work is often paired with a panel upgrade or a broader rewire. Buying a home that has it? An electrical inspection tells you what you're dealing with before you close.
Why it matters now
Knob and tube relied on air around the wires to stay cool. Decades later, attics have been insulated over it and its insulation has cracked, which is why insurers and inspectors take it seriously.
What affects the cost of knob & tube replacement
Knob and tube replacement is priced by how much is still live, how many floors it serves, access from the attic and basement, plaster walls and the number of outlets and fixtures on each run. Insulation in the attic, a panel upgrade and patching affect the total. An assessment first means the quote reflects the actual house.
Knob & Tube Replacement questions
Is knob and tube wiring illegal?
Existing knob and tube isn't illegal in itself, but it can't be extended, and many insurers restrict coverage on homes where it's still live.
How do I know if I have knob and tube?
Look in the basement and attic for single wires on white ceramic knobs or passing through ceramic tubes. We can confirm it and tell you how much is live.
How much of my house will be opened up?
As little as possible. Most runs are reached from the attic and basement. Small openings elsewhere are patched, ready for paint.
Will my insurance company accept the work?
That's what the paperwork is for. Most insurers ask for proof that the knob and tube was replaced and inspected, which you'll have when we finish.
Where we offer knob & tube replacement
We provide knob & tube replacement for homeowners in Windsor, LaSalle and Tecumseh. See what to expect in your area:
Wired right. The first time.
See a ballpark for your job in about a minute, or book a visit for a written, itemized quote.