You’ve got plans.
Maybe it’s a kitchen makeover, a bathroom gut-job, or a full-blown home renovation.
Cabinets are picked. Paint swatches are everywhere. Pinterest is bursting.
But here’s the thing, before you fall in love with backsplash tile, you need to ask one big question:
Do I need to rewire my house before this remodel?
As local electricians serving the greater Sacramento area, we’ve seen it all. From charming bungalows in East Sac to sprawling homes in Granite Bay, the answer depends on a few key things, and the cost of skipping this step can be serious.
So let’s break it down, clearly, honestly, and from the perspective of a licensed electrician who wants your project to go right the first time.
Why Electrical Should Be One of the First Things You Think About
If you’re remodeling, you’re already opening walls.
That means you’ve got a rare window to upgrade what’s behind them, without tearing into finished drywall later.
Rewiring before a remodel doesn’t always sound exciting. But here’s why it matters:
- Keeps your home safe and code-compliant
- Gives your new layout the power it needs
- Prevents overloading your panel or starting a fire
- Avoids delays during inspections
In Sacramento, where many homes were built before modern codes took shape, rewiring is often a necessity, not a luxury.
How to Tell If You Might Need Rewiring
Rewiring your entire home isn’t always required. But here are some strong indicators that you should at least have it checked before a remodel:
1. Your Home Is Over 40 Years Old
If your house was built before 1980, it may have:
- Aluminum wiring (prone to overheating)
- Knob-and-tube wiring (not grounded, and often brittle)
- Outdated panels that can’t handle modern loads
Even if it’s been “working fine,” it might not meet current codes, or handle your new upgrades.
2. You’re Remodeling a High-Demand Area
Adding:
- A kitchen island with outlets?
- New lighting throughout the home?
- Heated floors in the bathroom?
- A tankless water heater?
- A sub-panel for an EV charger?
That’s a lot of electrical demand. You’ll likely need new circuits, and your existing wiring might not cut it.
3. You’ve Noticed Red Flags
Keep an eye out for:
- Tripping breakers or fuses
- Flickering or dimming lights
- Buzzing or warm outlets
- Loose, ungrounded, or two-prong outlets
- Burning smells (even faint ones)
If any of these ring a bell, rewiring before a remodel could solve more than one problem.
Sacramento’s Remodeling Reality
We live and work in Sacramento. We know the homes here.
And we know what the city inspectors look for.
Here’s what makes rewiring before a remodel even more important around here:
Dry Heat = Electrical Strain
Hot, dry summers push HVAC systems to the limit. That means more stress on your panel, and on aging wiring. We’ve seen homes with original 100-amp panels struggling to run modern appliances and AC units at the same time.
Permit Triggers
In Sacramento County, most remodels that involve walls or systems (kitchen, bath, panel, etc.) require permits.
And once the city inspects the job? They may flag unsafe or outdated wiring, even if you weren’t planning to touch it.
That’s why we always recommend a pre-remodel electrical inspection. Better to fix it early than scramble mid-project.
Rewiring During a Remodel
We recently worked with a homeowner in Curtis Park who was remodeling their 1952 home. The scope included:
- A kitchen expansion
- Two new bathrooms
- Upgraded HVAC
- Recessed lighting throughout
The home still had cloth-covered wiring in some places, and a 60-amp panel (!).
Our team:
- Replaced all unsafe wiring with grounded copper
- Installed a new 200-amp panel
- Added GFCI and AFCI protection where needed
- Coordinated with their contractor to finish on time, without change orders
The result? A safer home, code-compliant electrical, and a smoother remodel.
What’s Involved in Rewiring Before a Remodel?
Rewiring doesn’t have to be a full tear-out. In fact, during a remodel, much of the hard work (like wall access) is already being done.
Here’s what we typically do:
- Evaluate your existing panel and circuits
- Identify which wires need to be replaced
- Add or move outlets, switches, and lighting
- Upgrade wiring to modern copper with proper grounding
- Pull permits and coordinate inspections with the city
- Clean up and patch where needed
The goal? Give your remodel the electrical backbone it needs, without cutting corners.
Cost Breakdown: What to Expect in Sacramento
Here are general cost ranges for rewiring during a remodel in the Sacramento area:
| Service | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Panel upgrade (100 → 200 amps) | $2,000 – $4,500+ |
| Full home rewire | $8,000 – $20,000+ |
| Kitchen/bathroom rewire only | $1,500 – $4,000+ per room |
| Pre-remodel inspection | Often FREE with estimate |
Keep in mind, remodels are the most affordable time to rewire. Why? Because drywall’s already coming down, and electricians can work more efficiently.
When Rewiring Isn’t Necessary
Not every remodel calls for rewiring.
You may be in the clear if:
- Your home is newer (post-2000)
- You’re not changing the layout or adding circuits
- Your panel has plenty of capacity
- Wiring is copper, grounded, and code-compliant
That said, you still want a licensed electrician to confirm it. A quick inspection could save you thousands down the line.
Don’t Guess, Get It Checked
If you’re asking, “Do I need to rewire before my remodel?”, that’s your cue to pause and check.
At Old Town Electric, we don’t upsell. We inspect. We explain. We give you real options.
Sacramento homeowners trust us because:
- We know the code inside and out
- We work closely with contractors and inspectors
- We protect your investment, not just your power
Remodeling your home is a big deal. You deserve peace of mind knowing what’s behind the walls is just as solid as what’s going on them.
Ready to Remodel? Start With the Wiring.
Before you swing a hammer, give us a call.
Let Old Town Electric take a look at your electrical system before you remodel. We’ll help you figure out:
- If rewiring is needed
- What it would cost
- How to do it safely and efficiently
Whether you’re upgrading a Craftsman in Oak Park or expanding a ranch in Arden-Arcade, we’ve got your back.
Book your remodel inspection today.
Let’s make sure your dream project doesn’t come with nightmare wiring.
