Owning a home in Seattle is a dream for many people but every dream comes with responsibilities and challenges. And again, the home you buy can be new or old. If it’s an older home, you might have challenges with maintaining its electrical systems. Times change and if knob and tube wiring was common in older Seattle homes, in today’s law it’s no longer considered safe and can lead to fire hazards. When you buy an older home, you will have to deal with this issue and upgrading your wiring will be a good idea. Hiring a Seattle Electrician might be expensive, when you think about it, but keep in mind that not taking this step will lead you to more expenses along the way as old wiring can’t handle the newer appliances and all of the electronics we use in our everyday life. This will save you money on bills for appliance repair services.
Another big question that arises when talking about rewiring is: will your homeowner insurance cover electrical wiring?
The Short Answer: Maybe
Homeowners insurance typically covers repairs caused by sudden, accidental events (covered perils) like lightning strikes or power surges. If an event like that damaged your wiring, your insurance might cover the replacement costs.
Rewiring due to general wear and tear or outdated wiring like knob and tube is unlikely to be covered. Insurance companies view outdated electrical systems as a higher risk and may:
● Deny coverage altogether: If your home has knob and tube wiring, some insurers might refuse to offer coverage until it’s replaced.
● Charge a higher premium: Homes with outdated wiring are often deemed higher risk, leading to increased insurance costs.
So, what can you do?
● Check your policy: Review your homeowners insurance policy thoroughly. The specific details regarding electrical repairs and rewiring will be outlined there.
● Contact your insurer: If you’re unsure about coverage, don’t hesitate to contact your insurance company directly. Ask them about rewiring specifically and any potential impact on your coverage or premiums.
● Consider the long-term benefits: While rewiring might seem expensive upfront, it’s an investment in your home’s safety and value. Upgraded wiring can also lead to lower energy bills due to increased efficiency.
Benefits of House Rewiring
● The ability to add to or expand your home.
● The ability to convert your garage or loft into living spaces.
● Increased safety and fire prevention.
● Increased home value.
● Higher energy efficiency.
● Stable access to power (fewer outages).
Home rewiring is one of those big decisions that most of the homeowners deal with in Seattle. While the cost of this services might discourage us to do it, when thinking long-term this is a good investment that will save us money along the way. The number one and most important thing is the safety of you family. New wiring will avoid fire hazards, appliance repair bills, buying new appliances and lots of time and worry.
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So never underestimate the benefits of maintaining your home, whether that’s electrical work, roofing, painting, siding, or anything else that needs to be done. The sooner you do it the better for the future of your house.
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