If your North Idaho home was built before 1980, there's a good chance it has outdated, unsafe electrical wiring that can't handle modern electrical demands. Aluminum wiring, knob-and-tube systems, undersized circuits, and deteriorating insulation aren't just inconveniences—they're fire hazards and insurance liabilities. K.O. Electric provides professional whole house rewiring throughout Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, and North Idaho, bringing older homes up to modern electrical code while improving safety, capacity, and home value.
Many North Idaho homes need rewiring but homeowners don't realize it until they experience problems—or fail a home inspection.
Your Home Was Built Before 1980
Homes built before 1980 often have outdated wiring systems that weren't designed for today's electrical loads. If your home is 40+ years old and has never been rewired, it's time for an assessment.
Aluminum Wiring (1960s-1970s Homes)
Between 1965 and 1973, many homes were wired with aluminum instead of copper. Aluminum wiring expands and contracts with temperature changes, causing connections to loosen over time—creating fire hazards. Insurance companies often charge higher premiums or refuse coverage for homes with aluminum wiring.
Knob-and-Tube Wiring (Pre-1950s Homes)
Knob-and-tube was standard in homes built before 1950. This ancient system has no ground wire, deteriorating cloth insulation, and inadequate capacity for modern appliances. Many insurance companies won't cover homes with active knob-and-tube wiring.
Two-Prong Outlets Throughout Your Home
If most of your outlets are two-prong (no ground), your home lacks proper grounding—a critical safety feature. Modern electrical code requires three-prong grounded outlets in all living spaces.
Frequent Circuit Breaker Trips
If breakers trip regularly when using normal appliances, your wiring is undersized for your electrical needs. This often happens in older homes where circuits were designed for much lower loads.
Flickering or Dimming Lights
Lights that flicker or dim when appliances start indicate loose connections, undersized wiring, or failing electrical systems—all signs that rewiring may be needed.
Burning Smell or Discolored Outlets
Any burning smell from outlets or breaker panels, or discolored/warm outlet covers, indicates dangerous electrical problems requiring immediate attention. These are fire hazards that demand urgent rewiring.
Failed Home Inspection
Buying or selling a home in Coeur d'Alene or Post Falls? Home inspectors often flag outdated wiring as a safety concern. Rewiring may be required to close the sale or satisfy insurance requirements.
Adding Major Appliances or Renovating
Planning to install central air conditioning, an EV charger, hot tub, or major appliances? Older wiring often can't support these loads. A complete rewire ensures your electrical system can handle modern demands.
If any of these sound familiar, contact K.O. Electric for a free electrical assessment. We'll inspect your wiring, identify safety concerns, and provide a detailed quote for bringing your home up to modern standards.
Understanding what type of wiring you have helps you assess the urgency of rewiring.
Knob-and-Tube Wiring (Pre-1950s)
What it is: Ceramic knobs and tubes holding individual wires through framing. No ground wire, cloth insulation, open-air installation.
Dangers: Fire hazard from deteriorating insulation, no grounding protection, can't handle modern electrical loads, often modified improperly over the years
Insurance issues: Most insurers won't cover homes with active knob-and-tube
Replacement urgency: HIGH—should be replaced as soon as possible
Aluminum Wiring (1960s-1970s)
What it is: Solid aluminum branch circuit wiring used as a cheaper alternative to copper during the copper shortage.
Dangers: Connections loosen over time causing overheating and fires, oxidizes at connection points, incompatible with most modern devices
Insurance issues: Higher premiums or coverage denial
Replacement urgency: HIGH—fire risk increases with age
Cloth-Insulated Wiring (1930s-1960s)
What it is: Copper wiring wrapped in cloth insulation instead of modern plastic.
Dangers: Insulation becomes brittle and falls off with age, exposed wiring creates shock and fire hazards, often lacks ground wires
Replacement urgency: MEDIUM-HIGH—depends on condition
Undersized Copper Wiring (1950s-1970s)
What it is: Copper wiring that's correctly installed but undersized for modern electrical loads (14-gauge on 20-amp circuits, too few circuits for the home size).
Dangers: Overheating from overloading, frequent breaker trips, can't support modern appliances
Replacement urgency: MEDIUM—functional but inadequate for today's needs
The good news: If you have standard copper wiring in good condition, you may only need partial rewiring or circuit additions rather than a complete rewire. We'll assess your specific situation during consultation.
Complete rewiring brings your entire electrical system up to current Idaho electrical code and modern standards.
New Electrical Panel
Most rewiring projects include upgrading your electrical panel from 100-amp to 200-amp service to support modern electrical loads. This provides capacity for current needs plus future additions like EV chargers or home expansions.
[Make "electrical panel" a link to /services/panel-upgrades]
All New Branch Circuit Wiring
We replace all old wiring from the panel to every outlet, switch, and fixture throughout your home with modern copper wire sized appropriately for each circuit's load.
Modern Grounded Outlets
All two-prong outlets are replaced with three-prong grounded outlets that provide proper protection for modern electronics and appliances.
GFCI and AFCI Protection
Modern electrical code requires Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection in bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor areas, and Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) protection in bedrooms and living areas. These safety devices prevent electrocution and electrical fires.
Increased Circuit Capacity
Older homes often have just 6-12 circuits total. Modern rewiring typically includes 20-40 circuits, ensuring adequate power distribution and eliminating overloaded circuits.
Proper Grounding System
We ensure your entire electrical system is properly grounded to protect against electrical shock and equipment damage.
Code-Compliant Installation
All work meets current Idaho electrical code requirements for wire sizing, circuit protection, outlet spacing, and safety devices.
Permit and Inspection
Complete rewiring requires electrical permits and inspections with Kootenai County, Bonner County, or your local jurisdiction. We handle all permitting and coordinate inspections.
The result: A completely modernized electrical system that's safe, code-compliant, and ready to support your home for the next 50+ years.
Complete rewiring is a major project, but our systematic approach minimizes disruption and keeps the project on schedule.
Step 1: Free Consultation & Electrical Assessment (1-2 hours)
We'll visit your Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, or Hayden home to inspect your current wiring, assess your electrical panel, identify safety concerns, discuss your needs and future plans, and determine the scope of rewiring required. You'll receive a detailed quote with no obligation.
Step 2: Project Planning & Permitting (1-2 weeks)
We'll create a detailed rewiring plan showing new circuit layouts, panel location, and work schedule. We'll handle all electrical permit applications with your local building department and coordinate any necessary utility work for service upgrades.
Step 3: Preparation & Protection (Day 1)
Before work begins, we'll protect your floors, furniture, and belongings from dust and debris, set up work areas, and review the project timeline with you. We'll discuss where power will be available during the project (we typically maintain power to essential areas).
Step 4: Electrical Panel Installation (Days 1-2)
If upgrading your panel, we'll coordinate with Avista Utilities or Kootenai Electric for temporary power disconnection, install the new 200-amp panel, connect the service entrance, and restore temporary power to essential circuits.
Step 5: New Wiring Installation (1-2 weeks)
Room by room, we'll install all new wiring through walls, ceilings, and floors, replace outlets and switches with modern grounded devices, install GFCI and AFCI protection where required, connect all new circuits to the panel, and minimize wall and ceiling damage (though some patching is inevitable).
Step 6: Inspection & Testing (Days after completion)
We'll schedule required electrical inspections with your jurisdiction, test all circuits and safety devices, verify proper grounding throughout the system, and walk you through your new electrical system.
Step 7: Restoration (After inspection approval)
Any necessary drywall patching, painting, and final cleanup to leave your home clean and fully functional.
Timeline:
Total project time including permitting and inspections: 3-6 weeks from start to completion.
Living in Your Home During Rewiring
Most homeowners stay in their homes during rewiring. We maintain power to essential areas whenever possible, work room by room to minimize disruption, and protect living spaces from dust and debris. However, some homeowners choose to stay elsewhere during the most intensive work periods—we'll help you plan based on your specific project.
Rewiring costs vary based on home size, accessibility, and scope of work, but here are typical ranges for North Idaho homes.
Cost by Home Size
What Affects Rewiring Cost
Home size and circuit count: More square footage and circuits require more wire, outlets, switches, and labor
Accessibility: Finished basements, crawl spaces, and attics affect how easily we can run new wire
Panel upgrade: Upgrading from 100-amp to 200-amp service adds $2,000-4,000
Wall and ceiling repairs: Extensive drywall patching and painting increase costs
Complexity: Multi-story homes, complex layouts, and older construction methods affect labor time
Scope of work: Partial rewiring costs less than complete rewiring; aluminum wire remediation may cost less than full rewiring
Is Rewiring Worth the Cost?
Consider these factors:
Safety: Eliminates fire hazards and electrical shock risks—protecting your family and property
Insurance: Reduces premiums or enables coverage that was previously denied
Home value: Updated electrical systems add $10,000-20,000+ to home value and make homes more attractive to buyers
Peace of mind: No more worrying about outdated, dangerous wiring
Functionality: Supports modern appliances, electronics, and future electrical needs
Most homeowners who invest in rewiring consider it one of the best investments they've made—the safety and peace of mind alone justify the cost.
We provide detailed, transparent quotes before starting work. Financing options may be available—ask during consultation.
Not every home needs complete rewiring—sometimes targeted updates are sufficient.
When Partial Rewiring Makes Sense
Partial rewiring focuses on the most critical areas while leaving functional wiring in place. This costs less but may require additional work in the future.
When Complete Rewiring is Necessary
Complete rewiring addresses all electrical issues at once, ensures uniform code compliance throughout, and provides a 50+ year solution.
During your consultation, we'll assess your specific situation and recommend the most cost-effective approach that ensures safety and meets your needs.
Whole house rewiring is one of the most significant electrical projects you'll ever undertake. Choose an electrician with the experience and expertise to do it right.
Experience With Older North Idaho Homes
We've rewired dozens of homes throughout Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, and North Idaho. We understand the unique challenges of older construction methods, working in crawl spaces and tight attics, and minimizing disruption to your home.
Complete Project Management
From permitting and utility coordination to inspections and final restoration, we manage every aspect of your rewiring project. You work with one contractor from start to finish.
Licensed & Insured
Idaho Electrical License #068143. Fully insured with liability and workers' compensation coverage for your protection.
Code Compliance Expertise
We stay current on Idaho electrical code requirements and ensure your rewiring meets all safety standards and passes inspections on the first try.
Transparent Communication
We keep you informed throughout the project, answer all your questions, and address concerns promptly. No surprises, no hidden costs—just professional service from start to finish.
Quality Workmanship
We take pride in our work and stand behind every installation. Your rewiring will be done right the first time and built to last for decades.
K.O. Electric provides professional whole house rewiring throughout Kootenai County, Bonner County, and Shoshone County. From historic homes in downtown Coeur d'Alene to rural properties in the Silver Valley, we bring modern electrical safety to homes across North Idaho.
Whether you're in Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Hayden, Rathdrum, Sandpoint, or anywhere in between, we'll bring your home's electrical system into the 21st century.
Q: How much does whole house rewiring cost in Coeur d'Alene?
A: Whole house rewiring typically costs $8,000-25,000 depending on home size, accessibility, and scope of work. Most North Idaho homes (1,500-2,500 sq ft) cost $12,000-18,000 to rewire completely, including new panel, all new wiring, modern outlets and switches, and all permits and inspections. We provide free, detailed quotes for all projects.
Q: How long does whole house rewiring take?
A: Electrical work typically takes 3 days to 3 weeks depending on home size and complexity. The entire project from permitting to final inspection usually takes 3-6 weeks. We'll provide a detailed timeline during consultation.
Q: Can I stay in my home during rewiring?
A: Yes, most homeowners stay in their homes during rewiring. We maintain power to essential areas whenever possible and work room by room to minimize disruption. Some homeowners choose to stay elsewhere during the most intensive work periods—we'll help you decide what's best for your situation.
Q: Does rewiring require tearing down walls?
A: Some wall and ceiling access is necessary to run new wiring, but we minimize damage by fishing wires through existing walls whenever possible, making strategic access points that are easily repaired, and coordinating any necessary drywall patching and painting. Homes with unfinished basements or accessible attics require less wall opening.
Q: Will rewiring increase my home's value?
A: Yes. Updated electrical systems typically add $10,000-20,000+ to home value and make homes significantly more attractive to buyers. Rewiring also enables insurance coverage that may have been denied due to outdated wiring, potentially saving thousands in premium costs.
Q: Do I need permits for whole house rewiring?
A: Yes. Complete rewiring requires electrical permits in Kootenai County, Bonner County, and all city jurisdictions throughout North Idaho. K.O. Electric handles all permit applications and coordinates required inspections as part of our service.
Q: What if I only have aluminum wiring in some rooms?
A: You may be able to do partial rewiring focusing on rooms with aluminum wiring while leaving copper-wired areas intact. This costs less than complete rewiring but still addresses the fire hazard. We'll assess your situation and recommend the most cost-effective safe solution.
Q: How do I know if my home has aluminum wiring?
A: Check your electrical panel—wires should be labeled "AL" or "ALUMINUM" if aluminum. You can also look at cable sheathing in your attic or basement (aluminum wire cable is often labeled). If you're unsure, we'll identify your wiring type during our free consultation.
