One of the joys of homeownership is having the chance to upgrade all the outdated and faulty wiring in your home.
Okay, maybe that doesn’t quite fit your idea of joy. But if you find yourself burdened with too many power strips or excessive surge protectors, it might be time to plunge into the wild world of electrical conduit fittings and electrical system upgrades.
However, you look at it, modernizing your home’s electrical wiring is a major undertaking. But the benefits are very much worth it: a safer, more efficient wiring system; less visible wiring; and, of course, a better resale value.
Upgrading Your Home’s Wiring
A total home wiring upgrade can cost quite a bit of money.
Typically, this cost ranges from $8,000-$15,000 for your average medium-to-large home. And the reason for this is quite obvious: a refitting requires the opening up of walls, the cost of new wiring and fittings, installation of the wiring and new switches, etc.
So it’s an involved procedure, with a lot of moving parts. Let’s look at some important tips for upgrading your home’s wiring network.
- Call in the Pros
First up, you need to consult the professionals.
Redoing the wiring throughout your home is a major undertaking. Plus, it involves dangerous work with powerful electricity levels that can injure or even kill.
So this isn’t a DIY kind of weekend project. Besides, you want the job done right, with a clean and professional look. If you’re willing to invest the money, you want your new wiring to be installed in such a way as to add value to your home, not detract from it.
- Upgrade Electrical Conduit Fittings
Now that you’ve got the pros on the job, make sure that they use the right equipment to organize your wiring and keep everything in its place.
Electrical conduit fittings are something you can use to organize your tangle of power cords and another electrical wiring, even if you’re not having a full-blown wiring upgrade.
Something like this flexible conduit can help route and organize cables. Black trunking systems and cable basket matting are also useful accessories for keeping all those wires in some semblance of order.
- Don’t Neglect the Electrical Panel
While you’re at it, consider upgrading your home’s electrical panel as well.
Look, the simple fact is that most homes are at least a few decades old. Often, they were designed to handle an electrical service that’s far less than the demands of today’s technology. The proliferation of smart home components, for instance, greatly increases the load on a home’s system.
Not only does this lead to tripped breakers and flickering lights, but it can also be dangerous. If this is a problem in your home, go ahead and get your electrical panel upgraded along with the wiring.
Update Your Home’s Wire Network the Right Way
If your home was built in the 80s or earlier, it’s time to upgrade your electrical system. Not only will this make your life easier, but it’ll also boost your home’s value when it comes time to sell it.
So remember: call the professionals, update the electrical conduit fittings, and don’t forget to upgrade the electrical panel. While you’re here, please check out our “Home” section for more great DIY advice.