Houses with old electrical wiring can discourage potential buyers.
Old house wiring in Atlanta is a fire hazard and can cause other problems, such as continually blowing fuses because there isn’t enough current for modern living. While a homeowner may overlook old electrical wiring, many potential buyers will walk away from a sale if it has dangerous old house wiring.
Buyers also want modern amenities, and it’s a huge drawback if there isn’t enough current throughout the house. It’s important to be transparent about electrical problems and old electrical wiring to buyers. If you want to sell your house that has old wiring, you may have to update your house’s electrical wiring in order to sell.
How to identify different kinds of electrical wiring
If you’re unsure what kind of wiring is in your house, you can identify it yourself if you know what to look for.
Knob-and-tube wiring was used in houses from the 1800s up to the 1930s. If your house is this old, look for ceramic knobs attached to studs and joists in your attic, and ceramic tubes that pass through wood framing. Wires are often covered with rubberized cloth and could be frayed from age.
Flex Wiring (BX/Greenfield) wiring was installed in houses until the 1970s and has corrugated smooth or spiral-wound metal covering the wires.
Aluminum and copper wiring have been used since the 1960s/1970s, and copper is still used. Both can be identified by their metallic color. Aluminum is silver in color, and copper is a reddish/orangish.
To be certain about your house's electrical wiring, have a professional electrician look at it.
What are the dangers of old electrical wiring such as aluminum and knob-and-tube?
Many insurance companies won’t insure a house with aluminum wiring, as it’s considered high risk. Aluminum wires have the potential to overheat to the point where they can start a fire. Since aluminum expands and contracts with hot and cold weather, it can also lead to loose connections.
Knob-and-tube wiring wasn’t designed with modern appliances in mind and lacks a ground wire; it therefore can’t be used for 3-pronged appliances. The covering on the wires has generally not held up well, either, and is a fire risk. Shock and electrocution are a real danger, especially in bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas where there is moisture. It may be difficult to insure a house with knob-and-tube wiring. If insured, premiums will generally be higher.
Rewiring an old house is expensive. According to Angi.com, “Rewiring a house is commonly priced per square foot. Including materials and labor, rewiring a house costs about $2 to $4 per square foot.” Therefore, the cost to rewire an old house that is 2,000 sq. ft. would run between $4,000 to $8,000.
Is there a way to sell a house with old electrical wiring without replacing it?
You can avoid the high cost of rewiring an old house by selling directly to HomeVestors® in Atlanta. HomeVestors buys houses in all sorts of conditions, including houses with old electrical wiring. We are a highly reputable cash house buyer in Atlanta that has been in business since 1996.
During our decades in business, we have bought over 150,000 houses. We’re known for our professionalism, fair cash offers, fast closings, and excellent customer service. We’re honored to have earned a 95%* customer satisfaction rate and outstanding reviews from our sellers.
We make selling your house with old electrical wiring easy and convenient. Simply contact us to set up a free, no-obligation, no-pressure consultation. Our local Atlanta property specialist will meet you at your house, take a tour, and answer all your questions.
We can often give you a fair cash offer on the spot or that same day. If you accept our offer, we frequently close in as little as three weeks. If you need more time for any reason, we’ll work with you.
Call us at 866-200-6475 to get started!