Houston’s housing market is filled with older homes that come with their own unique charms—and challenges. One of the more significant issues faced by homeowners is outdated house electrical wiring. Outdated wiring can pose significant safety risks, including the potential for fires.
If you're considering selling a house in Houston with old electric wiring, you might be wondering if it’s even possible. Thankfully, it is. But there are a few things you should know before putting your house on the market.
How do you know if your electrical wiring is outdated?
Old house wiring refers to older systems that are no longer up to modern safety standards. As technology has evolved, so has the demand for electricity in homes. Older wiring systems were not built to handle the electrical load of today's homes filled with high-power appliances, computers, and electronics. According to the most recent available census data from Houstontx.gov, around 35% of Houston homes were built before 1970, and they are likely fitted with outdated wiring. Some common types of outdated wiring you might find in older Houston homes include:
- Knob-and-tube wiring: This was commonly used in houses from the 1880s to the 1930s. Knob-and-tube wiring uses ceramic knobs and tubes to support the wires. It also lacks a ground wire, which means you won’t be able to use most modern electrical devices.
- Flex wiring: Also known as Flexible Metal Conduit (FMC), Greenfield, or BX cable, this wiring system is a bundle of wires enclosed in a flexible metal sheath. Flex wiring was more prone to damage, so it was quickly phased out.
- Split-bus electrical panels: These were used from the 1950s through the 1970s, but they were eventually discontinued in the mid-1980s. Split-bus electrical panels can easily overload and overheat.
- Aluminum wiring: Popular in homes during the 1960s and 1970s, aluminum wiring is prone to overheating and can carry significant fire risk if not maintained properly. Aluminum wiring can also affect your insurance coverage. If a home inspector finds aluminum wiring, they are required to report their findings.
These days, houses are usually fitted with copper wires.
Why is it important to know if you have old electric wiring in your house?
Old electrical wiring is not just a minor inconvenience—it’s a serious safety hazard. Here’s why you should care about the wiring in your home:
- Safety: The biggest danger with outdated wiring is the increased risk of electrical fires. Old electrical systems are one of the leading causes of electrical fires in the United States, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation.
- Insurance: Many insurance companies refuse to insure homes with older wiring systems like aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring because of the heightened fire risk. Even if you manage to get insured, your premiums will likely be much higher than average.
- Marketing: Potential buyers want houses that have safe, modern electrical systems. If they learn that a home has outdated wiring, it could cause them to walk away from the deal altogether, or they may ask you to replace the wiring before closing.
How to spot old house wiring
Houston’s older houses may have one of several types of outdated wiring. Knowing what to look for can help you identify if your house has a potential problem. Look for:
- Wires with damaged insulation and exposed metal
- Tripping breakers
- Blowing fuses
- Buzzing/dimming/flickering lights
- Burning smell
- Discoloration around outlets or switch plates
- Ungrounded outlets
- Outlets that don’t have test/reset buttons
- Higher-than-usual electricity bills
You will also want to update your wiring if you have Zinsco or Federal Pacific Electric Panels. These older brands of electrical panels are notorious for failing to properly protect a home from power surges, increasing the chance of electrical fires.
If you’re unsure about your home’s wiring, it’s best to consult a licensed electrician. They can perform a full inspection and let you know what kind of wiring you have, including the potential risks involved.
How much does it cost to fix old electrical wiring?
Unfortunately, rewiring a house is not cheap, especially if your home is larger or has particularly old systems.
According to Angi.com, rewiring a house typically costs $2 to $4 per square foot. For a 2,000-square-foot home, this could amount to between $4,000 and $8,000.
If your home has outdated electrical panels like those made by Zinsco or Federal Pacific Electric, replacing these panels can add another $800 to $4,200 and $1,500 to $2,000, respectively.
The cost to rewire an old house largely depends on the size of the home and the complexity of the project, and the high cost of rewiring is one reason many homeowners hesitate to make the upgrade. However, leaving your wiring out-of-date can lead to higher insurance premiums or no insurance at all, and it can severely limit your buyer pool.
Skip the updates and sell your house.
Selling a house with old electrical wiring doesn’t have to be stressful. While traditional buyers may be wary of outdated wiring, We Buy Ugly Houses® in Houston is here to help. Instead of spending time and effort on rewiring your house, you can sell your house “as is” with us.
With our 3-step home-buying process, you can go from consultation to closing quickly, sometimes in as little as 3 weeks. If that sounds too fast, we work with our sellers to figure out a closing schedule that best fits their selling timelines. Get a simple home sale with:
- No repairs
- No inspections
- No hassle
We pay all typical closing costs, and never charge commissions or hidden fees. Our offers are typically below market value in exchange for speed and convenience.
With our 95%* customer satisfaction rating nationwide from sellers who responded to our post-sale survey, it’s no wonder that we’re known as America's trusted home buyer. Find out what other homeowners have to say about us by reading some of our online reviews.
If your house electrical wiring is outdated and you’re not interested in upgrading it before your sale, consider partnering with We Buy Ugly Houses. Reach out to us today for a free consultation.
