Having a home rewired is a big step but a smart one. If you have dangerous or old wiring, you’ll have a much safer and more efficient power delivery system when the electricians are finished. You also make your insurance company really happy.
There’s always disruption when a home is being rewired. But you can minimize the disruption by planning ahead and accommodating the rewiring team. Here are six ways to make life a little easier for you and your family while your home is being upgraded.
- Learn as Many Details as You Can About the Job
As you and your electrical contractor discuss the rewiring job, ask a lot of questions. The most important questions include:
- What is the date or dates of the rewiring job?
- How long will it take to complete?
- Which areas of the walls, floors, and ceilings will be affected?
- Are there any safety concerns for the household and the electricians?
- Does the crew need any special items or equipment?
You’ll also receive estimates, work orders, and other documentation that you may need to show your insurance company or future buyers of your home. Create physical and digital files of all paperwork associated with the rewiring job for your records and to use as references.
- Create Easy Access to Wiring and Breaker Boxes
Before electricians arrive at your home, create easy pathways to reach the areas they must access to complete their work. When contractors don’t have to move items or contort themselves to reach wiring and breaker boxes, they work more quickly and efficiently.
Using the information you learned from the contractor before the job, identify the walls, floors, and ceilings that must be accessed. Clear the floors in these areas to make easy walking and working paths. Remove décor from walls and ceilings, and pull furniture away from walls.
Dust and remove cobwebs from walls and ceilings. This helps cut down on debris when these areas are opened up for work.
- Combine Renovation With a Rewiring Job
During some rewiring jobs, your walls and ceilings will have holes cut in them. When electricians are replacing old knob and tube wiring behind plaster, the entire wall may need to be dismantled.
If you’re planning a renovation of your home in the near future, have the renovation scheduled during the rewiring. Carpentry, drywall, and painting crews can come in before the rewiring dates and expose the wiring, then return to expertly finish the walls after the wiring job is complete.
Some electrical crews will repatch holes, but they aren’t home refinishers or drywall specialists. Hire an interior finishing crew if you want expert patch and paint looks after the rewiring. Otherwise, make plans to do some of the finished work yourself.
- Relocate or Cover Furnishings
For a whole-house rewiring job, store furnishings in a temporary storage unit or in a friend’s garage. Alternatively, rent a moving van, but leave it parked in the driveway. Temporarily transport your sofa, electronics, and floor rugs into the truck to keep them away from the dust and debris of the rewiring project.
If you can’t move furnishings out of the living space, cover them with plastic sheeting or painter’s cloth. Drapery, bedding, and closet items can be stored in plastic bags for the duration of the project.
- Plan Ahead for Domestic Needs
During the rewiring process, you won’t be able to use any appliances, lights, or plug-in devices. If the disruption will only be for a day or so, your life won’t be impacted. However, even small jobs can turn into long-term projects if electricians find more problems inside the walls.
For bigger rewiring jobs that last several days or more, plan ahead. Have domestic chores tackled by the time the crew arrives. The following steps will help you manage during the work days:
- Wash enough outfits to cover the power outage
- Wash all dishes and kitchen utensils
- Fill jugs with water if you use a well
- Use or donate refrigerated and frozen foods
Make plans to eat meals out, but have lots of no-cook, non-perishable snacks and sandwich fixings on hand to curb hunger when you can’t leave the house. A cooler with ice can hold milk, formula, and cold drinks if necessary for your household.
Use convenience items for daily living, like disposable dishware and flatware. Use solar chargers and LED lights to help keep the phone and the lights on at night. Also, make arrangements to take showers at the neighbor’s or at the gym. Or treat yourself to a hotel stay during the rewiring job for a break from the mess.
- Make Special Arrangements for Fragile Household Members
It’s vital that kids, pets, and those with fragile health be kept away from the rewiring work. If possible, arrange for a stay with grandparents for the kids and pet boarding for the dog during the workdays.
People who need electricity for ventilators, oxygen machines, and other medical equipment should also be moved to another location during the rewiring job. Make special-care arrangements for people with allergies and noise sensitivity, too.
Contact A To Z Electric Co. today to schedule your home rewiring job. We’re happy to inspect your home in the Greater Chicagoland area and expertly upgrade your wiring for increased personal safety and updated power access.