Whole House Rewiring Service Costs

Posted on October 17, 2018 | by Kim Hopkins

house rewire cost The electrical system to your house can be an expensive thing to upgrade but might be a necessity to help protect your home’s value and your family’s lives.

When you don’t have enough power to run your home, it can be more than just an inconvenience. Tripping breakers can not only just shut off your devices, but it can also cause damage to the more sensitive electric devices. Having enough energy is critical to keeping all the appliances in your home up and running at optimal levels.

Your home may seem like it has enough power, but even if things are running fine, it can use still need an upgrade. Have you ever turned on every device in your home at the same time? This is not recommended but you can truly find out how much your panel can handle when everything is turned on. There is an easier way to find out what amperage your panel is – by inspecting it. A professional electrician can also help you determine the amount of load your panel can handle.

With enough power being supplied to your home, it can still be difficult to find power in different areas of your home. Without sufficient recepticles in your home, you may rely on unnecessary power strips or extension cords. These cords and strips can cause dangerous safety hazards such as trips and falls or even fires. An electrician can help you place additional outlets around your home.

If your home has sufficient power and enough outlets, you may still find yourself needing a house rewire. This is when all or some of the wiring in your home is replaced with new wiring. A house rewire could be necessary for a variety of reasons – age, degrading wiring, hazardous wiring, etc. An electrician can help you determine whether or not you need a whole house rewire.

The cost of a house rewire depends on a lot of different aspects of your home including size, age, and how much of the home needs to be rewired. Again, an electrician can give you a definitive answer on the cost to rewire your home, but you can expect to pay around $3,500 to $8,000 for a full house rewire – especially if all the walls need to be opened up to access the wiring.

A professional electrician should be able to assess your situation and give you an accurate quote for a house rewire. This is a large project so be sure to do research before choosing the best electrician.

Smart Renovation Decisions for People with Older Homes

Posted on October 9, 2018 | by Kim Hopkins

Smart Renovation

Making improvements to your home can mean a lot of different things. When you have an older home, it’s important to consider how your home’s age can impact the costs of your upgrades. It’s also important to understand what you can feasibly DIY and know what projects are better left to the professionals. So, take these things into account when planning your renovations.

Research and Plan

Older homes provide their own unique charm, and they also provide unique challenges. With that in mind, you need to be smart about your improvement projects. Sure, if you’re handy, there are plenty of things you can manage on your own. However, older homes often mean hidden renovation concerns, which are better handled by professionals. Homes built prior to the late ’80s often contain lead and asbestos, materials which should only be handled by professionals. Damage from termites, mold, or mildew should also be repaired by a pro, and if your home needs plumbing or foundation repairs, you should hire someone to do the work. Radon requires specialized mitigation services, and many older homes have outdated electrical systems which should be rewired by a professional, licensed electrician.

Any time you have a project where you lack expertise, or that is well beyond your comfort zone, consider hiring someone to tackle the job. If you try it yourself, sometimes you can create a bigger mess through lack of knowledge, leaving you worse off for your time, energy, and money. Some situations can even get you hurt or killed. Still not sure? Research suggestions for home improvement projects to avoid. Just remember to leave some room in your budget; for example, a typical rate is about $150 per hour for a crew of two electricians while the national average to hire a plumber is between $45 and $65 per hour.

Protect Your Investments

Whoever does the work, if your older home is decorated with antiques or original furnishings, ensure your belongings are out of the way so they don’t become damaged during renovations. With that in mind, consider renting a storage unit to keep your things safe. Self-storage units booked in Los Angeles over the past 180 days hit an overall average of $144.98, which is a low price to pay for peace of mind and the protection of your belongings.

Value-Savvy Suggestions

Certain projects can make a can make a big impact on the value of your home, as well as providing a more comfortable environment for you.

Here are some ideas:

Open living areas. This Old House points out that older home designs can feel cramped in comparison to today’s models. Knocking out non-structural walls is a great way to open up space and give you more room.
Kitchen islands. If you’re tight on space, you might consider removing a kitchen island, although you should weigh how much storage your kitchen provides without it before committing. If you’re renovating a kitchen and adding an island, think about including extra depth when designing the countertop. This way, the island affords seating as well as storage and extra space to work.
Add shelving. Older homes are known to offer minimal built-in storage. One way to add more storage is to take advantage of an unused corner. It’s an inexpensive and relatively low-skill home improvement project that can be a boon to your home’s functionality.
Add lighting. Adding more light fixtures can brighten up a room, creating a sense of spaciousness. Kitchens and bathrooms are particularly important when it comes to home value since they are pivotal in many buyers’ decisions. If you need to choose, improving the lighting in those two spaces can make the biggest impact on your home’s value. New Home Source suggests putting overhead and task lighting in the kitchen and baths.

Owning an older home can mean needing to make improvements, whether it’s for your comfort, safety, or the value of your home. Make sure you hire a pro for projects beyond your skill level. Older homes have special appeal, and being smart about renovations can make all the difference for you as a homeowner.

Fast, Friendly, & Affordable Electrician

Posted on October 9, 2018 | by Kim Hopkins

For many homeowners, the thought of hiring an electrician often comes after an emergency or when performing a remodeling or new construction. Before you actually need an electrician, it’s important to do the research to find a good one in case something comes up. By finding a professional electrician you can trust, you will be sure that you will have help when you truly need it.

The easiest way to find an electrician you can trust is to have them come out periodically for home inspections. This way, your electrician can become familiar with your home if an emergency were to arise. Regular inspections of your home electrical system can also help find potential issues that you might not be aware of.

Finding the right electrician is an important task due to how much of your home relies on your electrical system. Your electrical system is the backbone of your home. Without it, you would not be able to do anything other than sit in darkness. If your electrical system is failing, you can be without power for days – or worse, it can cause a fire and you will be without a home.

When researching an electrician for your next electrical project, be sure to get multiple bids and check out the validity of your electrician choice. There are few things to look out for when choosing your next electrician:

1. Education and Experience: A good electrician will have a couple years of experience under his or her belt. Be sure to check all their certificates to ensure that have passed the proper tests in order to do work in your state.

2. Permits: Most cities require permits to be pulled for switching out a simple light switch. So if you require a permit, make sure your electrician can help you out here. A professional electrician may even be able to do this for you.

3. License: Many states require electricians to be properly licensed. Be sure to check that your electrician has a proper license and it is up to date. Another good thing to check for is insurance. That way if anything goes wrong with the job, you’re covered.

4. Reviews: Getting good feedback from someone you are going to hire to come into your home is always a good thing. You can check their website for reviews or other social sites, such as Yelp or Google My Business. Make sure the electrician you have chosen has positive feedback from their customers.

Finding a fast and friendly electrician isn’t hard if you follow the steps above. Once you find an electrician near you, you will be set if an emergency electrical situation should arise.

If you live in the Los Angeles area and are looking for proficient, understanding and honest electrical experts, we hope you will consider using The Electric Connection of Los Angeles for your electrical work. Whether it’s for a new installation of electrical equipment, or repair of any part of your existing electrical system, we honestly feel that we can provide you with electrical services unparalleled by any other Los Angeles electrical contractors.

Installing Recessed Lighting for Dramatic Effect

Posted on September 27, 2018 | by Kim Hopkins

los angeles recessed lighting Recessed lighting can make an old room stunning again. By installing recessed lighting, you can make any room in your home look and feel brand new. Most people think you need to have access to the attic or tear up the ceilings to install new lighting, but that actually isn’t the case! With the help of a professional electrician, you can install recessed lighting in any room of your home.

If you’re thinking about adding new recessed lighting in your home but don’t want to create a mess, you’re in luck. A licensed electrician can help you get recessed lighting installed with no hassle at all. The only clean up necessary is a little bit of patching work. With a simple, small slot cut into the ceiling, an electrician is able to thread the wires through. This helps complete the project with minimal damage to your home.

Recessed lighting, or canned lighting, is a great way to accent different areas in a room. It’s great for kitchens to help illuminate different countertops but can be used in really any situation. This type of lighting is made of metal light housings that are installed just about the ceiling. The only thing visible is a small trim and a little bit of inner baffle. They are usually from 3″ to 6″ in diameter.

Canned lights are best used in situations that required illumination only, rooms with low ceilings, and in areas that require waterproofing. In addition to use in the kitchen, showers are a great place to install recessed lighting. It’s usually unwise to use them in situations that require a directional light or near insulation.

It’s best to discuss all of your concerns with your electrician before starting a new lighting project. They will help you understand what type of lighting is best in every area of your home. The electrician will tell you what you need and where you need it. When you work with a professional electrician, you can be sure that your next lighting project will be completed efficiently and correctly.

The Electric Connection of Los Angeles has been providing homeowners and businesses alike with expert electrical services for over 35 Years. We’ve built a company of highly experienced, certified electricians to serve your electrical needs.

How To Know if Your Panel Needs Upgraded

Posted on September 13, 2018 | by Kim Hopkins

Owning a home is great! There are many benefits… you can paint the walls whatever color you like, you can decorate the outside whenever you feel like it, there’s a yard your kids and pets can play in… but there are also some disadvantages – like when things start to break or get old. Sometimes it’s hard to know what is causing something to not work. Figure that out is only half the battle. With electrical issues, it can be hard to even troubleshoot the problem, let alone fix it.

When homeowners have issues with their electrical system, the big question is usually: Do I need a panel upgrade? Followed closely by the second question: How much does a panel upgrade cost? This article should help you figure out if a panel upgrade is necessary and the steps to determining a cost for it.

First off, what exactly is the main panel? The electrical panel is a hub of energy for your home. It connects all the electricity from the power lines outside your home to all the outlets inside your home. This is the place you find with a flashlight when your breakers have tripped off all the lights in your home.

Most days, homeowners don’t even think about their electrical panel. This is why when something goes wrong, it’s often a shock – no pun intended. As with all things in life, electrical panels will grow old and stop working. It’s important to check up on it from time to time. In addition to age and normal wear and tear, there are a few other reasons homeowners should replace their electrical panel.

Fuse Boxes
Homes built before the 1960s were equipped with fuses boxes. These were great back when there wasn’t a need for a lot of electricity. Nowadays, the strain that is put on an electrical box is greater. With circuit breakers, if there is too much power being required, it will trip to stop the flow of energy and protect the home from any dangers. Fuses do not have this safety capability and should be replaced to keep your home and family safe.

Older Homes
If your home was built more than 20 years ago, it might be a good idea to have your electrical system checked out. As with fuse boxes, older homes might have outdated panels or wiring that needs to be upgraded to go with today’s need.

Smells and Sounds
It’s never a good sign to smell burning or hear cracking sounds. If you are experiencing any strange sounds when it comes to your electrical panel, call an electrician immediately to get it looked at. Don’t just stop at your panel though. If you smell or hear anything in or around your outlets or switches, this could also be a sign there is something wrong with your panel.

Frequent Tripping
Even though the circuit breakers trip to provide safety for your home, they shouldn’t be tripping often. This could mean there is too much power being required from it. You may need a panel upgrade to handle all the load needed for your home.

Next comes the cost issues. Every panel upgrade situation is unique. A professional electrician should be able to ask you a few questions and give you a ballpark price before inspecting your home in person.

It is important to pay attention to the signs your home is showing you. The next time you’re searching for your tripped breakers in the dark, consider calling an electrician to see if you need a panel upgrade.

The Electric Connection of Los Angeles has been providing electrical services to the people of LA county for over 30 years. We are experts when it comes to panel upgrades and house rewires. If you need any assistance, please give us a call.

Need Your House Rewired? Check These Signs

Posted on September 10, 2018 | by Kim Hopkins

house rewire signs, outlet fire How important is it really to make sure your house has adequate wiring? In the United States, fire departments across the country respond to over 25,000 home electrical fires every year. The U.S. Fire Administration has reported that these fires have caused 28- deaths, 1,125 injuries, and over $1 billion in property loss and damage.

The major cause in these house fires? Improperly installed outlets and receptacles, interior home wiring, and other miscellaneous home wirings.

These numbers may seem staggering, but there are simple steps to prevent your home from being another statistic. Schedule an appointment for a professional electrician to visit your home to check out the wiring. It may seem like a big expense to have your home completely rewired with a new panel installed, but considering the alternatives, it’s better to play it safe than sorry.

Fortunately, there are warning signs telling you if you need a house rewire. Your electrical system will often show you in advance that things are wrong. Below we have included a list of the signs to look out for.

Frequently blow fuses or breakers tripping
Overloaded electrical panel
Lights flickering or dimming randomly
Discolored or hot to touch switch plates, cords, or plugs
Frequently burned out light bulbs
Strange noises, such as sizzling or buzzing
Strange smells, such as a burning smell
Sparks when plugging things into outlets
Loose outlets
Insulation that is cracked or cut
Shocks when touching a cord

Other than warning signs, there are other situations that may call for a house rewire. It’s a good idea to have an electrician come out to check on your electrical system every few years. If your home is older than 40 years old or you have had any major renovations or remodels, you may need to have a new panel upgrade to support the use. Below are some other situations you may need a rewire.

Relying on extension cords to supply power
The use of ungrounded, two-prong outlets
The presence of aluminum wiring

Even if you are not experiencing any of these warning signs or solutions, an electrician can give you more details on the state of your electrical system in your home. If you haven’t had it checked in a while, be safe and call an electrician today.

The Electric Connection has been providing the Los Angeles area with house rewires and panel upgrades for over 30 years. If you are experiencing any issues, please call us today!

Best Electrician – Licensed and Insured

Posted on September 10, 2018 | by Kim Hopkins

licensed insured electrician Electricity is used so much in our homes we might take for granted how dangerous it can be. Whenever homeowners need work done on their homes and it involved the electrical system, it’s necessary to call a licensed and insured electrician to help out. It might seem like a simple task to replace a light fixture or update an outlet, but the safest option is to go with a professional electrician.

When working with an electrician you are ensuring that your home and family are safe from any accidents that may occur if you try to perform the electrical work yourself. You are also ensuring that your insurance rates will not go up if you try to work on a DIY electrical project. But how do you find the best electrician near you? Take a look at our tips below for some assistance.

Year in Business

How long has the company you’re looking at been in the business? It’s possible to be a great electrical contracting company just out of the gate, but in order to find the best electrician possible, you’ll want to find someone who has been around for a while. Working with electrical isn’t an easy take and can be dangerous if not completed correctly. If you find an electrician who has been in business for a couple years, this is a good indication that they have made a lot of customers happy.

Ratings, References, and Reviews

The best place to look for a new electrician is with your friends and family. Getting a recommendation from someone you know is the best place to start. If your friends and family have trusted this electrician to do work on their homes, you can feel safe having them perform work on yours.

The next place is to look for reviews and ratings. Online websites, such as Yelp and Angie’s List, have been helping homeowners find the best service providers in their area. Read all the reviews to make sure the electrician you have chosen is competent and can perform the work you need to be completed.

Take a Look at Their Services

Make sure the electrician you have chosen can perform the work you need to be done. Many electricians specialize in different areas so it’s important to be sure they can complete the work you need to be completed before scheduling an appointment.

It can be a difficult task finding the best electrician to perform work in your home but if you follow these steps you’ll be on your way with your next electrical project in no time.

The Electric Connection has been providing Los Angeles residents and business owners with expert electrical services for over 30 years. Please contact us if you need any assistance.

Tips for Your Outdoor Holiday Lighting: