Estimated Read Time: 9 minutes
Flickering lights, warm outlets, or breakers that trip often are signs your wiring is past its prime. A whole house rewire replaces unsafe or outdated circuits with modern, code-compliant wiring. In this guide, you’ll see exactly what a full rewire includes, how long it takes, what it costs, and how we keep your family safe during the process. If you live in Orlando or nearby, our licensed electricians can assess your home and provide a free estimate with financing options.
What a Full House Rewire Actually Includes
A full house rewire is a complete refresh of your home’s electrical infrastructure. The goal is simple: deliver safe, reliable power that meets today’s code and your family’s needs.
Here is what is typically included:
- New branch-circuit wiring
- Replace old cloth-insulated or aluminum branch wiring with modern copper conductors sized for each circuit.
- Correct damaged splices, mislabeled circuits, and overloaded runs.
- New receptacles, switches, and device boxes
- Tamper-resistant outlets for child safety and modern, grounded receptacles throughout.
- Smart dimmers, three-way switches, and updated device boxes where needed.
- Grounding and bonding improvements
- Verified grounding electrode system and bonding of metal piping to comply with current standards.
- Arc-fault and ground-fault protection
- AFCI protection in living spaces helps prevent electrical fires.
- GFCI protection where shock risk is highest, including kitchens, baths, garages, and outdoor areas.
- Panel and circuit rationalization
- Rebalance loads, add dedicated circuits for appliances, and clearly label everything.
- Smoke and CO alarm updates
- Interconnected, hardwired alarms with battery backup in required locations.
- Optional upgrades bundled with rewires
- Whole-home surge protection, LED lighting retrofits, EV charging circuits, and smart home controls.
Signs You May Need a Rewire
Some symptoms are annoyances. Others are hazards that call for action.
- Frequent breaker trips or fuses blowing under normal use
- Lights that dim when appliances start
- Two-prong, ungrounded outlets or missing GFCI protection
- Warm switches or outlets, buzzing sounds, or a burning smell
- Aluminum branch-circuit wiring common in late 1960s to early 1970s homes
- Brittle cloth-insulated conductors, knob-and-tube remnants, or unsafe DIY additions
- Outdated or recalled panels like certain Federal Pacific or Zinsco models
If you notice any of these, schedule a licensed electrician to evaluate risk and scope. In Central Florida, higher humidity and frequent storms can accelerate corrosion and stress on weak connections, which makes timely upgrades even more critical.
Step-by-Step: How a Professional Rewire Happens
Knowing the process reduces stress and helps you plan around it.
- In-home assessment and design
- We inspect the panel, test circuits, and map existing loads and devices.
- We discuss plans for EV charging, home office loads, future additions, or outdoor lighting.
- Permit pulling and materials staging
- We pull the proper permits with your city or county and stage wire, devices, and protection equipment.
- Circuit-by-circuit demo and rough-in
- Old conductors are carefully removed or abandoned in place where allowed and safe.
- New copper runs are pulled through attic spaces, walls, and chases with minimal drywall cuts.
- Device and panel work
- We install new receptacles, switches, and GFCI/AFCI solutions.
- We upgrade or recondition the main service panel when required and label each circuit.
- Inspection
- A local inspector reviews rough-in or final, depending on jurisdiction.
- Trim-out and testing
- Devices, plates, and fixtures are set. We torque-check terminations and test GFCI and AFCI protection.
- Cleanup and final walkthrough
- Drywall patches are made ready for paint. You receive a labeled panel directory and warranty details.
Panels, Circuits, and Safety Upgrades That Pair Well
A rewire is the perfect time to modernize the panel and protection.
- Main service panel upgrade
- Add capacity for EV chargers, heat pumps, and future additions.
- Replace obsolete equipment and improve fault-interrupting capability.
- Dedicated appliance circuits
- Refrigerators, microwaves, ranges, dryers, and tankless water heaters perform better and trip less often.
- Whole-home surge protection
- Central Florida storms mean frequent surges. A Type 1 or Type 2 suppressor at the panel helps protect appliances and electronics.
- GFCI and AFCI coverage
- Today’s standards require GFCI in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor outlets, and AFCI in many living areas. These devices reduce shock and fire risk.
- Smart home prewiring
- Add structured wiring, occupancy sensors, and smart switches while walls are accessible.
Permits, Codes, and Inspections: What Homeowners Should Know
Electrical rewiring must be permitted and inspected. That protects you.
- Permits and inspections
- A permit documents the scope and ensures a third-party safety check. You receive a record useful for insurance and resale.
- National standards
- GFCI protection is required in wet and outdoor areas per widely adopted NEC rules.
- AFCI protection is required in many habitable rooms to reduce fire risk.
- Smoke alarms are required in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level, and should be interconnected with battery backup per national life-safety standards.
- Local realities
- In the Orlando area, attics run hot most of the year. We select conductors and routing that respect temperature ratings and ventilation.
- Many mid-century Florida homes have shallow wall cavities and concrete block. We use specialized methods to minimize wall damage and dust.
Two useful facts for context:
- Arc-fault protection has been shown to reduce electrical fires in dwelling units by interrupting dangerous arcing faults.
- Interconnected smoke alarms provide earlier whole-home notification compared to standalone units, improving escape time.
Cost Factors and Ways to Save on a Rewire
Every home is different, but the drivers of cost are predictable.
- Square footage and story count
- Larger homes and two-story layouts require more materials and labor.
- Access and construction type
- Block walls, tight attics, and finished basements affect the number of access cuts.
- Panel size and service condition
- Some projects require a panel or service upgrade to handle today’s loads.
- Device count and upgrade choices
- Smart controls, dimmers, and designer devices add cost but also value.
- Permit and inspection fees
- Local fees vary by jurisdiction.
Ways to save with Del-Air:
- Free estimates on new systems and full rewires, so you can compare options without pressure.
- Rotating service specials on electrical projects to lower upfront costs.
- Flexible financing with low monthly payments for qualified customers.
- Bundling upgrades like surge protection and EV circuits during a rewire to avoid repeat labor later.
Timeline, Disruption, and How We Minimize Mess
A typical single-family rewire takes several days to two weeks, depending on size and access. Here is how we reduce disruption:
- Phased work zones
- We stage rooms so parts of your home remain usable while we work.
- Dust and surface protection
- Drop cloths, containment, and daily vacuuming to keep paths clean.
- Daily power planning
- Temporary power solutions and careful sequencing reduce downtime for refrigerators, internet, and essentials.
- Clear communication
- You get a daily update on progress, next steps, and any choices that affect schedule or price.
Choosing the Right Rewire Contractor
The cheapest price can cost you more if the work is unsafe or fails inspection. Compare contractors using these points:
- Licensing, insurance, and background checks
- Work only with licensed, bonded, and insured electricians. Ask about background checks for technicians working in your home.
- Permitting and inspection track record
- Reliable firms pull permits proactively and pass inspections without drama.
- Load calculation and labeling
- A proper load calc should guide circuit design. Demand a clean, accurate panel directory at completion.
- Safety device integration
- Ensure AFCI and GFCI protection is included where required and that surge protection is discussed.
- Capacity and responsiveness
- Teams with fully stocked trucks and 24/7 support resolve surprises quickly.
- Clear pricing and financing
- Upfront proposals with scope, exclusions, and payment options prevent surprises.
Why Del-Air fits the bill:
- Serving Central Florida since 1983 with over 400 fully stocked trucks.
- BBB accredited with an A+ rating and thousands of 5-star reviews.
- Same-day appointments and 24/7 emergency support for urgent issues.
- Upfront pricing, free estimates on replacement projects, and financing.
Aftercare: Warranties, Maintenance, and Future Upgrades
A rewire is a long-term investment. Protect it with simple steps:
- Warranty clarity
- Keep your proposal and warranty in one place. We stand behind parts and labor per your agreement.
- Annual safety checks
- A maintenance agreement can include outlet testing, GFCI/AFCI verification, and thermal scans to spot issues early.
- Surge environment review
- Central Florida’s lightning activity makes surge protection a must. We can test and replace modules as needed.
- Plan for electrification
- If you expect to add an induction range, heat pump dryer, or EV, we can reserve capacity today to avoid future rework.
What You Gain From a Full Rewire
A modern rewire delivers peace of mind and practical benefits.
- Safety first
- Reduced fire and shock risk with proper grounding, AFCI, and GFCI coverage.
- Reliability
- Fewer nuisance trips, better performance from appliances and electronics.
- Flexibility
- Capacity for EV charging, smart tech, and future additions.
- Resale value
- Documented permits and a clean, labeled panel appeal to buyers and insurers.
When your wiring is right, everything in your home works better. Our job is to make that upgrade clear, clean, and code-compliant from start to finish.
Special Offer for Central Florida Homeowners
Free Estimates on Full House Rewires and Flexible Financing Available. Call (407) 710-2048 or visit https://www.delair.com/south-orlando/ to schedule your no-obligation assessment today. Ask about current electrical specials and how bundling surge protection or an EV charging circuit can save on total project cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a whole house rewire take?
Most single-family homes take several days to two weeks, depending on size, access, and whether a panel upgrade is included. Your exact timeline is set after the in-home assessment and permit review.
Can I stay in my home during the rewire?
Usually yes. We work in phases, protect surfaces, and plan temporary power to keep essentials running. There may be short outages during panel work and inspections, which we schedule with you in advance.
Do I need a panel upgrade for a rewire?
Not always. If your existing panel is safe, sized correctly, and has space for new breakers, we can reuse it. Many homes benefit from a panel upgrade when adding EV charging, heat pump appliances, or future circuits.
What safety upgrades are required today?
Expect GFCI protection in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoors, AFCI protection in many living areas, proper grounding and bonding, and hardwired interconnected smoke alarms with battery backup in required locations.
How much does a rewire cost?
Costs vary with square footage, access, device count, and panel needs. We provide free, itemized estimates and financing options so you can compare solutions and choose what fits your budget.
Bottom Line
A full house rewire replaces aging, risky wiring with safe, reliable power for today’s demands. For Orlando and nearby communities, our licensed team delivers code-compliant results, clean workmanship, and clear pricing. Ready to explore a whole house rewire that fits your timeline and budget? Call (407) 710-2048 or book at https://www.delair.com/south-orlando/. Ask for your free estimate and current electrical specials.
Ready to Make Your Home Safer?
- Call now: (407) 710-2048
- Schedule online: https://www.delair.com/south-orlando/
- Mention this page for Free Estimates on full rewires and ask about financing.
Del-Air Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electrical serves Orlando, Kissimmee, Winter Haven, Lakeland, Saint Cloud, Davenport, and nearby cities with same-day service and 24/7 emergency support.
About Del-Air Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electrical
Since 1983, Del-Air has served Central Florida with licensed, bonded, and insured electricians. We are BBB accredited with an A+ rating and known for same-day service and 24/7 emergency support. With over 400 fully stocked trucks, we handle whole-home rewiring, panel upgrades, surge protection, and EV chargers. Homeowners choose us for upfront pricing, financing, clear communication, and workmanship guarantees. One trusted name for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical across Orlando and nearby cities.