Home Rewiring · Houston, TX
Home Rewiring in Houston, TX
Houston's Heights, Montrose and Third Ward hold bungalows and early-1900s homes that sometimes still have knob-and-tube or cloth wiring, and homes that flooded during Harvey in 2017 often had wiring replaced only up to the flood line, leaving old wiring above. Rewiring usually comes up during renovation, after flooding, or when an insurer asks.
- Call now to check electrician availability in your area
- Independent, licensed electricians
- Serving The Heights, Montrose, Meyerland and more
What's different about home rewiring in Houston
Pier-and-beam foundations give the electrician a crawl space route. The Heights has historic districts that review exterior changes. Permits come from the City of Houston's permitting center, and CenterPoint Energy coordinates service changes.
After hurricanes and the 2021 winter storm, standby generators and portable-generator inlets with interlocks became some of the most requested projects in the area. Flooding is the other big factor: any outlet, panel or wiring that has been under water must be inspected before it is used again.
Weather and the utility in Houston
Houston's hurricane season runs from June through November, and even storms that do not make landfall nearby can bring flooding and long outages. Summer heat keeps air conditioners running almost continuously, which exposes loose connections and undersized circuits. The February 2021 winter storm showed that a hard freeze can also cause extended outages. Most of the Houston area is in Texas's deregulated electricity market, so you buy power from a retail provider, while CenterPoint Energy owns the poles, wires and meters and handles outages, service upgrades and reconnections. That split matters when you schedule a panel or service change.
- Permits in Houston
- Inside city limits, electrical permits come from the City of Houston's permitting center; unincorporated Harris County and suburban cities have their own rules. Texas electricians are licensed by TDLR.
- Electric utility
- CenterPoint Energy (lines and meters); retail provider of your choice
- Where we connect you
- 175 ZIP codes in Houston, including The Heights, Montrose, Meyerland, Spring Branch, Clear Lake, Westchase
Signs it's time to call
- Knob-and-tube or cloth-insulated wiring
- Two-prong outlets throughout
- Aluminum branch wiring
- Frequent tripping or warm devices
- An insurer or home inspector flagged the wiring
How the job usually goes
1. Assessment
Wiring type, condition and circuit layout are documented.
2. Plan and permit
Circuits are prioritized and the work is permitted.
3. Rewire
New cable is fished through walls and ceilings with minimal openings.
4. Inspection and patching
Rough-in and final inspections, then wall openings are closed.
Full details on home rewiring, including what you can safely check yourself.
What moves the price in Houston
Electricians set their own prices. Local permit fees, utility coordination and the age of the home all play a part, along with:
- Home size and number of circuits
- Access through attic, basement or crawl space
- Plaster versus drywall
- Whether the panel is upgraded at the same time
- Patching and painting scope
Stop and call an electrician if
- ✕ Do not cover knob-and-tube with insulation
- ✕ Do not splice new wire onto old wiring
Home Rewiring in Houston: questions
Do I need a permit for home rewiring in Houston?
In most cases, yes. Inside city limits, electrical permits come from the City of Houston's permitting center; unincorporated Harris County and suburban cities have their own rules. Texas electricians are licensed by TDLR. The electrician normally pulls the permit and arranges the inspection.
Do I have to rewire the whole house at once?
No. Many homeowners rewire in phases, starting with kitchens, baths and bedrooms.
Is aluminum wiring dangerous?
Aluminum branch wiring can overheat at connections. Approved repairs (such as rated connectors) or replacement reduce the risk; an electrician can advise which fits.
What electrical issues are common in Houston homes?
Electricians in Houston most often see: generator and transfer switch installations for hurricane and freeze outages; post-flood electrical inspections and rewiring; surge damage from frequent Gulf Coast lightning.
More electrical help in Houston
Home Rewiring in nearby cities
Need home rewiring in Houston?
Call now and we connect you with a licensed electrician who serves your ZIP code.