• RAISE THE STANDARD.. EVERY JOB.. EVERY TIME!
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Traverse City

  • (231) 778-2501
  • RAISE THE STANDARD.. EVERY JOB.. EVERY TIME!
  • (989) 778-2500
  • (231) 778-2501
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Knob & Tube Wiring Upgrades

Replace old wiring before it

becomes a serious fire hazard

Old wiring isn’t just outdated. It could be putting your home and family at risk.

If your home was built before the 1950s, there’s a good chance it still has some knob and tube wiring hidden in the walls or attic. While it was state-of-the-art a century ago, today it’s considered unsafe, ungrounded, and not up to modern electrical code.

At BTE Electric, we help homeowners understand the risks of knob and tube wiring, and we offer clean, professional upgrades that bring your home up to today’s safety standards.

Reach Out Today
knob-and-tube-wiring-bte

What Is Knob and Tube Wiring?

Knob and tube wiring (often shortened to “K&T”) was a standard method of electrical wiring in homes built from the 1880s through the 1940s. It uses porcelain knobs to support wires and tubes to protect them when they pass through framing.

Back then, it was a major innovation. But by today’s standards, it has some serious issues:

  • No grounding: a major safety concern for modern appliances
  • Insulation breakdown: wiring gets brittle with age
  • Overloaded circuits: not designed for today’s electrical demands
  • No junction boxes: many connections are hidden and spliced without enclosure
  • Difficult to insure: many insurance companies won’t cover homes with active K&T wiring


If you still have active knob and tube wiring in your home, it’s not just a code issue: it’s a fire and shock hazard.

knob-and-tube-wiring-renovation

Common Questions About Knob and Tube Wiring

Q. What Are the Signs I Might Have Knob and Tube Wiring?

ANSWER: If you’re not sure whether your home has knob and tube, here are some common signs:

  • Your home was built before 1950
  • You see porcelain knobs or tubes in the basement or attic
  • You have two-prong (ungrounded) outlets
  • Fuses instead of breakers
  • Flickering lights, hot outlets, or burned insulation smell
  • Your electrician has flagged it during a home inspection


We offer thorough inspections to locate any remaining knob and tube wiring, whether it’s active or just abandoned in place, and can give you a clear plan for replacing it.

ANSWER: At BTE, we specialize in safe, low-impact rewiring: meaning we can upgrade your wiring while preserving the character of your home.

Here’s what a typical K&T replacement includes:

  • Full circuit mapping and inspection
  • Removal of active knob and tube wiring
  • Installation of new grounded wiring (Romex)
  • Upgraded outlets, switches, and boxes
  • Ground fault protection, as required by code
  • Clean patching and restoration options


We’ll also look at your panel and grounding system to make sure everything is safe, bonded, and ready for today’s electrical loads.

ANSWER: Knob and tube replacement is a bigger project than a standard circuit update, but it’s an investment in safety, insurance eligibility, and long-term home value.

Costs vary based on the size of the home, accessibility (do you have a basement, crawl space or attic), ranch style vs 2 story home, and how much K&T is active. Typical range:

  • Small homes or partial rewires: $4,000–$8,000
  • Full rewires (2–3 bedrooms): $8,000–$15,000+
  • Larger or hard-to-access homes: Custom estimates


We’ll provide a clear, detailed estimate with no surprises, and we can stage the work in phases if needed.

ANSWER: Knob and tube wiring is unsafe for today’s electrical needs, lacking grounding and risking overheating or fires. It may not support modern appliances, and many insurers refuse coverage for homes with this wiring. Upgrading ensures safety, code compliance, and the ability to add outlets or smart devices. BTE Electric will assess your system and guide you through the process.

ANSWER: A partial upgrade replaces knob and tube in specific areas, like a renovated room, and is cheaper but may leave risks in unupgraded sections. A full upgrade replaces all wiring, including new panels and grounding, for maximum safety and reliability. Full upgrades are ideal for long-term peace of mind. We’ll help you decide what’s best for your home and budget.

ANSWER: Yes, knob and tube wiring can be hazardous. Its aging insulation can crack, exposing wires, and it lacks grounding, increasing shock and fire risks. It doesn’t meet National Electrical Code (NEC) standards and may overload with modern devices. Bierlein-Trombley Electric ensures your upgrade eliminates these risks with modern, safe wiring.

ANSWER: At Bierlein-Trombley Electric, we’re your local electrical specialists, dedicated to modernizing your home safely. Here’s why we’re trusted:

  • We’re experienced in older home wiring systems
  • We minimize wall damage whenever possible
  • We pull proper permits and meet current NEC code
  • We explain every step: no jargon, no guesswork
  • We treat your home like it’s our own


We know how to work around plaster, lathe, and finished ceilings. Additionally, we’ll never cut corners on safety.

Ready to Upgrade From Knob and Tube?

If you still have knob and tube wiring in your home, now is the time to replace it. Don’t wait for an insurance denial, a blown fuse, or worse, a fire. Call BTE Electric today for a safe, code-compliant wiring upgrade. We’ll inspect your system, explain your options, and give you the peace of mind that your wiring is finally up to modern standards.

Reach Out Today