# Knob & tube replacement Services Many Bay Area homes built before 1950 still run on knob and tube. We replace it so you can insulate, get insured and stop worrying about it. Request this service[(925) 535-8805](tel:+19255358805) In short TopTech Electrical replaces knob and tube wiring in older Livermore and Bay Area homes with new grounded circuits, under permit and with a final inspection. The work suits pre-1950 homes whose old cloth-insulated wiring raises safety or insurance concerns. About this service ## Knob & tube replacement: what to expect Knob and tube is the two-wire system many Bay Area homes built before 1950 still use. The wires run through ceramic tubes and sit on porcelain knobs, and they have no ground wire. Replacing it means running new grounded circuits so the house is safer, easier to insure and ready for added insulation. What's included - Inspection of existing wiring and panel - Circuit mapping and load review - Electrical permit and city inspections - New grounded circuits, outlets and switches - Removal of old knob and tube wiring - Patching of opened walls and ceilings - ### Signs you need it Many owners first learn about their wiring when an insurer or a buyer asks about it. In an attic or basement, look for cloth-covered wires, porcelain knobs on the framing, and splices left open in the air. Older homes often have fuses, two-prong outlets only, or lights that dim when large appliances start. Insurers have been declining or canceling coverage on homes with this wiring, even when nothing has gone wrong. Insulation blown over these wires can trap heat around them, so an electrician should check before any more goes in. - ### How the job goes The work starts with an inspection of the existing wiring, the panel and the household load. The electrician then maps which circuits need replacing. The plan goes to your city or county building department with circuit details and load figures. New wire is run and inspected before the walls close. Once connections are finished and tested, a final inspection confirms the work. Old wiring is removed, and any opened walls or ceilings are patched. - ### What affects the cost The biggest factors are the size of the home, the number of circuits, and how easily wires can be reached. Plaster walls take more time than open attic or basement runs. An older panel may also need an upgrade, often to 200 amps, to handle modern appliances. Standard homeowners policies usually do not pay for these upgrades, though some carriers offer premium credits after a documented rewire. - ### Permits and safety Full replacement requires an electrical permit. New circuits must meet current code, including grounding on every circuit and AFCI or GFCI protection where required. TopTech Electrical operates under California Contractor License #1138519, and the permit and final sign-off are the records you will want to keep for your insurer. Reviews ## What your neighbors say. Every word below is from a real Google review. Names are the reviewers' own. Read the rest, or add yours. [5.0 Google reviews](https://search.google.com/local/reviews?placeid=ChIJjUO3M0x2mgsRkmNF4TG_1UY) - Upfront pricing > “Fair price, great service, and excellent communication.” Anthony Lau - EV charger & new circuits > “Alex took the time to debug my panels and found I had plenty of amperage for my projects, when other electricians were trying to upsell me on more amps than I needed. He was also the only one ensuring we get a permit and do everything the right way.” Ivan Llanos - Same-day service > “TopTech Electrical was incredible. Alex was very responsive and came out same day.” Kristina Rocha - Panel safety > “Outstanding service. Alex pointed out a potential electrical safety hazard in our home, an old and potentially unsafe circuit breaker box. There was absolutely no pressure, nor any false up-selling. TopTech will be my number one for electrical repairs.” Sanford Weitzner - Breaker & kitchen lighting > “Alex took the time to explain the installation process and diagnose the problem with our broken outlet. Alex and the TopTech office were great about communicating and keeping me informed.” D Mark - Emergency repair > “Within 5 minutes we had a call back. He came out later that afternoon, same day. He worked hard for three to four hours in extreme heat and small spaces and was done by 4:30 for a very reasonable price. His professionalism was unmatched.” Tammie Piveronas, Livermore - Doorbell transformer > “He quickly diagnosed that the real problem was a faulty transformer. What impressed me most was the level of care he put into the work. He spent just as much attention cleaning up afterward as he did solving the electrical issues.” Steven Du - Recessed lighting > “They installed recessed lighting quickly and did an excellent job.” Tricha Mata - Returning customer > “Alex came out to us in Brentwood just a day and a half later and provided a thorough estimate with options. We scheduled the service for the literal day after. The estimate was very reasonable, fair, and just.” Paul Soper IV, Brentwood [Leave Google Review](https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=ChIJjUO3M0x2mgsRkmNF4TG_1UY)[Leave a Yelp Review](https://www.yelp.com/biz/toptech-electrical-livermore) Emergency service ## No power? Breaker will not reset? Emergency calls are answered around the clock, and we offer same-day service when the schedule allows. Tell us what you see and we will tell you what to do next. [Call now](tel:+19255358805)[Text us](sms:+19255358805) Financing ## Bigger job? Ask about financing. Panel upgrades, EV chargers and whole-home rewires are big-ticket. We walk you through payment options before you commit to anything. Payment options Free estimate ## Ask about knob & tube replacement. A few details and we will call or text you back, usually the same day. Estimates are free and in writing. - [Call or text (925) 535-8805](tel:+19255358805) - [Email contact@toptechca.com](mailto:contact@toptechca.com) - Hours Emergency calls answered 24 hours CA Lic. 1138519 · Serving four Bay Area counties from Livermore Good questions ## Questions about knob & tube replacement. What people ask before they book. Text us anything else. **Is knob and tube wiring dangerous if it still works?** Wiring that is undisturbed and was installed correctly is not automatically hazardous. The cloth insulation ages and becomes brittle, and covering it with attic insulation is a common cause of overheating. **Do I need a permit to replace knob and tube?** Yes. Full replacement typically requires an electrical permit, with inspections during rough-in and at completion. **Will my homeowners insurance pay for the rewiring?** Usually not. Standard policies generally do not cover proactive electrical upgrades, although some carriers give premium credits after a documented rewire. More services ## More ways we can help. Residential and commercial, from a tripping breaker to a whole-home rewire. - [Electrical panel upgrades Replace an outdated or undersized panel with a modern 200-amp service that is ready for EV charging, heat pumps and induction cooking. Permitted and inspected. See the service](https://www.toptechca.com/services/panel-upgrades) - [EV charger installation Level 2 charging at home or at work, sized to your panel, permitted and inspected. Load management when the panel is tight, so you skip the upgrade if you can. See the service](https://www.toptechca.com/services/ev-charger-installation) - [Emergency electrical repairs Lights out, a breaker that will not reset, a warm outlet or a burning smell. Call and we get someone moving. Same-day service when the schedule allows. See the service](https://www.toptechca.com/services/emergency-electrical) - [Whole-home rewiring Aluminum wiring, cloth wiring, too few circuits for a modern kitchen. We rewire room by room with minimal disruption and patch as we go. See the service](https://www.toptechca.com/services/whole-home-rewiring) - [Lighting installation & repairs Recessed lighting, under-cabinet, landscape and exterior, dimmers and smart switches. Laid out cleanly and centered where they belong. See the service](https://www.toptechca.com/services/lighting-installation-repair) - [Electrical safety inspections Buying, selling, or just unsure about an old panel? A thorough inspection with a written report and straight answers, not a sales pitch. See the service](https://www.toptechca.com/services/electrical-safety-inspections) - [Commercial electrical services Tenant improvements, service upgrades, lighting retrofits and dedicated circuits for shops, restaurants, clinics and offices. See the service](https://www.toptechca.com/services/commercial-electrical) Service area ## Knob & tube replacement in every city we serve Each city has its own page with local details. Here are some of them. - [Alameda, CA](https://www.toptechca.com/service-areas/alameda) - [Albany, CA](https://www.toptechca.com/service-areas/albany) - [Berkeley, CA](https://www.toptechca.com/service-areas/berkeley) - [Dublin, CA](https://www.toptechca.com/service-areas/dublin) - [Emeryville, CA](https://www.toptechca.com/service-areas/emeryville) - [Fremont, CA](https://www.toptechca.com/service-areas/fremont) - [Hayward, CA](https://www.toptechca.com/service-areas/hayward) - [Livermore, CA](https://www.toptechca.com/service-areas/livermore) - [Newark, CA](https://www.toptechca.com/service-areas/newark) - [Oakland, CA](https://www.toptechca.com/service-areas/oakland) - [Piedmont, CA](https://www.toptechca.com/service-areas/piedmont) - [Pleasanton, CA](https://www.toptechca.com/service-areas/pleasanton) [Every city we serve](https://www.toptechca.com/service-areas)