We inspect before we quote
No phone-estimate guessing – we look at the actual panel and wiring first.
Why knob-and-tube and aluminum wiring is usually an insurance conversation
Homes with knob-and-tube wiring are genuinely difficult to insure in Ontario – many insurers decline coverage outright or charge significantly higher premiums, and several require the wiring to be upgraded before they'll issue or renew a policy. Homeowners are also required to disclose knob-and-tube wiring to their insurer, and an undisclosed wiring-related claim can be denied. That's usually what actually starts this conversation: a renewal notice or a new-policy application, not a light that flickers.
Knob-and-tube vs. aluminum wiring: two different problems
Knob-and-tube wiring is the ceramic-insulator, open-air wiring style common in Canadian homes built before roughly the 1950s. Aluminum branch-circuit wiring is a different, later issue – common in homes built roughly 1965 to 1975 – where the concern is connections at outlets and switches loosening over time as aluminum expands and contracts differently than copper. Both show up across Ottawa's older neighbourhoods, and both get flagged by insurers, but the fix is different: knob-and-tube is generally a replacement job, while aluminum wiring is sometimes addressed by pigtailing connections with approved connectors rather than a full rewire.
Where knob-and-tube and aluminum wiring shows up most in Ottawa
Neighbourhoods like the Glebe, where most houses were built before 1914, and Sandy Hill, home to a recognized heritage conservation district, are where we most often find original or early-generation wiring still in service. That doesn't mean every house needs full replacement – some have already been partially updated by a previous owner – but it's worth confirming rather than assuming either way.
Inspecting your wiring before you decide
Some insurers will accept knob-and-tube wiring after a licensed electrician inspects it and confirms its condition, rather than requiring full replacement outright. We start with an honest inspection and tell you what your realistic options are – full replacement, partial replacement of the worst sections, or a documented inspection report for your insurer – before you commit to the bigger job.
Why choose us for knob-and-tube and aluminum wiring replacement
Inspection first, then a written quote
We look at the actual panel and wiring before quoting, not a phone-estimate guess – and every price is written down before work starts, no surprise line items.
ESA-notified work
We handle Electrical Safety Authority notification as part of the job when it's required.
Residential & commercial
Homes, offices, retail, and light-industrial space across Ottawa.
What to expect
Written quote, no surprises
The price is confirmed before work starts.
ESA-notified work
Handled as part of the job when it's required.
Cleaned up when we're done
We leave the site the way we found it.
Knob-and-Tube & Aluminum Wiring FAQs
How do I know if my house has knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring?
Age is a hint but not proof – we can inspect visible and accessible wiring and tell you what we find, including any sections that would need opening a wall to confirm.
Does my insurer definitely require full replacement?
Not always – some accept an electrician's inspection and report instead. Check with your insurer directly, and we can provide documentation either way.
Is aluminum wiring as serious as knob-and-tube?
They're different issues with different fixes. Aluminum wiring's main risk is at connection points, which can sometimes be addressed without a full rewire – we'll assess your specific situation.
Do you handle just the flagged sections, or does it have to be the whole house?
We can do partial or full replacement depending on what your insurer requires and what you want done.