Partial rewire or full? The decision matters.
Most homeowners don't need a full rewire — they need a smart partial. But picking the wrong partial scope leaves money on the table and risk on the wall. Here's the decision framework.
By Steven Lockhart · Reviewed by Alex Towery, C-10 #989290
Updated 2026-06-16
Full rewire makes sense when 60%+ of circuits show failure risk, when remodel has walls open anyway, or when insurance requires it. Partial rewire makes sense when failure risk is concentrated in specific circuits (typically kitchen, bathrooms, exterior, laundry — the GFCI/AFCI-required locations). Most Marin homes are appropriate for major-partial scope: replacing high-risk circuits and panel while preserving lower-risk wiring that has 10-20 years of life remaining.
01When full rewire is the right answer.
Full rewire (every circuit replaced, panel and service updated) is the right scope when one or more of these conditions apply: the home is pre-1945 with substantial cloth or knob-and-tube wiring throughout, a major remodel is happening anyway and walls are open across most of the house, insurance carrier requires full replacement as condition of coverage, the homeowner is selling within 2-3 years and wants the cleanest possible disclosure profile, or the home has already had multiple electrical fires or near-misses indicating systemic deterioration.
Cost is significant ($25,000-$55,000+ for typical Marin home), but the math works when the alternative is repeated partial work over time, accumulating disruption, or accepting ongoing risk. Full rewire also enables modern conveniences (more outlets per room, dedicated circuits for appliances, smart-home infrastructure, EV-ready capacity) that piecemeal work doesn't accomplish.
02When partial rewire is the right answer.
Partial rewire (selective circuits replaced, panel typically updated, some original circuits preserved) is the right scope when failure risk is concentrated in specific high-load or code-critical circuits. Common partial scope: kitchen circuits, bathroom circuits, laundry, exterior outlets, all required GFCI/AFCI locations, plus panel and service. Preserves: bedroom lighting circuits, hallway lighting, living-room receptacle circuits — areas where original wiring is likely sound and not subject to high loads.
Cost is meaningfully lower ($14,000-$28,000 typical) than full rewire while addressing 70-80% of the actual risk. Right answer for most Marin homes built 1955-1985 where panel is end-of-life but branch wiring is mixed condition — the high-load circuits need replacement, the low-load circuits can wait.
03The decision matrix we use.
| Condition | Indicates |
|---|---|
| Cloth wiring at 80%+ of circuits | Full rewire |
| Cloth wiring at 30-60% of circuits | Major partial |
| Aluminum branch wiring | AlumiConn retrofit (not rewire) |
| Pre-1965 + sale within 5 years | Lean toward full rewire |
| 1965-1985 + staying long-term | Major partial usually optimal |
| Walls open during remodel | Full rewire (incremental cost low) |
| Insurance carrier mandate | Whatever carrier requires |
| Mixed scope (some good, some bad) | Targeted partial covering bad areas |
Common questions.
Does partial rewire leave 'time bombs' in the walls?
Only if scoped wrong. A properly-scoped partial rewire replaces the circuits most likely to fail (kitchen, bath, laundry, exterior, anything high-load) while preserving circuits that have 10-20 years of life remaining (bedroom lighting, low-use receptacle circuits in good-condition wiring). The preserved circuits aren't time bombs — they're functional infrastructure that will be replaced in the next round of work, probably 15-20 years out. The risk comes from preserving circuits that should have been replaced now.
How do I know what circuits to include in a partial?
We do the scope decision during a 60-90 minute assessment visit: panel inspection, sampling outlets and switches in every room, attic and crawl space inspection, identifying any K&T or cloth wiring in active use. We then map the home's circuits and rate each by failure risk and replacement priority. Output is a scope recommendation with cost, plus a list of any circuits we recommend preserving for future replacement. You see the full reasoning before signing.
Can partial today turn into full later if needed?
Yes — that's the phased approach to full rewire. Phase 1 partial covers the most critical circuits. Phase 2 (typically 3-7 years later) addresses the next priority. Phase 3 (if needed) completes the work. Cost is similar to full rewire overall but spread across multiple years. Right answer for homeowners with cash-flow constraints or who want to address the worst issues now without committing to whole-house disruption immediately.
Does the panel always get replaced in a partial rewire?
Almost always yes. By the time branch wiring needs replacement, the original panel is usually past its service life too. FPE/Zinsco panels (common in 1965-1985 era homes) need replacement on safety grounds alone. Older panels (pre-1965) typically lack adequate capacity for modern loads. Combined panel + partial rewire is the standard scope. Occasional exceptions: recent panel replacement (within 5 years) on otherwise older home, panel in genuinely good condition for the era.
Will insurance treat partial rewire differently from full?
Sometimes yes, depending on carrier. Some carriers accept partial rewire that addresses the highest-risk circuits as full remediation. Some require specific scope (panel + bathroom + kitchen + exterior at minimum). Some require full whole-house. Coordinate with your carrier before scoping the work — we provide documentation to whatever spec the carrier needs. The carrier conversation is part of the rewire planning process for most Marin homeowners.
How do you handle pricing — flat fee or hourly?
Both, depending on scope. Routine service calls and predictable scope (panel replacement, EV charger install, transfer switch install, fixture replacement) are flat-fee quoted up front. Diagnostic visits and emergency scope are hourly because we don't know what we'll find. Either way, you get a written quote before work starts on anything significant, and we don't proceed beyond the quote without your sign-off.
How quickly can you schedule?
Depends on scope and season. Emergency dispatch: same-day across Marin County (1-3 hours business hours, 1-4 hours after-hours). Same-day standard service: 3-6 hours from call when capacity allows; otherwise next business day. Scheduled service work: 1-3 weeks typical. Larger projects requiring permits and PG&E coordination: 4-12 weeks depending on scope. We're upfront about timeline at the quote stage.
What warranty do you offer on work?
Our standard residential warranty: 2 years on labor, manufacturer warranty on parts (varies by product — typically 1-10 years). Major installs (panels, generators, EV chargers) often have longer manufacturer warranties (5-10 years). If there's an issue with our work in the warranty period, we come back and fix it at no cost. We also stand behind work past warranty — repeat customers and referrals matter more than a transactional fix.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. California State License Board C-10 Electrical Contractor #989290, in good standing. Carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance as required by California law. Bondable on projects requiring it. Happy to provide proof of insurance to clients or property managers on request. License lookup: cslb.ca.gov.
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