Knob and Tube Wiring

[Glenn Zhao]

Hi, I own a 7 unit multi-family property in Cleveland Ohio. Recently I renewed my insurance policy. The insurance company sent an inspector after I started the coverage. After the inspection, the insurance company said they found this property is still using knob and tube wiring and it has a big fire hazard. They asked me to either fix it or they will cancel the policy. 

My questions are:

1. Is it expenses to replace knob and tube wiring? what's the ballpark for a 7 unit property?

2. Do I really need to replace them or just look for another insurance company?

3. Can you refer some insurance companies who are not picky about K & T wiring?

thanks a lot for your help. 

[Andy D.]

@Glenn Zhao Yes, that's going to be rather expensive. I don't know about 7 unit buildings but for one story you can already end up in the area of some $6k and even more. So I guess your's would run towards $13-16k maybe?

K&T is, on its own, not necessarily more prone to being dangerous than modern wiring. The issues typically arise out of "add ons" after a totally fine K&T wiring was initially installed way back when: people add, typically in a haphazard way, modern wiring to the old K&T wiring, possibly even messing up the breaker system by adding higher amps circuit breakers etc. This could easily put too much load on the (old) wiring, leading to failure and possibly fire. Don't forget that most structures are built out of wood! What do you use to keep a fire running? ;-)

Also, today's ever increasing use of electricity most likely puts too much load on the old system which was never designed to handle this high usage/load (= amps = heat).

I think there is one very simple answer to your questions and it has nothing to do with finding a different insurance provider: You are renting this place out to other people. Imagine what happens if there is indeed an incident related to this old wiring. It doesn't always have to be a fire.