Surface Wiring - and Inspections

[Igor Messano]

Hi Everyone,

I am in the process of buying a property (4 units) that has surface wiring throughout. 2 of the units I would be rehabbing upon purchase which will require drywall over plaster. Since the wiring is on top of the current plaster I need to either run the wire inside the plaster wall before drywalling (preferred) or just have the surface wire re-installed after the drywall is installed.

Any ideas of approximate costs for running existing wiring inside plaster? I am in the Philadelphia area. The apartments needing rehab are approx: 

1) 2/1 650 sqft
2) 1/1 450 sqft

Also - Outside of an electrical inspection, do I open myself up to anything else as far as inspections are concerned by pulling electrical permits etc? I would like to avoid having the city start to scrutinize everything in the property given a full gut rehab is not in budget. The remainder of the rehab is cosmetic with new tile, floors, vanities, paint, etc.