If you own a home in Florida that was built in the 1960s or 1970s, you could very possibly have aluminum wiring in your home. While the majority of homes have copper wiring, due to the rising price of copper at this time, aluminum wiring was used for electricity. Aluminum wiring is a potential fire hazard as the wiring can become defective and loose at connections.
Recently, with insurance companies in Florida pulling out of the area, we have seen changes in guidelines for insurance underwriting includingn changes in Citizens and Universal Property and Casual. These policies have been updated to exclude aluminum wiring in homes over 50 years old. The cost of insurance on these homes, if insurable, have doubled, and in some cases the properties are un insurable!
Florida Association of Realtors is taking a stand against the new insurance guidelines and trying to enact legislation to include homes with aluminum wiring.
How do I know if my home contains aluminum wiring:
The best way to know is to consult an electrician. Aluminum wiring was used mainly during the mid 60's to mid 70's.
ALWAYS get a home inspector when purchasing a home. Those who are not in the home construction or inspection business do not realize that items such as aluminum wiring pose a potential dangerous and costly risk!
How to get rid of the aluminum wiring:
There are options to fix the aluminum wiring outside of replacing the entire electrical system with copper wiring (which is really the best choice!)
Some options include pigtailing and retrofitting with copper. Speak with your insurance company and your contractor prior to choosing the best option for you. Some insurance companies will only insure after a total re-wire is complete. Also, keep in mind that electricians must cut into sheetrock and ceilings in order to re-wire the home and most of the time the sheetrock repair and painting are not included in the electricians bill.
In gathering estimates for some investment properties we are currently selling, I contacted a local electrician who estimated the cost to re-wire a 1500 SF home with copper wiring was approximately $6,000 - $7,000 and did not include any painting work!
Best websites in regards to Aluminum Wiring:
http://www.floridahomeinspectionteam.net/?p=424
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminum_wire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdMNAaqtDG0
http://homeinspectortim.com/aluminim-wiring.html
For more information and resources please Contact these valuable local resources in the Pensacola, FL area.
Insurange Agencies in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties:
Find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RealtyMastersofFL
Find our Youtube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/pcolarealtymasters
Find us on Linked In http://www.linkedin.com/in/pamkeenpensacolarealestate
Recently, with insurance companies in Florida pulling out of the area, we have seen changes in guidelines for insurance underwriting includingn changes in Citizens and Universal Property and Casual. These policies have been updated to exclude aluminum wiring in homes over 50 years old. The cost of insurance on these homes, if insurable, have doubled, and in some cases the properties are un insurable!
Florida Association of Realtors is taking a stand against the new insurance guidelines and trying to enact legislation to include homes with aluminum wiring.
The best way to know is to consult an electrician. Aluminum wiring was used mainly during the mid 60's to mid 70's.
ALWAYS get a home inspector when purchasing a home. Those who are not in the home construction or inspection business do not realize that items such as aluminum wiring pose a potential dangerous and costly risk!
How to get rid of the aluminum wiring:
There are options to fix the aluminum wiring outside of replacing the entire electrical system with copper wiring (which is really the best choice!)
Some options include pigtailing and retrofitting with copper. Speak with your insurance company and your contractor prior to choosing the best option for you. Some insurance companies will only insure after a total re-wire is complete. Also, keep in mind that electricians must cut into sheetrock and ceilings in order to re-wire the home and most of the time the sheetrock repair and painting are not included in the electricians bill.
In gathering estimates for some investment properties we are currently selling, I contacted a local electrician who estimated the cost to re-wire a 1500 SF home with copper wiring was approximately $6,000 - $7,000 and did not include any painting work!
Best websites in regards to Aluminum Wiring:
http://www.floridahomeinspectionteam.net/?p=424
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminum_wire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdMNAaqtDG0
http://homeinspectortim.com/aluminim-wiring.html
For more information and resources please Contact these valuable local resources in the Pensacola, FL area.
Insurange Agencies in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties:
- Matt Salvator, Salvator Insurance (850) 932-3459 or email MSalvatorins@bellsouth.net http://www.salvatorins.com/ Online!
- Florida Insurance Agency (850) 994- 9567 or online at http://www.floridainsuranceagency.net/index.aspx?sid=26566
- McElhaney Electric: 455-8116
- Quigley Electric: 850-438-7561
- Selectricity: 850-346-7689
- Kelson Electric: 850-434-1134 or joey@kelsonelectric.com
Nicole St. Aubin, Realtor
Realty Masters of FL
(850) 473 3983 Office / (850) 473-3975 Fax
(850) 324-1615 Cell
4400 Bayou Blvd. #58B, Pensacola, FL 32503
Find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RealtyMastersofFL Find our Youtube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/pcolarealtymasters Find us on Linked In http://www.linkedin.com/in/pamkeenpensacolarealestate