Your complete guide from the experts at Doc Electrical Services in Lakeland, FL

Is your home showing signs of electrical trouble? Are flickering lights, frequent breaker trips, or an outdated panel starting to concern you? If so, it might be time for a whole-home rewire—a major but necessary investment in your safety and comfort.

At Doc Electrical Services, we know that the idea of rewiring your entire home can sound overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created this complete guide to walk you through the process—so you know exactly what to expect every step of the way.

Why Might You Need a Whole-Home Rewire?

If your electrical system is more than 30 years old or you’re starting to experience issues, your wiring may no longer be safe or up to code. Here are some common signs that a rewire is in order:

Warning Signs:

• Frequent breaker trips or blown fuses
• Flickering or dimming lights
• Outlets that spark, smell like burning, or feel hot
• Ungrounded (2-prong) outlets or missing GFCIs
• Aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring
• Lack of power for modern appliances or smart tech

Many insurance companies now require updated wiring to maintain coverage—and electrical code updates in Florida may mandate changes you didn’t even know about.

How Long Does a Whole-Home Rewire Take?

The timeline for a full rewire can range from 5 to 10 days for most homes, but this depends on:

• Size of the home
• Access to attic, walls, or crawl spaces
• Whether walls or ceilings need opening
• Whether you’re living in the home during the project
• If a panel upgrade is needed at the same time

At Doc Electrical Services, we pride ourselves on minimizing disruption and finishing efficiently without cutting corners.

Our Step-by-Step Electrical Rewiring Process

Here’s what you can expect when you schedule a whole-home rewire with Doc Electrical Services:

1. Electrical Inspection & Assessment
We begin with a full diagnostic of your current system. Our licensed electricians will:

• Test your circuits and breakers
• Check for fire hazards and outdated materials
• Determine if your wiring meets the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local Lakeland requirements
• Discuss any safety concerns or performance limitations

This phase ensures that we’re not just replacing old wires—we’re upgrading your system to meet today’s demands.

2. Customized Rewire Plan

Once we assess your home’s electrical needs, we’ll present a detailed plan that includes:

• Number and types of new circuits
• Updated layout for outlets, switches, and lighting
• GFCI and AFCI protection
• Smart home or EV charger compatibility (if requested)
• A complete estimate with timeline

We also pull all necessary permits and coordinate inspections with local authorities.

3. Power Shutoff and Home Prep

Next, we’ll prepare your home for the work. This may include:

• Temporarily shutting off power to sections of the house
• Covering furniture and flooring in work zones
• Creating clear access paths to walls, attic, and crawlspaces
• Establishing temporary power to essential areas, if possible

Our team respects your space and aims to keep your home as clean and functional as possible throughout the job.

4. Removing Old Wiring

We carefully remove outdated wiring, usually from:

• Outlets and switches
• Breaker panel connections
• Old conduit or knob-and-tube systems

If the wiring is buried inside walls, we’ll cut minimal access points to fish new wires through. We safely dispose of all materials according to local guidelines.

5. Installing New Wiring
This is the heart of the project. We’ll install:

• Modern copper wiring
• New grounded outlets and light switches
• GFCI outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry, and outdoors
• Dedicated circuits for appliances, HVAC, and technology
• Optional upgrades like whole-home surge protection or smart controls

All wiring is installed to meet or exceed the Florida Building Code and NEC standards.

6. Drywall Repair and Clean-Up
Once wiring is complete, we’ll patch any drywall holes made during the installation. While major repairs may be referred to a trusted contractor, most minor patching is handled in-house.

We also:

• Vacuum all work areas
• Replace faceplates and fixtures
• Clean surfaces and work zones

You’ll hardly know we were there—except now, your home is safer and smarter.

7. Final Testing and Inspection
Before we hand your home back over, we:

• Test every outlet, switch, and light
• Ensure breakers are properly labeled
• Check voltage, grounding, and safety protocols
• Schedule and pass your city or county inspection

Once everything is approved, your home is officially rewired, safe, and code-compliant for years to come.

Can You Live in Your Home During the Rewire?

In many cases, yes—but it depends on your comfort level. You can typically live in your home during a rewire if:

• It’s a partial or phased rewire
• You have access to temporary power
• You can avoid work zones during the day

However, for larger or more complex jobs, especially with young children or elderly family members, we may recommend staying elsewhere for safety and convenience. We’ll always be upfront about what to expect.

Factors That Affect Cost:

• Age and construction of your home
• Accessibility to attics or crawlspaces
• Local permitting and inspection costs
• Upgrades to service panel or meter
• Any drywall or structural work

Tip: At Doc Electrical, we offer financing options and can break a large rewire into phased projects if needed.

Why Trust Doc Electrical Services in Lakeland, FL?

We’re not just another electrical contractor—we’re your neighbors, and we take pride in protecting our Lakeland community with high-quality workmanship. When you hire Doc Electrical, you get:

• Licensed, bonded, and insured professionals
• Local knowledge of Florida codes and permits
• Clean, courteous, and on-time technicians
• Transparent estimates and honest advice
• Fast communication and minimal disruption

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I upgrade my panel at the same time?

Yes! In fact, it’s common to combine panel upgrades with a whole-home rewire for improved safety and load capacity.

Do you need to cut open all my walls?

No—we use modern fishing techniques to minimize wall openings. In some cases, access panels or small cuts are needed, but we always clean and patch after.

What materials do you use?

We only use high-quality copper wiring and components approved by the NEC and Florida Building Code.

Can I rewire just one section of my home?

Absolutely. If you’re remodeling or only certain areas need work, we can create a phased rewire plan that fits your budget and timeline.

Get Started With a Safer, Smarter Home Today

A whole-home rewire is a major project—but it’s also a long-term investment in safety, efficiency, and peace of mind. If your home’s electrical system is outdated, don’t wait for a dangerous failure or fire risk.

Call Doc Electrical Services in Lakeland, FL to schedule a free consultation or inspection today. Our expert team will walk you through every step—from planning and permits to testing and final cleanup.

📞 (863) 616-3003
🌐 www.docelectricalservices.com
📍 Serving Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, and nearby areas