Have you ever had someone try to “modernize” an old house and end up making things worse?
Oh man, you just described my neighbor’s “open concept” disaster. They ripped out a wall and found knob-and-tube, then just... drywalled over it like it was a ghost. I always say, if you’re hiring someone for renos, make sure they don’t treat old wiring like it’s just “vintage charm.” And if they flinch at brickwork, run.
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That’s wild—drywalling over knob-and-tube is just asking for trouble. I totally get what you mean about people treating old wiring like it’s some quirky feature instead of a hazard. I always ask potential contractors how they’d handle stuff like that, and if they brush it off or act like it’s no big deal, I’m out. Sometimes I feel picky, but honestly, you can’t be too careful with old houses. Ever had someone try to convince you “it’ll be fine” when your gut said otherwise?
Ever had someone try to convince you “it’ll be fine” when your gut said otherwise?
- 100% agree, trust your gut. If a contractor dismisses real safety issues, that’s a red flag.
- I always ask for specifics—like, “How will you address existing wiring?” If they can’t walk me through it step by step, I move on.
- Credentials matter, but so does attitude. If they act like my questions are a hassle, I’m not interested.
- Had one guy tell me “everyone just leaves old wiring in the walls.” Uh, no thanks. That’s how houses burn down.
- I’d rather be picky than sorry later.
Yeah, I hear you on the “it’ll be fine” thing—sometimes that’s just code for “I don’t want to deal with it.” Asking for specifics is smart. I’ve had clients grill me about wiring, plumbing, you name it, and honestly, I respect it. If someone’s annoyed by questions, that’s a bad sign. And leaving old wiring? Yikes. That’s not just lazy, it’s dangerous. Better to be a little picky up front than dealing with a mess (or worse) down the road.
I get what you mean about being picky up front—saves a lot of headaches later. I’ve had contractors try to brush off my questions too, and it’s always a red flag. I’d rather have someone who’ll walk me through their process, even if it takes longer. Curious, do you ever ask for photos of their previous work or just go by references? Sometimes I feel like photos can be staged, but references aren’t always super reliable either...
