When remodeling. Must I bring the entire house up to code?

[Philliph]

Anytime I have re-wired a house, I have automatically brought the house up to code. Which is quite a venture sometimes in these homes. But am I required to do so? Sometimes the home owner says they don't want anything added, just re-wired with grounding.

 

[electricalist]

I'd say if you extend or replace it , It would need to be code compliant. Some things were compliant when it was done originally.
If you 're wire the house what would be something that is not up to code?

 

[Philliph]

I have a home owner right now telling me he doesn't want another kitchen circuit, washroom circuit, outside GFI, more bedroom and living space receptacles, etc. No gutting the house, or tearing down walls, just a wire upgrade is all he wants.

 

[electrofelon]

Anytime I have re-wired a house, I have automatically brought the house up to code. Which is quite a venture sometimes in these homes. But am I required to do so? Sometimes the home owner says they don't want anything added, just re-wired with grounding.

Probably a best to ask you AHJ how they handle this. In Seattle for example, they wont make you fish in new plugs to meet spacing requirements if there is some work going on, but if you open a wall and that space wasnt served by a recep to the 6/12 rule, they will make you put one there. They wont make you replace old wiring even if it is exposed AFAIK.

In Mass, "rule 3" states that additions/modifications to a portion doesnt require upgrading the rest.

 

[Philliph]

Also, he doesn't want anymore receptacles added to the kitchen counters.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

If the walls are gutted then you need to bring it to code. However if you are just rewiring to make the 2 wire receptacles into 3 wire throughout the house then you should not need to upgrade the entire home. Smoke detectors may be needed depending on your local building code

Afci may be necessary

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I have a home owner right now telling me he doesn't want another kitchen circuit, washroom circuit, outside GFI, more bedroom and living space receptacles, etc. No gutting the house, or tearing down walls, just a wire upgrade is all he wants.

That should not be an issue but afci may be necessary

 

[Philliph]

Thanks guys, this is heading me in the right direction, and will help with my bidding. And yes, Smoke circuits are a requirement here.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Thanks guys, this is heading me in the right direction, and will help with my bidding. And yes, Smoke circuits are a requirement here.

Always best to check with the authority having jurisdiction just because there are local codes etc