Hi,

I know nothing about electricity but am buying a 4-apartment building that was built in 1930. Each apartment is about 1000 square feet, 2 bedroom and 1 bath. Space heaters and wall-unit air conditioners only... Each apartment has a fuse box and 100 amp service. I want to upgrade to circuit breakers (200 amps) [I might even add central air/heat to each unit in a few years.] There is a crawl-space and an attic. Two apartments on each floor.

I want to do the service upgrade inexpensively if possible. I just read about WireMold Raceway and I have NO problem using it to save money. If I can upgrade the 1 or 2 outlets per room, I can use WireMold to add outlets (I think? ) These are old apartments and no tenant will mind the look. (Is using WireMold a good idea to save money?) How many circuits should I have?

Any guess on the cost to professionally upgrade electrical service in just ONE apartment? New panel, new wires, etc. Just a rough range would be nice. Hopefully, I would get a better rate if I do 2, 3 or all 4 at the same time. Oh, will the electric bills go up after this upgrade if usage stays the same? (sorry I'm so wordy!)

Thank you all very much!

My comments follow your questions:


I know nothing about electricity

Hire an electrician, one, since you have no knowledge of doing electrical work, second, will be required as state laws rarely allow anyone without a license doing work in a multifamily dwelling.


But am buying a 4-apartment building that was built in 1930. Each apartment is about 1000 square feet, 2 bedroom and 1 bath. Space heaters and wall-unit air conditioners only... Each apartment has a fuse box and 100 amp service. I want to upgrade to circuit breakers (200 amps) [I might even add central air/heat to each unit in a few years.] There is a crawl-space and an attic. Two apartments on each floor.

An electrician needs to do load calculations to determine the size of the incoming service and size of each apartment service, to include how many circuits are needed.

I want to do the service upgrade inexpensively if possible.

Get quotes base on the same scope of work.

I just read about WireMold Raceway and I have NO problem using it to save money. If I can upgrade the 1 or 2 outlets per room, I can use WireMold to add outlets (I think? ) These are old apartments and no tenant will mind the look. (Is using WireMold a good idea to save money?)

Wire mold is not necessarily cheap to purchase or install. It serves the purpose when wiring cannot be fished for some reason. Since you do admit you have no electrical knowledge,a good electrician will have the knowledge of electrical wiring and construction methods, and will be able to fish cables much more that you think, and eliminate the need for Wiremold unless where absolutely necessary.


How many circuits should I have?

The electrician doing the load calcs an advise on this. There are various codes, including local, that will dictate how many circuits are needed.


Any guess on the cost to professionally upgrade electrical service in just ONE apartment? New panel, new wires, etc. Just a rough range would be nice.


If I was any good at guessing I would have won the lottery. Get quotes. Prices are subject to regional labor and material costs.

Hopefully, I would get a better rate if I do 2, 3 or all 4 at the same time.

Doing any type of work in phases rather than all at once usually is more expensive for various reasons.


Oh, will the electric bills go up after this upgrade if usage stays the same?

Of course, if the usage remains the same the bills will remain the same. Why would you think otherwise?

You would not be able to get any kind of cost from here. To many factors to consider with out physically looking at the project. There is a big difference from having 100 amp services to changing to 200 amp services so don't be surprised at the cost.

Sorry if this gets posted twice. Thanks tkrussel for the response. Yesterday, I went to the property. The wires go from the pole and attach to the 2nd story then feed down the wall to the 4 meters. As they leave their meters, the wires have become "uninsulated", they are totally bar exposed wires (for about 4 to 6 feet each as they travel to the vent in the crawl space.) Is this a danger situation? That side of the building does seem to be wet... would water over time cause the insulation to disintegrate? Thank you again.

Note that you may need a 5th service for common areas served by the apartments.

Thank you again guys. Fortunately, there is no "common area." All external lights, for example, are tied to one apartment or another. I am supposed to close on this property in 3 weeks and am looking for all the information I can find. The inspection is Friday so I can back out of the purchase for any reason after that. I just wish the electricity were up to date already. Thank you again guys for all the help. If you think of anything else, I'm hear to listen to you. Gary

All common areas such as lighting, emergency lighting, laundries and such should not be tied to a tenant's meter. These areas are the responsibility of the landlord, and should not be serviced by an apartment meter, much less paid for by a tenant that is not aware of the hidden cost that you are slipping to them.

The reason for the distinction is to prevent the common areas from losing power, if something happens inside an apartment that shuts off the service to emergency lighting and exit routes.

Please check with your local electrical inspector to verify or not the code they use allows something that the NEC code does not.

Again, be aware that unless the local authority having jurisdiction, allows an owner to perform electrical work on a multi-family dwelling, (forbidden by the NEC) you will need to get a licensed electrician.

Good luck.