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Home / Knob & Tube Wiring Replacement San Jose

Outdated Wiring Is a Risk You Don’t Have to Live With

 If your home still has knob-and-tube wiring, it’s not a matter of if you should replace it—it’s a matter of when. Originally installed in homes built before 1950, this outdated system poses safety, insurance, and efficiency issues that modern homes and homeowners can’t afford to ignore.

At Dollens Electric, we specialize in knob and tube wiring replacement for historic and older homes throughout San Jose, CA, and the surrounding South Bay. Whether you live in Willow Glen, Naglee Park, Rose Garden, or an early-1900s bungalow in Los Gatos, our licensed electricians understand the intricacies of safely removing and upgrading these legacy systems.

What is Knob and Tube Wiring? (And Why It Was Used)

Knob and tube wiring was common in homes built before the 1950s. It used ceramic knobs to anchor wires and tubes to guide them through joists. While innovative in its time, it’s now dangerously outdated:

  • No grounding for modern appliances

  • Brittle insulation that can crumble or spark

  • Fire risk in attics or walls with added insulation

  • Uninsurable with many home insurance providers

If your home still has knob and tube wiring, it’s time to replace it.

Book Your Inspection Today

f you suspect your home has knob-and-tube wiring—or if you’ve been told you do—don’t wait. Call Dollens Electric for a detailed assessment and a clear plan to modernize your electrical system

Call (408) 929-6100 or 

Book Online

Let’s make your home safer, smarter, and ready for the future.

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Joel Zizmor
Highly efficient service. Provided the best solution to charge our new Tesla avoiding purchase of a costly charger. Installed a 50amp line and outlet. Highly recommended.
Response from the owner:Thanks Joel! You guys enjoy that new car!
Public Brady
Used again today to troubleshoot a couple of problems (Solved) and replace a ceiling fan (looks and works great). These guys are still the best.

I was pleased when they briefly reviewed an installation manual to make sure they remembered exactly how the brand worked. It was obvious Joshua already knew how to make the installation but he doubled checked anyway. (I'm glad I'm not the only person who still refers to a manual.)

Call/use them; you won't be sorry.
Linda Lampros
Jason is the BEST
Response from the owner:Thanks Linda, you are a great customer.
CARL DESOUSA
Response from the owner:Thanks Carl! It was good to work with you again. I will send over the quote to upgrade your backup system. Talk to you soon!
Olivia Chen
Dollens Electric installed a natural gas fired standby generator for me in May Last year. Jason called me and came to service the unit. The generator works like a charm every time we had PG&E outage. The best thing I have ever done for myself. They are professional and efficient. Unlike a lot of contractor, there was no fuss.. it is a large generator, they got it in a tight spot, yet met all the codes. Very nice.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words and for trusting us with your generator installation! We're thrilled to hear that the generator has been reliable during outages and that you're satisfied with our service. We strive to be efficient and professional, and your feedback is greatly appreciated. If you ever need anything in the future, feel free to reach out to us!
Jack Moorman
Dollens Electric did a great job for us in setting up the irrigation system for the Christmas Tree Farm.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words, Jack! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with our service. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we look forward to assisting you again in the future.
Shravan Pai
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! We’re thrilled to hear you had a great experience with us. Your support means a lot and helps us keep providing quality service. If there's anything else we can do for you, please let us know!
Dennis Rothenberg
Service was excellent and professional. Jason and Josh answered all my questions and gave good feedback. I will use again. Thank you!
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to leave such a positive review! We're delighted to hear that you found our service excellent and professional. It's great to know Jason and Josh were able to help with your questions and feedback. We look forward to serving you again in the future!
Stephen Loupe
The electrician, who is a son of the owner, was extremely knowledgeable, professional, prompt and expedient. He offered several options to my service request, but did so without pressure of any kind. The job was done quickly and with perfection. I highly recommend.
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to leave us such a positive review! We're delighted to hear about your excellent experience with our electrician. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we're glad we were able to meet your expectations. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to serving you again in the future.
Peter Seimas
Excellent Service
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star review! We're thrilled to hear that you had an excellent experience with our service. We appreciate your support and look forward to serving you again in the future.
karen johnson
Great service -- all of the above
Response from the owner:Thank you for your review! We are thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with our service. Your satisfaction is our top priority! If you have any further questions or need assistance in the future, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
Ken McConnell
Response from the owner:Thank you for your positive rating! We appreciate your support and are glad you had a good experience with us at Dollens Electric. If you have any feedback or suggestions, please feel free to reach out. We look forward to serving you again!
Paul Y
Very thorough and informative whole house fan, chandelier and kitchen hood thru roof job. Josh explained in details and provided suggestions to protect my old circuits also.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that you were satisfied with our services and that Josh was able to provide helpful guidance. We appreciate your trust in us for your electrical needs and look forward to assisting you in the future.
Katie Taylor
Wanted to replace very old track lighting in living room with can lights. Submitted an estimate request on a Sunday night, Jason came out first thing Monday morning to check out the project and provided a timely and reasonable estimate later that day and followed up with a phone call. Work was completed today, one week later! Josh, Elijah, and Ricky were respectful of our home, took great care to keep things clean and were very pleasant. I don't know why we put this project off for so long! We finally have decent lighting in our living room! Will definitely use Dollens Electric for any future home projects/maintenance!
Response from the owner:Thanks for the review Katie! It was a pleasure to work with you as well!
Renee Lewis
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind rating, Renee! We are thrilled to hear about your positive experience with Dollens Electric. If you ever need assistance with anything electrical in the future, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Dick mendoza
Punctual and thorough service with helpful future maintenance ideas.?
Response from the owner:Thank you for your feedback, We are always here to provide helpful maintenance ideas for the future. Your satisfaction is our priority!
Don M.
I highly recommend Dollen Electric. I called two other electricians and left a message to call back. They never did. However, Dolan Electric immediately...
J
Trustworthy very much describes Dollens Electric. Jason and his team including Josh and Elijah are reliable, honest, and efficient. I have used Dollens for major and small jobs and they stand by their work and rightfully so. Don't be fooled by cheap quotes that lure you in with the thought of getting major work done for a cheap cheap price. You get what you pay for and with Dollens, you get a great job for a fair price. Dollens is my go-to electrician.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We are delighted to hear about your positive experience with our team at Dollens Electric. We take pride in being reliable, honest, and efficient in every job, big or small. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we appreciate your trust in us. We look forward to serving you again in the future.
Justin K.
Trustworthy very much describes Dollens Electric. Jason and his team including Josh and Elijah are reliable, honest, and efficient. I have used Dollens for...
Matushree Jayadevi Charity USA
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the 5-star rating! We are glad to hear that you had a positive experience with our services. If you have any electrical needs in the future, feel free to reach out to us.
Val
Very professional and friendly.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to leave us a review. We strive to provide professional and friendly service to all our customers, and it’s always great to hear when we have met your expectations. We look forward to serving you again in the future.
Aximu Aierken
This guys are great! I got some problems with my electric and called them, they just led me do something with it, figured out my problem just a minute, I didn’t spend anything, thanks
Response from the owner:Dear Aximu Aierken, Thank you for your kind words! We're glad to hear that you had a great experience with us. Our team at Dollens Electric is always ready to help with any electrical problems. If you ever need assistance in the future, don't hesitate to give us a call. Thanks again!
Bruce Fox
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your positive rating! We appreciate your support and we're glad that you had a great experience with Dollens Electric. If you have any electrical needs in the future, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're always here to help!
Hyun-Sook Park
Knowledgeable, effective, and efficient !!
Excellent communication and professional!
Highly recommend!

Jason seemed to know the possible cause for the problem when I told him that the parts of the house were losing power gradually, and he was right!! He came out on the same day and fixed the problem (burnt crimp in junction box in the garage) within an hour!! Excellent!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We are glad to hear that you had a positive experience with our services. Our team at Dollens Electric strives to provide knowledgeable, effective, and efficient service. We are glad that Jason was able to identify and fix the problem promptly. If you have any further electrical needs, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Lauren Couff
Prompt, and they explained everything in detail
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We take pride in our prompt service and strive to ensure that our customers fully understand the work being done. We appreciate your feedback and hope you will reach out with any future electrical needs.
Richie M.
Thank You , Jason & Joshua for your professional electrical service for replacing my outdated challenger electrical panel ! Just wanna let everyone know ,...
Rob V.
I have been using Dollens for all my electric work (both repair and installation) in my house for over five years. They work well and quickly, offer...
Farah Desai
I have used Dollens for a few projects. The staff is excellent. Always on time and accommodating. The work is perfect. I would trust Dollens Electric for any electrical project.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words, Farah! We are delighted to hear that you have had a positive experience with Dollens Electric. Our team takes great pride in providing excellent service and being punctual and accommodating. We appreciate your trust in us for your electrical projects.
Linda Merrifield
Great experiece with Dollens knowledgeable professionals !
They went above board to make sure every thing was done to perfection !
Joel Rinsky
Professional, fair pricing, and stayed late to get complete the job. Excellent workmanship and could not recommend more.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your positive feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you appreciated our professionalism, fair pricing, and dedication to completing the job. Your recommendation means a lot to us.
Matt Ginsberg
These guys are great. Had power fail at one of our outbuildings; they offered to come fix it on Xmas eve but I said after Christmas was fine. They came out on time, got it fixed, all good. Highly recommended!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your awesome review! We're delighted to hear that you were satisfied with our service and that we could assist you at a convenient time. We appreciate your kind words and recommendation. We look forward to helping you again in the future!
Scott Williamson
Excellent service & very competitive pricing. Would definitely use Dollens again & recommend them to others.
Michele Carnahan
Excellent service with courteous and knowledgeable men
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are delighted to hear that our team provided you with excellent service. We always strive to deliver courteous and knowledgeable service to our valued customers. We look forward to serving you again in the future.
Vivek
They have helped us a couple of times now. Will continue to use them going forward.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and continued trust in our services. We look forward to assisting you with your electrical needs in the future.
Elvira Braun
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your 5-star rating! We appreciate your support and are thrilled to know that you had a great experience with us. Your feedback is valuable and encourages us to continue delivering excellent service.
Ben Yu
I apologize for leaving a 1 star review earlier. I wanted to leave a review for another electrician service with similar name.
Response from the owner:I apologize for your poor experience. But I believe you maybe confusing us with another company. We have not provided an estimate or service to Ben Yu.
Charles Coachman
The guys who came out listened to what I wanted to get done and got right on it. I’m very pleased with their work. More business to come!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear you're pleased with our work. We appreciate your business and look forward to assisting you again in the future.
Craig Warp
Very pleasant and professional, but very expensive for 20 minutes of work.
Stacey Olgado
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star review! We appreciate your support and are delighted to know you had a positive experience with us. If there's anything more we can do for you, please don't hesitate to let us know.
Chris B.
Dollens Electric is exceptional.
They give an accurate read on what needs
to be done. They are a safety-first company
that shows up energetic & work...
danny ng
Response from the owner:Thank you for rating us 5 stars! We’re thrilled to know you had a great experience with our service. If you ever need any further assistance or have any questions, feel free to reach out to us anytime.
Marquita Wright
Amazing experience with Jason! Prompt, quick, and knowledgeable. He helped me resolve an electrical issue within minutes! If I ever need help in the future, he’ll be the first person I call!
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that you received prompt and efficient service. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we're here whenever you need us.
Alfredo Boron
Great experience, Jason was professional, courtesy and knowledgeable and was able to address our issue. He also advised us on how to better safeguard our home. Thank you
James Lee Lucier
Very easy to work with. Good suggestions were offered. Work is always first-rate.
May Villanueva Woodward
Josh & Elijah did excellent work in replacing our electric panel. They were polite, professional & answered any questions I had. The work area was cleaned after they left. They even cleaned out my rain gutter & spout - above & beyond service!!
M W.
Josh & Elijah replaced our electrical panel. They were both professional & answered any questions I had. Their work area was cleaned after they were done....
Trajan Market
Arrived on time and very capable with the installation and fixes
Response from the owner:Thank You Trajan Market. Working with you guys was great. We look forward to the next project.
Stacie Puma
Dollen's Electric are our one-stop shop for anything electrical! Great family business! Give them yours!
Response from the owner:Stacie, Thank You. We appreciate your support and great review. You're awesome.
Levy Zamora Jr.
We recently bought a vehicle and I contacted Jason and he came right away. The next day his son Josh, cousin Elijah, and their friend came by to install our 240 volt outlet with precision and quality. I would go to them again.
Response from the owner:Thank you. We are so glad you are happy with our work. We really appreciate the review.
Slava M...n
Chris Griffith
We had a great experience with Dollens Electric—they helped us replace old wiring, install new outlets, and install bathroom fans in our home (including adding the vents through the roof). They were very personable and easy to talk to, and it was easy to see that they put a lot of care into their work. We're looking forward to working with them again soon!
Cynthia Berglund
Leslie Aytch
The work was completed as contracted. They were very professional nice.
James Lowry
They are simply the best. Polite, on time, communicative, and always ready to help with even mundane concerns. I’ll never use another electrician. Jason and his team are the gold standard.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much James. It is always a pleasure.
L Jand
Dollens Electric has helped me on several occasions. I highly recommend them.
Response from the owner:It was good to see you again! You are very nice and easy to work for. I hope you get to see those grandkids soon!
Joel Z.
Installed a whole house fan that is quiet and effective. Greatly reduces A/C cost. Workers are fast and efficient and cleaned up 100%. Quality products.
Matthew McCormick
This is the second time we've used Dollens, first being when they upgraded the wiring to the entire house. This time they installed an isolated circuit in our garage and some can lighting. Even though it was a smaller job, they treated it just as importantly as the bigger job.

They answered all our questions, let us know and talk through our options and didn't do any additional work without letting us know and approve the price difference for our requests, rather than telling us at the end of the job.

A+ work!
Response from the owner:Thanks Mathew. You and your wife were great to work for. I still want to steal your dog!
Lynne Baldwin
We had a ceiling fixture out. Jason came on out and diagnosed the problem and got it repaired very promptly. Courteous and friendly.
Response from the owner:Thanks Lynne! It was a pleasure to met you!
UthayDeepak Ka
Response from the owner:Deepak! Thanks for the review. I got to say you held your cool. It is mid December and we had to replace a major costly piece of your electrical system right before Christmas! Because you were so level headed you made it a pleasure to work for you. Thanks and Happy Hollidays!
Sriram Rao
Response from the owner:It was a pleasure working for you, Thanks for the review! Josh and Elijah mentioned how smart and energetic your son is almost every time they came back to the shop!
Khanh Nguyen
Professional, on time service. High quality work. Definitely will use again.
Response from the owner:Thank you Khanh, I am glad we have such great customers to work with.
LYNN HASTINGS
Excellent. Whenever I again need electrical assistance Dollens is the one I'll call.
Response from the owner:Thank you Lynn.
Dennise Carter
Response from the owner:Thank you Denise. It is always a pleasure to work with you.
Jim L.
This company is great. They were always on time and great at communicating both time estimates and costs. They are very thorough, knew current codes inside...

Signs Your Home May Still Have It

  • Your home was built before 1950 and hasn’t been rewired
  • Two-prong outlets throughout the house
  • Outlets spark or feel warm to the touch
  • Fuses blow frequently
  • Flickering lights or intermittent power

Real Work, Real Homes: A San Jose Case Study

  • In 2023, we rewired a 1924 Craftsman near San Jose State. The home had brittle cloth-wrapped wires buried in insulation—an extreme fire hazard. We completed a full knob and tube replacement, added a new sub panel, and installed a whole house surge protector, prepping the home for electrification and BAAQMD compliance.

Why replace Knob and Tube Wiring?

Safety

Knob-and-tube wiring was never designed to handle today’s electrical demands. Appliances like microwaves, hair dryers, and EV chargers can overload these fragile systems, increasing the risk of overheating, fire, and electrocution.

Insurance Coverage

Most insurers consider knob-and-tube wiring a high-risk liability. Many will deny new policies or cancel existing ones if K&T is present. Replacing this outdated system often restores eligibility and lowers premiums—giving you peace of mind.

Code Compliance

California’s current electrical code requires grounded circuits and updated safety protocols. Knob-and-tube wiring has no grounding and doesn’t meet modern standards, creating legal and functional issues during renovations, permitting, or resale.

Home Value & Resale

Homes with updated wiring are easier to insure, inspect, and sell. Replacing knob-and-tube wiring increases market appeal and eliminates red flags that might turn off potential buyers or derail escrow.

Add Whole House Surge Protection

California’s unpredictable grid makes surge protection essential. We install whole house surge protectors directly into your panel to block voltage spikes before they damage appliances or electronics. Ideal for:

  • EV chargers

  • Computers and home offices

  • Solar-powered systems

Learn More

Sub Panels: Expand Power Without Replacing Your Main Panel

Need more power for an addition, ADU, or solar array? Sub panels allow us to safely redistribute and expand your system without a full panel replacement.

Sub panels are great for:

  • Smart home upgrades

  • Garage EV charger installation

  • Accessory Dwelling Units

For More Information

Experts in Historic Home Electrical Upgrades

Knob-and-tube (K&T) wiring is an early electrical wiring method that uses porcelain insulators (“knobs”) and hollow ceramic tubes to route wires through framing. While it was common in homes built from the 1880s through the 1940s, it’s now considered outdated and hazardous.

Key problems include:

  • No grounding conductor (risk of shock)

  • Cloth-insulated wires that deteriorate with age

  • Overheating and fire risks when overloaded

  • Incompatibility with modern appliances and safety devices

BAAQMD Appliance Ban: Are You Ready?

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) has

mandated the phase-out of gas appliances:

  • 🗓 2027: No gas water heaters <75,000 BTU

  • 🗓 2029: No gas furnaces

  • 🗓 2031: No large commercial gas water heaters

This means most homes will need electrical upgrades. We help you get ahead of the deadline.

FAQ: Knob and Tube Replacement in San Jose

Is knob and tube wiring legal?
It’s grandfathered in, but not legal for upgrades. Insurance companies may refuse coverage.

Does rewiring damage walls?
We use strategic access points to limit cuts and preserve original materials.

Can I keep part of my knob and tube?
We recommend full replacement to ensure safety and code compliance.

Do I need a panel upgrade?
We’ll assess your load and may recommend a panel or sub panel to support EVs, heat pumps, and modern appliances.

Let’s Future-Proof Your Vintage Home—Together

Book a no-pressure consultation today. Our licensed electricians will walk your property, assess your wiring, and provide a detailed plan that protects your investment and your safety.

Call (408) 929-6100
Book Service Online Now »

We accept most major forms of credit cards, including Visa and MasterCard.

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