looking to buy a house that was the showcase of the town in NE TX and found something interesting. It has a low voltage lighting control system. You push the on button, hear a relay clunk in the utility room, and the lights come on. Everything still functional. Parts are available, but I expect a system failure is inevitable.

This house still has two prong non-grounded outlets throughout.

Am I doing the right thing on getting an estimate to totally rewire the house with modern equipment and outlets to current code before I make an offer to buy? I expect it will take $20K or so since it is a 2500+ sq ft home.

yes. I wouldn't touch it without the budget for a rewire.

PICS!!!

This forum needs more MCM houses.

I might use that quote to help with the negotiations but I wouldn't mess with the system.

It kills me when people take these awesome houses and "update them" You wouldn't "update the interior of a 64 baracuda. So why would you mess with a classic house?

I definitely would update outlets to grounded code compliant type-but if wire needs pulled, wouldn't it make sense to do away with the low voltage control system? EDIT: I did find a source for replacement switches and relays-and I understand low voltage wiring-so might keep that part...But the two prong outlets gotta go.

It is a GE system:
http://retrorenovation.com/2009/07/17/gretchens-1961-ge-solenoid-system-lighting/


[This message has been edited by Aggiefan54 (edited 10/25/2012 7:04p).]

code is over rated