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It depends on where you live. Some cities may require a permit for electrical work, while others don’t. You’ll need to call your city’s building department to determine if you’ll need to apply for a permit or not. If a permit is required, you’ll likely have to pay a fee for it. 

It can be safe to buy or live in a house with knob and tube (K&T) wiring, but only if the system is in good condition, functional, and has been thoroughly inspected and approved by a licensed electrician. Never purchase a home with K&T wiring without getting a professional electrical inspection first.

Key considerations include:

• Safety and Condition: An inspector will verify that the wiring is safe and has not deteriorated. Over time, the insulation can wear away, leaving exposed wires that pose a significant fire or shock hazard.

• System Capacity: The electrical service should be at least 60 amps. However, even at this capacity, K&T systems often struggle to handle the demands of modern appliances and electronics.

• Lack of Grounding: Knob and tube wiring is an ungrounded system, which is a safety concern for many modern devices.

• Ongoing Maintenance: If you live in a home with K&T wiring, it's recommended to have it inspected by an electrician every one to two years to ensure it remains in safe working order.

Ultimately, any inspection or modification of a knob and tube system should always be performed by a certified professional.

A light switch should be at least 2 inches from the edge of the trim of a door. The location of wall studs will often help determine where to put the light switch by your doorway, and in most cases, wall studs make it impossible to install the switch closer than 2 inches. When possible, try to keep the switch within arm’s length of the entryway.

Yes. Like other trained specialists, electricians need to be licensed in their state of operation, and carry specific kinds of insurance required by that state, which usually includes general liability insurance and surety bonds. When choosing an electrician, always pay attention to these details, and avoid electricians who can’t offer proof. When it comes to wiring, you want experienced, trained pros doing the work.