Knob-and-tube wiring in your inspection: what it means
Knob-and-tube (K&T) is original wiring in many pre-1950 homes. It's not automatically a crisis — but it changes your math.
What it is
An early wiring method with no ground conductor. Functional K&T isn't inherently on fire, but it degrades, can't safely serve modern loads, is often buried in insulation (a hazard), and frequently shows DIY splices. Insurers and lenders increasingly won't accept it.
How serious
Partial K&T (a few legacy runs) is manageable; whole-house K&T means a rewire. Rewiring a home runs roughly $8,000–$20,000+ depending on size, access, and plaster.
What to do
Find out how much is active, get a rewire estimate, and negotiate a credit. For an old home you intend to steward, full rewiring is often worth doing anyway — it's a one-time fix that resets the clock and satisfies insurers.