electrician looking at drawing of apartment wiring

At first, it was just a single spark from an outlet, but soon it grew to an electrical fire that destroyed everything but the building’s walls. This was the scene at Onyx 67 Apartments. Countless residents were left homeless, and property management had to pick up the pieces of their crumbing 16-unit apartment building. To make sure this never happened again, Onyx 67 Apartments called our commercial electricians to completely rewire the building from the ground up. It was a daunting task, but our commercial electricians were ready thanks to their:

  • Expert Knowledge
  • Experience
  • Locality
  • Coordination
  • Consistency

If you’re a property manager, rewiring an entire apartment building may seem impossible, but our commercial electricians have the skills and experience needed to save your electrical system. For proof, check out how we handled the Onyx 67 Apartments project:

Fire damage changes everything. At Onyx 67 Apartments, the fire destroyed the electrical infrastructure inside the building. Even though the walls remained, wiring, panels, and systems could not be trusted. Smoke, heat, and water compromise insulation and connections in ways that are not always visible. Onyx 67 couldn’t take any chances. This meant that the project required:

  • A full building rewire
  • New electrical layouts for all 16 units
  • Updated code compliance
  • Coordination with city inspectors
  • New utility service planning

This type of electrical repair, especially one of this size, is not a quick fix. Our commercial electricians had to evaluate every component of the apartment building’s electrical system to ensure nothing was overlooked. Even the smallest amount of fire damage could bring the Onyx 67 Apartments down again if it wasn’t treated right away. And in a 16-unit apartment building, it can be difficult to know how to start rewiring and electrical repair. Luckily, we had the necessary experience.

Our Experience in Large Commercial Projects Made the Process Smoother

Many people assume electrical work scales easily. Sixteen units might sound like the same job repeated sixteen times, but this isn’t the case. A commercial electrician must account for higher electrical loads, shared systems across multiple units, fire separation requirements, utility coordination, and strict inspection standards. These factors are all an absolute must to ensure the safety of the new electrical system and prevent a fire of this magnitude from happening again.

Unlike residential jobs, mistakes on commercial projects can stop an entire build. A failed inspection can delay dozens of other trades and cost thousands of dollars. This is why commercial electrical projects require experienced electrical service providers, not just installers. And with a master electrician with more than 25 years of experience leading our team of commercial electricians, Landis Electric knew exactly how to handle this job.

Our Familiarity with Local Codes and Inspections Sped Things Up

One of the first challenges at Onyx 67 was not the wiring itself, but the process. The general contractor was from out of town and unfamiliar with how Kansas inspectors operate. In some states, inspectors only review work at the end. In Kansas, inspectors often provide feedback mid-project. This process typically includes a visit during rough-in, offering corrections before walls are closed, and changes during construction. This was nothing like what the general contractor expected.

Luckily, Landis Electric understood the process. Instead of treating inspections as obstacles, we treated them as guidance. This helped the contractor understand inspector expectations, apply feedback early, and avoid failed inspections. Our commercial electricians were determined to work with other teams involved in this rewiring project to ensure everything went smoothly, whether those teams were contractors or utility companies.

We Coordinated Electrical Services with Evergy

Large apartment buildings like Onyx 67 do not just plug into existing power; they require careful coordination with electrical companies. Without this step, apartment buildings simply won’t get the electricity necessary to power each unit’s appliances, lights, thermostat, and everything else that makes a modern home livable. That’s why we spoke with Evergy to develop a plan for electrical service that would meet the building’s needs and follow utility standards. This process included:

  • Load planning for 16 units
  • Aligning layouts with Evergy requirements
  • Clear communication of project goals
  • Adjusting plans to meet utility expectations

There is often misalignment between property owners, contractors, and utilities. As a result, projects can slow down as teams try to communicate with each other, or misunderstandings cause electrical issues that need to be fixed before people can move into units. Landis Electric acted as the middleman to prevent this from happening. We translated client goals into utility language and utility standards into construction plans to ensure the project could move forward smoothly.

We Rewired 16 Units with Consistency

The Onyx 67 project involved wiring the same layout sixteen times. While repetition can increase efficiency, it also demands expert precision. Every unit had to match code exactly, align with inspection feedback, and maintain consistency for future maintenance. A mistake repeated sixteen times becomes a major issue. Our team of commercial electricians applied the same high standards to every unit, ensuring consistency across the building. But that doesn’t mean every commercial electrician will follow this method. In fact, this project taught us that some electricians don’t follow as organized a plan as we do.

We Didn’t Provide the Lowest Bid and Still Got the Job

During the final stages of the project, the general contractor shared an important detail: Landis Electric was not the lowest bid. However, our proposal was the most thorough. Our commercial electricians identified multiple code issues the architect had missed. These findings eliminated many potential change orders that often appear mid-project.

How annoying would it be to finish paying a commercial electrician for a large project just to find something doesn’t work like it should or isn’t up to code? Not to mention change orders for large commercial jobs are especially expensive, costing your even more after you thought you had finished paying. But by investing upfront in proper planning, Landis Electric prevented rework, reduced surprises, and protected the project timeline. This is the difference between basic electrical work and professional commercial electrical planning.

Have a Complex Commercial Electrical Project? Landis Electric Can Help!

When property owners search for electrical contractors near me, they are looking for more than proximity. They want local knowledge, familiarity with inspectors, quick response times, and accountability even after the job is done. Large commercial projects benefit from local expertise. Landis Electric’s understanding of Kansas codes, inspectors, and utilities was a key advantage on the Onyx 67 Apartments project.

Our commercial electricians delivered expert planning, code-level precision, strong utility coordination, and reliable execution. For property owners, developers, and general contractors, choosing the right commercial electrician protects budgets, schedules, and safety. Call to schedule a consultation today and know that your commercial project is in good hands.

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