My parent's home in Queens, NYC was flooded with 18" of water in Hurricane Sandy. Many of the circuits in the house were flooded and will need to be replaced. The first electrician to quote the job is saying that the entire house *must* be brought up to current code, including dozens of new circuits to handle additional switched lighting, dedicated outlets for window AC units, exterior outlets and lighting, etc. He is not citing unsafe wiring -- he is saying he needs to add on to meet all requirements as if the house were built new today. They had no problem getting permits for a new panel and circuits in 2008, so I'm not sure why those omissions were fine then, but not now. I understand the need to do work according to NYC code, but wondering if current code truly requires those omissions to be addressed, or if it is acceptable to limit the scope to replacement of the flooded circuits? Comments, and especially code references, would be greatly appreciated.

I've only terminated stranded to a breaker a handful of time and unless it's me, solid does seem to be a more *solid* connection. I am running wire from transfer switch to the panel. Any benefits going with stranded over solid for this application ?