When one of the walked by the hallway where the box is with wire sticking
out, he brushed his shoulder against some wires and suddenly BOOM!!! I
heard a small explosion. The junction box is now partially black and this
is what he called a "home run" connecting wire to the panel and running to
another box.

Why were wires sticking out of the box? Doesn't seem like something a
competent electrician would do. Seems to me common sense would be not to
have wires sticking out that could come in contact with somebody. to me any
damage would be on him, he assumes quiet of liability as a contractor.




The wires in the box "appears" to be ok to me. The electrician told me I
should consider changing all "old wires" since they are old (1972) and may
be the cause of the problem.



If they think the wires should be replaced I would ask what they base that
opinion on. Copper last a long time if your wiring is copper. There's houses
still using knob & tube think how old that is.




Replacing ALL old wires are cost prohibitive. What is the best way to
determine why I had an explosion? I cannot see a wire being messed up as
a result of the explosion...

and I could not tell if he said it just for me to hire him for another few
weeks.
,



To me it's sounds like he is trying to ding you for more Money. This is how
a lot of contractors operate they come in get your trust sound very
convincing and then start suggesting other should be done items. On that
same subject is he a licensed contactor? Did you check the status of his
contractor's licenses? Did you check to see if he has liability insurance?
( that's a biggie)