I'm gonna go ahead and say you should aim high. Those old houses are probably going to have to be completely rewired. There are some old houses here in the tri-cities from the logging-king era, and I know that it cost thousands on thousands of dollars to renovate up to code. So much that many of these grand old houses are condemned and rotting in Saginaw. Bay City has it a lot better just because of the economy.
Personally, I wouldn't spare one cent for a good electrician. Ask anyone you know in a union, they will tell you straight up how it's gonna be. Good luck though, I really hope it pays out in the end!