How much does it cost to rewire a house?
How much does it cost to rewire a house?
$5 – $17 cost per square foot
$10,000 – $30,000 average cost to rewire a whole house
Average cost to rewire a house
The average cost to rewire a house is $10,000 to $30,000 or $5 to $17 per square foot. The total cost of rewiring a house depends on the location, age, size, number of rooms, wiring accessibility, and wire and material prices. Rewiring an old house may require additional updates.
| Square feet | Average cost to rewire |
|---|---|
| 250 | $1,300 – $4,300 |
| 500 | $2,500 – $8,500 |
| 800 | $4,000 – $13,600 |
| 1,000 | $5,000 – $17,000 |
| 1,200 | $6,000 – $20,400 |
| 1,500 | $7,500 – $25,500 |
| 2,000 | $10,000 – $34,000 |
| 2,500 | $12,500 – $42,500 |
| 3,000 | $15,000 – $51,000 |
| 3,500 | $17,500 – $59,500 |
| 4,000 | $20,000 – $68,000 |
Cost to rewire a house by room
| Room | Square feet | Average cost to rewire |
|---|---|---|
| Basement | 500 – 1,500 | $2,500 – $25,500 |
| Bathroom | 40 – 150 | $200 – $2,600 |
| Bedroom | 130 – 230 | $650 – $3,900 |
| Garage | 240 – 700 | $1,200 – $11,900 |
| Kitchen | 100 – 200 | $500 – $3,400 |
| Living room | 200 – 450 | $1,000 – $1,700 |
| Shed | 50 – 450 | $250 – $7,700 |
| Shop or metal building | 1,200 – 5,000 | $3,000 – $10,000 |
Electrical and code requirements vary by room:
The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires at least one outlet every 12'.
Wet locations like bathrooms and kitchens require dedicated circuits and GFCI-protected outlets, which increases costs.
Whole house rewiring cost calculator
| Factor | Average cost to rewire through attic, basement, or floor joists | Average cost when opening walls, rewiring, and replacing drywall |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,000 – $8,000 | $8,000 – $12,000 |
| Labor | $6,000 – $12,000 | $12,000 – $18,000 |
| Total cost to rewire | $10,000 – $20,000 | $20,000 – $30,000+ |
Factors affecting the cost include:
Home size & design complexity –Rewiring a large home or a home with complex layouts require more labor and materials. Previous remodeling or home additions may add challenging logistics with multiple crawl spaces or attics.
Number of rooms & circuits – Each room adds multiple circuits, outlets, and switches to the total.
Material quality – Choosing high-end outlets, switches, and fixtures instead of standard finishes increases the total cost significantly when rewiring an entire house.
Accessibility – Rewiring a home without attic, crawl space, or basement access often requires opening walls and ceilings, increasing the total labor, repair work and debris removal costs.
Staying home vs. temporary relocation – Electricians recommend staying out of the home during the project. Rewiring while living in the home takes longer and costs more due to the extra daily cleanup and the need to power circuits back on each day.
Temporary storage – A storage unit costs $40 to $150+ per month to store and protect valuables while electricians rewire the home. Some facilities may offer weekly rates.
Geographic location – Labor and material prices are higher in major cities and areas with a higher cost of living.
Permits& inspections
Electrical rewiring permits cost $250 to $900.
An electrical inspection costs $100 to $200 to confirm the work is code compliant.
Repairs – House rewiring involves making many small holes in the walls and ceilings to fish the new wiring behind the drywall or plaster. Older homes may also require additional repairs if contractors find asbestos or lead paint.
Drywall repair costs $50 to $400 per patch, depending on the size and number of patches.
Ceiling repair costs $50 to $100 per square foot for drywall, or $50 to $125 per square foot for lath and plaster.
Asbestos removal costs $5 to $15 per square foot inside the home and $10 to $125 for asbestos on the home's exterior.
Removing lead paint costs $8 to $15 per square foot.
Labor cost to rewire a house
Electricians charge $50 to $130 per hour for the labor to rewire a house. Most contractors estimate at least one hour per 100 square feet for wiring installation. Rewiring typically requires at least a two-person crew when the project involves fishing wiring through closed walls.
Some electricians charge a flat rate of $100 to $300+per opening—per outlet, switch, or fixture—for rewiring, which includes labor and materials.
Electrical repairs cost $150 to $600 on average for small jobs, or $2,000 to $10,000+ for large or complex repairs.
Material cost to rewire a house
Electrical wiring costs $0.10 to $4.00 per linear foot for materials alone, depending on the type. The total material cost depends on the home size and the number and type of circuits.
Conduit prices are $0.70 to $8.00+ per linear foot, not including labor. Conduit is flexible or rigid tubing that protects electrical wiring in exposed or unfinished locations.
Cost to rewire a house with plaster walls vs. drywall
The cost to rewire a house with plaster walls is often higher than rewiring one with drywall due to the higher plaster repair cost. Both jobs involve making several small holes to fish new wiring through the walls, provided the home has basement, attic, or crawl space access.
The cost of wall plastering is $2 to $10 per square foot. Plastering a ceiling costs $2.50 to $12.00 per square foot.
Drywall repair costs $50 to $150 per patch. Replacing entire walls or ceilings with drywall costs $2 to $6 per square foot.
Opening the walls completely to rewire the electrical system adds 25% to 30% to the total project cost, but this method may be the only option for older homes lacking accessibility.
Cost to update electrical panel
The cost to replace an electrical panel is $850 to $2,500. Many older homes have a fuse box or a 60-amp circuit breaker panel, insufficient for today's modern appliances and increased power demands. A 150- or 200-amp service panel is ideal for most homes.
The average cost to replace a circuit breaker switch is $100 to $260.
Installing a dedicated circuit costs $250 to $900. Most large appliances require a dedicated circuit.
Cost to redo electrical outlets and switches
Some electrical rewiring estimates include replacing the outlets and switches.
The average cost to replace an outlet is $80 to $200, or $1,200 to $2,600 on average for labor and materials to replace all outlets in a house. Replacing a GFCI outlet costs $90 to $200.
The cost to ground an outlet is $100 to $300.
Outlet repair costs $80 to $200, depending on the issue. Most broken outlets require replacement rather than repair.
Replacing a light switch costs $50 to $250, depending on the type.
Replacing ungrounded outlets with GFCI outlets may be a cheaper alternative to protect the home's residents from electrocution without whole house rewiring. An electrical inspection can determine the best options.
Cost to rewire an old house vs. new house
The cost to rewire an old house is higher than wiring a new construction home because old house wiring is concealed behind walls and ceilings.
| Project | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Rewire a house | $10,000 – $30,000 |
| Wire a new house | $6,000 – $22,500 |
| Replace knob and tube wiring | $12,000 – $35,000 |
New construction electrical wiring costs $4 to $9 per square foot, or $6,000 to $22,500 for a 1,500 to 2,500 square foot home. However, new construction involves additional setup costs:
The cost to run power from the road to the house is $5 to $15 per square foot for overhead power lines or $10 to $25 per square foot to run electricity underground.
The average cost to get utilities on land is $2,500 to $12,500 on average for electricity alone.
Pre-1950 homes typically have knob and tube wiring, which does not meet current safety standards. Knob and tube wiring replacement costs $12,000 to $35,000. The project typically also requires upgrading the electrical service panel and adding new outlets and fixtures to handle today's higher electrical demands.
Look for an "old home electrician" when searching for a professional to rewire an older home, as the challenges in working with an older home require an experienced skill set.
Rewiring a house FAQs
Cost to rewire a small house or mobile home
The cost to rewire a small house or mobile home is $2,000 to $17,000. Like larger homes, the total rewiring cost depends on the number of circuits and the accessibility. Rewiring a home with a crawlspace or attic typically costs less because the wiring is easier to reach.
Does rewiring a house add value?
Rewiring a house adds value if the home's wiring is outdated or malfunctioning. While rewiring may not significantly increase the appraisal amount, most potential buyers will lower their offer or require a discount if an inspection finds outdated wiring.
Get an inspection before listing your property to determine if your home needs rewiring to sell.
How long does it take to rewire a house?
Rewiring a house takes 3 to 10+ days, depending on the home's size and age, crew size, and job complexity. Rewiring projects involving cutting into walls take longer due to the added demo, repair, and clean-up involved.
How often and when should you rewire a house?
Experts recommend rewiring a house—at least in part—every 25 to 30 years. Wiring installed correctly under ideal conditions may last 50 to 70 years, but your home may need updating sooner due to technological advancements, increased power demands, and evolving safety regulations.
Signs you should rewire a house include:
The home is 30+ years old.
The home has aluminum wiring.
The home has knob and tube wiring.
An electrical inspection determines the wiring is outdated or unsafe.
Fuses blow or breakers trip frequently.
Some older homes may not require complete rewiring. Hire a licensed electrical inspector to assess and confirm if rewiring is needed.
Can you rewire a house in stages?
You can rewire a house in stages, but most electrical contractors recommend rewiring the whole home at once when possible. Rewiring a house room by room takes longer and typically costs more in total.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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How to get your house rewired for free
Many local, state, and federal assistance programs help qualifying homeowners bring their residence up to current safety standards, which may include house rewiring. Eligibility depends on age, income, location, project details, and program type.
The USDA offers Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants for low-income homeowners as part of the Section 504 Home Repair Program.
Can you rewire a house without removing drywall?
You can rewire a house without removing drywall in most cases by working from an attic or crawl space and fishing the new wiring through small drywall holes. This method takes longer than rewiring with open walls, but leaving the walls mostly intact reduces the total project cost.
Can I rewire my own house?
You can rewire your own house if you are experienced with electrical wiring, know the current building and electrical codes, and your city allows homeowners to obtain an electrical permit.
Many states require a licensed and insured electrician for rewiring to ensure it is safe and up to code.
Improper wiring can lead to electrical fires, injury, electrocution, and costly repairs. Contact your local building authorities for requirements before beginning any DIY electrical work.
Getting estimates from a rewiring electrician
Before hiring an electrician to rewire your home, remember to:
Get 3 to 5 in-person estimates to compare.
Look for electricians specializing in house rewiring.
Check their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Hire a licensed, bonded, and insured company established for at least 5 years.
Avoid going with the lowest bid as quality may suffer.
Get a detailed contract and warranty in writing before the work begins.
Never pay in full before the work is complete. Work out a payment plan instead.
Questions to ask
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
How long have you been in business?
What experience do you have rewiring houses?
Can you provide references with contact information?
Is this an estimate or a firm bid?
What additional costs might come up during the rewiring?
Do you handle the permitting process?
Can you rewire the house without opening the walls?
Do you offer financing?
How long will the job take?
What condition do you leave the house in after the rewire?
Can I be living in the home during the rewiring project?
Do you offer a warranty? If so, what does it include?