How much does electrical wiring cost?
How much does electrical wiring cost?
$4 – $9 cost per square foot
$6,000 – $22,500 average cost to wire a new house (1,500 – 2,500 SF)
Cost to wire a new house
The average cost to wire a new house is $4 to $9 per square foot, or $6,000 to $22,500 for a 1,500 to 2,500 SF home. Electrical wire pricing is $0.10 to $4.00 per linear foot before installation. Wiring for new commercial construction costs $7 to $15 per square foot.
| Square feet | Average cost to rewire |
|---|---|
| 250 | $1,000 – $2,300 |
| 500 | $2,000 – $4,500 |
| 800 | $3,200 – $7,200 |
| 1,000 | $4,000 – $9,000 |
| 1,200 | $4,800 – $10,800 |
| 1,500 | $6,000 – $13,500 |
| 2,000 | $8,000 – $18,000 |
| 2,500 | $10,000 – $22,500 |
| 3,000 | $12,000 – $27,000 |
| 3,500 | $14,000 – $31,500 |
| 4,000 | $16,000 – $36,000 |
New construction electrical cost per square foot
New construction electrical wiring costs $4 to $9 per square foot on average, depending on the building size, layout, and number and type of circuits.
| Room | Square feet | Average cost to wire |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | 100 – 200 | $400 – $1,800 |
| Bedroom | 130 – 230 | $520 – $2,100 |
| Bathroom | 40 – 150 | $160 – $1,400 |
| Living room | 200 – 450 | $800 – $4,100 |
| Basement | 500 – 1,500 | $2,000 – $13,500 |
| Garage | 288 – 576 | $1,200 – $5,200 |
| Shed | 50 – 450 | $200 – $4,100 |
| Shop or metal building | 1,200 – 5,000 | $1,500 – $7,800+ |
The cost to run electric to a shed or outbuilding is $10 to $25 per linear foot for an underground line, depending on the soil type and the distance from the home to the shed.
Cost to wire a basement
The average cost to wire a basement is $2,000 to $13,500, depending on the size, layout, and site conditions.
Wiring an unfinished, open floor plan basement from the main electrical panel costs less than wiring a new subpanel and a basement with multiple rooms and outlets, switches, and fixtures in each room.
Electrical installation cost calculator
| Factor | New construction cost per square foot | Rewiring cost per square foot |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2 – $4 | $2 – $7 |
| Labor | $2 – $5 | $3 – $10 |
| Total installation cost | $4 – $9 | $5 – $17 |
Factors affecting the cost include:
House size & design – Larger homes and homes with complex layouts require more labor and materials.
Materials – Electrical wiring materials include the wire itself, fittings and connectors, junction boxes, outlets, switches, fixtures, conduit, and one or more service panels.
Finish quality – Installing high-end switches and fixtures instead of standard materials increases total material costs.
Electrical rough-in labor cost
Electrical rough-in labor involves pulling all wiring through the wall studs and installing junction boxes for the outlets, switches, and fixtures. The electrician leaves the final connections incomplete until contractors finish additional construction phases.
Hiring an electrician costs $50 to $130 per hour to rough-in electrical wiring.
An electrical inspection costs $100 to $200. New construction wiring typically requires multiple inspections throughout the project, including a rough-in inspection to assess the wiring before it is covered with insulation and drywall.
Electrical permits cost $50 to $350+, depending on the project size and details.
Electrical panel installation cost
The average cost to replace an electrical panel is $850 to $2,500, depending on the size, amperage, and circuits. Upgrading from a 100-amp to a 200-amp panel costs $1,400 to $2,800. Most new homes have 200-amp service panels.
Installing a new circuit and circuit breaker costs $150 to $300. Electricians typically charge less per circuit when installing multiple circuits in the same project.
Installing a new dedicated circuit costs $250 to $900. Large appliances, kitchens, bathrooms, and electric vehicle charging stations require dedicated circuits.
Install new electrical outlets and switches cost
The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires a certain number and type of outlets and switches per room when installing new electrical wiring.
New electrical outlet installation costs $150 to $350, depending on the type, location, and site conditions.
Replacing an existing outlet with a GFCI outlet costs $90 to $200. The NEC requires GFCI outlets in wet locations, such as bathrooms and kitchens, to prevent fatal electrical shocks.
Installing a new light switch costs $100 to $300, depending on the switch type and location.
The cost to ground an outlet is $100 to $300 in older homes without a ground wire. The NEC required all homes built after 1971 to have grounded outlets.
Cost to run a new electrical line to house
The cost to run power alone is $2,500 to $12,500 installed for 500'. Above ground electrical line installation cost falls at the low end of the price range, while running underground power lines falls at the high end.
The total cost to get utilities on land is $9,000 to $34,500 on average for electricity, natural gas, and a water well and septic system.
Cost to update electrical in an old house
The cost to rewire a house is $5 to $17 per square foot, depending on the age, size, number of circuits, and wiring accessibility.
Rewiring often involves cutting into the drywall to fish new wiring circuits through the walls. Homes without a basement, attic, or crawlspace may require opening walls completely.
The average cost to replace knob and tube wiring is $12,000 to $35,000, or $8 to $17 per square foot. Knob and tube wiring was used in most homes until the 1950s but does not meet current electrical safety standards.
Electrical wire pricing for materials
Electrical wire pricing is $0.10 to $4.00 per linear foot for the material alone, depending on the type. Non-metallic sheathed cable—also called NM or "Romex" cable—costs $0.50 to $3.00 per linear foot andis the most common wiring used in residential construction.
Conduit prices are $0.70 to $8.00 per linear foot. Electricians use conduit to protect electrical wiring in exposed or unfinished locations.
| Wire type | Material price per linear foot* > | Details & uses |
|---|---|---|
| Coaxial | $0.10 – $0.60 |
|
| Direct buried | $0.50 – $3.00 |
|
| Metallic sheathed AC/BX | $0.60 – $4.00 |
|
| Multiple-conductor | $0.20 – $1.00 |
|
| Non-metallic sheathed (NM cable) | $0.50 – $3.00 |
|
| Ribbon | $0.80 – $1.80 |
|
| Shielded twisted pair (STP) | $0.20 – $0.40 |
|
| Twin-lead | $0.60 – $0.90 |
|
| Underground feeder | $0.50 – $1.30 |
|
*Not including installation.
Commercial electrical cost per square foot
Commercial electrical costs $7 to $15 per square foot, depending on the type and scale. Commercial wiring typically costs 10% to 30% more than residential electrical work due to increased power demands and more stringent building codes.
Electrical installation FAQs
What does wiring a new house involve?
Wiring a new house involves several stages during the construction process:
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Temporary electric |
|
| Rough-in wiring |
|
| Temporary electric after rough-in |
|
| Finishing |
|
| Testing and inspections |
|
How long does it take to wire a house?
Wiring a house takes 1 to 3+ weeks for a typical new home. Wiring a large home or one with many extra features may take several months. Most contractors plan for 1 to 2+ hours per connection. The crew and home size, features, and inspections affect the total wiring time.
How long will the wiring in my house last?
The wiring in your house will last 50 to 70+ years if installed correctly in ideal conditions. The wires' protective sheathing typically breaks down faster than the wire itself. Replace electrical wiring if it is ungrounded or the protective sheathing is damaged.
Experts recommend an electrical inspection for homes 25+ years old to ensure the wiring is still safe and up to code.
Getting estimates from electrical contractors
Before hiring an electrician near you to install or replace a circuit breaker, remember to:
Get at least 3 in-person estimates to compare.
Check their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Hire a licensed, bonded, and insured electrician who has been in business at least 5 years.
Avoid hiring the company with the lowest estimate as quality may suffer.
Get a detailed contract and warranty in writing before the work begins.
Never pay in full before the project 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 installing electrical wiring?
Can you provide references with contact information?
Do you handle the permitting process?
Are permit and inspection fees included in the estimate?
Who will perform the actual work?
Can I be in the house while you are working?
How long will the installation take?
What additional costs might come up during the installation?
Do you offer a warranty? If yes, what does it cover?