The cost of electrical rewiring is typically $6,000-$20,000 for a full-home project, with many owners paying about $12,000. Home size, access behind walls, wiring condition, panel capacity, local labor rates, and permit requirements can move a quote well beyond that range.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-home rewiring | $6,000 | $12,000 | $30,000+ | Typical house, with scope and wall access affecting totals |
| Rewiring per square foot | $4 | $8 | $15+ | Higher for finished walls, difficult access, or extensive repairs |
| Partial rewiring | $1,500 | $4,000 | $10,000+ | Price depends on circuits, rooms, and panel work |
| Electrical panel replacement | $1,300 | $2,500 | $5,000+ | Separate scope may be needed for capacity or code issues |
What a Whole-Home Rewire Costs by House Size
A small home with accessible wiring and a straightforward layout may cost $6,000-$10,000 to rewire. A 1,500- to 2,000-square-foot house commonly falls around $10,000-$20,000, while a large or complex home can reach $20,000-$30,000 or more.
Per-square-foot estimates are often quoted at roughly $4-$15 or more. A lower rate usually assumes an open basement or attic, few wall repairs, standard copper wiring, and a simple circuit layout. A higher rate may reflect plaster walls, multiple stories, limited access, extensive device replacement, or upgrades required to meet current electrical code.
For an average-size home, budgeting about $12,000-$15,000 is a reasonable starting point, not a guaranteed quote. Contractors may calculate by square footage, circuit count, room count, or time and materials, so estimates should define exactly what is included.
Assumptions: U.S. home with standard copper branch-circuit wiring, ordinary access, and no major structural repair or service-line replacement.
How Wiring, Labor, and Wall Repairs Appear in Quotes
A rewire estimate may combine labor and materials into one project total, but a written breakdown makes bids easier to compare. The table shows common ranges for a typical 1,500- to 2,000-square-foot house; actual shares vary with access, local wages, and scope.
| Quote component | Typical range | Common pricing basis | What it may include |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wiring and devices | $1,500-$4,500 | $1-$3 per sq ft | Copper cable, boxes, outlets, switches, connectors |
| Electrician labor | $5,000-$12,000 | $75-$150 per hour | Removal, cable runs, connections, testing |
| Panel or circuit work | $1,300-$5,000+ | $150-$400 per circuit, when priced separately | Panel replacement, breakers, grounding, circuit additions |
| Permits and inspection | $100-$1,000 | Local flat fee or valuation-based fee | Permit application and required inspections |
| Wall patching and disposal | $500-$4,000 | By opening, room, or project | Drywall repair, debris removal, finish work |
These ranges are not always additive: some bids include devices, permits, and basic patching in a lump sum. Ask whether the price covers new switches and receptacles, smoke alarms, grounding and bonding, labeling the panel, and cleanup. Painting is often excluded even when the electrician patches access openings.
Labor and access usually account for the largest share of a whole-home rewire. For an hourly estimate, a rough calculation is ; for example, 80-120 hours at $90-$140 per hour equals $7,200-$16,800 before materials and other charges.
How Square Footage and Wall Access Change the Price
Home size matters because larger houses generally need more cable, outlets, circuits, and electrician hours. But square footage alone does not predict a quote. A compact home with finished plaster walls may take longer than a larger house with an open basement and attic that allow cables to be pulled without extensive cutting.
Layout also affects the work. Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, garages, and workshops may require dedicated circuits or specific protection, while additions and converted spaces can have wiring that does not match the rest of the home. Long distances from the panel, multiple floors, and crowded framing can add labor.
Panel capacity is another significant variable. If the existing panel is in good condition and has room for required circuits, a rewire may not require replacement. If it is obsolete, damaged, undersized, or incompatible with required breakers, a panel upgrade can add roughly $1,300-$5,000 or more. A service upgrade can raise the total further.
Access can shift the budget by thousands of dollars. A home with open framing or accessible crawlspace may stay near the lower half of the range; opening and restoring finished walls throughout can add $2,000-$8,000 or more, depending on the number of rooms and finish quality.
Wire type and condition matter as well. Replacing deteriorated cloth-insulated wiring or aluminum branch wiring requires an electrician to assess the particular installation; the fix may range from targeted remediation to full replacement. An inspection should identify hazards and document which circuits actually need work, rather than assuming every older house requires the same scope.
How Long Electricians Take to Rewire a House
A typical full-home rewire may take about 5-10 working days for a crew of two or three electricians, with additional time for inspections and wall repairs. A small, accessible house may take less; a large multi-story home with plaster, limited access, or extensive panel work can take two to four weeks or more.
Many projects involve two work phases: installing cable and boxes, then returning to connect devices and finish circuits. The home may have periods without power, and some contractors arrange temporary power or phase the job so portions remain usable. Occupants may need to move furniture, clear closets, or make rooms accessible.
Scheduling can affect the overall project even when it does not change the electrician’s quoted labor rate. Permit inspections, drywall trades, and special-order equipment can extend the calendar time. Ask whether the quote covers coordination, temporary power, and return visits, and whether delays caused by hidden damage are billed separately.
Ask for both estimated labor days and expected calendar days. The first describes crew time; the second accounts for inspections, sequencing, and any wall restoration that follows electrical work.
Permit Fees and Code Work That Can Add to a Rewire
Most jurisdictions require a permit for substantial electrical rewiring, but the rules and fees vary by city and county. A common planning range is $100-$1,000 for permits and inspections; larger projects or areas with valuation-based fees may cost more. The contractor should confirm the local process before work begins.
Inspection may identify grounding, bonding, circuit protection, or service issues that need correction. Requirements depend on local adoption of electrical code and the project scope; a full rewire does not automatically mean every electrical system in the house must be brought to every current standard. Clarify which upgrades are legally required and which are optional recommendations.
Some older homes have concealed conditions that cannot be priced accurately until walls or boxes are opened. Examples include damaged framing, deteriorated service equipment, or unsafe prior repairs. A bid should state how concealed conditions are handled, including the approval process and rate for added work.
Get permit responsibility and inspection costs stated in writing. If the contractor obtains the permit, the estimate should identify whether the fee is included or passed through at cost, and who schedules required inspections.
Three Rewiring Quotes for Different Home Conditions
These examples illustrate how scope changes a total even when home size is similar. They are planning estimates, not fixed national rates; local labor prices, permit charges, and finish work can differ substantially.
| Scenario | Scope and labor | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|
| Small accessible house | 1,000 sq ft; open basement and attic; about 60-80 labor hours; basic devices | $6,000-$10,000 |
| Typical finished home | 1,700 sq ft; limited wall openings; panel retained; about 90-130 labor hours | $11,000-$19,000 |
| Large, difficult-access home | 2,500 sq ft; plaster and multiple floors; panel work and extensive patching; 150-220 labor hours | $22,000-$38,000+ |
The middle example may include roughly 1,700 square feet at an effective $6-$11 per square foot, plus permit and repair costs. The high example can exceed $15 per square foot when access is poor or the scope includes panel, service, or finish upgrades. Contractors should explain any estimate that falls far outside comparable local bids.
Compare the same scope, not just the bottom-line totals. One proposal may include panel replacement and wall patching while another covers only cable, boxes, and connections.
Rewire or Repair Specific Circuits to Spend Less
Replacing only damaged or unsafe circuits may cost $1,500-$5,000 for a limited project, while broader partial rewiring can reach $10,000 when several rooms, access openings, or panel changes are involved. A focused repair can be sensible when an electrician confirms that the remaining wiring is safe and compatible with the home’s electrical needs.
Targeted work is not a substitute for addressing widespread deteriorated wiring, repeated faults, overheating, or unsafe prior alterations. In those cases, piecemeal repairs can leave hidden risks and may cost more over time if multiple visits and wall openings are needed. Ask the electrician to separate urgent safety corrections from optional improvements.
Replacing a few devices or adding a circuit is much narrower than a rewire. Individual outlet or switch replacements may cost $100-$300 each, while adding a circuit can run about $250-$900, depending on panel distance, wall access, and local rates. These prices do not establish that old wiring elsewhere is safe; an inspection is needed to assess the system.
Choose repair only after a written assessment identifies the affected circuits and remaining risks. The estimate should describe what is being left in place and whether that existing wiring can support intended loads.
Control Wall Openings and Upgrades Before Work Starts
The most practical savings come from limiting unnecessary scope and avoiding rework. Have the electrician inspect the panel, accessible attic, basement, and crawlspace before pricing. A clear circuit plan can prevent duplicate labor, while moving furniture and clearing access may reduce setup time.
Ask whether the electrician can route cable through existing access points or open walls from less visible areas. This may reduce finish costs, but it should not compromise safe installation or code compliance. Coordinate electrical work with planned remodeling when possible; open walls can make cable runs easier and reduce separate demolition and patching expenses.
Standard switches, outlets, and fixtures generally cost less than specialty devices or premium finishes. Buyers can specify basic devices in areas where upgraded appearance or smart controls are not needed, while retaining required safety protection. Avoid authorizing broad upgrades without an itemized explanation of code requirements, condition, and added price.
Obtain two or three written bids that list cable and device scope, number of circuits, panel work, permits, patching, cleanup, and exclusions. Confirm the labor rate for changes, payment schedule, warranty terms, and whether the contractor is licensed and insured under local requirements. An unusually low bid may omit essential work or assume little wall repair.
Set a written allowance for concealed damage and require approval before extra work begins. This keeps unexpected repairs from turning into open-ended charges while allowing necessary safety corrections to proceed.