Rewiring an 800-square-foot house typically costs $4,800-$12,000, with an average near $8,000 for a full replacement using standard materials. The final price depends most on wall access, existing wiring, local electrician rates, and whether the electrical panel or service also needs upgrading.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full house rewire | $4,800 | $8,000 | $12,000 | Standard full replacement; difficult access can exceed the high estimate |
| Price per square foot | $6 | $10 | $15 | Includes typical wiring labor and materials |
| Electrical panel replacement | $1,500 | $2,500 | $4,000 | May be additional if the existing panel is inadequate |
| Permit and inspection | $100 | $300 | $700 | Varies by jurisdiction and scope |
Typical rewire price for an 800-square-foot house
A straightforward full rewire usually falls between $4,800 and $12,000, or roughly $6-$15 per square foot. A reasonable planning figure is about $8,000 for an older but accessible single-story home with standard copper cable, ordinary outlet counts, and no major service upgrade. Estimates assume normal access and no extensive plaster repair.
Lower bids generally involve open framing, simple layouts, and a serviceable panel. Costs rise when electricians must fish cable through finished walls, replace brittle wiring, add circuits for modern appliances, or coordinate drywall repairs. A compact house is not always proportionately cheaper: kitchens, bathrooms, and service equipment still require substantial work even when the floor area is limited.
For budgeting, use $8,000 as a middle estimate, then allow extra for concealed conditions or panel work.
Assumptions: U.S. national planning ranges, standard copper wiring, typical room layout, and ordinary access; local quotes vary.
Where the electrician’s quote goes
A rewire estimate combines electrician time, cable and devices, equipment, permit charges, and sometimes removal or patching. Some contractors include the panel, outlets, and switches in one fixed quote; others list them separately. Checking inclusions matters because a low base price may exclude drywall repair, fixture reconnection, or a required panel upgrade.
| Quote component | Typical price | Basis | Usually includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician labor | $2,500-$6,500 | $75-$125 per hour | Removal, cable routing, connections, and testing |
| Cable, boxes, outlets, switches | $800-$2,000 | $1-$3 per sq ft | Standard copper cable and common devices |
| Panel or circuit work | $500-$4,000 | $150-$400 per added circuit | Repairs, circuit additions, or panel replacement |
| Permit and inspection | $100-$700 | Per project | Local application and required inspection |
| Removal and disposal | $200-$800 | Per project | Accessible old cable and job debris |
These amounts are components, not a universal bill; contractor overhead and bundled pricing can make line items appear different. Labor is often the largest share, especially when walls remain closed. For example, 40-60 labor hours at $75-$125 per hour represents $3,000-$7,500 before materials and other charges.
Ask whether the written quote includes devices, testing, permits, panel work, cleanup, and wall repairs.
Which wiring and access conditions raise the total
Wall construction can shift a small-house estimate substantially. Open studs during renovation may keep a rewire near $4,800-$7,000, while finished drywall commonly puts it around $7,000-$12,000. Plaster-and-lath walls, tile, tight crawlspaces, or inaccessible attic routes can push a complicated job above $12,000 because cable installation and restoration take longer.
The age and type of existing wiring also matter. Replacing accessible, grounded cable is usually simpler than removing knob-and-tube wiring or addressing aluminum branch wiring. Older homes may need grounding corrections, new junction boxes, or additional circuits to satisfy current code. If more than 20-30% of the wiring is unsafe or ungrounded, a partial repair may not resolve the broader condition.
Capacity is another cost trigger. A panel with fewer than 100 amps, limited breaker spaces, or signs of damage may need replacement or service changes. A panel upgrade commonly adds $1,500-$4,000; moving the meter or coordinating utility work can increase that. More than 20 outlets or switches, dedicated circuits for major appliances, or a second floor can also add labor and materials.
Finished plaster, obsolete wiring, and a panel below 100 amps are three common reasons an 800-square-foot project exceeds a basic quote.
Can open-wall work or partial rewiring lower the bill?
Rewiring during a kitchen remodel, bathroom renovation, or whole-house gut project can reduce labor because wall cavities are already exposed. Compared with fishing cable through intact finished walls, open-wall access may save roughly 10%-25%, depending on how much demolition and rebuilding the renovation already covers. The electrician still needs to install compliant wiring, test circuits, and arrange inspection.
Partial rewiring costs less upfront when only a clearly defined area or circuit is affected. Replacing wiring in one room may run $1,000-$3,000, while a small circuit repair can cost $200-$800. These repairs do not necessarily solve outdated wiring elsewhere, and combining several isolated visits may cost more than doing the work together.
Surface-mounted conduit can avoid opening walls in some garages, basements, or utility spaces, but it may not suit finished living areas or local requirements. Before accepting a partial scope, ask the electrician to identify which circuits remain, whether they are grounded, and whether the proposed repair meets code. Drywall patching and painting may be separate charges of $300-$1,500 or more, depending on the number and size of openings.
Open framing usually offers the clearest savings; partial work saves money only when the remaining wiring is safe and the scope is well defined.
How crew size affects the schedule and labor charge
An 800-square-foot full rewire commonly takes a two-person crew about 3-6 working days, though the calendar schedule can stretch if inspection, utility work, or wall repairs must happen between stages. A larger crew may complete cable pulling faster, but it does not automatically lower the bill: more workers can mean more combined hourly charges, and coordination may limit the benefit in tight spaces.
Electrician rates often range from $75-$125 per hour per worker, with higher rates in expensive metro areas or for urgent after-hours work. A project may require 35-65 electrician labor hours, varying with access, circuit count, and panel scope. Some contractors quote a fixed project price instead of hours, which shifts the risk of slow work to the contractor but still reflects the expected labor.
During a full rewire, power may be unavailable in parts of the house. Ask the contractor how circuits will be shut down, whether temporary power is included, and when the kitchen, refrigerator, or heating equipment can be reconnected. Scheduling the work alongside planned demolition can reduce repeat mobilization and avoid paying separately for access work.
Compare the crew’s total estimated hours and included tasks, not just the hourly rate or the number of workers.
Three sample bids for an 800-square-foot home
These examples illustrate how access and scope change the quote; they are not fixed national prices. Each assumes standard copper branch wiring and an ordinary residential layout. A local contractor may combine labor and materials differently, so comparable bids should use the same outlet count, circuit list, and panel assumptions.
| Scenario | Scope and labor | Unit estimate | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open-wall renovation | 40 labor hours; standard cable and devices; existing panel retained | $6-$8 per sq ft | $4,800-$6,400 |
| Finished, accessible home | 50 labor hours; cable fishing; permit and ordinary device replacement | $9-$12 per sq ft | $7,200-$9,600 |
| Plaster walls and panel upgrade | 65 labor hours; difficult access; new panel and added circuits | $14-$19 per sq ft | $11,200-$15,200 |
The per-square-foot figures in these examples represent the full project estimate divided by 800 square feet, not a separate charge to add to the total. The high scenario includes panel work that can account for $1,500-$4,000 of the price. If the estimate also lists a separate panel fee, confirm that it has not been counted twice.
Compare each bid against identical assumptions for access, panel capacity, circuit count, permit, and restoration.
Regional rates shift small-house rewire estimates
Local labor markets can move an otherwise similar quote by roughly 10%-25%. Large coastal metros and areas with high electrician demand may price 15%-30% above a national middle estimate, while some lower-cost rural markets may land 5%-20% below it. Travel distance, contractor availability, and local inspection requirements can offset lower wages in remote areas.
For an $8,000 baseline, a 15% regional premium would put a comparable estimate near $9,200; a 15% discount would put it near $6,800. These are comparison tools, not guaranteed regional prices. Major cities can also have higher permit fees and stricter requirements, while rural projects may incur a minimum service or travel charge even for a small home.
Request at least two or three written bids from electricians who regularly work in the same county. Confirm that each quote specifies labor, materials, panel status, permits, disposal, and any excluded repairs. A much lower estimate may reflect a smaller scope rather than a more efficient price.
Use regional percentages to screen a budget, then rely on local, scope-matched bids for the decision.
Permit, panel and inspection charges to plan for
Most jurisdictions require an electrical permit for a full rewire, and the electrician typically arranges the application and inspection. Fees often run $100-$700, but some locations calculate charges by project value, service size, or number of circuits. Ask whether the permit is included and who is responsible for scheduling the inspection; work should not be concealed before required inspection steps are complete.
A panel replacement may be needed if the current equipment is damaged, undersized, full, or incompatible with the planned circuits. A standard replacement commonly costs $1,500-$4,000, while service upgrades, meter relocation, or utility coordination can add several hundred to several thousand dollars. The electrician should state whether the price covers the panel, breakers, grounding and bonding updates, labeling, and utility fees.
Code corrections discovered during the job can add costs, particularly in older houses. Ask for written approval before extra work begins and request a change-order price for each issue. The quote should distinguish required safety or code work from optional upgrades, such as additional outlets or premium devices.
Confirm permit responsibility and panel inclusions before comparing the bottom-line totals.