Rewiring a house typically costs $8,000-$20,000, with smaller homes or partial rewiring sometimes below that range and large, difficult projects above it. House rewiring cost depends most on square footage, access to existing wiring, electrical panel work, and local labor rates.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole-house rewire | $4,000 | $12,000 | $30,000+ | Varies by size, access, and finish repairs |
| Per square foot | $4 | $8 | $15+ | Electrical work; drywall repair may be extra |
| Panel replacement | $1,500 | $3,000 | $5,000+ | Capacity and service upgrades affect price |
What a whole-house rewire costs by home size
For a typical home with accessible wiring, a partial rewire may cost $2,000-$8,000, while replacing wiring throughout a 1,500-square-foot house often runs $7,000-$18,000. A 2,500-square-foot home may reach $12,000-$30,000, especially if walls must be opened or the electrical service needs upgrading.
These estimates generally cover new copper branch-circuit wiring, standard outlets and switches, and electrician labor. They may not include extensive drywall, plaster, painting, premium fixtures, or major code corrections. Assumptions: standard materials, permitted work, and ordinary access in a mid-cost U.S. market. For a straightforward full rewire, budgeting about $5-$12 per square foot is a useful starting point.
How wiring, labor, and panel work shape the quote
Quotes often bundle materials and labor, so the amounts below are broad planning ranges rather than fixed line items. A contractor may price by project, circuit, or labor hours, depending on the home and how much wiring is reachable.
| Quote component | Typical range | Pricing basis | Often included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper cable and boxes | $1,000-$4,000 | $0.50-$2 per sq ft | Common wire, junction boxes, staples |
| Electrician labor | $4,000-$14,000 | $75-$150 per hour | Pulling wire, connections, testing |
| Panel or service work | $1,500-$5,000 | Per panel or upgrade | Panel, breakers, related labor |
| Permits and inspection | $100-$800 | Per project | Local filing and inspection charges |
| Wall repair and disposal | $500-$5,000+ | By damage and finish | Patch work; painting may be separate |
For example, 80-140 labor hours at $90-$130 per hour equals $7,200-$18,200 before materials, permit charges, and repairs. Ask for labor, panel work, permits, and wall repairs to be identified separately in the estimate.
Why square footage and circuit count change the price
Square footage is only a rough proxy: a 1,200-square-foot home with many kitchens, baths, and dedicated appliances can require more circuits than a larger, simpler layout. Adding circuits for a range, dryer, air conditioner, or workshop can add about $250-$1,000 each, depending on wire length, breaker type, and access.
Older wiring, knob-and-tube removal, aluminum-wire correction, and crowded or inaccessible framing can raise the quote. A panel with fewer than 100 amps may need a service upgrade if the household’s loads exceed its capacity; upgrading to 200 amps commonly adds $1,500-$4,000, though utility work or service changes can push it higher. Confirm whether the bid includes removal of old wiring and any required capacity upgrades.
How crew size and access affect electrician labor hours
A rewire may take a crew of two or three electricians roughly 5-10 working days in an accessible, modest-size house. Larger homes, occupied spaces, finished plaster walls, and complicated routing can stretch the job to two or three weeks. Labor rates commonly fall around $75-$150 per hour, with higher charges in high-cost metro areas or for urgent scheduling.
Some electricians need clear access to attics, basements, closets, and outlet locations. Moving furniture or working around occupants can slow progress, while open framing during a renovation can reduce wire-pulling time. Ask how many workdays and crew members the estimate assumes, and whether temporary power is included.
How regional labor rates shift rewire estimates
Local labor and permit fees can move a quote substantially. Dense, high-cost metro areas in the Northeast, West Coast, and parts of Hawaii may run 15%-35% above a national midrange estimate. Rural markets and lower-cost regions may come in 10%-20% below it, although travel distance and limited contractor availability can erase some of that difference.
These percentages are comparison guides, not guaranteed adjustments: older housing stock, local code requirements, and electrician demand matter as much as state or region. Request estimates from licensed electricians who regularly work in the same city or county. Compare bids with the same scope and fixture assumptions, rather than comparing totals alone.
What wall repairs and code upgrades add to the bill
Opening walls can require drywall patching, plaster repair, texture matching, and repainting. Basic patching may cost $500-$2,000, while extensive finish restoration can exceed $5,000. Insulation removal, tight crawl spaces, finished ceilings, and difficult attic access can also add labor or specialty charges.
Permit and inspection costs often total $100-$800, but local rules vary. A rewire can reveal missing grounding, outdated smoke alarms, or other code issues that require separate work. Get written approval before treating concealed damage or newly discovered code items as included in the original price.
When a partial rewire costs less than replacing every circuit
If only a few circuits or a specific area has unsafe wiring, a licensed electrician may be able to replace that portion for $1,000-$5,000, subject to inspection and local code. A targeted repair can be economical when the rest of the system is sound; it is not a substitute for correcting widespread deteriorated insulation, unsafe connections, or overloaded circuits.
Ask the electrician to identify which circuits need replacement and why, and whether the proposed repair will pass inspection. Avoid comparing a small repair quote with a whole-house rewire bid. Choose the smallest safe scope supported by an on-site inspection, not simply the lowest initial price.
Ways to lower the cost of rewiring without cutting safety
Scheduling the work while walls are already open during a renovation can reduce labor and finish-repair costs. Clearing access to outlets and the attic or basement can also help crews work efficiently. Standard outlets and switches cost less than specialty devices, but required GFCI or AFCI protection should not be omitted to reduce the quote.
Get two or three itemized bids based on the same circuit count, panel scope, permit responsibility, and repair allowance. Check whether disposal, testing, and inspection coordination are included, and ask about the price difference between necessary panel work and optional upgrades. Keep the scope consistent and defer nonessential upgrades rather than compromising code-compliant wiring or workmanship.