House wiring cable prices typically range from about $0.15 to $3.50 per foot, depending on wire gauge, conductor count, insulation, and cable type. A completed wiring job costs more because labor, boxes, fittings, access, and permits can add hundreds or thousands of dollars.
The ranges below reflect common U.S. retail and contractor pricing; location, copper prices, purchase quantity, and whether wiring is exposed or concealed all affect the final quote.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14/2 NM-B cable | $0.30/ft | $0.45/ft | $0.70/ft | Common 15-amp lighting circuits |
| 12/2 NM-B cable | $0.45/ft | $0.70/ft | $1.00/ft | Common 20-amp general circuits |
| 12/3 NM-B cable | $0.70/ft | $1.00/ft | $1.50/ft | Three conductors plus ground |
| 10/2 NM-B cable | $1.10/ft | $1.65/ft | $2.40/ft | Used for some 30-amp circuits |
| THHN copper wire | $0.15/ft | $0.30/ft | $0.60/ft | Single conductors; conduit required |
| UF-B cable | $0.80/ft | $1.45/ft | $2.50/ft | Outdoor and direct-burial applications |
What homeowners pay for common house wiring cable
For a typical interior project, the cable itself may cost $150-$600 for several circuits, while a licensed electrician’s completed installation commonly totals $1,000-$4,000 for a modest room addition or partial rewiring. Whole-house rewiring in an existing home often reaches $8,000-$20,000 or more when walls must be opened and repaired.
For material budgeting, standard 12/2 NM-B commonly falls near $0.45-$1.00 per foot, but installation labor is usually the larger expense. The estimate assumes copper conductors, ordinary residential access, standard-grade cable, and no extensive panel replacement. New construction is generally less labor-intensive than fishing cable through finished walls.
Wire gauge and circuit purpose matter. A 14/2 cable is often used for suitable 15-amp circuits, while 12/2 is typical for many 20-amp circuits. Appliance loads, breaker size, distance, and local code determine the correct cable; a thicker conductor is not a substitute for proper circuit design. Always have the electrician confirm the specification.
Retail prices are often displayed per foot, but cable is also sold in 50-, 100-, and 250-foot coils. A 250-foot coil of 12/2 NM-B might cost about $115-$250, depending on brand and market. Buying a full coil can lower the unit price, but unused cable may erase the savings on a small project.
How conductor, labor, and fittings shape the quote
An electrical quote may combine cable, devices, boxes, protective fittings, labor, and permit charges. Some electricians quote a fixed project price rather than itemizing every foot of cable. The table gives planning ranges for common residential work, not a guaranteed local bid.
| Quote component | Low | Average | High | Typical basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NM-B cable | $0.30/ft | $0.70/ft | $2.40/ft | Gauge and conductor count |
| Electrician labor | $60/hr | $90/hr | $150/hr | Per electrician, market dependent |
| Boxes, staples, connectors | $2/circuit | $8/circuit | $25/circuit | Basic fittings; specialty parts cost more |
| Permit and inspection | $50 | $200 | $600 | Local jurisdiction and project scope |
| Wall opening and patching | $150 | $600 | $2,000+ | Access and finish work vary widely |
Labor and access can exceed cable expense by several times on a retrofit. A 1,000-foot material order may sound costly, but the electrician must also route cable, secure it correctly, make terminations, test circuits, and coordinate inspection.
For example, 12 electrician hours at $90-$150 per hour produce $1,080-$1,800 in labor before materials and permit fees. Helpers may be billed at a lower rate, while service calls or small jobs may include a minimum charge of $150-$350. Ask whether the quote includes cleanup, testing, and patching.
Which cable type suits each location and circuit
NM-B, commonly called Romex, is widely used inside dry residential walls and ceilings where allowed. It is not intended for wet locations or direct burial. THHN/THWN conductors are individual wires pulled through conduit, so the total price must include conduit, fittings, and installation. UF-B has a moisture-resistant construction suited to specified outdoor uses and direct burial when installed to code.
Choose cable by location and circuit rating, not by the lowest per-foot listing. Metal-clad cable, or MC, may be used where its construction is required or preferred; common residential MC cable can cost roughly $1.00-$3.50 per foot. The installation may require different connectors and labor than NM-B. Prices depend on conductor size and count.
For an outdoor run, UF-B material may cost $0.80-$2.50 per foot, but trenching, conduit risers, weatherproof boxes, and digging conditions can add $300-$2,000 or more. Underground depth and protection rules vary by installation and local code. A qualified electrician should verify the route, burial method, and required inspections before work begins.
Service conductors and feeder cable are a separate category. Their size depends on load calculations and equipment, and prices can rise quickly for large copper conductors. An electrician may specify aluminum conductors for some feeder applications where permitted, potentially reducing material cost, but terminations and equipment compatibility must be correct.
Why gauge, circuit length, and wall access change prices
Gauge is a major price driver: 10/2 NM-B can cost about $1.10-$2.40 per foot, compared with roughly $0.45-$1.00 for 12/2. A 10/3 cable with an extra insulated conductor can run about $1.70-$3.50 per foot. Longer runs may require a larger conductor to manage voltage drop, depending on load and design.
More than 100 feet of circuit run deserves a load and voltage-drop review before the cable is ordered. The appropriate wire size is not determined by distance alone; current, appliance requirements, circuit protection, and applicable code also matter. Incorrectly upsizing or downsizing based on a rule of thumb can create safety and inspection problems.
Finished-wall access can be as important as wire size. Routing 200 feet through an open-stud addition may be straightforward, while the same length in a finished home can require drilling, fishing, and carefully avoiding plumbing or framing. For retrofit work, labor may add $2-$8 per routed foot in accessible conditions and considerably more where walls, ceilings, or insulation restrict access.
Adding a new 240-volt appliance circuit is a different scope from replacing a short section of damaged cable. A dedicated circuit may require a longer, heavier-gauge cable, a compatible breaker, a receptacle or disconnect, and panel capacity. If the panel is full or undersized, a subpanel or service upgrade can add $500-$4,000 or more.
How regional labor rates affect a wiring estimate
Material prices vary across the country, but electrician labor often creates the largest regional difference. In high-cost metro areas, hourly rates and project totals may be 15%-35% above national midrange estimates. Smaller cities and rural markets may be 10%-20% lower, although travel charges and limited contractor availability can offset the difference.
Compare local, like-for-like quotes rather than applying one national rate to every home. A 1,000-square-foot rewire might fall around $6,000-$12,000 in a lower-cost market with good access, versus $9,000-$18,000 in a higher-cost city. Difficult plaster walls, older construction, and extensive repairs can push either estimate higher.
Climate and building style affect cable selection and labor. Outdoor runs in wet or freeze-prone areas may need particular materials or protection, while masonry construction can make routing slower than wood framing. Local amendments and inspection processes also influence the price. Regional ranges are planning estimates, not substitutes for an on-site assessment.
When comparing bids, check that each contractor includes the same circuit count, cable type, device replacement, permit, and wall repair. A lower number may omit patching or assume open access. Ask whether copper material costs are fixed for the quote period, especially if the project is scheduled several weeks later.
What three realistic cable installation quotes include
A small kitchen circuit extension may involve 75 feet of 12/2 NM-B at $0.55-$0.95 per foot, a box and receptacle materials allowance of $30-$90, and 3-5 hours of labor at $75-$130 per hour. With a modest permit or inspection charge, a typical total might be $350-$850, assuming accessible framing and no panel work.
Project totals depend on completed scope, not just the cable length on a receipt. A 150-foot detached-garage feeder could use appropriately sized conductors in conduit, with wire and conduit materials costing $500-$1,400. A trench, fittings, terminations, and 8-16 hours of labor may bring the project to about $1,800-$5,000, excluding major service upgrades.
For a partial rewire of a 1,200-square-foot older home, a contractor might replace 10-15 circuits, install several hundred feet of NM-B, and update boxes or devices. Cable and basic materials could total $700-$2,000; labor, access, permits, and patching could bring the full bill to $5,000-$12,000. Plaster walls or unsafe existing wiring can raise the total.
These examples assume licensed installation and ordinary regional pricing. A quote that is much lower may exclude permits, testing, disposal, or repairs. A much higher quote may include additional circuits, difficult access, premium devices, or panel work. Request the scope in writing so the price can be compared accurately.
How long electricians spend routing residential cable
In open framing, a two-person crew may rough in several circuits in one day, depending on the house layout and inspection schedule. A single new circuit through accessible walls may take 3-6 labor hours. Fishing a circuit through finished walls can take 5-10 hours or longer, especially if the route crosses multiple floors or fire-blocked cavities.
Ask for the expected crew size and labor hours when a quote is time-based. Rates of $60-$150 per electrician-hour are common planning figures, with higher rates possible in expensive cities or for urgent service. A crew’s combined hourly charge can exceed one person’s rate, so confirm whether the quote lists individual rates or the crew total.
Whole-house rewiring can take several days to two weeks of active work, with longer elapsed time when inspections, drywall repair, or homeowner access create pauses. Occupied homes may need staged work and temporary power arrangements. Moving furniture and clearing access can reduce paid time, but electrical disconnection and reconnection should remain with qualified personnel.
Scheduling can affect the bill. After-hours work, emergency troubleshooting, or a short-notice appointment may carry a $100-$300 service fee or a higher hourly rate. Planned projects are easier to price as a defined scope and allow time to source the correct cable and fittings rather than relying on emergency availability.
When removal, permits, and panel work add charges
Removing old cable is not always included in a rewiring bid. Accessible abandoned cable may add $100-$500 to remove, while disposal and cleanup are often bundled into labor. In some homes, old wiring is left safely disconnected in place where removal would damage finishes; the electrician should identify what will remain and document any abandoned conductors.
Permit and inspection costs should be confirmed before work begins. Electrical permits commonly cost $50-$600, depending on jurisdiction and project size. Some areas require permits for new circuits or substantial rewiring, and inspection may require smoke alarms, grounding corrections, or other code updates. Requirements vary by local authority.
A panel with no capacity for additional breakers may require a subpanel or replacement. A subpanel installation can run roughly $500-$2,000, while a full service or panel upgrade may cost $1,500-$4,000 or more when utility coordination, grounding, and meter work are involved. These amounts are separate from ordinary cable pricing and should be itemized.
Other possible additions include AFCI or GFCI protection, surge protection, new receptacles, fire-rated penetrations, and drywall patching. Each depends on the circuit and local requirements. A contractor should distinguish mandatory code work from optional upgrades and explain the price of each rather than combining unrelated items into one unexplained allowance.
How to lower cable costs without compromising circuit safety
Control the scope before comparing material prices. List the circuits, outlets, appliances, and locations that need work, then ask each electrician to quote the same deliverables. Avoid ordering cable from a gauge chart without an electrician’s specification; the wrong cable can be unusable and may create return or restocking costs.
Open access, a clear route, and a written circuit plan can reduce labor more reliably than choosing the cheapest wire. Before the visit, move stored items away from the panel and work areas, identify finished surfaces that need protection, and provide appliance model information. Do not remove electrical components or expose energized wiring as preparation.
Ask whether a full coil is cheaper than cut lengths if the project needs more than 150-200 feet of a cable type. Compare the effective price after delivery and sales tax, and check that the cable is listed for the intended application. Copper is the usual residential choice, but an electrician can assess whether an approved aluminum feeder is suitable for a particular larger run.
Separate essential repairs from optional upgrades. Repairing a damaged circuit may cost less than replacing all wiring, provided the remaining system is safe and compliant. Conversely, repeated failures, unsafe wiring, or extensive renovation may make broader replacement more economical. Obtain two or three detailed bids, compare permit and patching inclusions, and ask for written approval before any added work.