Wire typically costs about $0.10-$8 per foot, depending on conductor, gauge, insulation, and whether it is sold as a small spool or bulk roll. For a residential project, the total can range from under $50 for a short repair to several thousand dollars for a full-house rewire, with labor and access often costing more than the wire itself.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic copper building wire | $0.20/ft | $0.55/ft | $1.50/ft | Common residential THHN/THWN-2, varying by gauge |
| NM-B cable | $0.40/ft | $1.10/ft | $3.00/ft | Typical 12/2 or 14/2 cable; larger sizes cost more |
| Wire for a small repair | $50 | $250 | $700 | Materials and electrician labor |
| Whole-home rewire | $4,000 | $9,000 | $20,000+ | Usually a 1,500-2,000-square-foot home; finishes and access affect price |
Typical wire prices by residential project size
Retail prices depend on conductor material, wire gauge, insulation rating, and roll length. Common copper NM-B cable costs roughly $0.40-$1.10 per foot for 14/2 or 12/2, while 10/2 often runs $1.25-$3 per foot. Larger cable for high-load equipment can exceed $5 per foot.
For many small jobs, the installed cost is driven by electrician time rather than the wire’s per-foot price. A short outlet circuit may use 50-100 feet of cable, but a rewire can require hundreds or thousands of feet, plus boxes, devices, and access work.
Assumptions: Typical U.S. retail and contractor pricing, copper conductors, standard residential materials, and ordinary access. Local quotes vary.
What copper, labor, and access add to the quote
Wire is only one line item. A contractor may price the job by the hour, by circuit, or as a project total; the table shows common planning ranges rather than fixed national rates.
| Quote component | Low | Average | High | Typical scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wire and cable | $0.20/ft | $0.55-$1.10/ft | $8/ft | Gauge, conductor, cable type, and length |
| Electrician labor | $75/hr | $100-$150/hr | $200/hr | Higher rates in costly metro markets |
| Boxes and connectors | $2 per device | $5-$20 per point | $50+ per point | Depends on device and installation needs |
| Wall or ceiling repair | $100 | $300-$800 | $2,000+ | May involve patching and repainting |
| Permit and inspection | $50 | $150-$400 | $1,000+ | Local rules and project size determine fees |
Ask whether the quote includes permits, patching, disposal, and testing, not just cable and installation. provides a simple way to compare labor allowances across bids.
How gauge, amperage, and cable type change wire price
Thicker wire costs more because it contains more metal, but gauge must match circuit amperage and equipment requirements. A typical 15-amp lighting circuit uses 14-gauge wire, while 20-amp circuits commonly require 12-gauge copper. A 30-amp appliance circuit may call for 10-gauge conductors, subject to the equipment and code requirements.
NM-B cable is common inside dry residential walls; individual THHN/THWN-2 conductors are often used in conduit. Outdoor, wet-location, direct-burial, and high-temperature applications need suitable insulation or cable assemblies and can cost substantially more than basic indoor cable. Aluminum conductors may cost less per foot for some large feeder applications, but terminations and equipment compatibility matter.
Do not substitute a cheaper gauge or insulation type without confirming the circuit design and local electrical code. For runs over 100 feet, voltage drop can also influence conductor size and the final materials budget.
How many feet and access points affect installation labor
Installing wire through open framing is generally faster than fishing it through finished walls. An electrician may charge $75-$200 per hour, with a service-call minimum of roughly $100-$250. A straightforward new circuit can take 2-5 labor hours; difficult routing, multiple floors, or panel changes can extend the work considerably.
Long runs, crowded conduit, and hard-to-reach attic or crawl-space routes add labor. For a circuit approaching 100 feet, the electrician may assess voltage drop and route length before selecting the conductor. Rewiring a finished home commonly requires more crew time than wiring during new construction because walls and ceilings may need openings.
Request an estimate that identifies the assumed wire length, number of circuits, and repair work. A low bid based on an unrealistically short route may grow after walls are opened.
When NM-B cable costs less than conduit wiring
For dry, concealed residential wiring, NM-B cable often offers a lower material and installation cost than separate conductors in conduit. Conduit can be required or preferred in garages, exposed locations, commercial work, and certain outdoor installations; it also adds fittings and labor. A conduit run might add several dollars per foot once pipe, bends, supports, and installation are included.
Repairing an existing circuit may cost less than replacing a full run if the damaged portion is accessible and the cable remains suitable. However, an electrician should check for heat damage, undersized conductors, deteriorated insulation, and unsafe splices before recommending a repair.
Compare complete installed prices for the required wiring method, rather than comparing cable prices alone. Material savings can be outweighed by extra routing, protection, or code work.
Three wire-job estimates for common home projects
| Example | Materials | Labor assumption | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outlet repair, 25-50 ft | $15-$75 | 1-3 hours at $100-$150/hr | $150-$550 |
| New 20-amp circuit, 75-100 ft | $80-$250 | 3-6 hours at $100-$150/hr | $450-$1,400 |
| 1,500-sq-ft home rewire | $800-$2,500 in wire and basic supplies | Multiple crew days, plus repairs | $6,000-$18,000 |
These examples assume ordinary copper wiring and no major panel replacement. A rewire with plaster walls, finished ceilings, or extensive code corrections can exceed the high estimate; open framing can reduce labor and patching expense.
Why wire quotes differ between metro and rural areas
Electrician rates and travel charges can create larger regional differences than the wire itself. In high-cost metro areas, installed electrical work may run about 15%-35% above a national planning estimate. Rural quotes may have lower hourly rates but add mileage, mobilization fees, or minimum charges when contractors travel farther.
Material prices also vary with supplier availability and copper-market changes. For a large rewire, a contractor may price materials based on current wholesale costs, while small retail purchases can have a higher per-foot price. Compare quotes issued around the same time and confirm whether the estimate is fixed or subject to material price changes.
Use local, itemized bids for budgeting; national wire prices cannot predict local labor or permit costs.
How to lower a wire bill without compromising safety
Keeping the job scope clear helps prevent extra labor. Group planned circuit additions together, provide clear access to the panel and work areas, and ask whether the electrician can route cable through an attic, basement, or open framing to avoid extensive wall openings. Do not remove finished materials yourself unless the contractor agrees, since unsafe access or damaged wiring can add work.
Request two or three written estimates that specify cable type, gauge, approximate footage, circuit count, labor, permit fees, patching, and testing. Avoid paying for premium wire or unnecessary upgrades when standard materials meet the design and code. For damaged wiring, ask whether a safe, code-compliant repair is possible before approving a full replacement.
The safest savings come from reducing avoidable labor and clarifying scope, not using undersized or unsuitable wire.