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CostHelper > Home and Garden  > Electrical, HVAC & Energy Efficiency > Rewiring a House

Rewiring a House Cost


How Much Does Rewiring a House Cost?

 
low costLow: DIY Materials Can Run $1,500-$3,000average costAverage Range: $3,500-$8,000+high costHigh: Large House w/Difficult Access Can Run $30,000+
Typical costs:
  • Copper wire is increasingly expensive, so just the materials alone for rewiring a typical home can start around $400-$1,000 and might run $1,500-$3,000 or more for an extensive upgrade (lots of outlets, light fixtures) in a larger home. A Boston homeowner[1] is spending $2,600 on a do-it-yourself project rewiring a 2,300-square-foot home, including hiring an electrician to install the new electrical panel.
  • Depending on local rates, having an electrician rewire your home can run about $65-$120 per device (outlet, switch, light fixture), plus $800-$3,000 to upgrade to a 100-200 amp electrical panel. Average total cost (materials and labor) for rewiring a house starts around $3,500-$8,000 for a moderate-sized home with easy access (at least 18-inches of crawlspace under the home plus an accessible attic) but can run $8,500-$20,000 or even as high as $30,000 for a large house and/or one with difficult access.
Related articles: Upgrading an Electrical Panel, Adding an Electrical Outlet, Electrician, Home Addition, Interior Demolition, Garage Conversion

What should be included:
  • If your house is on a concrete slab or doesn't have an attic (or both), it will probably be necessary to cut open the walls about 2 feet up from the floor, as well as cutting through the ceiling joists. Many electricians recommend having the rewiring done while you're on vacation, and say a project will often cost more if you continue living in the home while the work is done. Having an electrician rewire a house generally takes 3-10 days, or about a week for the average older home. However, a complex project can take even longer. DoItYourself.com offers an introduction[2] to home wiring, including useful terms and safety tips.
  • Rewiring a home is painstaking and time-consuming work. WireItYourself.com explains how to fish wires[3] through the walls of your home and at OurFixerUpper.com[4] a do-it-yourself shares the progress of a rewiring project.
  • Rewiring a home requires a building permit and inspections of the work at certain stages in project; check with your local planning department for specifics. All wiring must meet the National Electrical Code[5] , but local building regulations can also affect the scope and cost of your rewiring project.
Additional costs:
  • If holes must be cut in the walls to run wiring, be sure the cost of the plaster or drywall repair is included in the estimate -- these repairs can be as much as 25-30 percent of the total cost of the rewiring project.
  • You might want to rent a self-storage unit for anywhere from $40-$230 a month to house your valuable furniture and decorations during the rewiring process, which can be quite dusty and invasive.
  • Whether you do it yourself or hire a pro, books on home wiring[6] run about $10-$20 and can provide a good overview of what's involved in a rewiring project.
Shopping for rewiring a house:
  • Request and contact references, and make sure the electrical contractor is properly bonded and insured, as well as licensed in your state.
  • Referrals to electrical contractors are available from the National Electrical Contractors Association[7] .
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Rewire Older House
Amount: $7,100.00 total
Posted by: a user in Flint, MI.Posted: October 19th, 2021 03:10AM
quoted $7100, to replace/upgrade panel, Relocate panel from outside to indoors. update all the outlets and install Ceiling Fans. Didn't understand why it didnt take longer than a day to complete the job. Just wondering if they got over on me just for the money
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Rewire whole house with all included
Amount: $32,909.00 total
Posted by: JG Electric in Orlando, FL.Posted: September 10th, 2021 03:09PM
Electrician: Electrical Contractor
Easy estimate for all of you, is stablish a category of houses. Cat 1: open wall, $13 per sqft Cat 2 Close walls, $16 per sqft and for cat 3, 2 story house, depending of age $18-$25 per sqft. Make your calculations. Those rewire houses for cheap, didn’t know what they are doing. For sure loosing money. This is something need to be done safe and last long. Is not warranty 100%, because never know how the user is gonna use their circuits.
The amount of $27 k is and average on any rewire project.
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Insurance cancel for Single Strand Aluminum wiring
Amount: $3,000.00 total
Posted by: AEM in Orlando, FL.Posted: May 9th, 2021 04:05AM
Electrician: Ace
Our homeowner’s insurance sent a cancellation letter for aluminum single strand wiring. We were able to extend the date to May 31. Electrician gave quote - need replaced to the stove and the AC for $3000 total. Work to be completed Wednesday. Wanted to try and just get another insurance but all insurance is going this way. Stunned at the price but the copper wire is expensive. Well actually be glad to have this done after reading everything I can on the web.
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Investment property
Amount: $6,550.00 total
Posted by: Spraguer in Jacksonville, FL.Posted: March 20th, 2021 03:03AM
Electrician: Hart electric
Had a squatter that was tampering with wiring and got to the point where it was just cheaper to replace everything. Scheduled for next week
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Whole house rewire
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: EKB in Mooresville, IN.Posted: December 15th, 2020 12:12PM
Need help on cost. Looking to rewire 1950 plaster wall house. It was updated sometime to remove knob and tube to 100 amp box, but wires not redone at that time. One story with finished basement and attic for hopefully easy access.
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rewiring
Amount: $250.00 total
Posted by: e flynn in Oakland, CA.Posted: September 14th, 2019 06:09PM
I have had three electricians look at my 2500 sq ft house. Knob and tube, ungrounded. Tenants upstairs have lost electricity twice. One electrician said 43000, the 2nd said don't do it, ungrounded knob and tube is perfectly safe. the third wants 80,000 minus a discount. He says smaller estimates are out of date and for the Midwest. I am in California. Help. I don't know what to think.(#2 and 3 are Diamond Certified) and contradictory.)Price listed is for last estimate.
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rewiring
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: e flynn in Oakland, CA.Posted: September 11th, 2019 01:09PM
Electrician: pending
My home has knot and tub wiring, except for updated areas in the bathroom and in an in-law unit. The house is old and has some nice wood wainscoting, which would cause problems with two outlets. Built, 1912, 2500 sq. ft. One electrician gave an estimate of 43,000, then wouldn't put it in writing. A second ridiculed the whole idea of rewiring, said there was no danger, a third gave a detailed estimate of 81,000 minus a 10% discount. I think that so much apartment building in the vicinity makes electricians reluctant to do relatively small residential jobs. I don't know what to do.
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Rewire knob and tube circuits and remain outlets
Amount: $6,000.00 total
Posted by: Louise G in Indianapolis, IN.Posted: March 16th, 2017 08:03AM
Electrician: Electrician
Need advice I'm getting my home rewire I got an estimate for 6000 to remove any knob and tube for lighting circuits and remain outlets. Plus 100 a panel $1,140.00, permit $89.00
Surge protection $359.00
100a overhead service $930.00
Cert tag $125.00 any additional advice.My home is 1,200sq ft
Can walk on the attic parcel basement.
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New home wire rough and finish and new 200 Amp service
Amount: $12,300.00 total
Posted by: Charlie O in Budd Lake, NJ.Posted: October 3rd, 2016 10:10AM
Electrician: Byrnes
New home 2650. Square feet & new 200 amp service. I purchased all the LED lights and finish lighting fixtures inside and out. I purchased fans. Exhaust fans
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bathroom rew
Amount: $700.00 total
Posted by: matt Latimer in Des Moines, IA.Posted: September 6th, 2016 10:09AM
Electrician: lazer electric
I did a bathroom remodel and needed new wiring installed since the old wire was knob and tube and tied into all the lights into the house. They electrician gave me a parts list to buy so I could save money. Spent 100.00 on a new sub box and outlets and switch. He ran a new sub box with wiring to the bathroom and I installed the rest.
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Cost to rewire 1200 sqft
Amount: $5.00 total
Posted by: Integrity Home Maintenance (Daniel) in Colcord, OK.Posted: April 16th, 2016 12:04PM
Electrician: Self
Everyone is crying about the cost to do electrical work. The liability of doing electrical rewire is tremendous. Not to mention the cost of license, tools and insurance. The is also the training involved to become a master electrician.
I challenge you to do your own rewire one time. Most people would gladly pay the rates after experiencing what us pros do.
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Rewiring a House in Dallas, Texas
Amount: $18,000.00 total
Posted by: Skeptical Sam in Dallas, TX.Posted: February 3rd, 2016 04:02PM
Electrician: Ready Electric
Your advice is a little deceptive.
Simply saying to rewire a house has a huge range of options that can drive up the cost especially since pricing for markets are locally determined by demand. Dallas demand has gone up alot due to much investment in residential housing. You should say that to rewire an older ungrounded house requires new wire with a ground,run to ALL ELECTRICAL receptacles, switches, ceiling light boxes and virtually anything that uses electricity. I'm skeptical that the DIY has the knowledge or expertise to do this as cheaply as you say. Missteps can easily lead to a fire hazard. Your LICENSED electrician should be insured supplying a current Insurance Certificate. One house I'm working on has two feet of blown cellulose insulation on top of everything in the attic. This is the only access and will take alot of time to dig through to find the old wires and where they lead. DIY may can rewire one switch but a whole house is beyond their reach.
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home rewire
Amount: $24,600.00 total
Posted by: olered in lancaster, CA.Posted: October 28th, 2015 09:10AM
Electrician: Bushu Electric
hired this highly professional company even though we had some lower estimates. complete rewire of older 2200 sq ft home with aluminum wire. they installed copper wire with a new electric control panel, led recessed lights and dimming switches, new plugs and special plugs in the bathrooms, kitchen, garage and outside areas. they even brought in a drywall contractor to repair the many walls and ceilings they opened as our house sits on cement. We painted it ourselves.
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partial house rewire
Amount: $5,000.00 total
Posted by: jukeboxjohnnie in Anaheim, CA.Posted: May 19th, 2015 05:05AM
Electrician: electrician
We live in Southern California in a 1500 square foot historical home--built in 1947. The electrician charged $2700 to upgrade the panel from a 100 amp to a 200 amp. We had to apply for and pay for the city permit ourselves. After completing that, he gave us a separate estimate for $2,252 JUST to rewire 23 plug outlets, (no switches or lights), stating it would take him about 4 days. This estimate was made based on his hourly rate rather than by the job. Although he had easy access under the house (at least 2 feet of clearance), he only rewired 12 of the outlets, and still charged us the full $2,252 price, which wound up costing us about $190 per outlet. He also kept all the materials (romex and outlet boxes) we paid for, even though he only used half of them. Beware of a contractor who bids your project based on hourly charges, rather than by the job. Experienced guys already know about how long it will take them to complete it, and they charge in proportion to that. This guy was extremely slow because he doesn't normally re-wire homes. Another contractor told us our home layout was not complicated at all, and the contractor should have been able to complete all 23 outlets with no problem for the same amount of money we paid him. Make sure you hire an electrician who has plenty of experience doing complete re-wiring jobs, and not just making his living doing small lighting stuff. We will not be using this guy again.
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Partial rewire
Amount: $8,000.00 total
Posted by: Richard Normus in houston, TX.Posted: December 1st, 2014 08:12PM
Electrician: mexican guy
Rewired 500 sq ft garage apt (was knob and tube) and changed 3 panels.
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whole house rewire
Amount: $1,500.00 total
Posted by: don doug in greenville, SC.Posted: August 27th, 2014 06:08AM
Electrician: LIVE WIRE ELECTRICAL OF GREENVILLE SC
Hi I'm Don I live in asheville nc live wire electrical of greenville sc 8644171199. Came 86 mile to rewire my older home it is 900 sq ft they done a really great and professional job I will use them again for all my electrical needs there price beat everyone around by more then $3000
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Complete rewire, convert from baseboard heat to forced air, install fans in kitchen & bathroom
Amount: $10,000.00 total
Posted by: Aimee in Seattle, WA.Posted: July 22nd, 2014 05:07PM
Electrician: Mr. Electric of Greater Seattle
I had my knob and tube wiring removed from a 672 SF home, brought to current day standards (romex). Installed three smoke detectors which run off of the electric instead of battery operated. Installed ventilation fans in kitchen and bath. There was some drywall to be patched afterward which cost $450 and was done with a different contractor.
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Aluminum wiring to copper
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: Betht in Pitt Meadows, Other.Posted: June 1st, 2014 11:06PM
Piggy backing the connection with copper rather than full re wire would - should be way less expensive and effective for a home with alum. Wiring???? Wouldn't it? Snyone have an idea of cost on this method for a 2000 sq ft average home????
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Rewire on a 1200 foot house in Houston
Amount: $7,000.00 total
Posted by: Rewiring in Houston in Houston, TX.Posted: May 27th, 2014 07:05PM
1952 vintage house had 2 wire system - electrician did the remodel in accordance with local code, plugs at least every 10 feet, and installed all new light fixtures and ceiling fans (I bought for 1,500) - only 5 sheetrock holes and didn't make a big mess. / This job included a new panel as well.
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Rewiring
Amount: $6,000.00 total
Posted by: Phil727 in St petersburg, FL.Posted: February 16th, 2013 10:02AM
House fire damaged small part of house but insurance contract allowed for "rewiring residential structure with copper wire and conduit and gave the entire square footage of the house. rnDoes this mean new wiring throughout or will some of the existing wiring be used Also is conduit a common practice
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Still in the process...
Amount: $5,000.00 total
Posted by: Shocked at the hassle & cost in Suburb of Orlando, FL.Posted: September 11th, 2012 09:09AM
Electrician: My Hubby
We lost our homeowner's ins due to alum wiring & now can't find another co. to insure us. Through the BBB, I got several quotes from electricians that ranged from $9K to $18K with lengthy time frames that varied wildly. My husband decided to rewire the house himself. To date, we have almost tapped out the $5K 0% credit card we got for this purchase & he's still got a long way to go. We do, however, have all the supplies & tools already purchased--he's just having to swap out the odd thing, buy something he finds he needs, or buy another tool he needs. I don't foresee a lot more money but it's going to take a V-E-R-Y long time to finish and we're almost 5 weeks in. But by doing it himself, he gets to keep all the tools he purchased, there has been no drywall damage so far, & he's learned a LOT. I'll just be glad when it's done and we're insured again!!
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Rewire Job
Amount: $0.00 total
Posted by: PLC in Los Alamos, NM.Posted: June 21st, 2012 10:06AM
Electrician: School District
I work for a very small school district and we just got an estimate for $8,000, 2 men, 80 hrs, to rewire a wall for 6 microwaves in our cafeteria and to up the amps on one wall for a Xerox copier. No wonder the schools have no money!! UNBELIEVABLE -- that seesm totally exorbitant. Am I correct in that thinking?
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Full house rewiring
Amount: $2,400.00 total
Posted by: Not in the dark anymore in Chicago, IL.Posted: February 23rd, 2012 02:02PM
Electrician: Power Masters
I needed a total rewiring for my 540sf house. He brought 2 workers with him and got the job done in 16 hours.
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rewiring
Amount: $8,000.00 total
Posted by: frayed nerves in agoura hills, CA.Posted: February 10th, 2012 01:02PM
I had my 1300sf house (built in the 70's with aluminum wiring) rewired along with my kitchen remodel. This included a new panel. New recessed lighting throughout. Garage and smoke detectors were done on a previous remodel. I also repiped at the same time for about 5000. Total cost of remodel was 32k.
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Whole house rewire
Amount: $12,000.00 total
Posted by: Seattle Girl in Seattle, WA.Posted: November 10th, 2010 09:11PM
Electrician: All Hours Electric
For peace of mind and to avoid being dumped by our insurance company, we had all the knob and tube wiring replaced in our 1919 craftsman home shortly after moving in. The electrician installed a larger panel, added outlets, lights, switches, added new grounding rods and ran romex throughout our 2850 sq ft house. He did the job solo and it took almost a month to complete. He was very good about minimizing the damage he inflicted on our walls & ceilings, so the patch work was minimal.
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External Resources:
  1.  ideas.thenest.com/newlywed-message-boards.aspx
  2.  www.doityourself.com/stry/homewiringintro
  3.  www.wireityourself.com/f_cable.html
  4.  www.ourfixerupper.com/category/projects/electrical
  5.  www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=70&cookie%5Ftest=1
  6.  www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=home+wi...
  7.  www.necanet.org/find-a-contractor
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