Key takeaways
- Full house rewiring is a major project: Most homeowners spend about $8,000–$20,000 to fully rewire a typical home, but small homes or partial rewires can be much less.
- Safety is the main reason to rewire: Old or damaged wiring can increase the risk of shocks and electrical fires. Rewiring brings your home up to modern safety codes.
- Age and type of wiring matter: Homes with knob-and-tube, aluminum wiring, or cloth-insulated wiring are strong candidates for rewiring, especially if you also see frequent breaker trips or flickering lights.
- Walls and access drive cost: Rewiring is cheaper when electricians can easily access wiring through basements, crawlspaces, or attics. Finished walls, plaster, and tight spaces push costs higher.
- You don’t always need a full rewire: Sometimes targeted upgrades—like replacing a few circuits, adding a new panel, or updating kitchen and bathroom circuits—can buy time and improve safety for less.
- Permits and inspections are essential: Whole-house rewiring almost always requires permits and inspections, which adds cost but protects you and future buyers.
- Get multiple quotes: Because labor and access conditions vary so much, it’s smart to get 2–3 detailed estimates from licensed electricians before committing.
Typical price range
All numbers below are approximate US ballpark ranges for labor and materials. Actual costs depend heavily on your home’s size, age, layout, and local labor rates.
Common rewiring scenarios
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Small home (under ~1,000 sq. ft.) full rewire:
$4,000–$10,000- Simple layouts, good attic/basement access, and drywall instead of plaster tend to be at the lower end.
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Average home (~1,500–2,000 sq. ft.) full rewire:
$8,000–$20,000- Wide range due to wall type, number of circuits, and whether the panel or service also needs upgrading.
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Larger home (2,500+ sq. ft.) full rewire:
$15,000–$40,000+- More circuits, more outlets, possibly multiple stories and finished basements drive up labor time.
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Partial rewire (e.g., kitchen, baths, or one floor):
$2,000–$8,000- Common when upgrading high-demand areas or removing old knob-and-tube from specific sections.
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Panel upgrade alongside rewiring (100A to 200A):
Add $1,500–$4,000- Often recommended if you’re adding circuits or modern appliances.
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Minor fixes instead of full rewire (a few circuits, outlets, or junction boxes):
$300–$2,000- Helpful when issues are isolated and the rest of the wiring is newer and in good shape.
Cost per square foot (very rough)
- Typical full rewire: About $4–$10 per sq. ft.
- Lower end: simple, accessible, newer framing.
- Higher end: older homes, plaster walls, complex layouts, or extensive patching.
What pushes costs lower
- Good access: Unfinished basements, open joists, roomy attics, or crawlspaces.
- Drywall instead of plaster: Drywall is easier and cheaper to cut and patch.
- Simple layouts: Single-story homes with straightforward floor plans.
- Recent panel/service upgrades: Less need for major electrical service changes.
- Bundled work: Doing multiple electrical projects at once can reduce per-item labor costs.
What pushes costs higher
- Plaster or masonry walls: More time-consuming to open and repair.
- No attic or basement access: Electricians must fish wires through tight spaces.
- Historic or very old homes: Unpredictable framing, hidden junctions, and code issues.
- Knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring removal: More careful work and extra safety steps.
- Extensive patching and painting: Post-rewire wall and ceiling repairs can add $1,000–$5,000+, depending on how much is opened up.
Repair vs. full rewiring
You don’t always need to rewire the entire house. The right choice depends on age, wiring type, and how widespread the issues are.
When repair or partial work may be enough
Consider repairs or partial rewiring when:
- Wiring is relatively modern (copper, plastic insulation) and under ~30–40 years old.
- Problems are isolated to one room or circuit (e.g., a burnt outlet, one tripping breaker).
- You’re dealing with specific upgrades, like:
- Adding a dedicated circuit for a new appliance.
- Updating just the kitchen and bathrooms to modern standards.
- Budget is tight, and a licensed electrician confirms the rest of the system is safe.
Example:
Your 1995-built home has one bedroom circuit that keeps tripping. An electrician finds overloaded outlets and a few bad connections.
- Repair cost: Maybe $400–$1,000 to replace the breaker, fix connections, and add an extra circuit.
- Full rewire cost: Could be $10,000+.
In this case, targeted repairs are usually more sensible.
When a full rewire is the smarter move
A full or near-full rewire is usually recommended when:
- Wiring is very old: Often 60+ years and never significantly updated.
- You have knob-and-tube, aluminum, or cloth-insulated wiring throughout much of the home.
- Frequent issues: Regular breaker trips, flickering lights, warm outlets, burning smells, or visible charring.
- You’re opening walls anyway for a major remodel; it’s the ideal time to update wiring.
- Insurance or inspection red flags: Some insurers charge more or refuse coverage for certain old wiring types.
Example:
A 1940s home with knob-and-tube wiring, frequent flickering, and several ungrounded outlets.
- Patchwork fixes on multiple circuits might cost $3,000–$6,000 and still leave old wiring hidden in walls.
- A full rewire at $12,000–$18,000 is more expensive now, but:
- Brings everything to current code.
- Improves safety and resale.
- Reduces the need for repeated electrical work later.
In this situation, many electricians and buyers would view a full rewire as the better long-term investment.
Efficiency and long-term costs
Rewiring is mostly about safety and capacity, but it can also affect your long-term costs and convenience.
How rewiring can save money over time
- Fewer emergency calls: Old, failing wiring leads to more unexpected outages and repairs, which are often more expensive per visit.
- Right-sized circuits: Properly designed circuits reduce nuisance trips and protect appliances from damage due to voltage drops or overloads.
- Support for efficient equipment: Modern HVAC, EV chargers, induction ranges, and other high-efficiency appliances often need dedicated, properly sized circuits.
- Insurance and resale: Some insurers may offer better terms once unsafe wiring is removed, and buyers often pay more for homes with updated electrical systems.
When paying more upfront makes sense
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Upgrading the panel at the same time:
Spending an extra $1,500–$4,000 now for a larger, modern panel can:- Avoid needing another upgrade in a few years.
- Make adding future circuits (like for an EV charger) much easier.
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Adding extra circuits and outlets now:
It’s cheaper to add more capacity and outlets during a rewire than to come back later.- Extra outlets reduce extension cord use (a fire risk) and improve convenience.
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Future-proofing:
If you plan to:- Finish a basement or attic,
- Add a hot tub or workshop,
- Install solar or EV charging,
it’s often worth running conduit or extra capacity now while walls are open.
What to expect from a visit or project
Before the pro arrives
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Gather information (15–30 minutes):
- Note problem areas: flickering lights, tripping breakers, dead outlets.
- Locate your electrical panel and any previous inspection reports.
- Think about future plans (remodels, EV, new appliances) to discuss.
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Initial scheduling:
- For a suspected full rewire, expect the electrician to schedule a walk-through/estimate visit first, not jump straight into work.
Typical evaluation/estimate visit
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Walk-through and inspection (60–120 minutes):
- Visual check of the panel, outlets, switches, and accessible wiring.
- Testing circuits, checking grounding, and looking for outdated or unsafe materials.
- Asking about your usage: big appliances, home office, EV, etc.
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Discussion and options (15–30 minutes):
- Whether a full rewire is needed vs. partial upgrades.
- Panel or service upgrades that may be required.
- How disruptive the work will be and whether you can stay in the home.
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Written estimate (same day to a few days):
- Scope of work (full vs. partial rewire).
- Estimated timeline (often 3–10+ days for a full rewire).
- Whether patching/painting is included or separate.
Typical full rewiring project
Timing varies widely by home size and complexity, but this is a general outline.
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Permits and planning (1–3 weeks, mostly waiting):
- Electrician pulls permits with your local building department.
- May coordinate with the utility if service upgrades are needed.
- You’ll get a rough schedule and expectations about power interruptions.
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Preparation (0.5–1 day):
- Move furniture away from walls where work will occur.
- Cover belongings; expect dust from cutting access holes.
- The electrician may set up dust barriers and floor protection.
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Rough-in work (2–7+ days):
- Turning off power to parts of the house (sometimes the entire house for stretches).
- Running new cables through walls, floors, and ceilings.
- Installing new boxes for outlets, switches, and fixtures.
- Labeling circuits at the panel.
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Panel and service work (0.5–1.5 days, if needed):
- Replacing or upgrading the main panel.
- Possibly upgrading service from the utility (e.g., 100A to 200A).
- Coordinating temporary power shutoff and reconnection.
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Inspection (scheduled day, short visit):
- Local inspector checks that the work meets code.
- If something needs adjustment, the electrician returns to correct it.
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Final connections and testing (0.5–1 day):
- Installing switches, outlets, and cover plates.
- Testing all circuits, GFCIs, and AFCIs.
- Walking you through panel labels and any new features.
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Patching and cleanup (1–3+ days, if included):
- Patching access holes in walls and ceilings.
- Basic sanding and sometimes priming; full painting may be separate.
- Final cleanup of dust and debris.
Living in the home during a rewire
- Partial outages: Some areas may be without power for hours to days, depending on the plan.
- Noise and dust: Expect cutting, drilling, and some mess, especially in older homes.
- Temporary solutions: Electricians may set up temporary circuits to keep essentials like the fridge or a few lights running when possible.
DIY vs. hire a pro
Reasonable DIY tasks for some homeowners
Even if you’re handy, be cautious. For most homeowners, rewiring is not a DIY project. However, some low-risk tasks may be reasonable:
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Non-electrical prep work:
- Moving furniture and belongings.
- Removing and reinstalling simple outlet and switch cover plates.
- Doing your own painting after walls are patched.
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Very simple device swaps (only if you’re experienced and comfortable):
- Replacing a light fixture or switch on an existing, known-good circuit, with the breaker off.
- Always test for power with a voltage tester and follow local codes.
If you’re unsure, leave it to a pro.
Tasks that should be left to licensed electricians
For safety and code reasons, these should always be done by a licensed pro:
- Any whole-house or partial rewiring:
- Running new cables, replacing circuits, or altering the panel.
- Panel work or service upgrades:
- Involves high voltage and utility coordination; mistakes can be fatal.
- Working on aluminum, knob-and-tube, or other old wiring:
- These systems have special rules and risks.
- Installing new circuits for large appliances, EV chargers, or HVAC:
- Requires proper wire sizing, breaker selection, and code compliance.
- Permits and inspections:
- Pros know local code requirements and how to pass inspections.
Improper electrical work can cause fires, shocks, and insurance problems if something goes wrong. For anything beyond very simple fixture swaps, hiring a licensed electrician is the safest route.
Questions to ask potential pros
- “Do I truly need a full rewire, or are partial upgrades an option?”
See if they’re willing to explain alternatives and trade-offs. - “What type of wiring and panel do I currently have, and what are the risks?”
Helps you understand why they’re recommending certain work. - “Can you provide a detailed, itemized estimate?”
Ask them to break out labor, materials, panel upgrades, and any patching. - “Does your price include permits, inspections, and coordination with the utility?”
Clarify what’s handled by them vs. by you. - “How will you minimize damage to walls and ceilings?”
Ask about their approach to fishing wires and what surfaces will be opened. - “Who handles drywall patching and painting?”
Some electricians include basic patching; others expect you to hire a separate pro. - “How long will the project take, and will I be without power?”
Get a clear idea of schedule, daily working hours, and disruptions. - “Are you licensed, insured, and experienced with homes like mine?”
Older or historic homes, in particular, require specific experience. - “What kind of warranty do you offer on labor and materials?”
Typical warranties might range from 1–5 years on workmanship. - “How will you label circuits and explain the new system to me?”
A good pro leaves you with a clearly labeled panel and basic instructions. - “What could cause the price to change once you start?”
Understand potential surprises, like hidden junction boxes or unsafe conditions.
Quick FAQ
How long does a full house rewire usually take?
For a typical occupied home, expect about 3–10 business days of on-site work, depending on size and complexity. Larger or older homes, or those needing service upgrades, can take longer.
Do I need to move out during a rewire?
Not always. Many homeowners stay in the home, but you may lose power to parts of the house at times and deal with noise and dust. For large projects or if you work from home, you might prefer to stay elsewhere for a few days.
Will rewiring increase my home’s value?
It often helps resale value and marketability, especially in older homes. Buyers and inspectors are more comfortable with updated wiring and modern panels, and it can reduce issues during the sale process.
Does homeowners insurance cover rewiring?
Insurance usually does not cover rewiring as a preventive upgrade, but it may cover damage from a covered loss (like a fire) that leads to electrical repairs. Some insurers may require or strongly recommend rewiring if you have certain outdated systems.
Next steps
Deciding to rewire comes down to age, safety, and long-term plans:
- If your home has very old or unsafe wiring and frequent electrical issues, a full or major rewire is often the safest and most cost-effective long-term choice.
- If your wiring is newer and problems are limited, targeted repairs or partial rewiring may be enough for now.
- Factor in future needs—remodels, EV charging, new appliances—when deciding how far to go.
Because costs vary widely, it’s wise to get 2–3 detailed quotes from licensed electricians and compare scope, timeline, and what’s included. A neutral directory like Home Services Scout can help you quickly find and compare local pros without pressure.
With the right plan and a qualified electrician, rewiring is a one-time investment that can make your home safer, more comfortable, and easier to live in for years to come.