What drives the price
Almost all of it is labour. Running new cable through finished walls means opening and patching plaster or drywall throughout, and every device, box, switch and fixture gets replaced. Knob-and-tube or aluminium wiring adds removal work on top.
- Square footage and number of circuits
- Access - an unfinished basement and accessible attic cut the cost significantly
- Plaster walls, which cost far more to open and repair than drywall
- Whether drywall repair and painting are included or your problem afterwards
- Whether the panel is being upgraded at the same time, which it usually should be
Should you DIY this or call a professional?
Call a licensed electrician. Beyond the permit requirement, this is the work most likely to burn a house down years later if done wrong. If the budget will not stretch, ask about doing it in stages - kitchen and bathroom circuits first, since those carry the highest load and the highest risk.
Signs you need this repair
- Knob-and-tube or cloth-sheathed wiring
- Aluminium branch circuits from the 1960s-70s
- Two-prong outlets throughout with no ground
- Warm switch plates, flickering lights, or a burning smell
- Insurers refusing or loading cover because of the wiring
How to not get overcharged
Get the quote broken down per room or per circuit so you can stage the work over two budgets if needed. Establish in writing who patches and paints the walls - that assumption is where rewiring quotes most often diverge by thousands. And confirm the panel upgrade is included or explicitly excluded.
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Red flags to watch for
- No permit or inspection in the plan
- A flat price with no circuit count or scope
- Drywall repair left undefined
- Pressure created by a scary claim with nothing shown to you
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to rewire a house?+
Rewiring a house typically runs $8,000-$25,000 depending on size and access, averaging near $13,000 for a 1,500-2,000 sq ft home. Partial rewires of problem circuits run far less.
Can I rewire a house myself, or should I hire a professional?+
Call a licensed electrician. Beyond the permit requirement, this is the work most likely to burn a house down years later if done wrong. If the budget will not stretch, ask about doing it in stages - kitchen and bathroom circuits first, since those carry the highest load and the highest risk.
How long does it take to rewire a house?+
1-3 Weeks Depending on Size and Whether the House Is Occupied. Scheduling and parts availability can extend the overall timeline beyond the hands-on work itself.
What makes the price of this job go up or down?+
Square footage and number of circuits. Access - an unfinished basement and accessible attic cut the cost significantly. Plaster walls, which cost far more to open and repair than drywall. Whether drywall repair and painting are included or your problem afterwards. Whether the panel is being upgraded at the same time, which it usually should be.
How do I avoid being overcharged?+
Get the quote broken down per room or per circuit so you can stage the work over two budgets if needed. Establish in writing who patches and paints the walls - that assumption is where rewiring quotes most often diverge by thousands. And confirm the panel upgrade is included or explicitly excluded.