Whole House Rewiring Cost: Pricing Breakdown and Guide
Fixr puts a complete home rewire at $7,286 to $13,257 and warns that size can move the final cost outside that range. Other sources report very different numbers because they measure different scopes: Bob Vila lists an average of $1,432, and Angi gives $130 to $6,250 for a medium-sized house. Treat each figure as a starting point for local quotes.
Whole house rewiring cost breakdown
| Scope | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Complete rewire of a home | $7,286 to $13,257 | Fixr |
| Average rewire | $1,432 | Bob Vila |
| Medium-sized house | $130 to $6,250 | Angi |
| Typical 2,500-square-foot home | $603 to $2,596 | Angi |
| 1,250-square-foot home, opening walls | $7,500 to $15,000 | Bob Vila |
| Small house or mobile home | $2,000 to $17,000 | HomeGuide |
| Knob and tube replacement | $12,000 to $35,000 | HomeGuide |
The gaps are large. Some sources describe a limited rewire, while others cover opening walls or replacing old knob and tube wiring. When you read a number, check which scope it describes.
Cost by home size
Several sources price rewiring by area. Angi says rewiring costs about $2 to $4 per square foot with materials and labor, Fixr gives $3 to $6 per square foot for installing new wiring, and Bob Vila puts it at about $3 to $5 per foot. Fixr also lists a lower $1.00 to $1.85 per square foot figure for new wiring. Per-area rates scale with the size of the home, and they leave out the permit, inspection, and panel items listed below.
Labor vs. materials
Electrician hourly rates differ by source. HomeGuide says $50 to $130 per hour to rewire a house, Angi says about $50 to $100, and Forbes Home says $50 to $150. Bob Vila lists $65 to $85 per worker for an electrical company, and This Old House says master electricians charge $90 to $120 per hour for complex projects such as rewiring historic buildings.
For materials, HomeGuide gives wiring at $0.10 to $4.00 per linear foot depending on type, and Forbes Home lists THHN or THWN wire at $0.15 to $1.50 per foot on average. HomeGuide says opening the walls completely adds 25% to 30% to the total project cost but may be the only option for older homes lacking access.
Panel, permit, and inspection costs
A panel replacement costs $400 to $2,500 according to Forbes Home and $850 to $2,500 according to HomeGuide. HomeGuide puts rewiring permits at $250 to $900 and an inspection at $100 to $200 to confirm the work is code compliant. Angi lists inspections at $100 to $125 each. This Old House says a wiring permit can run from $75 on simple work up to $900 for a major rewire of an older home. A dedicated circuit, if you want one added, runs $250 to $900 per HomeGuide. For related work, see our electrical cost guides.
DIY vs. hiring a pro
Rewiring a house involves live service feeds and the risk of shock and fire. This is licensed electrician work, and your local rules decide which permits and inspections apply. Homeowners can help by clearing access to the attic, basement, and walls where the crew will work.
Ways to save
- Pair it with a remodel: If you are already opening walls, ask whether the electrician can price the rewiring while framing is exposed.
- Clear access in advance: Moving furniture and stored items out of work areas makes the job easier to schedule and quote.
- Group electrical tasks: Ask the contractor to bundle panel work, circuits, and rewiring into one estimate.
- Collect itemized bids: Compare hourly labor, materials, permits, and inspections line by line.
How to get an accurate quote
Ask the electrician to inspect the existing wiring, attic, and panel in person. Request a written estimate that separates labor, materials, permit and inspection fees, and removal of old wiring, and that says whether wall patching is included. Verify the contractor’s license and insurance before signing.
What changes the price
- Overall interior floor area and layout intricacy
- Framing access restrictions and wall demolition demands
- Presence of vintage knob and tube conductors
- Contractor credentials and regional labor market rates
- Local building department fees and service panel upgrades
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to rewire a house per square foot?
The figure varies by source and scope, so compare the per-area rates in the size section above with your local quotes.
How much does knob and tube replacement cost?
HomeGuide puts knob and tube wiring replacement at $12,000 to $35,000.
Do electricians have to open the walls?
For older homes that lack access, HomeGuide says a full wall opening may be the only workable method. Ask the electrician which approach your house needs.
Sources
Related cost guides
Figures are estimates based on the sources above and vary by region, home and contractor. Get at least three written quotes before you hire. See our disclaimer and how we research.