Whole-House Rewiring Cost

National cost range

Low end

$8,000

Simple access, like-for-like

Typical

$15,000

What most jobs come in at

High end

$30,000

Upgrades, difficult access, code work

What you are actually paying for

Find the row that matches your situation. Quotes that differ wildly from each other usually differ in scope, not in price.

What moves the price

In descending order of impact. These are also the questions worth asking a contractor whose quote sits outside the range above.

1. 1

   Existing wiring type

   Knob-and-tube requires full access and is the most labor-intensive. Aluminum branch wiring may be remediated with COPALUM connectors at receptacles rather than full replacement. Ungrounded 2-wire systems often need new cables pulled to every outlet.

2. 2

   Access — finished versus gutted

   Rewiring through finished walls with minimal drywall damage costs more per foot than rewiring during a renovation when walls are open. Fish-wiring and strategic access holes add labor.

3. 3

   Panel and service condition

   A rewire almost always includes a new panel. If the service entrance is undersized or the meter base is obsolete, a service upgrade runs concurrently.

4. 4

   Code upgrades triggered

   A rewire brings every circuit to current code: AFCI protection in bedrooms and living areas, GFCI in kitchens and baths, tamper-resistant receptacles, and smoke/CO detector interconnection.

5. 5

   Home size and circuit count

   A 1,200 square foot post-war home may need 16 to 20 circuits. A 3,000 square foot modern home may need 40 or more. Each circuit is a home run to the panel.

Direct answer

Whole-house rewiring in 2026 typically costs $8,000 to $30,000 for a 1,500–2,500 square foot home, with national planning near $15,000 through finished walls. Knob-and-tube in finished spaces often runs $10,000 to $20,000; aluminum branch remediation with COPALUM connectors $3,000 to $8,000; full rewire during open-wall renovation $8,000 to $14,000; rewire plus 200A panel upgrade $14,000 to $25,000; historic plaster homes $15,000 to $35,000. Access—fish-wiring versus gutted walls—and circuit count matter more than wire brand per foot.

What each price band actually buys

Low end

Rewire during renovation with walls open, standard circuit count, new panel included in bundle.

Typical

Fish-wiring through finished drywall, AFCI/GFCI upgrades, panel replacement, permit and multi-pass inspection.

High end

Plaster repair, multi-story access, service entrance upgrade, extensive legacy knob-and-tube removal.

Labor vs materials

Typical split for this job nationally: roughly 70% labor and 30% materials. Crew size is usually 2–4 electricians over two to four weeks, across multiple visits: rough-in, trim-out, inspection.

What this price usually does not include

• Drywall repair, skim coat, and painting after strategic access holes
• Asbestos abatement if old wire insulation or pipe wrap is disturbed
• Whole-home low-voltage, security, or networking cabling unless scoped
• Knob-and-tube removal in inaccessible areas without destructive access
• Appliance or HVAC equipment replacement
• Temporary relocation or hotel costs during extended power outages

Hidden costs that show up on real jobs

Regional variation

Rewire pricing is labor-dense: union metros and jurisdictions with strict inspection add 25–40% to the same material list. Older housing stock in the Northeast and Midwest skews toward knob-and-tube premiums. Use `/home/cost/house-rewiring/[metro]` when published to sanity-check per-circuit allowances.

Code upgrades this job can trigger

• AFCI protection in bedrooms and most habitable areas on new branch circuits
• GFCI in kitchens, baths, garages, basements, and outdoors
• Tamper-resistant receptacles where required
• Properly sized panel with labeled circuits and working clearances
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm interconnection where adopted

Repair vs replace

Aluminum remediation at outlets may suffice when COPALUM or AlumiConn connectors address insurance requirements without full replacement. Knob-and-tube and ungrounded systems facing renovation or insurance cancellation warrant full rewire—not spot extensions. Partial room-by-room rewire spreads mobilization cost but helps cash flow. If you are already opening walls for a kitchen or bath remodel, that is the cheapest window for full replacement versus fishing later.

Timeline and visits

Typical single-story homes take two to four weeks with a two-person crew. Power is off selectively during rough-in days. Final trim and inspection follow device installation. Plan four to eight weeks total including drywall and paint if not bundled.

Quote checklist — line items a fair bid should show

1. Circuit count and panel size included
2. Rough-in versus trim-out schedule and power outage expectations
3. Drywall repair scope: who patches and to what finish level
4. Permit and inspection fees with rough and final passes
5. AFCI/GFCI device counts
6. Service upgrade line item if separate
7. Warranty on workmanship
8. Cleanup and old wire removal from site

Questions to ask before you sign

• Will you rewire on knob-and-tube or only add circuits—insurance may require removal?
• How many access holes per room and who repairs plaster?
• Is a new panel included, and what ampacity?
• Can I phase bedrooms after kitchen if budget constrained?
• What documentation do I receive for insurance and resale?
• How do you protect finished floors and furnishings during work?

Quote red flags for this job

• Covering knob-and-tube with insulation without removal where prohibited
• No permit on whole-house scope
• Quote without site walk to see access conditions
• Single lump sum with no circuit count
• Subcontracting to unlicensed labor
• Promises no drywall damage on fish-wiring through finished plaster

Payment schedule norms

Large rewires often use 20% deposit, 40% at rough-in inspection, 40% at final. Avoid paying majority before rough-in passes. Hold retention until drywall patch scope is agreed if electrician does not patch.

Seasonality

Interior work proceeds year-round; holiday season may slow scheduling. Combining with summer remodels is common when windows can ventilate dust.

Can you do it yourself?

When this cannot wait

• Knob-and-tube wiring with blown fuses or scorch marks at outlets
• Aluminum wiring with signs of overheating at connections
• Homeowner's insurance requiring wiring remediation as a condition of coverage
• Buying a home where the inspection flagged ungrounded or obsolete wiring

Common questions