Cost guide
House rewiring cost
Updated · Breakerwick editorial
Short answer
Published figures for rewiring a whole house commonly fall between $10,000 and $30,000, or roughly $5 to $17 per square foot. Access is what separates the ends of that range: an open basement and attic keep it low, while plaster walls, slabs and finished ceilings push it up.
What published guides report for rewiring
| Measure | Published figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Whole-house rewire, typical | $10,000 to $30,000 | HomeGuide, as cited by Bankrate |
| Per square foot | $5 to $17 | HomeGuide, as cited by Bankrate |
| Whole-house rewire, typical | $12,000 to $20,000, average $16,000 | Angi |
| Per square foot, materials and labor | $6 to $10 | Angi |
| 1,300 sq ft home | $7,800 to $13,000 | Angi |
| 2,000 sq ft home | $12,000 to $20,000 | Angi |
| 3,000 sq ft home | $18,000 to $30,000 | Angi |
Figures from the named publishers, checked on October 7, 2026. They describe typical cases, not your house, and Breakerwick sets no prices. Wall and ceiling repair and a new panel are often priced separately from the figures above.
What makes one house cost more than another
- Access
- Open basement and attic versus slab floor and flat roof. This matters more than square footage.
- Wall and ceiling type
- Plaster on lath, masonry and tile take longer to open and cost more to repair than drywall.
- Number of stories
- Getting cable to a middle floor with finished ceilings above and below is the slowest part of most jobs.
- Device count
- Bringing an old house to modern outlet spacing can double the number of outlets.
- Panel and service
- Most full rewires include a new panel. See panel upgrade cost.
- Occupied or empty
- Restoring power every evening and working around furniture adds days.
Lower-cost alternatives to a full rewire
Whether these are acceptable depends on the wiring's condition and on your insurer.
Partial rewire
- Replace only knob-and-tube or damaged circuits
- Add new grounded circuits for kitchen, baths and laundry
- Spread over time alongside other renovation
Connection repair for aluminum wiring
- Listed connectors at every device and splice
- Far less disruption than rewiring
- Accepted by some insurers and not others; see aluminum wiring repair
What a rewiring quote should spell out
- Scope by room
- Number of outlets, switches, lights and dedicated circuits.
- Panel
- Whether it is replaced and at what size.
- Old wiring
- Disconnected and abandoned in place, or removed where exposed.
- Openings
- Roughly how many access holes, and who patches and paints.
- Permit and inspections
- Included or separate.
- Hazardous materials
- What happens if asbestos or lead paint is found in the work area.
Sources for the rewiring figures
Figures were checked on October 7, 2026. Angi's size table is based on a per-square-foot rate and was last revised by the publisher earlier than that date.
Rewiring cost questions
Does homeowners insurance pay for rewiring?
Generally not. Policies cover sudden damage, not replacement of aging wiring. Some insurers do offer better terms once old wiring is replaced.
Is it cheaper during a renovation?
Yes. With walls already open the electrician's time drops sharply and there is no separate patching.
How do I compare quotes?
Line up the device counts, the panel, the patching and the permit. A quote that omits two of those is not cheaper, only shorter.
This guide is general information, not professional, legal or insurance advice. Electrical codes, permit rules and prices vary by location. Have a licensed electrician assess your installation, and confirm requirements with your local permit office.
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