How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a House? A Budgeting Guide – Bob Vila

Rewiring a house is one of those projects that sounds boring until you realize it’s the only thing standing between you and a future where your breaker panel has a personality (and it’s cranky). Whether you’re modernizing an older home, replacing knob-and-tube wiring, or adding circuits for today’s appliance-hungry lifestyle, this guide breaks down what rewiring really costs, what drives the price up (and down), and how to budget without crying into a pile of drywall dust.

We’ll talk ranges, real-world budgeting math, common add-ons like a panel upgrade, and sneaky “not technically rewiring” costslike wall repair, permits, and inspections. You’ll leave with a practical plan, not just a number pulled from the air like a magician at a kid’s birthday party.

Quick Answer: Typical Cost Ranges to Rewire a House

If you’ve got 12 seconds and a calculator, here’s the big-picture view:

• Basic reported national ranges (limited-scope rewiring): roughly $600–$2,600 is commonly cited for smaller-to-average projects in many homes.
• Full-home or more complex rewires (especially older/larger homes): commonly $7,000–$13,000+, with some projects pushing higher when access is difficult or the home needs major upgrades.
• Rule-of-thumb by size (budgeting only): many homeowners see estimates that behave like “several dollars per square foot,” but the scope (and walls) decide the final bill.

Why the spread? Because “rewire a house” can mean anything from “replace a few dangerous circuits and outlets” to “rip out decades of questionable wiring decisions, upgrade the panel, add AFCI/GFCI protection, bring everything to modern code, and patch drywall like nothing ever happened.” Same phrasewildly different projects.

What “Rewiring a House” Usually Includes (and What It Doesn’t)

What’s typically included in a true rewire

• Replacing old branch-circuit wiring (the wires that feed outlets, lights, and fixtures)
• Updating outlets, switches, junction boxes, and connections
• Adding grounding where missing (common in older homes)
• Balancing circuits so your kitchen doesn’t share power with “the entire rest of the house”
• Testing and verifying the system, often with required inspections

What may be separate line items

• Electrical panel upgrade or replacement (very common if the existing panel is outdated, undersized, or overloaded)
• Service upgrade (e.g., going to 200-amp service)
• Wall/ceiling repair (drywall, plaster, paint, trim)
• Special wiring (EV charger circuits, hot tub, workshop tools, dedicated circuits for large appliances)
• Fixture replacements (new lighting, fans, under-cabinet lights)

Budget tip: When you get quotes, ask each contractor to define “rewire” in writing. It’s not being pickyit’s preventing the emotional experience of realizing “rewire” did not include “make the walls look like walls again.”

Cost Drivers: Why One House Is $1,500 and Another Is $15,000+

1) Square footage and layout

Bigger homes usually need more wire, more circuits, more labor, and more time. A simple ranch with an accessible attic is typically cheaper than a multi-story home with tight cavities, finished ceilings, and “surprise” additions.

2) Accessibility (a.k.a. “How much do we have to open the walls?”)

If electricians can fish wires through an attic, crawlspace, or unfinished basement, labor is faster and patching is smaller. If your home is plaster-and-lath, packed insulation, or tightly framed, costs often jump because cutting, fishing, and repairing take longer.

3) The age of the home and the type of existing wiring

Older homes may have:

• Knob-and-tube wiring (common in homes built before the mid-20th century; often needs replacement and can complicate insurance)
• Aluminum branch wiring (not always an automatic full rewire, but it can require specialized repairs and connectors)
• Ungrounded circuits (modern appliances and safety devices often expect grounding)

4) The number of outlets, switches, and fixtures you want (or need)

More devices = more materials and time. Modern code expectations and modern lifestyles tend to demand more outlets and dedicated circuits than homes from the 1950s ever planned for.

5) Code upgrades and safety devices (AFCI/GFCI)

Many rewiring projects include adding or updating protection like GFCI (wet areas) and AFCI (arc-fault protection in many living spaces). These devices can increase materials costs, but they’re commonly part of modernizing an electrical systemespecially when permits and inspections are involved.

6) Your local labor rates and permitting rules

Electrician labor can vary a lot by region. Many homeowners see hourly rates that feel… energetic. (You might pay less for a simple home in a lower-cost area, and more in dense metro regions where time, parking, and permitting are all harder.)

Budgeting by Scope: Three Common “Levels” of Rewiring

Level 1: Targeted rewiring (partial rewire / safety repairs)

Best for: a home with one or two problem areaslike a sketchy kitchen circuit, a few ungrounded outlets, or a room that trips breakers whenever you breathe near a hair dryer.

Cost behavior: can be in the hundreds to a few thousand, depending on how much wiring is replaced and how much wall repair is needed.

Level 2: Major upgrade (most circuits, not necessarily every inch)

Best for: mid-century homes with overloaded circuits, too few outlets, or a mix of old wiring that needs a big cleanup.

Cost behavior: usually lands in the several-thousand-dollar range, especially if you’re adding circuits and bringing key areas up to modern standards.

Level 3: Full-house rewire (complete replacement + modernization)

Best for: older homes with widespread outdated wiring, knob-and-tube, frequent electrical issues, or major renovation plans (where walls are already being opened).

Cost behavior: commonly $7,000–$13,000+ for many homes, and higher when access is difficult or when you add a panel/service upgrade and extensive patching.

Cost Examples: What a Rewire Budget Can Look Like

These examples are not bidsthey’re budgeting frameworks. Your actual pricing depends on your home, your local rates, and your project scope.

Example A: 1,500 sq ft 1950s home (partial-to-major rewire)

• Rewire key circuits (kitchen, living areas, bedrooms): $3,000–$8,000
• Replace outlets/switches & add a few new outlets: $500–$2,000
• Permits/inspection (varies): $150–$800
• Wall repair/paint touch-ups: $500–$3,000
• Budget range: $4,150–$13,800

Example B: 2,000 sq ft home (whole-home rewire with normal access)

• Whole-home rewiring labor + materials: $6,000–$10,000 (size-based budgeting often falls in this neighborhood)
• Optional panel upgrade: $1,300–$3,000+
• Permits/inspection: $150–$1,000
• Wall repair/paint: $1,000–$5,000
• Budget range: $8,450–$19,000+

Example C: 3,000 sq ft older home with difficult access (full rewire + upgrades)

• Full rewire with complex fishing and lots of circuits: $12,000–$25,000+
• Knob-and-tube removal/extra work (if present): adds thousands
• Panel/service upgrade: $2,000–$6,000+ (depending on needs)
• Wall repair (plaster is pricey): $3,000–$10,000+
• Budget range: $17,000–$41,000+

Reality check: The same house can swing wildly depending on whether your electrician can fish wire easily or has to open walls in half your rooms. The walls are often the real boss of the budget.

The Hidden Costs Homeowners Forget (Until Their Wallet Remembers)

Permits and inspections

Many rewires require permits, and most permitted work requires inspections. Some sources cite post-upgrade inspection costs that can run in the low hundreds. Even if your electrician handles the paperwork, the fees usually land on your invoice.

Drywall/plaster repair and paint

Rewiring isn’t always destructive, but it’s rarely invisible. Even “minimal access” jobs can leave holes near outlets, switches, and junction points. If you’re already planning to paint after the electrical work, you’re doing it in the right orderbecause fresh paint before a rewire is basically volunteering for heartbreak.

Electrical panel upgrades

If your panel is outdated, undersized, or simply out of space, a rewire may trigger (or strongly suggest) a panel upgrade. Budgeting for this upfront avoids the classic plot twist where the electrician says, “Good news: we found the problem. Bad news: your panel is also the problem.”

Upgrades you’ll want once the walls are open

• Adding recessed lighting or ceiling fans
• Running data lines (Ethernet) or smart-home wiring
• Dedicated circuits for office setups, kitchen appliances, or garage tools
• EV charger-ready circuits

Budget rule: If you’re opening walls anyway, it’s often cheaper to add “future-proof” circuits now than to pay for wall access twice.

Signs Your Home Might Need Rewiring (Don’t Ignore These)

Some warning signs are your home’s way of saying, “Hello, I would like to not catch fire today.” Common red flags include:

• Flickering or dimming lights
• Burning smells, discoloration around outlets/switches, or warm outlets
• Frequent breaker trips or blown fuses
• Buzzing at switches or outlets
• Ungrounded outlets (two-prong outlets everywhere)

If you notice symptoms like these, prioritize a licensed electrician evaluation. Safety groups warn that these can indicate serious wiring problems, overheating, or overload conditions.

Special Situations That Can Change the Price Dramatically

Knob-and-tube wiring

Knob-and-tube systems can be a major cost driver because replacement may require extra labor, special permitting, and careful work to modernize circuits and grounding. Some cost guides even break out separate permit and removal costs specifically for knob-and-tube replacements. In plain English: it can be a bigger job than a standard “swap the wires” scenario.

Aluminum wiring (1960s–1970s era homes)

Aluminum branch wiring can present overheating risks at connections if not properly handled. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has long published recommendations for repairs, including specialized connector methods and professional evaluation. Depending on what an electrician finds, you might budget for either a repair strategy at connection points or broader replacement.

Panel or service upgrade (100-amp to 200-amp, etc.)

Upgrading service and replacing the panel can add a meaningful chunk to your budget. Some homeowner cost guides place typical panel upgrade ranges in the low thousands, while other sources cite averages that vary widely by scenario and region. Translation: plan for it as a possible add-on, not a “surprise.”

How to Build a Smart Rewire Budget (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Decide your scope (safety, capacity, or full modernization)

Write down your goal in one sentence:

• “Make it safe and stop the breaker trips.”
• “Upgrade the kitchen and add circuits for appliances.”
• “Full-house rewire during renovation.”

This single sentence will save you from getting quotes that aren’t apples-to-apples.

Step 2: Get 3 written estimatesand make them comparable

Ask each electrician to list:

• What areas/circuits are included
• Whether outlets/switches are replaced or reused
• Whether the panel is included or separate
• Permit/inspection responsibilities
• Assumptions about wall repair (who does it?)

Step 3: Add a contingency (because houses love secrets)

For rewiring, a 10%–20% contingency is common senseespecially in older homes where you can’t see everything until work begins. If your home has plaster, multiple additions, or unknown wiring history, lean toward the higher end.

Step 4: Budget for patching and paint

Even if your electrician is a magician with fishing wires, plan for some wall work. If you’re renovating anyway, schedule electrical first, then insulation, then drywall, then paint. Your future self will send you a thank-you card.

Step 5: Decide where you won’t compromise

Good places to be strict:

• Licensed, insured electricians
• Permits and inspections when required
• Safe connections and proper grounding
• Appropriate circuit protection

Good places to save:

• Do your own patch/paint if you’re comfortable
• Bundle add-ons (outlets, lighting) while walls are open
• Rewire in phases only if it’s planned strategically (and safe)

How Long Does a House Rewire Take?

Timelines vary, but many whole-home rewires take several days to a couple of weeks depending on size, access, and how much wall work is required. If you’re living in the home during the project, expect planned outages and some “temporary chaos” zones.

Pro-tip for sanity: Ask your electrician how they’ll keep essential circuits running (fridge, basic lighting, Wi-Fi) during the work. It’s not a luxuryit’s survival.

FAQ: Cost-to-Rewire Questions Homeowners Ask Every Time

Is rewiring worth it?

If your home has safety red flags, outdated wiring types, or frequent electrical problems, rewiring can be both a safety upgrade and a resale-value protector. It can also help your home handle modern loads without constant tripping and flickering.

Can I rewire a house room-by-room?

Sometimes, yes. Phased rewiring can spread costs out, but it requires a careful plan so circuits stay safe and code-compliant. It’s usually easiest when you prioritize high-load and high-risk areas first (kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, main panel issues).

Will I need to move out?

Not always. Many families stay in the home, but it depends on how invasive the project is and how much power needs to be shut off. If you’re doing a major renovation anyway (walls open everywhere), moving out can reduce stress and speed up work.

Why do online averages look so different?

Because “rewire” is a scope word. Some averages reflect partial projects; others reflect complete rewires with panel upgrades, permits, repairs, and modern protection devices. Always compare quotes based on scope, not just the headline number.

Real-World Experiences (500+ Words): What Rewiring Actually Feels Like

Budget numbers are helpful, but homeowners often want to know what rewiring feels like day-to-daybecause the real cost isn’t only dollars. It’s also inconvenience, decision fatigue, and learning that drywall dust can travel through time and space.

Experience #1: The “We’ll Just Upgrade the Kitchen” rewire that became a whole-house plan.
A common storyline starts innocently: a homeowner remodels the kitchen, the electrician opens one junction box, and suddenly everyone is staring at wiring that looks like it was installed during the era when televisions had antennas. The original plan was a couple of new appliance circuits and GFCI protection. But once the walls are open, it becomes obvious that the rest of the home is running on too few circuits, with overloaded lines feeding multiple rooms. The homeowner learns a practical lesson: bundling electrical work during renovations is often the most cost-efficient time to do it. The budget shifts from “a few upgrades” to “let’s do the main living areas now and plan bedrooms later.” It’s not always fun, but it can prevent paying twice for wall access.

Experience #2: The plaster house that adds a “wall repair tax.”
In older homes with plaster, rewiring can be more delicate and more expensive. Even skilled fishing can’t always avoid access holes. Homeowners often report that the electrician’s work is only half the battlethe other half is patching, sanding, repainting, and trying to match texture that hasn’t been manufactured since your grandparents were dating. This is where budgeting realistically changes the emotional outcome. The homeowners who feel best at the end are the ones who planned from day one: “Electrical + patch + paint.” They didn’t treat wall repair as an optional surprise; they treated it as part of the project.

Experience #3: The “panel upgrade plot twist.”
A lot of rewiring discussions end up at the panel. Homeowners sometimes get a quote to rewire circuits, then find out the panel is full, outdated, or undersized for the new loads. That’s when the conversation shifts to amp capacity, breaker types, and whether the service needs to be upgraded. It’s not necessarily bad newspanel upgrades are common modernization stepsbut it’s expensive if you didn’t budget for it. People who set aside a contingency fund usually shrug and move forward. People who didn’t… begin negotiating with the universe.

Experience #4: Living in the home during rewiring (the “camping indoors” season).
When families stay in place, the project becomes a choreography of “which rooms are off-limits today” and “where did the power go now.” Many electricians will keep essential circuits running, but you should expect interruptions. Homeowners who handle it best tend to do two things: (1) they set up a temporary “command center” with chargers, lights, and backup power options, and (2) they agree on a plan for meals and routines during outages. It sounds silly, but it turns a stressful project into a manageable one.

Experience #5: The best surprisewhen the house finally behaves.
After the patching is done and the last faceplate is installed, many homeowners describe the same feeling: the house is calmer. Lights stop flickering. Breakers stop tripping. Outlets feel reliable. And there’s a quiet confidence in knowing the wiring behind the walls isn’t a mystery. It’s the kind of upgrade you don’t “see” like a new countertopbut you feel it every day. And if you ever sell the home, buyers and inspectors tend to appreciate a modern electrical system more than they appreciate a “vintage” fire hazard.

Conclusion: Budget Like a Pro (and Keep Your House From Being Dramatic)

Rewiring a house is a high-impact project that improves safety, capacity, and reliability. The key to budgeting is defining scope, comparing quotes carefully, and planning for the “extra” costspermits, inspections, and wall repairso the final invoice doesn’t feel like an ambush. If you’re renovating anyway, rewiring can be one of the smartest moments to modernize behind-the-walls infrastructure. Your future appliances (and your breaker panel) will thank you.