The average cost of rewiring a house in 2024 is $10,000. The range, depending on the features of your house, is between $2,000 and $20,000. The basic cost per square foot is between $2 to $4. Factors affecting the price are highlighted in great detail in this article. 

Factors Affecting the Cost of Rewiring A House

Many different factors add up to the cost of rewiring a house. Let's look into most essential ones.

Size Of The House

The larger the house, the more expensive it is to rewire it due to the sheer price of materials and the cost of labor. The layout of the house, including the number of rooms and floors, also affects the cost.

Here is the rough estimate of rewiring based on the house size, including labor and materials:

• A small house up to 1,500 square feet - $2,000 to $6,000.
• A standard medium-sized home (1,500 to 3,000 square feet) - $6,000 to $12,000.
• For larger homes (over 3,000 square feet), - it starts at $12,000 and can sometimes reach $20,000. 

Age and Condition of the Wiring

Old houses can have deteriorating wiring, including aluminum and knob-and-tube wiring, significantly increasing costs. Carefully removing old wiring can add 10% -20 % to the final cost.

Local Labor Rates

Naturally, the labor cost varies depending on whether you live in a metropolitan or a rural area. In fact, it even varies based from professional to professional. Labor usually constitutes about 50-70% of the total rewiring cost.

Materials

Materials you choose constitutes a large chunk of the price. This includes wiring, outlets, and fixtures.

Standard copper wiring like THHN or NM-B are often a part of the starting qoute. However, if you want to pay for things like premium-grade outlets and modern circuit breakers, expect to pay 10% -25 % more.

Acessibility

If the house's structure makes it difficult to access the wiring, this can increase labor time and costs.

If you have easily accessible attics and basements or don't have these things, it will save you a buck. However, if walls need to be opened for access, expect a 20-30% increase in labor costs.

Upgrades

Upgrades lift up the costs, including adding extra outlets, modernization of the panel, and smart home integration.

• Each extra outlet or Ethernet cable can cost between $100 and $250.
• Depending on the panel capacity, an electrical panel upgrade can cost between $1,200 to $4,000.

Cost Of Different Elements of House Rewiring 

• Electrical Panel:
• Installing a 100 amp panel in the house that does not have it costs between $800 to $1,200.
• Upgrading from a 100 amp to a 200 amp service typically ranges from $1,500 to $3,000. This includes panels, meters, outlets, and wiring.
• Upgrading to a 400 amp service can cost between $2,000 and $4,000 or more, depending on whether you need a secondary panel.
• Opening walls costs from $4 to $8 per square foot.
• Running wires costs between $2 to $4 per square foot.
• Labor costs could be anywhere between $40 and $150 per hour depending on the area.
• Rewiring projects need permits, with costs varying from as low as $25 to as high as $1000. You should check for the price locally. For example, the NYC DOB permit costs $650.

What Does a Full House Rewire Include?

A full house rewire typically includes:

• Replacement of all fixed wiring within the property.
• Upgrading and replacing the fuse box.
• Installation of new electrical outlets (sockets and switches).
• Replacing lighting circuit wiring, which may or may not include new light fittings and switches.
• Installation of data points (like Ethernet ports) and TV aerial points if required. This can also include installations of Fiber optic internet.
• Work on any outbuildings or external electrical points.

Every electrical project is unique, so you may have more things done, but the list above covers basic house rewiring. Other things people add to their houses are smart home automation, dedicated circuits for heavy appliances, security systems, etc.

At What Age Can You Rewire a House?

To rewire or not to rewire is a subjective decision of the homeowner unless there are direct risks involved that stem from the current conditions of the house. However, as a general rule, you should reevaluate your house for rewiring if it is at least 30 years old.

This is because there is a possibility that a house built before mid-90s does not meet the current NEC standards for electrical systems, especially if it still has original wiring and was never evaluated or checked.

How Do I Know If House Needs Rewiring?

Your house is absolutely a candidate for rewiring as soon as possible if:

• Your house is over 30 years old. If your house is over 50 years old, the need for rewiring is even more urgent.
• Your circuit breakers regularly trip. This indicates that the electrical system can be severely overloaded.
• Your lights flicker or dim unexpectedly.
• Your switches and outlets are visibly discolored. This is a common sign of overheating.
• You can hear buzzing or sizzling sounds from outlets or switches.
• You experience an electric shock when touching the switches.
• There is a burning smell, or you could see sparks.
• Light bulbs are burning out, and you are constantly replacing them.
• Your house is built before 1980s with aluminum wiring. The 1950s-1970s aluminum wiring is not up to modern NEC standards and constitutes a safety hazard.
• Your house has no grounded outlets, and uses outdated two-prong outlets instead.
• You don't have enough outlets and find yourself relying on extension cords and power strips. This is a sign that your house's electrical system does not meet your needs.

Most of the signs we describe here are potential electrical dangers, so your best choice is to consult a licensed electrician to evaluate the immediacy of your house rewiring.

Why Would I Want To Rewire An Old House?

Aside from reasons to rewire the old house because of immediate danger, there are also less immediate reasons. Here are some of the reasons to rewire a house if you simply want to:

• Improve the functionality of your home

Do you want a smart home with automated features? Or a new home entertainment system? Want to upgrade your kitchen with new appliances? You get the point. Rewire your house if you would like to enjoy all these things without the risk of circuit overloading. Living in a more convenient household is definitely worth it.

• Increase the value of your house

It's not a secret that upgrading the electrical system can increase the value of your home. It's often a selling point for potential buyers who want to avoid the hassle and expense of doing it themselves. This is a right reason for you to rewire a house if you ever want to put it on the market and the cost of improvement is lower than a potential hike in price the rewiring gives. For a better estimate, consider consulting a real estate agent.

The house you plan to put on the market will also benefit from being updated on NEC requirements.

• Insurance benefits

Some insurance companies may offer lower premiums for homes with updated electrical systems, as they pose less risk. Moreover, some insurers might not cover homes with outdated wiring at all. Check this with your insurer for more information.

• Future-proofing

Don't want fiber optic internet, electric vehicles, or smart home appliances right now, but are open to these things in the future? If you are in a good place financially, you might want to rewire your house right now because the cost of rewiring will certainly not decrease 3 or 5 years from now. 

How Can You Rewire Your House For Free?

Unfortunately, it is practically impossible to rewire the house for free; however, in many regions of the country, you can look for grants that significantly reduce the costs. The programs are more likely to cover low-income households and energy efficiency efforts.

• For example, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers loan programs that can assist with home repairs and modifications. These include the HUD Title 1 property improvement loan and the 203(k) rehabilitation mortgage insurance program. These programs are widely available, but some are specific to certain states or counties. You can check to see if you are entitled for participation in this project.
• The government offers energy efficiency assistance programs for veterans, low-income households, rural residents, and Native Americans. Some programs are also available based on the location of the property.
• The Inflation Reduction Act has allocated funds for Home Energy Rebates, which include Home Efficiency Rebates and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates. These rebates aim to support households in making energy-efficient home improvements, potentially covering some costs related to electrical upgrades.

Additionally, if the need for rewiring is due to damage covered under your home insurance policy, the insurance might cover some or all of the costs.

Personal and home equity loans are widely available for electric projects countrywide.

How Long Does It Take To Rewire a House?

On average, rewiring a house can take one working week. If your house is new and has already been updated, everything can usually be done in two to three days. The speed of rewiring also depends on the skill of the electrician and on the size of your house. If you have an older house with hard-to-reach access points, expect something between 10 to 12 working days. More work might be needed if the existing wiring is in poor condition or not up to code.

Tip: If you want things to proceed faster, declutter the house (at the access points) and make sure everything is prepared. It also goes without saying that you need permits before starting a project. Of course, you should always be aware that something unexpected might happen, like structural challenges or access difficulties. These things are more likely to happen if you live in an older house.

How To Save Costs On Rewiring A House?

• Get multiple quotes from different electricians before deciding who to go for.
• Do partial rewiring of the house in the critical areas if you cannot afford a complete rewiring.
• Choose budget-friendly cables like THHN/THWN, and buy them in bulk.
• Go for standard materials instead of high-end switches and outlets for the interior design's sake.
• Keep the same electrical layout as long as it is still functional.
• Check for government rebates or tax incentives.

Cables For Rewiring a House

THHN/THWN-2

THHN/THWN-2 is an affordable and versatile building wire used in conduits or raceways for indoor and outdoor applications. It is cheap and can be used for many things, making it a popular choice for house rewiring.

In standard sizes, copper THHN/THWN-2 wiring costs between $ 0.13 and $ 1.88 at NNC, which is slightly below your standard market price.

NM Cable (Romex)

Romex is your choice of cable for indoor dry locations. You can find this cable at NNC from $0.48 for 14/2 NM-B cable to $8.01 for 4/3.

UF-B Cable

For outside and direct burial applications that require immunity to moisture, choose UF-B cable. This is your choice for any outdoor projects. NNC costs between $0.41 for 14/3 cable and $2.33 for 6/2 cable.

You can have better deals for these cables at NNC if you purchase them in bulk, which is a common case for rewiring projects. 

You can have better deals for these cables at NNC if you purchase them in bulk, which is a common case for rewiring projects. The deals are in place if you buy 250 ft or more.