How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a House? 2026 Pricing, Factors, and What to Expect

How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a House in 2026?

A full house rewire typically costs between $8,000 and $30,000 or more, depending on the size of the home, the age of the existing wiring, accessibility of the walls and attic, the cost of permits, and whether the electrical panel needs to be upgraded at the same time. As of 2026, most homeowners pay between $6 and $10 per square foot for a complete rewire, with additional costs for panel upgrades, permit fees, and drywall repair. Homes with aluminum wiring, knob-and-tube wiring, or panels that are undersized for modern electrical loads typically fall at the higher end of the range because the scope of work is larger.

Average range: Most homes between 1,500 and 2,500 square feet cost $8,000 to $20,000 for a full rewire, including permits but not including drywall repair, which adds $1,000 to $5,000 depending on how much wall and ceiling access was needed.

What drives the price up: Two-story homes, finished basements, plaster walls, aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring, panel upgrades from 100-amp to 200-amp service, and homes where the electrician cannot access wiring through an attic or crawl space.

When it is necessary: A full rewire is typically necessary when the home has knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring, when the existing wiring is damaged or deteriorated, or when the home’s electrical system cannot safely support modern loads like HVAC systems, EV chargers, and kitchen appliances.

House Rewiring Cost by Square Footage

Home Size (sq ft)	Estimated Rewire Cost	Cost Per Sq Ft	Typical Timeline
1,000 to 1,500	$6,000 to $12,000	$6 to $8	3 to 5 days
1,500 to 2,500	$8,000 to $20,000	$5 to $8	5 to 8 days
2,500 to 3,500	$15,000 to $25,000	$6 to $7	7 to 12 days
3,500 to 5,000	$20,000 to $35,000	$6 to $7	10 to 15 days
5,000+	$30,000+	$6 to $10	15+ days

These ranges assume a standard residential rewire with copper wiring to current National Electrical Code (NEC) standards, including new outlets, switches, and circuit runs from a modern panel. They do not include the cost of a panel upgrade, which is a separate line item, or drywall and paint repair, which varies depending on how much wall access was required.

In our experience, the biggest surprise for homeowners is not the wiring itself but the finish work. The electrical portion of a rewire follows a predictable scope. The drywall repair, painting, and patching that follow are where the project can feel more expensive than expected, especially in older homes with plaster walls that require more extensive repair. For homes with aluminum wiring specifically, the cost of a full rewire includes removing the aluminum and replacing it with copper, which is a different scope than rewiring a home that already has copper but is simply outdated.

What Affects the Cost of Rewiring?

Six factors determine where a specific home falls within the cost range.

1. Square footage. More square footage means more wire, more circuits, more outlets, and more labor hours. The cost-per-square-foot rate is relatively consistent, but the total cost scales directly with the size of the home.
2. Number of stories. A two-story home costs more than a single-story home of the same square footage because running wire vertically through walls and between floors requires more labor and more access points.
3. Wall and ceiling access. Homes with accessible attics, crawl spaces, or open basements are less expensive to rewire because the electrician can run wire through the accessible space without cutting into finished walls. Homes with slab foundations, finished basements, and no attic access require more wall cuts and more repair.
4. Existing wiring type. Homes with knob-and-tube wiring or aluminum wiring require the old wiring to be removed in addition to the new wiring being installed. This increases both the labor and the disposal cost.
5. Panel upgrade. Many homes that need rewiring also need a panel upgrade from 100-amp to 200-amp service. A panel upgrade adds $2,000 to $4,000 to the project and is often required by code when the existing panel cannot support the new circuit layout.
6. Permit and inspection fees. Rewiring requires an electrical permit in virtually every jurisdiction. In Florida, permit fees typically run $150 to $500 depending on the county. The permit includes inspections at rough-in and final stages, which the electrician coordinates.

When Does a House Need to Be Rewired?

Not every old house needs a full rewire. But several conditions make it necessary for safety, insurance, or code compliance.

1. Knob-and-tube wiring. Found in homes built before the 1940s. Knob-and-tube wiring has no ground conductor, the insulation deteriorates over decades, and it cannot safely handle modern electrical loads. Most insurance companies will not insure a home with active knob-and-tube wiring.
2. Aluminum wiring. Used in homes built between approximately 1965 and 1973. Aluminum wiring expands and contracts more than copper at connection points, creating loose connections that increase the risk of overheating and fire. A full rewire replaces the aluminum with copper throughout.
3. Undersized or deteriorated wiring. Homes with 14-gauge wire on 20-amp circuits, damaged insulation, or wiring that has been chewed by rodents or exposed to moisture need replacement regardless of the wiring material.
4. Frequent tripped breakers or flickering lights. If your circuits trip regularly, outlets feel warm, or lights flicker without explanation, the wiring may be damaged or the circuits may be overloaded beyond their capacity. These are warning signs that the system needs professional evaluation.
5. No grounded outlets. Two-prong outlets throughout the home indicate ungrounded wiring. While GFCI protection can be added to ungrounded circuits, a full rewire with grounded copper wiring is the permanent solution that brings the home up to current code.
6. Home renovation or addition. When a homeowner renovates a kitchen, adds a room, or installs a major electrical load (EV charger, pool heater, HVAC upgrade), the existing wiring and panel may not support the new demand. A partial or full rewire may be required by code as part of the renovation permit.

Full Rewire vs. Partial Rewire

A full rewire replaces all the wiring in the home from the panel to every outlet, switch, and fixture. A partial rewire replaces wiring in specific areas, such as the kitchen, bathroom, or a single floor, while leaving the rest of the existing wiring in place.

Scope	When It Makes Sense	Typical Cost	Pros	Cons
Full rewire	Knob-and-tube, aluminum, or severely outdated wiring throughout	$8,000 to $30,000+	Complete system; meets current code; clean insurance and resale	Higher upfront cost; more wall repair
Partial rewire	Isolated damage, kitchen/bath renovation, adding circuits	$2,000 to $8,000	Lower cost; targeted fix; less disruption	Old wiring remains; may need full rewire later
Panel upgrade only	Modern wiring but undersized panel (100A to 200A)	$2,000 to $4,000	Adds capacity; supports EV chargers, HVAC	Does not address wiring condition

The most common mistake we see homeowners make is choosing a partial rewire to save money when the underlying wiring throughout the home is the actual problem. A partial rewire in the kitchen does not fix the aluminum wiring in the bedrooms or the ungrounded circuits in the living room. If the home has a systemic wiring issue, a full rewire is the only fix that resolves it completely and brings the entire home up to code. If the wiring is generally sound and only one area has a specific problem, a partial rewire is the right scope.

What to Expect During a Rewire

A whole-house rewire is a multi-day project that follows a predictable sequence.

1. Initial inspection and estimate. The electrician inspects the existing wiring, panel, and access points (attic, crawl space, wall cavities) and provides a written estimate with a detailed scope of work.
2. Permit application. The electrician pulls the electrical permit from the local building department. In Florida, this is required for any rewiring work and includes scheduled inspections.
3. Rough-in phase. New wiring is run through the walls, attic, and crawl spaces. Outlet and switch boxes are installed. Access holes are cut in walls and ceilings where needed. This is the most labor-intensive phase.
4. Rough-in inspection. The building inspector reviews the new wiring before the walls are closed up. All wire runs, box installations, and grounding must pass inspection before the project continues.
5. Panel installation. If a panel upgrade is part of the scope, the new panel is installed and the circuits are connected. The utility company coordinates the meter reconnection.
6. Final connections and testing. Outlets, switches, and fixtures are connected. Every circuit is tested for correct wiring, grounding, and GFCI/AFCI protection where required by code.
7. Final inspection. The building inspector returns for the final inspection. Once passed, the permit is closed and the homeowner receives the certificate of completion.
8. Wall and ceiling repair. Drywall patching, plaster repair, and painting are completed. This may be done by the electrician’s team or by a separate drywall contractor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Next Steps

If your home has aluminum wiring, see our guide on aluminum wiring vs. copper wiring for the specific risks and upgrade options.

If you are seeing flickering lights or tripped breakers, those are warning signs that your wiring may need professional evaluation.

Schedule a free estimate with a licensed electrician to inspect your wiring, panel, and access points before pricing a rewire.