Rewiring a house can be a complex project but don’t let it catch you off guard. Read this to plan ahead and discover the cost to rewire a house.
How Long Does It Take to Rewire a House?
Here's how long it takes to rev up your home with rewiring
Photo: Cavan Images / Cavan / Getty Images
Photo: Cavan Images / Cavan / Getty Images
Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.
Most homes need rewiring every 25 years, but if you plan to install newer, bigger appliances, you’ll want to rethink your electrical system earlier to meet those increased power needs. Or, if you have an older home, you may need to update your wiring to meet all safety requirements and local codes.
Whatever the reason for the electrical overhaul, you’ll need to hire a professional electrician to do the job. But how long does it take to rewire a house? Here's a guide on what to expect.
How Long Does Rewiring a House Take?
On average, wiring a house takes between three and 10 days. The time commitment needed varies based on a home's size and age. Expect at least seven days for a home older than 40 years. Due to the danger of handling wiring and electrical components, a full home rewiring is definitely a job that a licensed electrician should complete.
Some components of a full rewiring include:
Lights
Sockets
Switches
Control panel(s)
What Does Rewiring a House Involve?
Photo: SheraleeS / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Home rewiring is an intensive job that affects more than just wires. When you remove and replace the wires throughout your home, you’ll have to go through every room's walls, floors, and ceilings.
When rewiring to correct a dangerous situation, electricians often need to lift floorboards or carpets to access faulty or compromised wires. Certain spots may require cutting small holes into your walls to chase wires that replace the old ones. Chasing is important because it allows your electrician to run new cables through the walls to reach the right places.
What Are Some Signs It's Time to Rewire Your Home?
Photo: StockPhotoPro / Adobe Stock
It's important to reassess your home's wiring if you're adding new systems that will tax your home's current electrical capabilities. You may also notice some telltale signs that your wiring is outdated. Call an electrical contractor to discuss rewiring if you notice the following:
Flickering lights
Sparking from outlets
Shocks
Power fluctuations
Room-to-room power variations
Never ignore these signs of an electrical problem, as they’re precursors to potential hazards. Wiring degraded with age can cause sparking, which may catch on to insulation and other flammable dry materials within your home. Additionally, there is an electrocution risk when handling outlets connected to a faulty or overtaxed system. Get the job done safely by calling a local electrician to update your home's wiring.
Cost to Rewire a House
The average cost to rewire a house ranges from $4,000 to $8,000. Costs vary depending on the size and age of the home, the type of wires and their accessibility, and the overall complexity of the project. If you have extensive electrical experience, it could cost less than $1,500 to do a straightforward DIY rewiring job or up to $12,000 to professionally rewire a large, old home, including the cost to install a new electrical service panel.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Unless you are well-versed in electrical safety and confident handling wiring work, this complex job is best left to a certified electrician near you.
If you get things wrong, fixing your mistakes will be costly, and botched wiring can lead to electrical dangers such as fires or electric shocks. DIY house rewiring could also cause bureaucratic bothers. It might not meet the latest local building codes and could invalidate insurance claims relating to electric fires or injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
The homeowners guide to electrical services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
The cost to install a C-wire ranges based on materials and labor, but it only takes an hour or two. Here’s a guide on the project costs to expect.
The cost to install a 240-volt outlet varies depending on the amperage and the home’s current wiring conditions. Use this guide to budget for your next project.
Here’s what you need to know to reset an outlet without a reset button. Follow this guide for resetting an outlet in a snap.
Installing a dedicated line in your home or garage is fairly straightforward, but may have a wide range of cost-affecting factors, like materials, labor, and necessary permits.
Explore the pros and cons of a Level 1 charging station versus a Level 2 charging station when deciding the best way to charge your electric car at home.