How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a House? [2026 Data]

In 2026, the national average cost to rewire a house is $1,567, based on data from 9,551 verified projects reported by Angi Pros. Most homeowners pay between $603 and $2,596, with the spread driven by the home's square footage, wiring accessibility, and whether a new service panel is required. If your home is older or has limited access to existing wiring, budget toward the higher end and factor in permits ($75 to $150) and inspections ($100 to $125).

Rewiring Cost Calculator 

Calculations are based on the average size of a home, which is about 2,500 square feet. Calculations rounded to the nearest whole number. Take a look at the home rewiring cost calculator here:

Rewiring a House Cost Factors: What Determines the Price?

The total cost to rewire a house depends on several factors, including the home's size, project complexity, wiring accessibility, and necessary upgrades such as service panels. Understanding each of these variables before you start will help you build a realistic budget and avoid surprises once work begins.

Home Size 

Rewiring a house costs $2 to $4 per square foot, covering both materials and labor. Costs vary based on home size, and the table below shows how average rewiring prices break down by square footage:

Age and Condition of Home

Older homes often have outdated or deteriorating wiring that no longer meets modern safety standards, making rewiring a priority rather than an option. Homes with significant wear and tear may also require additional repairs, such as replacing damaged conduits or upgrading outlets, which will increase your overall project cost.

Project Scope

The scope of your rewiring project is one of the biggest cost drivers, with a simple circuit replacement costing far less than a full-house rewire that includes new wiring runs, a panel upgrade, and code compliance work. According to Angi customer data, 32.2% of homeowners request wiring or panel upgrade service within one week, and 13.5% request service within one to two weeks. Requesting a faster turnaround, especially on a larger job, can increase labor costs as electricians prioritize your timeline.

Accessibility

Wiring that is hard to reach adds time to your project, and since most electricians charge $50 to $100 per hour, difficult access points directly raise your labor bill. Walls with lath and plaster, brick construction, or multiple levels with ceiling lighting are common culprits, and your breaker box location, circuitry layout, and existing wiring configuration all affect how easily a pro can remove and replace the wiring.

Materials

The type and quantity of materials you need will significantly shape your overall budget, with typical line items including wiring, outlets, switches, and potentially a new electrical panel. Higher-quality or specialty materials, such as fire-resistant wiring or smart home components, cost more upfront but deliver better durability and long-term functionality. See how wire type affects your material costs in the breakdown below:

Labor

Rewiring is not a DIY project, so you will need to hire a local professional electrician, who typically charges $50 to $100 per hour, not including materials. Rates vary based on the electrician's experience level and your location, and most pros also add a transportation fee to the final invoice.

Permits, Inspections, and Safety Codes

Rewiring a home requires proper permits and inspections, and older homes must meet modern safety codes to protect your household from electrocution and fire risks. Here’s what to expect:

• Permits: The cost of permits will depend on your local regulations, but they often run $75 to $150 per permit.

• Inspections: A preliminary inspection will uncover the work needed, and a post-inspection will ensure the job is done well. You'll also want regular inspections every five to 10 years to ensure your electrical systems are working properly. Inspections are about $100 to $125 each.

• Safety codes: Permits to ensure adherence to safety and building codes can be more expensive than standard permits. Expect to spend anywhere from $200 to $900 on permits for these special circumstances.

Prep and Cleanup

Your contractor will handle worksite prep, but they’ll likely charge up to $500 for cleanup once the job is done. Before work begins, plan to move furniture, relocate valuables, and clear the work area yourself to keep the project on schedule.

Additional Costs to Consider When Rewiring a Home

Hidden expenses can add up quickly when rewiring a home, so budgeting for more than standard labor and materials is essential. Costs depend on the specific upgrades and repairs your project requires, as the table below show:

Additional Outlets and Switches

A rewiring project is an ideal opportunity to add outlets and switches throughout your home, and you should budget about $100 to $185 per outlet or switch for this work. Ask your electrician to include these additions in your quote so you can address every lamp and electronics need in a single visit.

New Electrical Service Panel

Older homes built in the 1940s and 1950s often have 60-amp electrical service panels, which are no longer sufficient for modern technology and devices, so an electrician will need to install a new electrical service panel. A 100-amp panel, suited for smaller homes, costs $900 to $2,000 to install, while a 200-amp panel, which works for most modern homes, runs $1,500 to $2,500.

Knob and Tube Wiring Replacements

Homes built before 1950 likely have knob and tube wiring, which lacks a ground wire and poses a serious knob and tube fire risk that makes replacement necessary. Permits for removal cost $200 to $500, the removal itself runs about $5,000, and once the old wiring is out, standard rewiring costs $2 to $4 per square foot.

Why You Should Hire an Electrician

While DIY jobs can help you cut costs as you update your home, electrical work should be left to the professionals, including rewiring your home. Hiring an electrician near you has several benefits that make the labor costs a worthwhile investment.

Here's why it's ideal to hire an electrician

These are some advantages of hiring an electrician to complete your home rewiring project:

• A licensed electrician is familiar with local code, so the rewiring will be done properly to pass inspections.

• Your electrician will bring a team of workers to get the job done in a timely manner.

• A reputable professional will properly and safely complete the project, whereas a poorly executed rewiring job can be extremely hazardous and lead to electrical fires and increased electricity bills.

• You may be eligible for workmanship warranties and guarantees from the electrician, so you have peace of mind when hiring them for the job.

• An electrician will have the expertise to complete the rewiring with minimal impact on your drywall and ceilings.

How to Save on Home Rewiring Costs

Depending on the size of your home, rewiring can get very expensive. Here are a few tips to help you keep the costs down:

• Compare prices: You don't have to move forward with the first electrician you speak to. Get quotes from three or more professionals before you make a decision on who to hire.

• Conduct an inspection: Having a professional check out the situation before you start any work can help you determine if you really need to rewire everything or if you can get by with repairs only.

• Don't open walls: Sometimes, an electrician can access your wiring through a crawlspace instead of tearing down walls. Keeping your walls intact will cut out the cost of repairing drywall or plaster.

Signs Your Home Needs Rewiring

Here are a few tips for identifying when it's time to rewire your home to avoid nuisances like breaker trips and flickering lights.

• Tripping circuit breaker: A telltale sign that your home needs rewiring is when you use multiple appliances in a single room only for the circuit breaker to trip.

• Changes to outlets or switches: If you notice any yellowing, browned, or blackened appearances on these wiring parts, be sure to have a pro inspect it.

• Home built before 1960: Homes built before the 1960s have plenty of charm, but you'll also want to call a local electrician for an inspection if you've never rewired your home

• Lights flicker frequently : It's a good idea to contact your electrical company to ask if there's an intermittency issue. If that doesn't resolve the problem, have an electrician look at your wiring to ensure no wires have come loose.

• Burning smell: If your home smells like burnt toast, you should immediately turn off the breaker in the offending room. Leave the power off in that area until you can have an electrician investigate the source of the problem.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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