How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a House in San Francisco? [2025 Data]

Living in San Francisco may come with charming homes and stunning scenery, but the cost of living is exceedingly higher than in other major cities. That includes electrical services, especially rewiring a house. The average rewire house cost in San Francisco is around AvgCost}, but it can range between $938 to $4,712.

Many factors will impact the cost of hiring a licensed electrician to rewire your San Francisco home, such as its size, age, and the complexity of installation. Let’s dive into the details on how these factors influence the cost and why rewiring your San Fran house can increase its value. 

Rewiring House Cost Factors in San Francisco

Hiring a local professional electrician to rewire your house involves replacing some or all of the electrical wiring and upgrading other components as needed, such as the electrical panel, outlets, and switches. A small rewiring task can be as low as $250, but to rewire an entire home can cost $13,000 or more. 

Materials 

The cost to rewire a house in San Francisco depends on the type of materials and wire required. Material costs will include new wiring, outlets, switches, and a new electrical pane,l if necessary. Various types of wiring are utilized for rewiring homes, and the price varies significantly based on type and gauge. The gauge of the wire determines the electrical current-carrying capacity, and the type will also depend on location and environmental factors.

Here are some of the common types of wire and cost ranges:

Home Size

The size of your San Francisco home will drastically affect the price. The larger the home, the bigger your rewiring budget will need to be. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the median size of a home in San Francisco is around 1,350 square feet. The national average cost to rewire a house is between $2 to $4 per square foot, but in San Francisco, it can cost between $5 to $15 per square foot.

Here is a breakdown of the costs by home size, ranging from the low end of $2 per square foot to the higher end of $15 per square foot:

Home Age

The city of San Francisco has been around for centuries and features a mix of modern and older homes. The Bay Area is notorious for having an abundance of Victorian homes, and while they are beautiful, some of these houses date back to the 1840s. These homes can have outdated electrical systems, such as knob-and-tube wiring, which means the entire house will need an electrical upgrade. ABC 7 News reports that Bay Area homeowners can be denied or lose insurance coverage due to outdated electrical systems.

The average price to rewire a house that has knob-and-tube wiring is between $12,000 to $36,600 or more. An old home with outdated wiring will cost much more to rewire than a home with a modern electrical system. 

Accessibility

Large houses with elaborate layouts, such as Edwardian and Victorian styles found in San Francisco, can make rewiring more difficult. These home styles are usually multi-level with harder-to-access electrical panels. They were also constructed with lath and plaster walls, which make accessing wires behind the walls more difficult. The more complex the task, the higher the price.

Another factor that will drive up the cost is if the electrical panel needs to be relocated. The price depends on the distance it needs to be moved from the original location to the new location, but relocating an electrical panel costs between $1,500 and $4,000.

Permits and Inspection Costs

Rewiring a house in San Francisco requires an electrical permit from the city. The cost for the permit depends on the size of the residence and the number of outlets being installed. According to the City and County of San Francisco Fee Schedule, the price for a permit for a residential building up to 10,000 square feet in size can range between $205 to $772. The fee includes the inspection costs. 

Add-On Services 

There may be additional costs that pop up during the rewiring process, depending on what needs to be done to comply with the National Electrical Code. For instance, if the drywall needs repairing or if you want to add additional switches or outlets, those add-on services will increase the price.

Here are some additional costs and services you should consider in your budget:

• Drywall Repair: $310–$1,015

• Upgrade Electrical Panel: $1,200–$2,000

• Install or Replace Outlet: $125–$200 

• Install Light Fixture: $270–$1,760

Cost to Hire an Electrician in San Francisco

Hiring an electrician in San Francisco costs between $170 to $575, which is higher than the national average, but a qualified pro is worth the cost. The hourly rate for an electrician depends on level of experience, but it ranges between $50 to $130 per hour. A master electrician costs more than a standard licensed electrician because they have more training and can tackle complex tasks, such as rewiring a complex or large home.

However, you should avoid doing electrical work such as rewiring your home yourself because it is extremely dangerous. It’s always best to have a qualified electrician perform an extensive task like rewiring to avoid injuries and damage to your home. 

Does Rewiring Increase Home Value in San Francisco?

An up-to-date electrical system can potentially boost the value of your home, especially if you’re updating it from outdated systems like knob-and-tube wiring. For example, replacing an electrical panel has a 53% return on investment.

In a hot real estate market like San Francisco, rewiring your home can make it more marketable to potential buyers. A new electrical system offers enhanced safety features, increased electrical capacity, and reduces the risk of fires. 

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 survey 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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