What does it cost to rewire an old house?

Author: Jaleel Reilly  |  Last update: Monday, December 22, 2025

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.

How much does it cost to replace electrical wiring in an old house?

Size of the House

The bigger the home, the more materials and labor the job will likely require. And that can drive up the price. Rewiring a 1,300-square-foot house, for instance, runs around $7,800 to $13,000. For a 2,500-square-foot home, you can expect to pay between $15,000 to $25,000.

Is it worth rewiring an old house?

It is certainly worth it if you plan to stay. Be realistic in your selling price that the new owners will likely need to put about 30 grand into the house. Many insurance companies will require the rewiring be done so new home owners will need to do this job from the jump. Good luck.

How much does it cost to rewire a 1500 square foot house?

For a 3-bedroom, 1,500 square foot home, the average cost to rewire can range from $10 to $20 per square foot. This means a full rewiring project could cost between $15,000 and $30,000. Smaller homes, such as a 2-bedroom bungalow, will naturally be on the lower end of this spectrum.

Can a house be rewired without removing drywall?

Yes, it's possible for an electrician to rewire a house without removing significant portions of drywall. Advanced methods such as “fishing” wires through existing walls and ceilings, utilizing access points like outlets and light fixtures, allow electricians to update wiring while preserving drywall integrity.

DOES YOUR PROPERTY NEED AN ELECTRICAL REWIRE? - THE MAIN SIGNS TO LOOK FOR!

What is the alternative to rewiring a house?

As long as you use a fully qualified, registered electrician, surface mounted wiring is a safe alternative to a traditional rewire and if not opposed to the look, should be strongly considered especially if you're looking to rewire on a budget.

How messy is a full house rewire?

Is a full or partial rewire a messy job? Yes, an electrical rewire is a very messy and disruptive job. Depending on the type of house construction, there can be a lot of dust and mess generated when rewiring. Good electrical contractors will have suitable dust extraction equipment and methods to help minimise the dust.

How long does it take to rewire a house?

With so much to do, it's no wonder this job can take such a long time. It's also difficult to give exact timescales as the duration of a house rewire will depend on a range of factors. Usually, this project will take between 5 and 10 days, although this doesn't account for any necessary finishing decoration works.

How much do electricians charge per square foot to wire a house?

The average cost to wire a new house is $4 to $9 per square foot, or $6,000 to $22,500 for a 1,500 to 2,500 SF home. Electrical wire pricing is $0.10 to $4.00 per linear foot before installation. Wiring for new commercial construction costs $7 to $15 per square foot. Get free estimates from wiring installers near you.

Why is rewiring so expensive?

Other House Rewiring Cost Factors

The wiring has to run longer distances which requires more time increasing labour costs. Consumer Unit Access – if your wiring and consumer unit is located in a hard-to-reach please then the rewire cost will tend to be higher due to the awkwardness of the job.

Do you have to cut open walls to rewire a house?

That said, you can usually rewire at least most of the circuits in a home without needing to remove that much drywall or cut too many holes in the walls and ceilings. Sometimes it's even possible to do the job without removing any drywall or pulling up any flooring, but this is uncommon.

What does a full house rewire include?

During a full house rewire, all existing wiring will need to be taken out and replaced with new wiring to ensure safety and alleviate any hazards. In addition, all sockets will be fixed, including on heat detectors, cooker points and lighting.

Does a house built in 1950 need rewiring?

If your home is 30 or more years old, you should consider replacing its electrical wiring. Homes built before 1985 can have old and outdated wiring.

Does homeowners insurance cover old wiring?

Can You Get Homeowners Insurance With Outdated Wiring? Whether you're a landlord or homeowner, many home insurance companies won't provide coverage for properties with outdated wiring due to the increased risk of house fires.

Can you completely rewire an old house?

Yes, it's possible to completely rewire an old house. Rewiring an old house involves replacing the existing electrical wiring system with new wiring to ensure safety, reliability, and compliance with modern electrical codes.

How much does it cost to wire a 30x40 shop?

How much does it cost to wire a 30×40 shop? When planning your new shop's electrical wiring, consider labor rates, wiring complexity, distance from the existing electrical service, and materials used. Expect to pay roughly $3 to $7 per square foot, totaling $3,600 to $8,400 for a 30x40 shop.

How much does it cost to install a ceiling light without existing wiring?

The cost to install a light without existing wiring can vary greatly, typically ranging from $150 to $800 per fixture. This price range depends on several factors, including the complexity of the job, the type of light fixture, and the rates of your local electrician.

How many hours does it take an electrician to wire a house?

For a general idea, rewiring a small to medium-sized house could take anywhere from a week to 10 days. Larger homes, or those with complications as mentioned earlier, can extend to 2-3 weeks or more. Always add some buffer time, as unforeseen challenges might arise.

Can you live in a house while being rewired?

While going away for the duration will indeed mean you won't have to see any mess, hear any noise, or deal with any of it, you can definitely live in your house for the duration. The best electricians will cover all your furniture and lay drop cloths down where they're working.

How long does it take to rewire a 1500 sq ft house?

How Long Does Rewiring a House Take? On average, wiring a house takes between three and 10 days.

Do walls have to be removed to rewire a house?

Rewiring a house doesn't have to mean tearing down walls. With proper planning and execution, professionals can efficiently rewire your house while keeping your walls intact.

Should I rewire a 1970s house?

Rewiring a House Built in the 1970s Through 1980s

If your home was built in this time period, it shouldn't need complete rewiring.

How do you know if a house needs rewiring?

If you have an older home and it has not been inspected for a number of years, it may be due a rewire. Signs that you may need to rewire your home include circuit breakers that trip regularly, slight shocks from switches and outlets, frequently flickering or dimming lights, damaged or exposed wires and cables.

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