Cost to rewire a house: 2026 price guide
Whole-house rewiring costs $3,500 to $10,000+ depending on square footage and wall access. A partial rewire of a single room runs $1,500–$3,500.
Rewiring cost is driven almost entirely by access — pulling new wire through open studs during a renovation is a fraction of the cost of fishing wire through finished plaster walls in an occupied home. Per-square-foot pricing ($3–$8/sqft) is a useful starting estimate, but the walls themselves decide the real number.
For general electrical repair pricing, see our Electrical Repair Cost Guide.
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By scope
Rewiring cost by project scope
Whether walls are open (renovation) makes the single biggest difference in price.
| Scope | Open walls | Finished walls |
|---|---|---|
| Single room | $800 – $1,800 | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| 1,000–1,500 sq ft home | $3,000 – $5,500 | $5,000 – $8,000 |
| 1,500–2,500 sq ft home | $5,000 – $9,000 | $8,000 – $14,000 |
| 3,000+ sq ft home | $9,000 – $16,000 | $14,000 – $20,000+ |
| Panel upgrade (usually bundled) | $1,500 – $4,000 — see our panel upgrade guide | |
Price factors
What drives the price up or down
Wall access
Open studs during a gut renovation are 40–60% cheaper to wire than fishing cable through finished plaster or lath.
Drywall patch & paint
Cutting access holes and patching them afterward is usually a separate line item from the electrical work itself.
Panel capacity
An outdated or undersized panel is often replaced at the same time — see our panel upgrade guide.
Permits & inspection
Whole-house rewiring is always permitted work, requiring rough-in and final inspections before walls close up.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
A full rewire typically takes 5–10 days for an average home with open walls, or 2–3 weeks when working around finished walls and occupied living spaces.
Usually yes for a partial or room-by-room rewire, though expect rooms to lose power in stages. A full-home rewire with walls open is disruptive enough that many homeowners relocate temporarily.
Yes — a rewire typically replaces the outlets, switches, and cover plates as part of the job, since the old devices are being disconnected from the old wiring anyway.
Need a rewiring estimate?
Connect with a licensed electrician to assess your home and get a realistic, itemized price.