How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a House? 2025 Price Guide

Rewiring a house isn’t the kind of project you plan for, it’s the kind you’re forced into. Whether your lights are flickering or you’ve smelled something burning behind the walls, outdated wiring isn’t just annoying. It’s dangerous. And the big question is: how much does it actually cost to fix?

In this article, we’ll walk you through what rewiring a house really costs, why the price varies so much, and how to know if your home even needs it. We’ll also cover how the process works, how long it takes, and whether doing it yourself is a smart move or a serious mistake.

Oh, and if you’re thinking about selling, rewiring can absolutely impact your home’s value and how fast it moves. Want to know where you stand? Get your free data-backed cash offer from iBuyer.com today.

What’s the Average Cost to Rewire a House Today?

Rewiring a house typically costs between $4,000 and $15,000, but that range can shift significantly depending on a few key factors: home size, project scope, and accessibility.

• Home Size: The most direct cost driver is square footage. On average, rewiring costs about $4 to $10 per square foot. For example:
  • 1,000 sq ft = $4,000–$10,000
  • 2,000 sq ft = $8,000–$20,000
  • 3,000+ sq ft homes can exceed $25,000, especially if upgrades are involved
• Scope of Work: A full-house rewire is more expensive than replacing just a few circuits. Adding outlets, modernizing the panel, or switching from aluminum to copper wiring all increase the total.
• Accessibility: If the wiring is easy to reach, like in open attics or unfinished basements, labor costs are lower. But homes with finished walls, tight crawlspaces, or complex layouts take more time and skill, driving up both labor and permit costs.
• Home Age: Older homes with outdated wiring (like knob-and-tube or cloth-wrapped systems) often require full replacements and code upgrades, which can trigger additional inspections and material needs.

So while the average cost gives you a ballpark, the actual price depends heavily on your home’s condition and layout. Getting a licensed electrician to walk through your property is the only way to lock down a real number.

What Drives the Cost of a Rewiring Project?

When it comes to rewiring, no two homes are priced the same. The total cost hinges on a mix of physical conditions, code requirements, and the materials used. Here’s what makes the biggest impact:

Labor and Access

Labor is often the largest line item, up to 70 % of the total cost. Electricians need to snake wires through walls, ceilings, and crawlspaces. If your walls are already finished, or your wiring is hard to reach, expect higher labor charges. Homes with plaster walls or tight attics take more time, and time is money.

Materials and Wiring Type

Basic electrical materials like wire, outlets, and breakers aren’t overly expensive, but the type of wiring matters. Most homes today use copper wiring, which is reliable and safe but more expensive than older alternatives. If your home still has aluminum wiring or outdated setups, replacing it with modern materials will cost more upfront but reduce fire risks long term.

Electrical Panel Upgrades

Older panels often can’t support modern loads, especially if you’re adding appliances or more outlets. Upgrading to a 200-amp panel or adding subpanels can add $1,000 to $3,000 to the total project.

Permits and Inspection Fees

Electrical work requires permits, and for good reason. Cities want to make sure your home is safe and up to code. Permits typically cost a few hundred dollars, but failing an inspection could mean costly redos.

Regional Pricing

Labor rates vary by region. Urban areas with high demand for licensed electricians usually come with higher hourly rates. Material costs can fluctuate, too, based on availability and market prices.

Signs It Might Be Time to Replace Your Home’s Electrical System

Most homeowners don’t think about their wiring until something goes wrong. But the warning signs are usually there, if you know what to look for.

• Flickering or dimming lights: If your lights flicker when you turn on appliances, that’s often a sign your system is overloaded or outdated.
• Burning smells or warm outlets: A faint burning smell, especially near outlets or switches, is a serious warning sign. Heat means the wires may be overheating, which increases your fire risk.
• Two-prong outlets or no GFCIs: Homes built before the 1970s often have outdated, ungrounded outlets. These aren’t just a code issue, they’re a safety issue.
• Breakers that trip constantly: This can mean your system isn’t equipped to handle modern electronics or appliances, which points to a bigger wiring problem.
• Aluminum wiring: Common in homes built in the 60s and 70s, aluminum expands and contracts more than copper, loosening over time and increasing fire hazards.
• Buzzing, sparking, or scorched outlets: These are emergency-level signs. If you notice them, it’s time to call a licensed electrician right away.

Even if things seem “mostly fine,” remember that aging wiring isn’t just inconvenient, it’s potentially dangerous. Catching issues early can save thousands down the line and bring major peace of mind.

Can You Rewire Without Tearing Up the Walls?

The short answer: yes, but not always.

In many cases, a skilled electrician can run new wiring through existing spaces without major demolition. This technique, called “fishing,” uses access points like attics, basements, or crawlspaces to snake wires behind walls and ceilings. If your home has these features, rewiring may require only a few small holes, usually around outlets, switches, or junction boxes.

However, homes without easy access may require more intrusive work. If you have plaster walls, no attic space, or complex wiring paths, some drywall removal is usually unavoidable. The good news? Many electricians coordinate with drywall pros to patch and paint as part of the job, or can recommend someone who does.

Planning ahead helps reduce surprises. Ask your electrician:

• How will they access the wiring?
• Will they handle wall repair?
• What’s included in the quote, and what isn’t?

The key is balancing access with safety. Clean walls are nice, but a safe, code-compliant wiring system should always come first.

Should You Hire a Pro or Handle Rewiring Yourself?

For experienced DIYers, rewiring might seem like just another home project. But there’s a big difference between replacing a light fixture and overhauling your home’s entire electrical system. Here’s why rewiring is almost always a job for the pros.

What Could Go Wrong With DIY Rewiring?

Electrical mistakes aren’t just expensive, they can be dangerous. One loose connection or overloaded circuit can put your home at risk for fire. And if you skip permits or fail inspection, you could be forced to redo the work, or worse, void your homeowner’s insurance.

In older homes, the risks go up. Outdated materials, hidden junction boxes, and ungrounded outlets all add complexity that even skilled DIYers aren’t equipped to handle. Electrical work also varies by state and local code, meaning what’s “good enough” in one place might be illegal in another.

Why a Licensed Electrician Is Worth the Cost

Hiring a licensed electrician means the job gets done safely and to code. They’ll know how to:

• Pull permits and pass inspections
• Work with existing wiring safely
• Choose the right materials (like copper wiring) for long-term reliability
• Minimize damage to your walls and ceilings

You’re not just paying for time, you’re paying for experience, insurance, and peace of mind. And if you’re planning to sell your home anytime soon, professional work can make all the difference during a buyer’s inspection.

How to Budget and Pay for Your Rewiring Project

Rewiring isn’t a cosmetic upgrade, it’s a safety fix. But that doesn’t make it any easier to pay for. Here are a few ways homeowners usually cover the cost, whether you’re planning ahead or responding to a surprise inspection issue.

Home Equity Loans or HELOCs

If you’ve built up equity in your home, a home equity loan or line of credit can be a smart way to pay for upgrades. Rates are typically lower than credit cards, and you can borrow enough to cover the full scope of the project, including materials, labor, and permit fees.

Home Improvement Loans

Some lenders offer unsecured home improvement loans, which don’t require equity but may come with higher interest rates. These work well if you’re trying to avoid touching your mortgage or refinancing.

Cash or Savings

If the cost is on the lower end, like a partial rewire or panel upgrade, using savings can keep things simple and interest-free. Just be sure to leave enough buffer for surprise costs.

Credit Cards (As a Last Resort)

It’s not ideal, but if you have a card with a 0 % promo rate and a plan to pay it off quickly, this can bridge the gap. Just avoid carrying a balance long-term, especially on higher-cost projects.

Grants, Rebates, and Energy Programs

Check with your city or state for rebates or low-interest programs. Some areas offer incentives for replacing outdated wiring or improving energy efficiency with modern electrical systems.

The goal is to strike a balance between what your home needs and what your budget allows. Just don’t cut corners with wiring, it’s one of the few upgrades where safety, value, and peace of mind all go hand in hand.

Reilly’s Two Cents

I’ve worked with plenty of homeowners who didn’t realize their electrical system was a problem until it nearly derailed a home sale. It’s one of those things you don’t think about, until a home inspector does. And by then, you’re scrambling to fix something that could’ve been handled on your own timeline, not theirs.

Rewiring doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Here’s what I always suggest when sellers start to worry about outdated wiring:

• Start with a licensed electrician, not a handyman. You need someone who knows the codes, the permit process, and what will pass inspection.
• Ask about partial rewiring if a full overhaul isn’t in the budget. Sometimes, targeting just the problem areas (like kitchens or old panels) is enough to move things forward.
• Don’t skip the panel. Even if your wiring is okay, an old or overloaded electrical panel can throw up red flags during a sale. Upgrading it now might save you money, and hassle, later.
• Check for local financing programs. Some cities offer rebates or loans for safety upgrades like this, especially if your home is older.
• Plan for patching. Electricians often won’t fix walls after the job is done. Build in some time (and budget) to get your home looking clean again.

Rewiring might not add curb appeal, but it adds peace of mind, for you and your future buyer. And that can go a long way when you’re trying to close with confidence.

House Rewiring Guide

Rewiring a house may not be the most exciting home project, but it’s one of the most important. Whether your home’s electrical system is outdated, unsafe, or just not keeping up with modern needs, taking action now can save you from much bigger problems later.

Costs can vary, from a few thousand dollars for a partial rewire to over $15,000 for larger homes with hard-to-access wiring. But those numbers come with context: better safety, a smoother home sale, and peace of mind that your home is up to code.

If you’re thinking about selling, don’t wait until a buyer’s inspector finds the issue. See how your home’s condition, including electrical upgrades, impacts your cash offer today. Get your free, data-backed offer from iBuyer.com and skip the last-minute drama.

Frequently Asked Questions