How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a House in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Rewiring a house costs between $602 and $2,593, with an average of $1,564, depending on your home's size, age, and the project's complexity. Most homeowners pay $2 to $4 per square foot for materials and labor. If you live in an older home—especially one built before 1960—it might be time to consider rewiring to improve safety and meet modern electrical demands. Rewiring involves removing old wires and installing new ones, which can be more challenging (and costly) in existing structures with finished walls compared to new constructions. Let's break down the factors that affect the cost of rewiring your house and how to budget for this important project.

Factors That Influence the Cost to Rewire a House

Several factors can affect the total cost to rewire your house. The most significant ones include your home's size and age, permits and inspections, the types of rooms involved, the type of wiring used, and whether you'll need to open up and repair walls. Other considerations include upgrading the electrical panel and cleanup costs.

House Size

The size of your house significantly affects the rewiring cost. Larger homes need more materials and labor, which increases the price. You can expect to pay about $2 to $4 per square foot for rewiring, including materials and labor. Here's what that might look like for different home sizes:

House Age

The age of your house plays a big role in rewiring costs. Older homes often have designs and materials that make wiring harder to access, which increases labor costs. For instance, if your home has plaster walls instead of drywall, electricians may need to open up sections of the wall to reach the old wiring and then repair the walls afterward, adding to your total cost.

With older homes, you're also likely to need new electrical outlets, which can add to your rewiring costs. Replacing an electrical outlet costs between $125 and $200 per outlet, so be sure to factor this into your budget.

Permits

When rewiring your home, you'll need to get a permit, which typically costs between $75 and $150, depending on local regulations. An electrical inspection is also necessary. Each inspection costs about $100 to $125. A pre-inspection helps identify the work required, and a post-inspection ensures the rewiring meets code compliance after the job is done.

Type of Wiring

The type of wiring you choose affects your rewiring costs. Common types range from $0.25 to $1.60 per linear foot (materials only). Here's a breakdown of typical wiring options and their costs (excluding labor and additional supplies):

Opening Walls and Cleanup

If your rewiring project requires opening up walls to access old wiring, expect to add an extra $4 to $8 per square foot to your budget. While many electricians clean up after the job, some don't—especially if they had to remove drywall. In that case, you might need to hire a house cleaning service, which can cost up to **$500** for a one-time deep clean, depending on the extent of the mess.

Upgrading the Electrical Panel

If your existing electrical panel can't handle your home's electrical needs, you might need to upgrade your electrical panel. Upgrading a circuit breaker box costs between $700 and $4,220. Here's what you can expect:

• 100-amp panel: $900 to $2,000

• 200-amp panel: $1,500 to $2,500

Labor Cost to Rewire a House

To rewire your home, you'll need a licensed electrician, who typically charges between $50 and $100 per hour. Generally, rewiring takes about one hour of work per 100 square feet. So, rewiring an entire house can take up to a week, while a single room might only take a couple of days, depending on its size.

"Rewiring a house can be a significant investment, but it's worth it for the safety and peace of mind it brings," says a licensed electrician and industry expert.

Signs That Your House Needs to Be Rewired

Electrical wiring can degrade over time. Here are some signs that it might be time to rewire your home:

• Frequent blown fuses or tripped circuits

• Flickering or dimming lights

• Hot or discolored outlets, switches, plugs, or cords

• Constantly changing light bulbs

• Buzzing or sizzling sounds from outlets or fixtures

• Unexplained burning smells

• Sparking when plugging in devices

• Loose outlets

• Electric shocks when plugging in or touching cords

DIY vs. Hiring an Electrician

Rewiring a house is not a DIY project. Although materials might cost only $0.25 to $1.60 per linear foot, rewiring requires specialized skills, tools, and experience—and mistakes can be dangerous, even deadly. Plus, you'll need to obtain permits, submit detailed electrical plans, and pass inspections. It's safest and most efficient to hire a licensed electrician to handle the job.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the 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.