Whole-House Rewiring Cost Calculator
Estimate the cost of rewiring your home based on square footage, quality tier, and additional options.
A whole-house rewiring costs $3,500 to $15,000, with a national average of $8,000. Use the calculator below to estimate your cost by size, quality tier, and location.
Last updated: March 25, 2026
Whole-House Rewiring Cost Calculator
Estimate the cost of rewiring your home based on square footage, quality tier, and additional options.
Estimated Total
$10,000
Itemized Breakdown
This calculator provides estimates based on national averages adjusted for your region. Actual costs may vary significantly based on specific project conditions, contractor availability, material prices, and local market factors. Always get at least 3 quotes from licensed, insured contractors before starting your project.
Want the full picture?
Read our complete Whole-House Rewiring cost guide with material comparisons, contractor tips, savings strategies, and regional pricing data.
Quick Cost Reference
Cost by Tier
Small home (under 1,200 sq ft), accessible wiring paths, basic NM-B copper wiring, standard outlets and switches, code-minimum circuit count
Average home (1,500-2,000 sq ft), mix of accessible and closed walls, AFCI/GFCI breakers throughout, dedicated circuits for kitchen and laundry, 200-amp panel
Large home (2,500+ sq ft), complete drywall removal and replacement, structured wiring for data and entertainment, smart panel, whole-home surge protection, subpanels
How This Calculator Works
This whole-house rewiring cost calculator estimates your total project cost from four inputs: project size, quality tier, the options you select, and your location. It combines material and labor rates for your chosen tier, adds typical permit costs, then applies a regional cost multiplier so the estimate reflects pricing in your state.
Estimates use 2026 cost data cross-referenced from multiple industry sources. Treat the result as a planning range, not a quote. Your final price depends on your specific scope, material choices, and local contractor availability, so collect at least three itemized bids before you set a budget.
What Affects Your Whole-House Rewiring Cost
Home Size
$2,500 - $25,000This is the primary cost driver. A 1,000 sq ft home with simple layout might cost $3,500-$5,500 to rewire. A 2,000 sq ft two-story home runs $7,000-$12,000. Large homes over 3,000 sq ft can reach $15,000-$25,000. The cost per square foot generally decreases with size because fixed costs (panel, permits, setup) are spread across more area.
Wall and Ceiling Access
$1,000 - $8,000This is where rewiring costs vary most dramatically. If an electrician can access wiring through an unfinished basement below and an attic above, they can fish new wires without opening walls. In homes with finished basements, slab foundations, or no attic access, walls and ceilings must be opened - and then repaired. Drywall repair and painting can add $2,000-$8,000 depending on how many walls are opened.
Existing Wiring Type
$500 - $3,000Homes with knob-and-tube wiring (pre-1940s) are the most expensive to rewire because the old wiring must be fully removed or abandoned in place, and every circuit is replaced. Aluminum wiring (1960s-1970s) can sometimes be remediated with copper pigtails at each connection point ($50-$75 per outlet) rather than full replacement. Older copper wiring that is just undersized is the simplest - new wire is pulled alongside and the old wire is abandoned.
Number of Circuits and Outlets
$1,000 - $5,000Modern code requires far more circuits than homes built before 1980. Kitchens need at least two 20-amp small appliance circuits. Bathrooms need dedicated GFCI circuits. Each bedroom needs an arc-fault protected circuit. A modern 2,000 sq ft home typically has 20-30 circuits vs the 8-12 circuits found in many older homes. More circuits means more wire, more breakers, and more labor.
Panel Upgrade
$0 - $2,500Most rewiring projects include a panel upgrade because the existing panel is too small for modern circuit counts. If the panel was recently upgraded and has capacity, this cost is zero. Going from 100 to 200 amps adds $1,000-$2,000. Going from 60 amps (common in pre-1960s homes) to 200 amps costs $1,500-$2,500 including new service entrance cable and meter base.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a whole-house rewiring cost?
A whole-house rewiring costs $3,500 to $15,000 for a typical project, with a national average of $8,000. Budget projects start around $2,500, and premium work can reach $25,000. Use the calculator above for an estimate matched to your size, quality tier, and state.
How does this whole-house rewiring cost calculator work?
It combines 2026 material and labor rates for your selected quality tier, adds typical permit costs and any options you choose, then applies a cost multiplier for your state. Adjust the inputs to see your estimate update instantly.
Is this calculator free to use?
Yes. This whole-house rewiring cost calculator is free, requires no signup, and returns instant estimates.
Does the estimate include labor and permits?
Yes. Each estimate combines material and labor costs for your chosen quality tier plus typical permit fees. Your final price still depends on your specific scope and local contractor rates, so collect itemized quotes before budgeting.
How can I lower my whole-house rewiring cost?
If your home has an accessible attic and unfinished basement, the electrician can fish most wires without opening walls - saving thousands in drywall repair Get quotes from at least four electricians - pricing varies widely for rewiring because each contractor approaches access differently
Free newsletter
Stay current on what renovations actually cost
Updates from CostToRenovate, when there is something worth sending. Free, no spam.