Cost to Whole-House Rewiring in Houston, TX
$3,220–$13,800 in Houston
8% below the national average · 0.92x cost multiplier
In Houston, a whole-house rewiring runs $3,220 to $13,800 on average — about 8% below what homeowners pay nationwide. The South market's labor costs account for most of the gap, with material pricing and local permitting fees adding to the spread. Use the cost table below to compare budget, mid-range, and premium options side by side.
Cost Breakdown in Houston
| Line Item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per sq ft | $3 | $5 | $7 |
| Materials | $1,380 | $2,760 | $5,060 |
| Labor | $2,300 | $4,140 | $6,900 |
| Permits | $276 | $368 | $460 |
| Total | $3,956-8% vs. national avg | $7,452-8% vs. national avg | $12,880-8% vs. national avg |
Budget
Small home (under 1,200 sq ft), accessible wiring paths, basic NM-B copper wiring, standard outlets and switches, code-minimum circuit count
Mid-Range
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
Premium
Large home (2,500+ sq ft), complete drywall removal and replacement, structured wiring for data and entertainment, smart panel, whole-home surge protection, subpanels
Material Options
Material prices below are national averages; availability in Houston may shift costs slightly.
| Material | Cost/Unit | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard NM-B (Romex) Copper Wiring | $0.50 - $1.50 per foot | Interior walls, most residential rewiring projectsIndustry standard, easy for electricians to work with, affordable, meets all residential codes |
| MC (Metal Clad) Cable | $1.50 - $3.00 per foot | Exposed basement runs, jurisdictions requiring metal-clad wiring, commercial-style installationsBuilt-in metal armor for protection, required in some jurisdictions (Chicago, NYC), good for exposed runs |
| THWN Wire in Conduit | $2.00 - $4.00 per foot (wire + conduit) | Outdoor runs, garage wiring, unfinished basement exposed wiring, industrial aestheticsWires can be replaced without opening walls, maximum protection, required for outdoor and garage applications |
| 14 AWG Wire (15-amp circuits) | $0.30 - $0.60 per foot | Bedroom and living room lighting circuits, general-purpose outlet circuitsLighter, easier to pull, less expensive, adequate for lighting and general-purpose outlets |
| 12 AWG Wire (20-amp circuits) | $0.50 - $0.90 per foot | Kitchen small-appliance circuits, bathroom circuits, garage circuits, home office circuitsHandles 20-amp loads, required for kitchen and bathroom circuits, more future-proof |
Other Projects in Houston
Houston Estimate
Typical Range
$3,220–$13,800
vs. National Average
8% below national
Cost Multiplier
0.92x
Cost Per sq ft
$3–$7
Estimates apply Houston's 0.92x regional cost multiplier to national averages. Actual bids vary by contractor, project scope, and timing.
See national average costs →