by Amir Iqbal
How much does it cost to rewire a house? In 2026, homeowners in the United States can generally expect to pay around $5,000 to $30,000 for a complete house rewiring project, depending on the home’s size, age, wiring condition, accessibility, number of circuits, labor rates, and whether the electrical panel also needs an upgrade.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!A commonly cited range is approximately $5 to $17 per square foot, while other current cost guides put standard whole-house rewiring closer to $6 to $10 per square foot. The difference comes from the scope of work, location, wall access, materials, and whether drywall repairs or panel upgrades are included.
For example, a 2,000-square-foot house could cost roughly $10,000 to $34,000 using the broader $5–$17-per-square-foot range. A simpler project with accessible wiring can fall toward the lower end, while an older home requiring wall openings, removal of obsolete wiring, or other electrical upgrades can cost considerably more.
How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a House?
| House Size | Estimated Rewiring Cost |
|---|---|
| 500 sq. ft. | $2,500–$8,500 |
| 800 sq. ft. | $4,000–$13,600 |
| 1,000 sq. ft. | $5,000–$17,000 |
| 1,200 sq. ft. | $6,000–$20,400 |
| 1,500 sq. ft. | $7,500–$25,500 |
| 2,000 sq. ft. | $10,000–$34,000 |
| 2,500 sq. ft. | $12,500–$42,500 |
| 3,000 sq. ft. | $15,000–$51,000 |
These are broad planning ranges rather than guaranteed contractor quotes. Actual prices depend heavily on accessibility, local labor, electrical requirements and the condition of the existing system.
What Is House Rewiring?
House rewiring means replacing old or unsafe electrical wiring with a new electrical system designed to meet current requirements.
A complete rewiring project can involve:
- Removing old electrical cables
- Installing new electrical wiring
- Replacing outlets and switches
- Installing or replacing junction boxes
- Adding grounding where required
- Installing new circuits
- Upgrading the electrical panel
- Installing GFCI protection in applicable locations
- Testing circuits
- Obtaining required permits and inspections
- Repairing walls or ceilings after the electrical work
Rewiring is different from simply replacing one damaged wire or adding a new outlet. A full rewiring project can involve much of the home’s electrical infrastructure.
How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a Whole House?
The cost to rewire a whole house is commonly around $10,000 to $30,000, although smaller or easier projects may cost less and complicated older homes can exceed $30,000. HomeGuide currently reports an average whole-house range of $10,000–$30,000 and approximately $5–$17 per square foot.
Another current source, This Old House, gives a rewiring range of approximately $6–$10 per square foot. For a 2,000-square-foot house, that would indicate roughly $12,000–$20,000 before unusual complications and project-specific extras.
Whole-House Rewiring Cost Example
Suppose you own a 2,000-square-foot older home.
Your project could include:
- New electrical cables
- New outlets
- New switches
- New circuits
- Grounding
- Electrical panel work
- Labor
- Inspection and permits
- Limited wall repairs
A reasonable planning budget could therefore be $12,000–$25,000, with the final quote depending on the condition and accessibility of the wiring.
If electricians must open substantial sections of walls and ceilings, the cost can rise substantially. HomeGuide estimates that projects requiring wall opening, rewiring and drywall replacement can reach $20,000–$30,000 or more.
How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a Small House?
The cost to rewire a small house can range from approximately $2,000 to $17,000, depending on the home’s size, number of circuits and accessibility.
For example:
- A 500-square-foot home could cost approximately $2,500–$8,500.
- An 800-square-foot home could cost approximately $4,000–$13,600.
- A 1,000-square-foot home could cost approximately $5,000–$17,000.
A small house with an accessible attic or crawlspace can be less expensive to rewire because electricians may be able to route cables without opening large areas of finished walls.
How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a 3 Bedroom House?
A 3-bedroom house can have very different rewiring costs because bedroom count alone does not determine the electrical workload.
A typical three-bedroom home may require:
- Bedroom circuits
- Kitchen circuits
- Bathroom circuits
- Lighting circuits
- General outlet circuits
- HVAC or heating circuits
- Laundry circuits
- Garage or outdoor circuits
- Dedicated appliance circuits
For a typical 1,500–2,000-square-foot three-bedroom house, a rough planning range could be $9,000–$20,000 for professional rewiring, with difficult older homes potentially costing more.
Current cost data places a 1,500-square-foot rewiring project around $9,000–$15,000 and a 2,000-square-foot project around $12,000–$20,000 using This Old House’s $6–$10-per-square-foot rewiring range.
The exact quote should be based on the home’s wiring layout rather than the number of bedrooms alone.
House Rewiring Cost Per Square Foot
Cost per square foot is useful for creating an initial budget.
Current published estimates vary considerably:
| Rewiring Rate | 1,000 Sq. Ft. | 2,000 Sq. Ft. |
|---|---|---|
| $5/sq. ft. | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| $6/sq. ft. | $6,000 | $12,000 |
| $8/sq. ft. | $8,000 | $16,000 |
| $10/sq. ft. | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| $17/sq. ft. | $17,000 | $34,000 |
HomeGuide currently reports approximately $5–$17 per square foot, while This Old House reports approximately $6–$10 per square foot for rewiring.
Because the published ranges differ, homeowners should use cost-per-square-foot figures for budget planning, not as a replacement for an electrician’s inspection and written estimate.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Rewiring a House?
Several factors can make the final price higher or lower.
1. House Size
A larger house normally requires more cable, outlets, circuits and labor.
A 1,000-square-foot property will generally require less work than a 3,000-square-foot property.
2. Age of the House
Older houses can be more complicated because the existing electrical system may use outdated wiring or components.
Homes with knob-and-tube wiring can require additional work. HomeGuide reports replacement costs for knob-and-tube systems of approximately $12,000–$35,000.
3. Accessibility
Accessibility is one of the biggest cost factors.
If electricians can access wiring through an attic, basement or crawlspace, installation may be easier.
If finished walls and ceilings need to be opened, labor and restoration costs can increase.
4. Electrical Panel Upgrade
Older homes may not have enough electrical capacity for modern appliances.
A panel upgrade may therefore be required as part of a larger rewiring project.
Angi reports approximately $900–$2,000 for a 100-amp panel installation and around $1,500–$2,500 for a 200-amp panel installation.
5. Number of Outlets and Circuits
More outlets, switches, lights and dedicated appliance circuits mean more installation work.
A home with a modern kitchen, multiple air conditioners, electric water heating and other high-load appliances may require more circuits than a basic small home.
6. Wall and Ceiling Repairs
Rewiring an existing house can require access holes or sections of opened drywall.
After the electrical work is complete, homeowners may need to pay separately for:
- Drywall repair
- Plaster repair
- Painting
- Ceiling repair
- Debris removal
7. Permits and Inspections
Electrical permits and inspections can add to the project cost.
Angi reports typical permit costs of around $75–$150 and inspections around $100–$125, although local requirements can vary significantly.
Cost of Labor for House Rewiring
Professional electricians commonly charge by the hour or provide a project-based quote.
Angi reports electrician labor at approximately $50–$100 per hour, while HomeGuide gives a broader range of $50–$130 per hour.
The hourly rate is only one part of the final cost. A project requiring two electricians, wall access, old-wire removal and extensive testing can have much higher total labor costs than a straightforward installation.
Old House Rewiring: Is It More Expensive?
Usually, yes.
Old homes can require additional work because:
- Existing wiring may be difficult to access.
- Old electrical systems may not have adequate grounding.
- The service panel may need upgrading.
- Walls may need to be opened.
- Old outlets and switches may need replacement.
- Additional circuits may be required.
- The house may need to be brought into compliance with applicable electrical requirements.
For example, HomeGuide estimates complete rewiring at approximately $10,000–$30,000, compared with $6,000–$22,500 for wiring a new 1,500–2,500-square-foot house.
Is It Worth Rewiring an Old House?
Rewiring can make sense when the electrical system is outdated, damaged, overloaded or unable to safely support modern electrical demands.
Warning signs that deserve professional inspection include:
- Frequently tripping breakers
- Flickering lights
- Burning smells
- Warm or discolored outlets
- Sparking outlets
- Damaged cables
- Two-prong ungrounded outlets
- Old knob-and-tube wiring
- Aluminum wiring concerns
- Insufficient electrical capacity
The decision should be based on an electrician’s inspection, the condition of the existing system and the cost of necessary repairs.
Rewiring can also make a property easier to sell when outdated wiring would otherwise create concerns during an inspection. HomeGuide notes that rewiring may not necessarily increase the appraisal by the full project cost, but outdated wiring can affect buyer negotiations.
How Long Does It Take to Rewire a House?
A complete house rewiring project commonly takes 3 to 10 days, according to Angi. Older houses requiring extensive work may take longer.
The timeline depends on:
- Home size
- Number of floors
- Number of circuits
- Wall accessibility
- Attic or crawlspace access
- Condition of existing wiring
- Permit requirements
- Inspection scheduling
- Drywall and painting work
For homeowners, it is important to ask the electrician whether the quoted timeline includes wall repairs and final inspection.
How to Save Money When Rewiring a House
You should not reduce electrical safety simply to lower the price, but there are ways to control the project budget.
Get Multiple Written Estimates
Ask at least two or three qualified electricians to inspect the property and provide written estimates.
Compare the Scope
Do not compare only the final price.
Check whether each estimate includes:
- Wiring
- Labor
- Outlets
- Switches
- Electrical panel
- Grounding
- Permits
- Inspection
- Old-wire removal
- Wall repairs
- Cleanup
Plan Before Work Begins
Decide where you want additional outlets, lights, appliances and other electrical connections before installation starts.
Ask About Partial Rewiring
Not every house necessarily needs the same scope of work. A qualified electrician can determine whether a partial repair is appropriate or whether the entire system needs replacement.
Do not choose partial rewiring solely because it is cheaper if the existing system has widespread safety problems.
House Rewiring Cost in Pakistan
The answer changes substantially when discussing Pakistan because local labor, materials, house sizes and electrical installation practices differ from U.S. pricing.
For example, a current 2026 guide for a 5-Marla house estimates roughly 1,800 meters of single-core copper conductor for a particular single-storey design with 46 points and 11 circuits. The same source emphasizes that material-only, fittings-plus-material and complete installation quotes are different scopes and should not be compared as if they were the same service.
Published Pakistan estimates also vary considerably. One current Lahore guide lists approximately PKR 85,000–125,000 for 5-Marla house wiring, while other 2026 construction estimates show much higher electrical totals when wiring, conduits, breakers, switches, lights, fans and labor are all included.
For this reason, homeowners in Pakistan should request a detailed quote showing:
- Cable brand and size
- Number of wiring points
- Conduit quantity
- Distribution board
- MCB/RCCB/RCBO requirements
- Switches and sockets
- Earthing
- Labor
- Testing
- Whether lights and fans are included
How Much Does It Cost to Wire a 5-Marla House in Pakistan?
There is no single nationwide price because the cost depends on whether you mean wires only, complete electrical wiring, or complete electrical works with fixtures.
For example, one 2026 estimate for a 5-Marla house reports electrical work at approximately PKR 4.88 lakh within a complete construction budget, including wiring, conduits, distribution board, switches, sockets and labor.
Another 2026 Karachi construction estimate lists electrical works at approximately PKR 9.27 lakh, including wires and cables, lights, fans, chandeliers, switches, back boxes, conduits, accessories and labor.
These figures illustrate why a homeowner should not use a single number as a universal 5-Marla rewiring price. The scope, covered area, number of floors, electrical points, brands and included fixtures can dramatically change the total.
U.S. vs Pakistan Rewiring Costs
| Location | Typical Planning Approach |
|---|---|
| United States | Often estimated by square foot plus labor, permits and upgrades |
| Pakistan | Often quoted by points, material quantities, covered area or complete electrical scope |
| Older home | Usually costs more because access and existing wiring can complicate work |
| New construction | Usually easier because wiring is installed before walls are finished |
For Pakistan projects, obtain a local quotation in PKR. For U.S. projects, obtain a local electrician’s estimate based on the home’s actual square footage and electrical condition.
What Should a Rewiring Quote Include?
Before hiring an electrician, ask for an itemized quotation.
A professional quote should ideally identify:
- Total labor cost
- Cable and wire specifications
- Number of circuits
- Number of outlets
- Number of switches
- Distribution panel
- Breakers
- Grounding/earthing
- GFCI or equivalent protection where required
- Permits
- Inspection
- Old wiring removal
- Wall repairs
- Cleanup
- Warranty
This makes it easier to compare contractors fairly.
Final Answer: How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a House?
So, how much does it cost to rewire a house?
For a U.S. home in 2026, a practical planning range is approximately $5,000–$30,000, while complex projects can cost more. Current published estimates range from about $5–$17 per square foot, with another current source estimating approximately $6–$10 per square foot for rewiring.
A rough guide is:
- Small house: $2,000–$17,000
- 1,000 sq. ft.: approximately $5,000–$17,000
- 1,500 sq. ft.: approximately $9,000–$15,000 using a $6–$10/sq.-ft. estimate
- 2,000 sq. ft.: approximately $12,000–$20,000 using the same estimate
- Whole-house rewiring: commonly around $10,000–$30,000
- Older or difficult-access homes: potentially higher
The best way to determine the actual price is to have a qualified electrician inspect the existing wiring and provide an itemized quotation.
FAQs
How much does it cost to rewire a 2000 square foot house?
A 2,000-square-foot house can cost approximately $10,000–$34,000 to rewire using HomeGuide’s current $5–$17-per-square-foot range. Another current estimate from This Old House places rewiring at approximately $12,000–$20,000 for 2,000 square feet using its $6–$10-per-square-foot range.
The final price depends on the home’s age, accessibility, electrical panel, number of circuits, outlets and the amount of wall repair required.
Is it worth rewiring an old house?
Rewiring an old house can be appropriate when the existing wiring is outdated, damaged, overloaded or presents safety concerns. The decision should be based on an inspection by a qualified electrician rather than the home’s age alone.
Older properties may also require panel upgrades, grounding improvements or replacement of obsolete wiring systems.
How much does it cost to wire a 5-Marla house in Pakistan?
The cost varies considerably depending on the scope. Current 2026 estimates show that electrical work for a 5-Marla house can range from several lakh rupees when the quote includes wiring, conduits, breakers, fixtures and labor. For example, one current construction estimate lists approximately PKR 4.88 lakh for electrical wiring and fixtures, while another Karachi estimate lists approximately PKR 9.27 lakh for a broader electrical-work package.
Always confirm whether your quotation includes only wires or the complete electrical installation.
How long does it take to rewire a 1000 sq ft house?
A 1,000-square-foot house can potentially be rewired within several days, although the exact schedule depends on the property’s age, layout and accessibility. Angi reports that house rewiring projects generally take approximately 3–10 days.
A 1,000-square-foot home with accessible attic or crawlspace wiring may be faster than an older property where electricians must open walls and ceilings.
How much does it cost to rewire a small house?
A small house can cost approximately $2,000–$17,000, according to current HomeGuide estimates. A 500-square-foot home is estimated at approximately $2,500–$8,500, while a 1,000-square-foot home can range from approximately $5,000–$17,000.
How much does it cost to rewire a 3-bedroom house?
The cost depends more on square footage and electrical requirements than bedroom count. A 1,500–2,000-square-foot three-bedroom house could roughly fall in the $9,000–$20,000 range using current $6–$10-per-square-foot rewiring estimates.
Does rewiring include a new electrical panel?
Not always. A rewiring quotation may cover only the cables and electrical circuits. If the existing panel is outdated or undersized, an electrician may recommend replacing or upgrading it as an additional part of the project.
Can I rewire my house myself?
Whole-house rewiring is generally a professional electrical project. Electrical systems involve serious shock and fire hazards, and permits and inspections may apply depending on the location. Angi recommends professional electrical expertise for complex house wiring work and notes that local building-code requirements need to be followed.
Does rewiring increase home value?
Rewiring can make a home more attractive from a safety and inspection perspective, particularly when outdated wiring is a concern. However, homeowners should not assume that every dollar spent on rewiring will be returned through a higher appraisal or sale price.
How often does a house need rewiring?
There is no universal rewiring schedule for every property. The condition and type of wiring, previous modifications, electrical load and inspection results matter more than a simple age rule. Angi notes that many homes may need electrical rewiring consideration after several decades, particularly when electrical demands increase.
Conclusion
The cost to rewire a house depends on much more than square footage. House age, wiring condition, accessibility, number of circuits, electrical panel requirements, labor rates, permits and wall repairs can all affect the final price.
For U.S. homeowners, $5,000–$30,000 is a useful broad planning range for many whole-house projects, while a 2,000-square-foot property may fall around $10,000–$34,000 depending on the project scope.
For Pakistan, particularly a 5-Marla house, prices should be evaluated in PKR and based on the exact electrical scope rather than comparing a wire-only quote with a complete electrical installation quote.
Before starting work, get an inspection and an itemized written estimate from a qualified electrician.
