Did you know that electrical failures or malfunctions were the second most common cause of residential fires in the United States in 2012-2016? These account for 13% of all residential fires in the country.
Faulty electrical wiring is among the common causes of these residential electrical fires.
If left untreated, faulty wiring can lead to unwanted damage. However, it is something that can be prevented by rewiring your house.
Not all houses are wired in the same way, though. Hence, rewiring costs vary on each home. If you’re planning or interested to start a residential rewiring project, keep reading to learn more!
Signs You Need to Update Your Home’s Electrical Wiring
Rewiring a home involves taking out the old wire and replacing it with a modern, non-metallic wire encased in a plastic cover. Old wiring, particularly old knob and tube or aluminum wiring in use between the 1880s and the 1940s, cannot handle modern appliances and electrical needs.
Hire an electrician near you if you experience the following signs that you need a wiring upgrade:
- Circuit breakers trip frequently
- You notice a persistent electric burning smell
- Charred or discolored switches and outlets
- Your house needs new wiring if it’s more than 25 years old
- You’re doing major house remodeling, renovation, or expansion
An outdated wiring system in your home highly exposes you to a fire hazard. More so if you delay updating them.
How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a House?
The average cost to rewire a house goes anywhere between $1,500 to $10,000 or $2-$4 per square foot. However, most homeowners pay $2,100 or $2.75 per square foot on average, according to Thumbtack.
Calculating the actual professional electrical wiring cost varies since these are dependent on various factors such as your home’s size, age, and the amount of wiring job needed.
Factors That Impact the Cost of Wiring Your House
The average cost to update your home’s wiring varies depending on various factors, such as:
Size of Your Home
Rewiring projects are usually charged per square foot. A larger home will require more wiring and outlets. A house measuring 1,500 square feet can have its wiring done for around $3,000 to $6,000; a house measuring 2,500 square feet will cost closer to $10,000.
Project Scope
The cost of upgrading electrical panels, rewiring a part of your house, or the entire house will vary. You can also add outlets or switches to any room for $100 to $150 per item.
Labor Cost
A licensed electrician usually charges between $50 and $100 per hour of electrical work in the US. For a rewiring job, they typically charge an average of one hour for every 100 feet of wire.
Additional labor costs apply to upgrade an electrical panel or add outlets or switches.
Electrical Service Panel Upgrade
Upgrading your electrical panel to a 200-amp system is the current standard for modern electrical systems. The average cost runs between $1,300 to $3,000
A complete, modern electrical panel upgrade includes a new meter and service drop, disconnect, panel as well as wiring, piping, and weather heads.
Accessibility
Rewiring a home involves removing and replacing existing wiring. Your electrical wiring system has to be accessible for the electrical contractors to do the job.
Homes with difficult-to-reach electrical systems are more expensive than those built today or homes with simpler layouts.
The project will be cheaper if the pro can access electrical wires through crawl spaces or basements, attics, or joists on a floor.
Electrical Permits and Inspections
Based on your location, electrical permits and inspection requirements may vary before starting a house wiring project.
These permits are often required to ensure that your wiring meets current safety standards and complies with the national electric code and local building codes.
Additional special permits may also be required if you are replacing old knob and tube wiring.
A qualified electrician will inspect your home for an average cost of $125-250, while permits range from $200-$900.
Types of Rooms to Be Rewired
Labor and material costs are more expensive for rooms with complex electrical wiring installation requirements.
Rewiring bathrooms and kitchens are usually expensive (around $1,000 to $3,300) because of the large appliances that require heavy-duty wiring and outlets. Grounded outlets close to sinks are also significant cost factors.
The cheapest room to renovate is the bedroom which costs around $200 to $800.
Age of Your Home
The electrical wiring systems for older homes are often harder to reach. They most likely need a complete replacement, too. Hence, electrical services cost higher.
To preserve your old home’s architectural design, electrical contractors may create small holes in the walls to run the wires through them.
Additional costs for labor and materials are applied if your old home needs new outlets and switches drilled into the walls.
Opening Walls
Expect to pay twice the price for a simple house rewiring job if the electrician recommends opening and repairing walls while your project is underway. The contractor may need to open walls for wiring or installing new outlets, switches, and panels, then repair them afterward.
The task is more difficult than simply running wire through your basement or attic. Fixing the walls can cover around 25 to 30% of your total project costs.
Want to Save Money? Consult a Licensed Electrician!
Is it worth it to rewire a house?
Yes, as long as the project is done by a qualified electrician.
Rewiring will improve the electricity flow in your home and the performance of your appliances. The process may be costly but it will save you from unwanted damages and safety risks later on.
If you’re looking for the right electrical business near you to upgrade your home’s wiring, follow these tips to choose the best one:
- Check their license, qualifications, certifications, and insurances
- Ask for their home rewiring experience
- Get at least 3 price quotations from different electricians, compare, and choose the one with the best cost and timeframe
- Ask for reviews and feedback from their previous clients
- Observe their professionalism
Assurance Electrical Services in Prescott, AZ has all the qualifications you’re looking for. We’re ready to solve your electrical problems with integrity and accountability. Contact us for a detailed quotation!
Do you have any questions about rewiring a house? Ask us in the comments section below!
Jeff Brandlin is the founder of Assurance Electrical Services, LLC. He started in the electrical industry when he was 21 and had worked in several electrical firms before founding Assurance Electrical. Jeff is dedicated to providing the best quality service to his clients and always puts their needs first. Outside work, Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife and children.
