ELECTRICAL
How to Estimate a Whole-House Rewiring
Contractor method for estimating whole-house rewiring: area, age, outlets and panel.
Rewiring bids fail on the outlets and the panel. The per-sq-ft rate is the baseline; the outlet count, the panel upgrade and the wall repair are where the quote doubles.
THE SHORT ANSWER
How do you estimate a whole-house rewiring?
Measure the area, note wiring age, count devices, then price cable materials, labor, panel and permits as separate lines. The calculator's 1,800 sq ft example totals about $8,290 before project-specific repairs.
Measure the area and check the age
Measure the living area in sq ft and note the wiring's vintage. Pre-1970 wiring (knob and tube, aluminum) adds 30% — it is slower, riskier and needs more junction work.
Count the outlets and switches
Count every outlet, switch and device from the plans and walkthrough. The calculator adds a $35 material allowance per device; installation time stays in the labor line so it is not counted twice. Verify placement against the adopted local code.
Price the panel and the labor
A panel upgrade runs $1,500-$2,500. Labor runs $50-$80/hr and an 1,800 sq ft home takes 20-40 hours. Use the Whole-House Rewiring Cost Calculator to build the full quote.
Check the total
Your total should land within 10% of the calculator output before markup. Add wall and ceiling repair as a separate allowance — the drywall patching is real money.