ELECTRICAL
Rewire House Cost: Per Square Foot in 2026
Estimate whole-home rewiring cost per square foot — with the free electrical calculator.
Old wiring is a fire risk and an insurance headache. Rewiring is a big job — but the cost is predictable by square footage. Here's the real 2026 number.
THE SHORT ANSWER
The short answer
Rewiring runs $2–$4 per sq ft for accessible homes (about $5,000–$10,000 for 2,500 sq ft), and $6–$10 per sq ft if walls must be opened and repaired. A typical full rewire runs $8,000–$15,000.
What it costs
Rewiring with open access (basement or crawlspace) runs $2–$4 per sq ft. Opening and repairing walls adds $4–$8 per sq ft. The panel, breakers and outlets add to materials. Permits run $150–$500.
- Open access: $2–$4 per sq ft
- With wall repair: $6–$10 per sq ft
- 1,500 sq ft home: $3,000–$6,000
- 2,500 sq ft home: $5,000–$10,000
When you need it
Knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum branch circuits, overloaded panels and frequent breaker trips all point to a rewire. Home insurance often demands it before they'll cover an older home.
Try the electrical calculator
Enter the number of circuits and price per unit plus labor to estimate.