Cost to Rewire a House & Why You Need to Do It

Buying a home should be an exciting prospect. Once you’ve found the quiet bungalow of your dreams and had an offer accepted, an inspection takes place. Part of that process may discover that the perfect home isn’t quite so perfect.

Electrical systems in a house must be up to code in new construction, but the requirements weren’t so strict for vintage homes. It can devastate potential homeowners to discover that their first choice home needs rewiring.

Of course, there are other reasons besides age that a house needs rewired, but our scenario is common. The million-dollar question comes down to the overall cost of rewiring a home. 

We’re going behind the walls today to discover exactly what you can expect when rewiring your house. Let’s get started!

When should you get your house rewired?

Homeowners beware, your wiring might be out of date! For homes built more than 50 years ago, your electrical system likely needs to be redone. Safety is the number one reason to replace wiring because, in over 10% of all house fires it’s the culprit.

Some experts recommend replacing your home's wiring every 25 years! New systems, however, last between 40 and 70 years, so check with a local expert before rewiring. 

If your home is outdated, you should consider rewiring 

Flickering lights aren’t always a sign you live in a haunted house. They usually mean you’ve got faulty wiring. Older homes are likely to have outdated systems that can fail. If you’re unsure, have a licensed electrician come out and check. They’ll be able to tell you if your breaker box is up to code and make recommendations.

When buying an older home, you’ll want the inspection to include the electrical panel. Often, it’s the first sign of significant work to do. If you can get the seller to replace the system as part of the deal, you’re off the hook!

The house needs new wiring if the breaker keeps tripping

The load you’re putting on your system changes over time. A home built in the 1970s wasn’t designed to handle all of the electrical systems modern homes do. New appliances and technology put a higher demand on your electrical circuits. 

Breaker tripping is one of the first warning signs. After you’ve ruled out short circuits and any other causes, it’s time to call the experts. They’ll be able to install a sub-panel that allows for more circuits in your home. Adding circuits provides more electrical service to your home. 

Hopefully, the toaster and microwave can be on at the same time!

A burnt smell should be concerning

Speaking of toast, if a burnt smell comes from your walls, it’s the perfect time to be concerned. What’s likely happening is that the wiring can’t handle the electrical load any longer and is beginning to fail. If you don’t replace faulty wiring, it could cause a house fire. 

Have an expert come out and inspect your system as soon as you can for your own safety. Caution now could save your life later.

Consider rewiring if the switches or outlets are discolored

If that burnt smell wasn’t enough to convince you, look at your outlets. Black or brown marks around the receptacles reveal a serious problem. Unless you can trace it to a faulty appliance, you could be looking at one of a few issues. 

Your appliances could place a higher load on the circuit than it can handle. Usually, your circuit breaker box will take care of that by switching off. If that’s the case, it’s working as intended. 

Visible burn marks are still a concern, and you should have your system inspected to be safe. An outlet replacement might be necessary. 

Factors that affect price when rewiring a house

Rewiring your house is a big undertaking, and several factors affect the cost. Across the board, you could be out anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 and up for the whole house! The wide estimate is thanks to a few factors that affect price.

The size of the house will affect the price of rewiring

Depending on how many square feet your home has, you’ll pay more or less for rewiring. More than just the amount of wiring that you need for a larger home, there are codes electricians have to follow. Smaller homes don’t require as many outlets to be within building codes, but larger homes need more. The National Electrical Code specifies the minimum requirements for the number of receptacle outlets in your home.

If you’re just rewiring, the price may be more reasonable. But prices can balloon quickly if you’re adding outlets or significantly updating the infrastructure. 

What type of material is being used

The price of electrical wires varies widely, and you’ll see a difference in cost if not performance. Contractors calculate prices per foot of cable, so larger homes will cost more to service. 

Non-metallic cable (NM) is the most common in homes, but metal-clad cable is typical in basements and attics. 

You can include internet cables in your project to modernize your home electrical system. That makes it more expensive, but you’ll appreciate having access where you want it. 

How easy is it to access the wiring?

Walls in new homes are made of drywall and, for the most part, the wiring is easy to access. In older homes, lath-and-plaster walls make the process more complex and costly. Hiring someone to break down the old walls and rebuild after might seem extreme, but it’s a necessary part of the process. 

Builders recommend using rewiring as an opportunity, though. If you replace old walls with drywall, your home will look more modern, and the resale value will increase. 

Permits and inspections are costly

Before an electrician gets inside your walls to replace wiring, they’ve got to pull permits with local authorities. Instead of a quick fix, you could be looking at an expensive waiting game. And finished work also has to be inspected by the same authorities. All told, it isn’t cheap. 

Where the house is located will affect pricing 

Location, location, location! The average cost of labor and materials differs greatly depending on where you live. Rewiring a home in California could cost you double what it costs in Florida or Texas.

How much is your electrician charging for labor?

Labor costs are a significant factor in rewiring a home. It’s not a one-person job, and it takes time to do it correctly. You should consider that you get what you pay for, and shoddy work won’t pass inspection. 

Rates vary, but typically you can expect to pay between $50 to $130 per hour in Florida. 

Young Cardinal Electric is here to rewire your house at a fair rate!

When you’re dealing with electrical issues, it’s easy to feel out of control. At Young Cardinal Electric, we stand by our promise of fair rates for our work. We’ll take the time to explain the process and break down any pricing questions. As a family business, we understand the importance of the home. 

To take the best care of your family, request a quote on our website. We’re here for you!