2026 NATIONAL COST ANSWER
Whole-house rewiring costs about $10,000–$30,000 in HomeGuide's current national data, or roughly $5–$17 per square foot. A 2,000-square-foot house therefore spans about $10,000–$34,000 before unusual restoration or separate service work.
HomeGuide's current 2026 guide uses$10,000–$30,000 as its average whole-house range and$5–$17 per square foot. Its size model puts a 1,500-square-foot house around $7,500–$25,500, a 2,000-square-foot house around $10,000–$34,000, and a 2,500-square-foot house around $12,500–$42,500.
Angi's detailed August 3, 2026 pricing model is materially lower at about $2–$4 per square foot: $3,000–$6,000 for 1,500 square feet, $4,000–$8,000 for 2,000 square feet, and $5,000–$10,000 for 2,500 square feet. The gap between datasets is a reason to inspect scope rather than average the numbers together.
WHOLE-HOUSE REWIRE BUDGET TRIANGULATOR
Estimate the same project three ways instead of pretending one formula is exact
HomeGuide currently publishes $5–$17 per square foot and $100–$300+ per outlet, switch or fixture opening. It also publishes separate whole-project bands for accessible routing versus opening walls. These are alternative pricing lenses—not costs to stack together.
A WHOLE-HOUSE REWIRE IS A ROUTING PROJECT
The least expensive houses give the electrician a hidden highway; the expensive ones make every destination a demolition problem
Ceiling lights and upper-wall drops may be reachable without opening long sections of finished wall. Insulation and working conditions still affect labor.
Exposed joists can provide long horizontal paths beneath first-floor rooms and reduce the number of interior surfaces that need to be opened.
A crawl space can preserve finished walls while still requiring slower routing, drilling and transition work.
Multi-story walls, masonry, plaster and finished ceilings can force more openings and turn finish restoration into a major project line.
HomeGuide quantifies this distinction with two whole-project models:$10,000–$20,000 when rewiring can be routed through attic, basement or floor joists, versus$20,000–$30,000+ when walls are opened, the wiring is replaced and drywall is restored.
Before asking “How much per square foot?”, ask the electrician to draw the main routing strategy through the house.
THE SECOND USEFUL QUANTITY IS THE NUMBER OF ELECTRICAL OPENINGS
Two 2,000-square-foot houses can have radically different circuit density
HomeGuide says some electricians price rewiring at$100–$300+ per opening, with each outlet, switch or fixture treated as an opening. That model explains something square footage cannot: a sparse three-bedroom house and a remodeled home with dense kitchen, lighting and appliance circuits are not equivalent.
RECEPTACLESStandard outlets + required specialty locationsEach endpoint needs a box / device relationship, conductor route and connection back into the branch-circuit plan.
SWITCHESSingle-pole, multi-location and lighting-control pointsA room with multiple switched lighting loads can add several wiring destinations without adding meaningful floor area.
LIGHTSCeiling / wall fixturesFinished ceilings can be among the hardest endpoints to reach, especially below another finished story.
DEDICATED LOADSRange, dryer, HVAC, water heating and other equipmentThese circuits may require different conductor sizes and routes than general lighting / receptacle circuits.
SMOKE / SAFETY DEVICESScope should state what is being added or replacedDo not assume every low-voltage or life-safety device is included simply because the proposal says “whole-house electrical.”
WHAT DOES “WHOLE-HOUSE REWIRE” INCLUDE?
New branch-circuit conductors are the core. Panel, service, devices and wall repair must be named separately.
New conductors are routed from distribution equipment to the outlets, switches, lighting and other included loads.
Some bids replace every device. Others reuse selected boxes or fixtures. The count and finish level should be visible.
HomeGuide currently uses $850–$2,500 for electrical-panel replacement in its rewiring guide. Whole-house wiring and panel capacity are related but separate scopes.
Upgrading utility service is not automatically included. See the dedicated 200-Amp Service Upgrade Cost report.
“Patch openings” can mean rough closure, paint-ready finish or complete repainting. Those endpoints should not be assumed.
REWIRE THE HOUSE AS A CIRCUIT MAP, NOT AS A BAG OF CABLE
The strongest bid shows where the new circuits begin, what they serve and which legacy wiring becomes inactive
HomeGuide's material range is only$0.10–$4.00 per linear foot for electrical wire itself. Angi's current material examples put common NM cable around$0.40–$0.80 per foot. That is why a finished-home rewire can cost tens of thousands of dollars without the wire itself being the expensive commodity.
Identify the new circuits by rooms or zones and whether existing device locations remain or new locations are being added.
Dense appliance and countertop loads often make these rooms more circuit-intensive than their floor area suggests.
Large fixed loads should be visible as named circuits rather than disappearing into a generic “all electrical” sentence.
A rewire does not necessarily mean every inch of disconnected old cable is physically extracted from closed walls. The proposal should state how inaccessible abandoned wiring is handled.
DO NOT LET A REWIRE QUOTE QUIETLY BECOME A SERVICE-UPGRADE QUOTE
Branch wiring, the breaker panel and utility service are three different capital layers
Whole-house rewiring lives here.
May be retained or replaced.
Utility / meter / service capacity.
HomeGuide currently uses $850–$2,500 for panel replacement in its rewiring cost guide. A contractor may correctly include that in a whole-house proposal, but the bid should separate it so you can see whether an apparent $3,000 difference is wiring labor or a new distribution panel.
The same applies to 200-amp service. If the home's calculated demand requires more service capacity, the project can be coordinated with the rewire. But increasing service amperage should have its own endpoint and cost rather than becoming an unexplained premium inside “whole-house electrical.”
KNOB-AND-TUBE IS ITS OWN REWIRING MARKET
Current national cost data moves to roughly $12,000–$35,000 because the work is concentrated in older finished houses
HomeGuide's February 12, 2026 dedicated guide puts knob-and-tube replacement at $12,000–$35,000 or$8–$17 per square foot. Angi's current 2026 guide uses$12,000–$36,600 overall and$10–$20 per square foot.
1,000 SQ. FT.$8,000–$17,000 · HomeGuide modelHouse access and circuit count still control the actual quote.
1,500 SQ. FT.$12,000–$25,500 · HomeGuide modelOlder panel / outlet additions can be part of the broader project.
2,000 SQ. FT.$16,000–$34,000 · HomeGuide modelAngi's dedicated K&T model is higher at $20,000–$40,000 for the same area.
HomeGuide notes that electricians often remove visible old wiring in attics or unfinished basements while leaving inaccessible,disconnected wiring abandoned inside closed walls rather than demolishing the house solely to extract every old conductor. That distinction should be written into the removal scope.
ALUMINUM BRANCH WIRING DOES NOT CREATE THE SAME DECISION AS KNOB-AND-TUBE
CPSC recognizes complete copper replacement—but also documents permanent connection-repair methods
CPSC Publication 516 addresses the solid aluminum branch-circuit wiring used in many homes from the mid-1960s into the 1970s. CPSC's publication distinguishes complete replacement with copper from permanent repair methods at aluminum connections.
CPSC describes complete replacement as eliminating the aluminum wire itself, while recognizing that rewiring can be impractical or prohibitively expensive in some finished homes.
The CPSC publication describes a specialized crimp connection installed by trained electricians at the aluminum connection points.
CPSC describes AlumiConn as an alternative where COPALUM is not available, with qualified professional installation emphasized.
The cost implication is important: discovering aluminum branch circuits does not by itself tell you that a $10,000–$30,000 full-house copper rewire is the only project worth pricing. Have the wiring identified correctly, then obtain comparable proposals for the remediation scope that applies to the actual system.
CPSC's aluminum-wiring publication is an older federal technical document, not a 2026 pricing source. It is used here only for the distinction between complete copper replacement and documented connection-remediation approaches.
THE ELECTRICIAN'S LAST HOLE CAN BE THE PAINTER'S FIRST INVOICE
Wall restoration needs its own endpoint in the contract
HomeGuide's current rewiring guide puts drywall repair at$300–$1,500+ per patch depending on size and number of patches, and full drywall replacement around$2–$6 per square foot. It lists plaster wall repair around $2–$10 per square foot and plaster ceilings around $2.50–$12 per square foot.
Lowest electrical scope. The homeowner coordinates drywall / plaster repair, texture and paint separately.
Openings are closed but final skim, texture or paint may remain outside the electrical contract.
Higher contract value but fewer post-rewire trades for the owner to manage.
HomeGuide says opening walls completely can add25%–30% to total rewiring cost. That is why the phrase “drywall included” deserves almost as much attention as the conductor specification in a finished-house bid.
AN OCCUPIED-HOUSE REWIRE IS ALSO A PHASING PROJECT
Daily cleanup and restoring temporary power can turn schedule into cost
HomeGuide says electricians often recommend staying out of the home during a whole-house rewire and notes that working around residents can take longer because the crew must perform additional daily cleanup and restore circuits for use. Its guide places the overall duration around3–10+ days, depending on size, age, crew and complexity.
ZONE PLANWhich rooms lose power on which days?A phased plan matters more for an occupied house than a vacant renovation.
FURNITUREWho clears wall access?Contractor labor spent moving belongings is not electrical value.
DUST / PATCHINGWho protects finishes and cleans each work zone?The contract should separate construction protection from final painting.
TEMPORARY POWERWhat remains usable overnight?Phasing can create extra labor if sections must be safely returned to service each day.
FINAL LABELINGDoes the new panel schedule identify the new circuits?A rewire should finish as an understandable electrical system, not merely energized wiring.
WHY ACCESS CHANGES THE COST
The same destination can require a hidden route or a sequence of finished-wall openings
This is a conceptual cost graphic, not an electrical-routing diagram. The difference is the number of finished surfaces crossed. HomeGuide's $10,000–$20,000 accessible-routing model versus $20,000–$30,000+ open-wall model captures that economic distinction directly.
SIX WHOLE-HOUSE REWIRING COST FILES
Match the house type and access pattern before comparing the contractor total
$7,500–$25,500. The width of the range is mostly telling you that area alone does not reveal circuit density or wall access.
HomeGuide's model yields $10,000–$34,000. Angi's current detailed area model is lower at$4,000–$8,000, making scope normalization essential.
HomeGuide's current whole-project benchmark is$10,000–$20,000 through attic, basement or floor-joist access.
HomeGuide's open-wall + rewire + drywall model is$20,000–$30,000+, before unusual finish or hazardous-material scope.
HomeGuide's February 2026 dedicated range is$12,000–$35,000; Angi's current dedicated range is$12,000–$36,600.
HomeGuide uses $850–$2,500 for panel replacement in its rewire guide. Keep that line separate so the wiring bid remains comparable with contractors who retain the existing panel.
TWO $18,000 REWIRE BIDS CAN BUY DIFFERENT HOUSES
The useful comparison is what remains active, finished and labeled when the crew leaves
Replace branch-circuit conductors.
Reuse existing panel.
Reuse standard device locations.
New basic outlets / switches included.
Wall openings left for homeowner's drywall contractor.
Painting excluded.
Replace branch circuits plus selected new dedicated circuits.
New electrical panel included.
Additional kitchen / bedroom receptacles included.
Rough wall patching included.
Final paint excluded.
Old inaccessible wiring disconnected and abandoned in place.
Before choosing, compare circuit count, device count, panel scope, access openings and restoration endpoint. Whole-house rewiring is too invasive for “all wiring included” to be an adequate contract description.
HIGH-INTENT PRICE ANSWERS
Whole-house rewiring cost in plain terms
How much does it cost to rewire a whole house in 2026?HomeGuide currently uses $10,000–$30,000 on average, or $5–$17 per square foot. Local bids can be lower or higher depending on access and scope.
How much does it cost to rewire a 1,500-square-foot house?HomeGuide's current square-foot model gives $7,500–$25,500. Angi's detailed August 2026 model gives $3,000–$6,000.
How much does it cost to rewire a 2,000-square-foot house?HomeGuide's model gives $10,000–$34,000. Angi's current area model gives $4,000–$8,000.
Why are rewiring estimates so different?The biggest differences are usually circuit / opening count, attic or basement access, number of finished surfaces opened, panel / service scope and whether drywall / plaster restoration is included.
How much does rewiring through accessible attic or basement routes cost?HomeGuide currently uses $10,000–$20,000 for the whole project when wiring can be routed through attic, basement or floor joists.
How much does opening walls add?HomeGuide says opening walls completely can add 25%–30% to the total project and publishes a $20,000–$30,000+ model for opening walls, rewiring and replacing drywall.
How much does knob-and-tube replacement cost?HomeGuide's February 2026 range is $12,000–$35,000, or $8–$17 per square foot. Angi's current dedicated range is $12,000–$36,600.
Does whole-house rewiring include a new electrical panel?Sometimes. HomeGuide uses $850–$2,500 for panel replacement in its rewire guide, but proposals should state explicitly whether the panel is included.
How long does a whole-house rewire take?HomeGuide's current planning range is about 3–10+ days depending on house size, age, crew, access and wall work.
METHODOLOGY & SOURCES
Current 2026 cost data separated from old-wiring technical guidance
Pricing was reviewed August 9, 2026. HomeGuide's August 29, 2025 guide is its current 2026 whole-house rewiring dataset and supplies the primary national range, square-foot model, access models, openings, labor, panel and restoration costs. Angi's August 3, 2026 guide provides a current independent cross-check. Dedicated 2026 knob-and-tube guides are used for that specific old-house scope. CPSC Publication 516 is used only for federal technical guidance on aluminum branch-circuit remediation, not for current pricing.
$10,000–$30,000 average; $5–$17/sq. ft.; home-size, access, openings, labor, materials, permits, restoration, panel and project-duration data.
02 · ANGI · UPDATED AUG. 3 2026House Rewiring CostDetailed $2–$4/sq. ft. model; 1,000–3,000-sq.-ft. examples; permits, inspections, access, materials and labor context.
03 · HOMEGUIDE · FEB. 12 2026Knob-and-Tube Wiring Replacement Cost$12,000–$35,000 average; $8–$17/sq. ft.; panel, outlets, permits, wall access and abandonment/removal scope.
04 · ANGI · CURRENT 2026 DATAKnob-and-Tube Replacement Cost$12,000–$36,600 overall and $10–$20/sq. ft. current independent old-house cost cross-check.
05 · U.S. CPSC · PUBLICATION 516Repairing Aluminum WiringFederal technical guidance distinguishing complete copper replacement, COPALUM and AlumiConn approaches for applicable aluminum branch-circuit connections.
06 · NFPA · APR. 30 2026Home Electrical FiresCurrent research context on U.S. home electrical fires; used only for the importance of electrical-system condition, not as a rewiring-cost source.
This is U.S. property-cost planning information, not electrical design or DIY wiring guidance. Rewiring methods, circuit requirements, grounding, devices, permits, inspections, service capacity and treatment of existing wiring depend on the property and jurisdiction. Whole-house rewiring should be scoped and performed by appropriately qualified professionals.