How Much Does Electrical Wiring Cost?
Electrical wiring is not a job that you can do alone if you don't have the necessary equipment and experience. Unless you're a qualified electrician, it's always recommended that you get a professional in to handle even the most basic problem. This can leave a homeowner feeling vulnerable to excessive charges, however, and the best way to ensure that you are not being overcharged is to understand what exactly determines the overall cost to upgrade your electrical wiring.
Do You Need To Rewire?
Generally, homes older than 40 years will require an electric wiring upgrade. Back in the day, the household power required was 60 amps, but nowadays modern homes require 200 amps to run computers, air conditioners, and many other home automation devices.
Doing your own electrical wiring upgrade is not recommended. Compare several quotes from licensed electricians in your area to get the work completed at the best rate and in line with local building codes. A professional contractor will also be able to complete your installation in the least amount of time possible.
How Much Does It Cost To Upgrade Electrical Wiring?
For the purposes of this cost guide, the following electrical wiring prices will be calculated based on an average 1,200 sq ft home.
There are a few things which can affect the cost to upgrade electrical wiring in your home. They include the following:
- number of receptacles involved
- materials used
- length of the electrical run being installed
- labor skills
Rewiring a receptacle will include routing, securing and connecting new NM-B wiring as well as connectors, fittings and mounting hardware needed to complete the job. No matter which of these apply to your home, you should be prepared to factor in an average cost of anywhere between $4,300 and $10,400 to upgrade electrical wiring for the entire 1,200 sq ft home. If your home is older than 40 years, you could be spending up to as much as $25,400 to replace and upgrade.
Cost Breakdown
Consider the following cost breakdown of an electrical wiring upgrade for a 1,200 sq ft home:
- Labor costs will vary by electrician, their skill level, and the area in which you live. On average, electricians charge anywhere between $70 - $90 per hour. Each wiring connection averages 2 hours to complete, costing $140 - $180.
- Should your electrical panel require upgrading from a 60 amp to a 200 amp panel, you can expect to spend anywhere between $800 - $3,000 on average.
- Quite often contractors will need to reopen walls where the wiring runs. This can make removal of old wires difficult, and once the new electrical wiring is in place, the walls will need to be sealed up again. An average could cost anywhere between $3,500 - $8,000 to complete this task.
- Running wiring through the basement usually ends up on the lower end of the spectrum. However, wiring through confined crawlspaces and restricting access areas can push the price as high as $20,000.
- Laying down new electrical wiring is often charged as 1 hour per 100 sq ft, and new wiring costs around $6 - $8 per ft.
- Quite often the home will require new electrical switches and outlets. Each space in the home should have 2-3 outlets, these can cost $140 - $180 each.
Other Factors To Consider
- Electrician experience: The cost to upgrade electrical wiring in a home can skyrocket depending on how much experience your electrician has. A licensed, bonded and insured contractor is going to cost more; as is one who is a member of the local electrical union.
- Deadlines: Rush jobs also command a higher fee. A single outlet rewiring can run more than $220 in some regions.
- Several task: Combine jobs when possible. Instead of hiring a pro to handle one job at a time, bring them in for an entire day (or days) to complete several jobs at once. The overall cost should be much lower. If there are any further enhancements you require in the home, speak to your electrician to include these tasks in your electrical wiring quote so you can get a better rate.
- Structured wiring: If you require installation of structured wiring, it will cost around $2 per sq ft. These electrical and data cable wires can handle the most modern devices, whether it's for entertainment or communication.
- Upgrades: Should you wish to upgrade your lighting fixtures, you can expect to spend $45 for a basic light fitting, $150 for a mid range light fixture, and for luxury lighting fixtures upwards of $800.
Avoid overpaying for your electrical wiring job. Be patient. Flexibility in scheduling any rewiring job is key to keeping costs under control. The faster you need the job completed, the more it is going to cost. Get bids from several service providers to see what range of fees to expect in your area. This will help you choose the most affordable contractor to suit your needs.
Get a Free Localized Estimate
If you need to hire an electrician or contractor for your home's wiring upgrade and would like a more accurate estimate on the cost to upgrade electrical wiring, simply enter your home ZIP into the form provided. Professionals in your area will supply you with a FREE estimate without any obligations to hire, purchase or sign any contracts.
