How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a Whole House?

Rewiring a whole house is one of the biggest single-line-item electrical investments a GTA homeowner can make, and the range of quoted prices is wide enough to be confusing — $6,000 for a small bungalow, $35,000 for a large two-storey with a finished basement. Understanding what drives the number is the difference between a fair quote and one that leaves surprises later. This guide walks Ontario homeowners through how much it costs to rewire a whole house in 2026, what the price actually includes, and the situations that push a quote up or down.

Short answer: $8,000 to $28,000 for a typical GTA house

Direct answer: a full rewire on a typical GTA single-family home costs $8,000 to $28,000 in 2026, depending on square footage, wall access, existing wire type, and whether the service panel is replaced at the same time. Small bungalows come in near the low end; large two-storeys with finished basements and knob-and-tube reach the high end.

Price by home size

• Bungalow up to 1,000 sq ft: $8,000-13,000
• Two-storey 1,500-2,000 sq ft: $13,000-19,000
• Two-storey 2,000-3,000 sq ft: $17,000-25,000
• Larger custom or finished-basement home: $22,000-35,000

These ranges assume the walls are finished (drywall in place). Rewiring during a gut renovation costs 20-30% less because the electrician does not need to fish cable through cavities.

What the price includes

• ESA permit and inspection fees
• Removal of old branch wiring (knob and tube, aluminum, or degraded copper)
• New NMD-90 copper branch conductors sized to the load
• New AFCI/GFCI breakers where OESC Section 26 requires
• New receptacles, switches, and cover plates
• Cable clamps, staples, and box supports
• Panel schedule labeling
• Minor drywall opening and repair around new box locations

What the price does NOT include: extensive drywall repair beyond the immediate cut-ins, painting, and any new circuits added beyond the existing count. Adding new circuits (kitchen island, EV charger, hot tub) is quoted separately.

Situations that push cost up

• Knob and tube throughout the house. Slower removal, more replacement conductor, and often requires opening ceilings.
• Aluminum branch wiring. Every device must be replaced with CO/ALR-rated or copper-pigtailed connections — huge labour add.
• Plaster and lath walls. Older homes with plaster are dramatically harder to fish than drywall.
• Panel upgrade at the same time. Adds $3,800-5,500 (typically bundled).
• Two-storey with no basement access. Cable must be fished from above, doubling the labour.
• Custom finishes or intricate trim. Careful removal and reinstallation of trim during the fish process.

Situations that reduce cost

• Gut renovation timing. Walls open = no fishing = fastest labour.
• Existing NMD-90 copper. If the existing copper is sound but circuits are undersized, sometimes only a partial rewire is needed — much cheaper than a full replacement.
• Accessible basement or attic. Cable can be run through unfinished areas instead of finished walls.
• Single-storey layout. One floor to fish is faster than two.
• Package deal with panel upgrade. Combined pricing is usually cheaper than separate quotes.

Why it costs what it costs

Direct answer: rewiring is 70-80% labour, 15-20% materials, 5-10% permits and inspections. The labour is skilled and time-intensive — fishing cable through finished walls takes hours per circuit, and every fixture, switch, and receptacle is handled individually. A typical rewire runs 40-100 hours of licensed-contractor time.

The Electrical Safety Authority requires every rewire to meet current Ontario Electrical Safety Code, including AFCI and GFCI protection, updated grounding, and proper box fill. This alone is why a professional rewire is not a weekend DIY — the code compliance alone requires dozens of specific installation details.

Financing and rebates

• Home equity line of credit (HELOC): lowest-rate financing option for major home improvements.
• Canada Greener Homes Loan: interest-free financing available for energy-related electrical work.
• Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate Plus: some rewiring paired with heat-pump conversion may qualify.
• Home insurance premium reduction: some insurers reduce premiums after a full rewire with AFCI — confirm with your broker.

Getting good quotes

Direct answer: get three written quotes from licensed ESA-registered contractors. Each should include ESA permit, materials list, labour hours, and a scope of work. Beware of quotes that are 30-40% below the others — something is likely omitted.

Ask specifically about (1) how many new AFCI breakers are included, (2) whether the panel is replaced, (3) how drywall damage will be handled, and (4) how long the house will be without power during the work. Answers to these four questions reveal a lot about quote quality.

Expert tip from our ESA-licensed electricians

In our experience quoting rewires across the GTA, the single biggest cost-shift for homeowners is choosing to do the rewire during a broader renovation. If you are already ripping out kitchen cabinets, replacing floors, or opening ceilings for HVAC, the rewire cost drops significantly because our team is not fishing through finished walls. Homeowners considering both a rewire and a kitchen reno in the next few years save $3,000-6,000 by bundling the two projects. Same lesson as the panel upgrade + rewire combo — sharing the utility disconnect and the drywall-repair labour cuts the total. Our post on panel upgrade duration covers the overlap timing.

Related reading from ezsmart.ca

• Signs house needs rewiring
• Is aluminum wiring dangerous?
• Knob and tube wiring
• Do I need a panel upgrade?
• Panel upgrade duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What drives whole-house rewire cost?

Home size, wiring type being replaced, access (finished vs unfinished spaces), and whether the panel is being upgraded too.

Can a partial rewire save money?

Yes. Targeting the worst circuits or highest-risk zones first is often cost-effective.

Does rewiring include drywall repair?

Sometimes. Confirm with your quote whether patching is included or coordinated with a separate trade.

How long does a whole-house rewire take?

Typically 1–3 weeks for a mid-sized GTA home depending on access and panel work.

Do I need to move out during a rewire?

Not usually. Phased work keeps power available in most areas throughout the project.

Contact us

Considering a full rewire in your GTA home and want a detailed quote from ESA-certified electricians? Call us at 416-838-9006 or visit our contact page — we will get back to you the same day.

Amir Azimipour

Electrician Since 2008 Journeyman Electrician Designated Master Electrician at EZSMART Corp