Rewiring a house is a significant undertaking that can improve your home’s safety, functionality, and value. Whether you are upgrading an old electrical system or planning a major renovation, rewiring requires careful planning and professional expertise. For over 20 years the team of licensed electricians at LiveWire Electrical, have been helping residents of Charlotte and throughout North Carolina with all of their electrical needs including providing house rewiring services. No matter whether you are looking to update a home’s outdated electrical system or you are doing renovations to your property that require a major upgrade of your electrical panel and wiring, we can help. Contact our office today at (704) 318-2390 or online to book a consultation.

How Much Does it Cost to Rewire a House in North Carolina?

One of the most common questions we get asked when clients are looking to rewire their entire house is, ‘How much does it cost to rewire a house?’ Electrical work can be expensive, especially on the scale of an entire house, so it’s a fair question to consider. There are various factors that will be used to determine how much you can expect to pay to rewire your house, such as size of house, age of home and type of wiring that is currently being used, the layout of your home and how complicated running wires will be, etc. For example, a large home that has knob and tube wiring will typically be more expensive than a smaller home that’s already running with copper wiring. That being said, the cost to rewire a house is around $7000 but can be anywhere between $3000 to $20,000 depending on the specific circumstances of the job.

How Much It Costs To Rewire A House By Square Feet:

The cost for rewiring a house is dependent on how big your home is, how many square feet. It is a 1:1 ratio which means if your home is 2000 square feet you will need 2000 feet of electrical materials. The cost to rewire a house per square feet typically is between $3.00-$5.00.

There are different materials that can be used when rewiring a home that vary in cost. Here at LiveWire Electrical, we use top-quality NM Cable which costs between $0.50-$3.50 per square foot for just the cable. So a breakdown of the cost of the materials to rewire a whole house depending on the square footage is as follows:

• 1000 sq ft – $2000
• 1500 sq ft – $3000
• 2000 sq ft – $4000
• 2500 sq ft – $5000
• 3000 sq ft – $6000
• 3500 sq ft – $7000
• 4000 sq ft – $8000

It is best to speak with a licensed electrician near you to get an accurate quote about how much it will cost to rewire your home. If you live in or near Charlotte, NC, contact LiveWire Electrical to find out how much it will cost to rewire your home in North Carolina.

Can I Rewire My Own House?

There are some electrical projects that can be tackled by homeowners looking to DIY, but rewiring your home is absolutely not one of these. It is imperative that your home’s electrical system is installed properly according to current building codes. Having a licensed electrician near you handle your home’s rewiring will ensure that it is done accurately and safely. Not only this, but basically all home insurance policies require a permit and building inspection when major electrical work is done, without these you can end up voiding your home insurance policy, and you will no longer be covered in the event of an electrical fire in your home.

When Should I Rewire My House?

Rewiring an entire house is a big undertaking that typically requires cutting into walls to remove existing wiring and systems and re-running newer upgraded wiring that is consistent with today’s building codes. There are a number of reasons why someone might need to rewire their home. Here’s how you can tell if you might need to rewire your house if any of the following are happening:

1.Visible Electrical Problems: If your home’s lights constantly flicker or dim when more items are plugged in, or if your circuit breaker is tripping frequently, it’s typically a sign that your home’s electrical system cannot handle the load and has an inadequate electrical capacity. When this is the case, sometimes a panel upgrade, or rewiring part of the house will be enough to get your home working the way it needs to, other times it is necessary for a full rewire.

2.Old Electrical Systems: If your home was built between 1880 and 1950 there’s a good chance it has knob and tube wiring. Knob and tube wiring is an outdated method of wiring that uses porcelain knobs and cloth insulation around the wiring. There are a number of problems with knob and tube wiring, chiefly that it is not meant to handle today’s electrical demands, greatly increasing the chances of overloading and overheating the system causing a fire. The insulation of knob and tube wiring also becomes brittle over time and disintegrates exposing the wires also causing a major fire risk, and knob and tube wiring does not employ the use of a ground wire, which is designed to be an extra path for electrical current to flow to the ground in the event of a short circuit. It’s important to make sure all knob and tube wiring is removed and replaced because of the fire hazard this type of wiring poses. Another type of wiring that is considered dangerous by today’s building standards is aluminum wiring. Aluminum wiring was used in the 1960s and 70s due to a shortage of copper wiring, unfortunately the corrosive chemical reaction that occurs between aluminum wiring and copper wired receptacles and switches can cause overheating and is a major fire risk. If you have either of these wiring systems in your house, it is highly recommended that you do a whole house rewire to ensure the safety of your home.

3.Your Home is Fuse Wired: Some older homes use a fuse box panel instead of a circuit breaker panel for their electrical wiring, especially if it was built before 1950. Both systems are able to protect your home for overloading circuits. The difference is that circuit breakers are switches that trip and flip off as a protective measure when there is an overcurrent, where fuses blow. Once a fuse has blown, it has to be replaced, which is a major inconvenience compared to simply having to flip the switch of a circuit breaker. Circuit breaker panels are typically considered a safer option as they also protect your home from electrical fires. If you do have a fuse box system that needs to be replaced, there is the possibility that you will also need to rewire your home, although it’s not always the case. You will need to get a full inspection by a licensed electrician in your area to determine the work that needs to be done.

What To Consider When Rewiring Your Home

If you are looking to rewire your home in North Carolina, or anywhere really, there are some important things to consider before starting the project. Your home’s current electrical system should be assessed by a professional electrician to determine your exact needs. You should also have future needs in mind when creating your new electrical layout. Think about your lifestyle and how it may evolve over the coming years. For example, if you’re considering a home office, a dedicated circuit for computer equipment and additional outlets might be necessary. Similarly, if you plan to install smart home technology or electric vehicle charging stations, your electrical system should be prepared to accommodate these additions. Another thing to consider is the addition of safety features such as Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) which can prevent electrical shocks, or Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) which can help prevent electrical fires by interrupting the electrical signal if there is a dangerous arcing condition. There can be a lot to think through so it is important to speak with an experienced electrician that has the expertise as well as the insurance coverage to handle the job.

Contact LiveWire Electrical About Your House Rewiring Project in Charlotte, NC

Rewiring a whole house is a complex and essential task that can significantly improve your home’s safety and functionality. By considering factors such as the current state of your electrical system, local building codes, future electrical needs, cost, safety upgrades, and the choice of electrician, you can ensure a successful and smooth rewiring project. The team at LiveWire Electrical have years of experience and are a trusted name in the Charlotte area for all your electrical needs including home rewiring projects. Contact our nearby electrician office today to set up a consultation