Cost guides › House rewiring
Canada
Cost to rewire a house
A full rewire of a 100 m² house typically costs $10,500 before GST/HST, with most quotes between $8,150 and $13,600. That covers removing or abandoning the old wiring, new circuits to every room, new receptacles and switches, a new 200 A breaker panel, and the electrical permit and inspection. A basic rewire with minimal points is about $9,000; a premium job with extra outlets, USB receptacles, LED pot lights, data cabling and smart-ready wiring is around $13,200.
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mid-range, typicalCost by region
| Location | Basic | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec | $9,900 | $11,600 | $14,500 |
| Alberta | $9,450 | $11,000 | $13,800 |
| Saskatchewan | $9,350 | $10,900 | $13,700 |
| Manitoba | $9,000 | $10,500 | $13,200 |
| British Columbia | $8,850 | $10,300 | $13,000 |
| Ontario | $8,850 | $10,300 | $13,000 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $8,400 | $9,750 | $12,300 |
| Nova Scotia | $8,400 | $9,750 | $12,300 |
| New Brunswick | $7,950 | $9,250 | $11,700 |
What's included
Mid-range
- Disconnecting and removing or abandoning the old wiring
- New branch circuits to every room, fished through walls from the attic and basement where possible
- New boxes, receptacles, switches and light connections at a standard modern layout
- New 200 A breaker panel with AFCI and GFCI protection where the code requires it
- Electrical permit and inspection
- Testing every circuit
- Access holes patched rough, ready for a drywall finisher
What affects the cost
House size and layout
A bungalow with an open attic and unfinished basement is the easiest case. A two-storey house with a finished basement needs more openings and more hours per square foot.
Plaster-and-lath walls
Many older homes in Toronto, Montreal and other older neighbourhoods have plaster and lath, which is slower to fish and to patch than drywall.
Panel and service
Most full rewires include a new 200 A panel, since old 60 A or 100 A panels have no room for modern circuits. If the utility has to upgrade the service or meter, that is extra.
Knob-and-tube and aluminum wiring
Insurers often refuse or surcharge homes with knob-and-tube wiring, which is a common reason for a full rewire. Aluminum branch wiring from the 1970s is another.
Region
Labour rates and permit fees vary by province and city. Vancouver and Toronto are at the top of the range.
Drywall and paint
Electrical quotes usually leave the access holes rough. Drywall repair and repainting come after the inspection and are often done by a separate trade.
How to save
- Rewire before you move in or while walls are open for a renovation.
- Ask for a price per added outlet or fixture to control the scope.
- Combine the rewire with any planned panel or service upgrade so you only pay for permits and shutdowns once.
- Hire the drywall finisher and painter yourself after the final inspection.
Grants, tax and rules
Licensed electricians and permits
Electrical work needs a licensed electrician and usually a permit. In Ontario the permit is filed with the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) by a licensed electrical contractor.
Tax
GST/HST applies to renovation work; our figures are before GST/HST (13% HST in Ontario, 5% GST in Alberta).
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to rewire a house in Canada?
For a 100 m² house with a new 200 A panel, expect about $10,500 before GST/HST, with most quotes between $8,150 and $13,600. Plaster walls, a two-storey layout and larger houses push it up.
How long does it take to rewire a house?
A bungalow usually takes three to five working days and a two-storey house one to two weeks, plus time for inspection.
Will my insurance require me to replace knob-and-tube wiring?
Many insurers will not cover homes with live knob-and-tube wiring or charge more for them. Ask your insurer what they need to see, usually a permit and an inspection certificate.
Can I live in the house during the rewire?
Yes, most people do. Circuits are switched over in stages, so you lose power to parts of the house for a while. An empty house is faster and cheaper to rewire.
Does the electrician repair the drywall?
Usually not beyond rough patching. Ask the quote to say who repairs and paints the walls, and budget for it separately.
How this estimate is calculated
Work hours: 51.3 · Labour: $6,157 · Materials: $4,321
Sources: Job Bank wages (Employment and Social Development Canada); Regione Toscana, Prezzario dei Lavori 2026 (CC BY 4.0); ECB exchange rates; market check: 100 m2 (1,076 sq ft) incl. 200 A panel and ESA permit, before tax: City Power Electrical GTA (03/2026) bungalow 800-1,200 sq ft 8-12k, $4-8k per 1,000 sq ft; NoRadiation (03/2026) Ontario $8-15/sq ft; HomeStars (08/2026) $5-17/sq ft.
Last reviewed September 26, 2026 · How we calculate costs · Editorial policy