How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a House in Denver
If you own an older home in Denver, Aurora, or anywhere along the Front Range, you've probably wondered about the condition of your electrical wiring. Maybe your circuit breakers trip frequently, or perhaps you're planning a major renovation and want to upgrade your electrical system to handle modern demands. Either way, the question eventually comes up: how much does it cost to rewire a house?
The honest answer is that rewiring costs vary significantly based on your home's size, age, and specific electrical needs. However, understanding the factors that influence pricing helps you budget appropriately and make informed decisions about this critical home improvement project.
What Does House Rewiring Actually Cost in Denver?
For most Denver-area homeowners, complete house rewiring typically ranges from $8,000 to $20,000, with the average project costing around $12,000 to $15,000. Breaking this down further, you can expect to pay approximately $4 to $8 per square foot for rewiring, though this varies based on several factors we'll discuss below.
A typical 1,500 square foot home in neighborhoods like Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, or Aurora might cost $6,000 to $12,000 to rewire completely. Larger homes over 2,500 square feet can easily reach $15,000 to $25,000 or more, especially if they have multiple stories or complex layouts.
These estimates include labor, materials, and basic electrical components, but additional work like electrical panel upgrades, permit fees, and wall repairs can increase the total project cost.
Key Factors That Affect Rewiring Costs
Understanding what drives rewiring costs helps you anticipate what you'll actually pay for your specific situation.
Home Size and Layout
Larger homes require more wiring, more outlets, and more labor hours. A single-story ranch-style home is generally less expensive to rewire than a multi-level home where electricians must route wiring vertically between floors. The more complex your home's layout, the higher your rewiring costs.
Age and Current Wiring Type
Older Denver homes built before 1970 often have outdated wiring systems that present unique challenges. If your home has knob-and-tube wiring or aluminum wiring, removal adds time and complexity to the project. These antiquated systems weren't designed for modern electrical loads and lack proper grounding, making them fire hazards that require complete replacement rather than simple updates.
Accessibility of Existing Wiring
Homes with accessible attics, basements, or crawl spaces allow electricians to route new wiring more easily, reducing labor time and costs. However, many Front Range homes lack these features or have finished basements and attics, requiring electricians to open walls and ceilings to access wiring routes. This additional work increases both labor hours and the scope of repairs needed after electrical work is complete.
Electrical Panel Upgrades
If your home still has a 60-amp or 100-amp electrical panel, you'll likely need an upgrade to a 200-amp panel to meet current electrical code requirements and handle modern electrical demands. Panel upgrades typically add $1,500 to $3,500 to your project cost, but they're often necessary for older homes undergoing rewiring.
What's Included in Rewiring Costs?
A complete rewiring project involves several components beyond just pulling new wire through your walls:
Labor costs represent the largest portion of your total expense, typically 50-70% of the project. Licensed electricians in Denver charge between $70 and $120 per hour depending on their experience level and the project's complexity. A full home rewiring usually requires several days to a week of work.
Materials and supplies include copper wiring (the current industry standard), electrical boxes, outlets, switches, and circuit breakers. While basic materials are included in most quotes, upgrading to premium outlets, USB-equipped receptacles, or smart switches increases costs by 10-20%.
Permits and inspections are required by Denver building codes and typically cost $75 to $300. Licensed electricians handle permit acquisition and schedule required inspections to ensure all work meets current safety standards.
Wall and ceiling repairs often fall outside the electrician's scope of work. After routing new wiring, you'll need to patch and repair the access holes created during installation. Depending on whether you have drywall or plaster walls, repair costs can add $500 to $2,000 or more to your project.
When Does Your Denver Home Need Rewiring?
Not every older home requires complete rewiring. However, certain warning signs indicate it's time for a professional electrical assessment:
Frequent circuit breaker trips suggest your electrical system is overloaded or experiencing faults. Flickering or dimming lights throughout your home often indicate loose connections or inadequate wiring. Discolored or warm outlets signal dangerous overheating that requires immediate attention. If you notice a burning smell near outlets or your electrical panel, shut off power and call an electrician immediately.
Additionally, if your home was built before 1970 and has never had electrical updates, rewiring should be a priority. Older wiring systems weren't designed for today's electrical demands and lack modern safety features required by current electrical codes.
Partial Rewiring: A Cost-Effective Alternative
Complete house rewiring isn't always necessary. In some cases, updating specific areas makes more practical and financial sense.
Kitchen rewiring typically costs $1,500 to $3,500 because kitchens require dedicated circuits for major appliances, GFCI outlets near water sources, and additional capacity for modern kitchen electronics. Bathroom rewiring runs $1,000 to $2,000 and includes GFCI protection required by Colorado electrical code.
Adding circuits for specific rooms or upgrading individual circuits to handle higher electrical loads can address immediate concerns while staying within a tighter budget. A licensed electrician can assess your home and recommend whether targeted updates or complete rewiring makes more sense for your situation.
Why Proper Rewiring Is Worth the Investment
While rewiring represents a significant expense, it's an investment in your home's safety, functionality, and value. Updated electrical systems reduce fire risk, improve energy efficiency, and provide the capacity to power modern appliances and electronics without overloading circuits.
Rewiring also increases your home's resale value. Potential buyers view updated electrical systems as a major selling point, eliminating concerns about electrical safety and future upgrade costs. Many home inspectors flag outdated wiring as a significant issue that can derail sales or reduce offers.
Perhaps most importantly, proper rewiring provides peace of mind. You won't worry about electrical fires, you won't deal with frequent breaker trips, and you'll have confidence that your electrical system is safe and code-compliant.
Getting Accurate Rewiring Estimates
Because every home is different, the best way to understand your specific rewiring costs is through a professional electrical assessment. Reputable electricians inspect your current wiring, evaluate your electrical panel, discuss your needs, and provide detailed written estimates that break down labor, materials, and additional costs.
When requesting estimates, ask specific questions about the electrician's licensing, insurance, and experience with rewiring projects similar to yours. Verify that estimates include permit costs and understand which aspects of wall repair are included versus what you'll need to handle separately.
Professional Rewiring Services in Denver and the Front Range
Concerned about your home's electrical wiring? Deuce Electric's licensed electricians provide comprehensive rewiring services and electrical assessments throughout Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Thornton, Westminster, Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Englewood, Littleton, and the entire Front Range.
Whether you need a full home rewiring or targeted electrical updates, our experienced team delivers quality craftsmanship and code-compliant installations with transparent pricing and guaranteed workmanship. Contact us today for a professional electrical assessment and honest pricing for your rewiring project.
