True Cost Guide Electrical Install Electrical Wiring or Panel

How Much Does Electrical Wiring Installation Cost?

Typical Range:

$554 - $2,297

Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 8,395 HomeAdvisor members. Embed this data

How We Get This Data

Homeowners use HomeAdvisor to find pros for home projects.

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When their projects are done, they fill out a short cost survey.

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We compile the data and report costs back to you.

Updated March 14, 2022

Reviewed by Salvatore Cutrona, Licensed Master Electrician.

Written by HomeAdvisor.

It costs between $554 and $2,297 to install new electrical wiring. It's roughly half the cost of rewiring your home. That's because it's far easier to add electrical wires to a new build than to add wiring to an existing structure with finished walls. The average cost for rewiring includes the cost of wires, outlets, panels, switches, labor, and miscellaneous supplies.

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National Average	$1,412
Typical Range	$554 - $2,297
Low End - High End	$125 - $5,000

Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 8,395 HomeAdvisor members.

Estimating Electrical Wiring Installation Prices

Many variables make up the final price of your wiring project and, with new construction and remodeling projects, the wiring layout is often customized to the needs of the homeowner. When budgeting for this project, here are some typical costs to consider.

Materials

Materials are the smaller part of the project price. You’ll need to gather wiring, of course, but also outlets and light switches.

Wiring costs as little as $0.20 per linear foot.
Outlets cost $3 to $5 for a standard 120V, 15-amp model, while smart outlets cost between $30 and $50 per unit.
Light switches cost $5 to $15 per unit.

The cost of an electrical panel varies based on amperage, as follows:

100 amps: $50–$200
200 amps: $50–$200
400 amps: $400–$500

Labor

Labor makes up the bulk of the cost of any electrical wiring project because it's a time-consuming process and requires a registered electrician with a high degree of skill. Hiring an electrician costs $40 to $100 per hour. While it may only take a couple of hours to install wiring and an outlet or two in a small addition, wiring a full room, including roughing in and finishing, can take up to two days.

Permits

More than likely, your contractors will gather the required electrical permits for wiring projects as part of your remodeling or new construction project. Still, it's worth checking you're covered and the work you're doing is up to code. The permits you need and how much they cost depend entirely on where you live, but, in general, you can expect to pay between $250 and $500.

Buffer

Having a buffer in your budget is critical. Even with a new installation, you never know what issues might crop up that require more money to fix. It's a good idea to have between 10 and 15% of the project total as a buffer against unforeseen problems and expenses.

Cost to Install Electrical Wiring by Wire Type

There are nine types of electrical wiring commonly used in new installations, and they vary in price from $0.20 to $2.00 per linear foot, so you can see that the type of wire you need can have a significant impact on the total cost of your wiring project.

Type of Cable	Cost Range per Linear Foot (Materials Only)	Average Cost per Linear Foot (Materials Only)
Multi-Conductor	$0.20 – $0.35	$0.27
Shielded Twisted Pair	$0.20 – $0.35	$0.27
Coaxial Cable	$0.25 – $0.35	$0.30
Direct Buried	$0.40 – $0.50	$0.45
Metallic Sheathed BX/AC	$0.50 – $0.70	$0.60
Underground Feeder	$0.50 – $0.70	$0.60
Twin-Lead	$0.60 – $0.80	$0.70
Non-Metallic Sheathed	$0.60 – $0.80	$0.70
Ribbon	$1.50 – $2.00	$1.75

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Electrical Wiring Price by Square Foot

You'll pay between $3 and $5 per square foot to install new wiring. This price includes all materials and labor, including adding a new panel, wires, outlets, switches, drywall finishing, and other related tasks. The table below shows you some common property sizes and how much it typically costs to install new wiring in each.

Square Footage	Total Cost	Average Total Cost
800 sq. ft.	$2,400 – $4,000	$3,200
1,000 sq. ft.	$3,000 – $5,000	$4,000
1,300 sq. ft.	$3,900 – $6,500	$5,200
1,600 sq. ft.	$4,800 – $8,000	$6,000
2,000 sq. ft.	$6,000 – $10,000	$8,000
2,500 sq. ft.	$7,500 – $12,500	$10,000
3,000 sq. ft.	$9,000 – $15,000	$12,000

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Electrical work, in most states, must be completed by registered professionals. Plus, you have to submit thorough and detailed plans and diagrams and pass an electrical inspection once finished. It's not really feasible to install electrical wiring yourself unless you're a registered pro.

If you want to save money, consider hiring a local electrician for the wiring, but complete the finishing work yourself, like hanging drywall and cleaning up. Tackling aspects of this project on your own can help cut down on the time and labor charges.

FAQs About Electrical Wiring Installation

How much does an electrical inspection cost?

Electrical inspections cost between $125 and $250.

How long does it take a qualified electrician to wire a new house?

On average, it takes an electrician about a week to install new wiring in a 2,000-square-foot property, including wiring, panels, outlets, switches, and appliances.

How long will the wiring in my house last?

How long the new wiring in your house will last depends on the type of wire and how well your electrician installed it. Properly installed copper wiring can last more than 100 years.

How much does it cost to rewire a house?

Rewiring a house costs $6 to $10 per square foot. Most people pay between $12,000 and $20,000 for a full house rewiring project. It costs more to retrofit or replace wiring than to add new wiring in new construction because you’ll need to remove old wires have to be removed and open up walls, which is more labor-intensive.