How much does it cost to rewire a house in Virginia?

A whole-house rewire in Virginia is priced job by job, so be wary of any single per-house number quoted without seeing your house. What you can know in advance is what drives the price, what the permit costs where you live, and what a complete quote should list. That lets you compare bids on equal terms.

What drives the price

A rewire quote usually turns on a handful of things: the size of the house, how much of the wiring is replaced, how easy it is to reach the walls and ceilings, how many outlets and switches are added, and whether the panel or service is upgraded. Because those vary so much from house to house, the way to find your number is to get quotes. It is advisable to get at least three written bids or estimates using identical plans and specifications,^[5] so the prices can be compared.

Access. A single-storey house over an open basement can often be wired from below and above with a few small openings. A two-storey house with plaster walls, finished attic rooms and no basement generally takes more labour.

Scope. A full rewire replaces every branch circuit. A partial rewire might replace only the oldest circuits, or add new circuits for the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry while leaving sound wiring in place. Aluminum branch-circuit wiring has another route: CPSC calls full replacement with copper the best method, but for many homes it is impractical or prohibitively expensive.^[6] Instead, repairing every aluminum connection with a CPSC-recommended method is an alternative to full replacement with copper.^[6]

The panel and service. Some old houses need a larger service or a new panel to carry new circuits. It is usually priced as its own line.

Wall repair. Openings at outlets, switches, ceiling boxes and framing crossings need patching and paint. Some electricians include it; others do not.

Lead paint. In a house built before 1978, EPA's lead rule means anyone paid to do work that disturbs painted surfaces has to be certified in lead-safe work practices.^[7] The rule does not cover minor repair and maintenance, which includes electrical work that disturbs 6 square feet or less of painted surface per room indoors,^[8] as long as no painted surfaces are demolished and no prohibited work practices are used, and jobs in the same room within 30 days count as one job when working out whether that limit is met.^[8] Ask each bidder how much painted surface they expect to open in each room, whether their firm, or the patching contractor, is lead-safe certified, and whether containment and cleanup are in the price.

Permit fees: a local example

Virginia's building code says a permit is required before work starts on electric wiring,^[2] and each city or county sets its own fees. In Montgomery County, when we checked on October 26, 2026, a residential electrical trade permit was $0.03 per square foot of gross building area, with a $45 minimum.^[1] Gross building area there counts every floor, including the basement.^[1] On a 2,000-square-foot house that works out to $60.

A residential service upgrade was a flat $75, and a re-inspection $50.^[1] The county adds a 2% Virginia state levy and a 2% technology fee with a $10 minimum.^[1] Other localities charge differently, so check your own building department's schedule. Either way, the permit is a small part of the total.

What a complete quote should list

Ask every electrician to price the same written scope, and check each quote covers:

• Which rooms and circuits are replaced, and how many new circuits and outlets are added.
• Whether the panel or service is replaced, and its size.
• The permit and inspections, pulled by the contractor.
• Who patches and paints the openings, and to what finish.
• Lead-safe practices for a pre-1978 house.
• How old wiring is disconnected and recorded.
• The schedule, including how long each area will be without power.

Our guide to what rewiring an old house involves explains each stage, which makes the line items easier to judge.

When to call a licensed pro

The quote should come from a licensed electrical business. Virginia defines a tradesman as anyone who does electrical, plumbing or HVAC work for the general public for compensation,^[3] and no individual may work as a tradesman unless licensed.^[4] The contractor should apply for and obtain any necessary building permits.^[5] A quote that leaves the permit to you is a warning sign.

Protect yourself on payment and paperwork. Limit your deposit to 10% down or $1,000, whichever is less.^[5] Virginia law requires all licensed contractors to provide a written contract for residential work.^[5] You can check a contractor's licence on DPOR's record before you sign.

If you have warm outlets, a burning smell or circuits that have stopped working, do not wait for a quote cycle: see the signs a house needs rewiring and call an electrician now.

Get quotes

Browse Loclis electrical services, find electricians in Blacksburg, or read more electrical answers.

Describe your rewiring job and licensed local electricians quote it on the same scope.