Many older homes in the Colorado area will eventually need to be rewired for safety, code-compliance and convenience for the homeowner.
If you are one of those homeowners who needs a whole-home rewiring, you’re probably wondering about cost. In the Colorado area, you can expect to pay anywhere from $15,000 to over $50,000 to completely rewire your home.
Keep in mind that your overall cost will be determined by a handful of factors, including:
- The size of your home
- The method of rewiring needed (repair vs full replace)
- Whether your electrical panel needs upgrading
- The contractor you choose
We’ll explain exactly how each factor above will impact your overall rewiring cost.
Want a professional to inspect your home and give you a down-to-the-penny price quote for your whole-home rewiring project? Call Cooper. Our electricians have rewired hundreds of Colorado homes and provide free estimates along with flexible financing to get the job done.
Cost factor #1: The size of your home
Simply put, the larger your home, the more it will cost to rewire.
That’s because larger homes have more wiring that needs to be repaired or removed/replaced. And the more work that needs to be done, the more you’ll pay in labor and material costs.
Keep in mind that if your home has multiple stories, this will also increase your cost. Typically, running wire up and down multiple stories is tedious and increases labor costs.
Cost factor #2: The rewiring method used
If your home has aluminum wiring, electricians will typically choose between 1 of the following 2 rewiring methods:
- Repair
- Remove and replace
The cheaper option here is to repair the current wiring. When repairing aluminum wiring, electricians will attach a short section of copper cable to the end of the aluminum wire at every connection point (outlets, dimmers, switches, junction boxes, etc.) in your home. This process is called “pigtailing” and is a completely safe alternative to removing and replacing all wiring in the home.
Removing all aluminum wiring and replacing it with copper wiring is the more expensive option because it will require cutting holes into walls and, in some cases, removing walls completely.
However, not all homeowners have a choice in which rewiring method is used. If the aluminum wiring in their home is particularly outdated and unsafe, repairing via “pigtailing” may not be an option.
Cost factor #3: Whether your electrical panel needs upgrading
If your home’s electrical panel needs to be upgraded, you can expect your overall price to increase by at least $2,500.
In most cases, a whole-home rewiring project will necessitate a main electrical panel upgrade. That’s because older homes with older wiring usually have outdated electrical panels that can no longer keep up with the home’s electrical needs.
For example, many older homes in the Colorado area that need to be rewired also have 100-amp electrical panels. And some homes (especially those built before the 1960s) only have 60-amp panels.
The NEC (National Electric Code) requires that homes today have at least a 100-amp panel but most homes actually need 150- to 200-amp panels to fully power all of the electronics.
Cost factor #4: The contractor you choose
Electricians with more experience will charge higher rates than those with less qualifications and experience.
Although it may be tempting to pick a cheaper contractor, we strongly suggest that you not make price your deciding factor. Instead, make sure that you’re picking a qualified and licensed electrician who has experience specifically in whole-home rewiring jobs.
Going with an electrician who has more experience (vs picking one with the lowest bid) will ensure that your home is rewired correctly and safely, which will save you time and money in the long run and guarantee your family’s safety.
Our tips for choosing the right electrician for your whole-home rewiring project:
- Ask to see a copy of the electrician’s Colorado license as well as proof of insurance
- Choose an electrician with either a Journeyman or Master’s license
- Confirm that the electrician has performed multiple whole-home rewiring jobs in the past 2-5 years
- Ask for the electrician to provide an upfront quote in writing
Need a quote for your whole-home rewiring? Call Cooper
Cooper has rewired hundreds of Colorado homes and can help rewire your home too.
Our electricians are licensed and certified to perform whole-home rewires and can handle any wiring issues you may have. We start every project with an in-home consultation so that we can inspect the current wiring then offer an upfront price in writing—before any work is done.
Plus, our team makes your whole-home wiring project stress-free and affordable with flexible financing options.
Luke Cooper is the General Manager of the Cooper Green team and son of Gary Cooper, owner and CEO of Cooper HVAC. After years in the field, Luke took his talents to management and has helped thousands of Colorado homeowners during hot summers and frigid winters. His decade of experience in the field and guiding the company makes him one of the most knowledgeable individuals in Colorado on HVAC, plumbing, electrical and other home services.
