Rewiring a house is one of the most significant electrical projects a homeowner can undertake, and it's also one of the most important for safety. I'm Sam from City Power Electrical Services (ECRA/ESA #7015314), and I've rewired homes across the GTA ranging from small bungalows to large century homes. Here's what you need to know about costs in Ontario.
A full house rewire in the Greater Toronto Area typically costs between $8,000 and $20,000 for a standard single-family home. The wide range reflects the enormous variation in home sizes, accessibility, and complexity. Let me break down the factors that determine where your project falls in that range.
Home size is the primary cost driver. A small bungalow (800 to 1,200 square feet) with easy attic and basement access might run $8,000 to $12,000. A two-storey home (1,500 to 2,500 square feet) typically falls in the $12,000 to $18,000 range. A large or multi-level home (2,500+ square feet) can reach $18,000 to $25,000 or more. These ranges include a 200-amp panel upgrade, which is almost always part of a full rewire.
Accessibility is the second major factor. If your home has an unfinished basement and an accessible attic, electricians can run new wiring through these spaces with minimal wall damage. If your home is a finished two-storey with no attic access, the work becomes significantly more invasive and expensive. We need to cut openings in walls, drill through studs and plates, and then patch everything afterward. The drywall repair and painting after a rewire can add $2,000 to $5,000 to the total project cost if you hire those trades separately.
What's included in a full rewire? Replacement of all branch circuit wiring (typically from old 14/2 NMD to modern NMD90 copper). Upgrading all receptacles and switches. Adding arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) breakers as required by the current Ontario Electrical Safety Code. Adding tamper-resistant receptacles as required by code. Upgrading grounding throughout the home. A new 200-amp panel if the existing panel is outdated. New smoke and carbon monoxide detector circuits (hardwired with battery backup as required by the Ontario Building Code). ESA notification, permit, and inspection.
Partial rewiring is an option when only certain areas need attention. For example, if your home has knob-and-tube wiring only in the upper floor, you might rewire just that section for $4,000 to $8,000. Rewiring a kitchen alone — which often needs 7 to 10 dedicated circuits for modern appliances — typically costs $3,000 to $6,000. A basement rewire for a renovation usually runs $3,000 to $7,000 depending on the size and number of circuits.
Here's a cost breakdown by component for a typical full rewire. The panel upgrade runs $3,200 to $4,500. Branch circuit wiring (materials and labour) is $4,000 to $10,000. New receptacles and switches cost $500 to $1,500. AFCI breakers (at $40 to $50 each, required on most bedroom and living area circuits) add $400 to $800. The ESA permit and inspection is $200 to $400 for a full rewire scope. Smoke and CO detector installation runs $300 to $600.
Homes built before 1950 in Toronto often have knob-and-tube wiring, which presents unique challenges. The old wiring must be completely removed or abandoned in place (de-energized and disconnected), and all new wiring must be run. Knob-and-tube removal adds labour because it's often buried in blown insulation in the attic and runs through unpredictable paths in the walls. If your home has knob-and-tube, expect to be at the higher end of the cost range.
Homes built in the 1960s and 1970s may have aluminum wiring, which is a different situation. Aluminum wiring doesn't necessarily need a full rewire — it can often be remediated with approved connectors (COPALUM or AlumiConn) at a fraction of the cost. See my aluminum wiring article for more on that option.
Timeline for a full rewire varies. A small bungalow can be done in 3 to 5 days. A larger two-storey home typically takes 5 to 10 working days. This doesn't include drywall repair and painting, which is usually done by a separate trade after the electrical inspection passes.
One important note about permits. Under Ontario law, all electrical wiring work must be done by a Licensed Electrical Contractor and inspected by the ESA. This is not optional. Unpermitted electrical work can void your home insurance, reduce your home's resale value, and — most importantly — put your family at risk. I've seen plenty of DIY and handyman wiring that was genuinely dangerous. The permit and inspection exist to protect you.
If you're considering a rewire for your GTA home, call City Power Electrical Services at 416-877-3048. We'll do a thorough assessment, explain exactly what needs to be done, and provide a detailed written quote with no hidden costs.