# Rewiring a house? Cost? NOW WITH DIY **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [March 30, 2012, 4:12am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rewiring-a-house-cost-now-with-diy/221671 "2012-03-30T04:12:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 4:12am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rewiring-a-house-cost-now-with-diy/221671/1 "2012-03-30T04:12:46Z")
Wondering what the cost would be to rewire a house ~1200sqft? The house I’m looking at doesn’t have grounded outlets. While I’m sure I could just toss some recepticals in, I was told to do it the right way you’d need to replace. ---
**Author:** ![Anonymity](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/anonymity/32/7215_2.png) [@Anonymity](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Anonymity)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 4:36am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rewiring-a-house-cost-now-with-diy/221671/2 "2012-03-30T04:36:00Z")
Tpgsr will be your best source for this information. ---
**Author:** ![tpgsr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/tpgsr/32/7374_2.png) [@tpgsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/tpgsr)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 5:43am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rewiring-a-house-cost-now-with-diy/221671/3 "2012-03-30T05:43:32Z")
No you can not just toss some receptacles in because they wouldn’t actually be grounded and thus a fire hazard. Questions: One or two story If two story is there access to the attic Breakers or fuses existing If Breakers is the panel in good shape and has space for at least 20 breakers Is the service entrance wire in good visible condition Number of receptacles that need replacing Are there lights wired to switches or are most of the lights stand alone I have other questions but this is the basic stuff you need to know. Also be aware that once you start making changes code now requires tamper resistant receptacles as well as hard wired Smoke/CO2 Alarms. This is not a huge adder, but it is about $.80 per receptacle and several hundred for the smokes. ---
**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 5:53am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rewiring-a-house-cost-now-with-diy/221671/4 "2012-03-30T05:53:00Z")
- Two Story House - Access to the attic is actually pretty good - Breakers (but looks like kinda older box) - Looks to be - All receipticles, I figure probably 40 maybe?! - Basement ones are on pull chains, the rest on switches In the process of buying this house. ---
**Author:** ![Spam16v](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/spam16v/32/5287_2.png) [@Spam16v](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Spam16v)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 6:00am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rewiring-a-house-cost-now-with-diy/221671/5 "2012-03-30T06:00:20Z")
I had all 2 prong outlets, I replaced the with 3 as I had the ground wire available. Everything was 14/2 & they grounded the metal enclosures. Pull a device & look. ---
**Author:** ![97FormulaWS-6](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/97formulaws-6/32/7384_2.png) [@97FormulaWS-6](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/97FormulaWS-6)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 6:02am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rewiring-a-house-cost-now-with-diy/221671/6 "2012-03-30T06:02:19Z")
Is this something you’re looking to do yourself or have someone do? I’d say, very shot from the hip, $500-$1000 in materials (TPGSR can give a slightly better estimate I’d imagine) if you’re doing it yourself. If you’re having someone do the work, I’d say you’re easily looking $3-$5k. When my dad had just his main panel in his house replaced/upgraded (Older Cuttler/hammer (?) style, now Square D) it was $800. I’m looking at having the service upgraded and main feed panel replaced on a house out here, and it $1000-$1200. ---
**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 6:10am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rewiring-a-house-cost-now-with-diy/221671/7 "2012-03-30T06:10:50Z")
If it’s pulling the wire and such, I wouldn’t be comfortable doing it myself. Replacing receptacles is fine. I could definitely help whoever was doing it though, even though my electrical knowledge is nil. ---
**Author:** ![jay\_g](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jay_g/32/111288_2.png) [@jay\_g](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jay_g)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 6:37am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rewiring-a-house-cost-now-with-diy/221671/8 "2012-03-30T06:37:19Z")
I upgraded to a 200amp service at my house, big ass panel, breakers, new wire to house connection, new ground, meter box, and hard wired smoke detector. Cost me around $900 for materials, my brother is a licensed electrician. NYSEG ran new wire from pole and a new meter. ---
**Author:** ![llink78](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/llink78/32/8037_2.png) [@llink78](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/llink78)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 6:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rewiring-a-house-cost-now-with-diy/221671/9 "2012-03-30T06:50:13Z")
also depending on what town, city your in there are a lot of programs to help pay for stuff like that or insulation new roofs siding. you should look around and research b4 you pull the trigger and hire someone ---
**Author:** ![tpgsr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/tpgsr/32/7374_2.png) [@tpgsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/tpgsr)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 6:51am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rewiring-a-house-cost-now-with-diy/221671/10 "2012-03-30T06:51:25Z")
Estimates (real rough without seeing) 40 Receptacles & old work boxes - $100 10 Switches & boxes - $22 500’ 12/2 romex (14/2 can be used if you want) - $160 14/3 romex for somkes/CO2 - $75.00 Breaker Panel, Breakers (including GFCI/AFCI), Connectors - $250 Smokes / CO2 - $120 Misc GFCI (assuming 5-6) - $57 Laundry Room (must be separate circuits) - $20 - if electric dryer $100 Is there a gas or electric range? There is also the need for some lumber in the attic to build a race way to meet wire protection code - $40 So, Rough Material estimate is about $1000 but could easily hit $1500 if there are special areas to be wired or numerous 3 way switches. Labor is somewhere around a solid 40 hours but again I would not use this as an exact without determining how hard pulling wires will be. Assume $2000 Overall you are looking at an easy $3000 - $4000 and that is not including changing out the meter and the service entrance wire. If this is in the city there is a $150 permit charge and I pay a $150 usage charge for access to a license. You really only need to pull a permit if the meter and the service entrance are getting changed as they will not know that the work was done otherwise and you can always say “it was like this when I bought it” ---
**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 7:27am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rewiring-a-house-cost-now-with-diy/221671/11 "2012-03-30T07:27:03Z")
Depending on what website you look at it’s in the Town of Tonwanda, Buffalo, Kenmore. On the contract it’s ToT. Right now the Range is electric but, I want to switch that to gas (about 10’ of pipe and a hole in the floor is all I need). Would you be willing to do this down the road? ---
**Author:** ![1QIKZ](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/1qikz/32/6112_2.png) [@1QIKZ](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/1QIKZ)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 8:15am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rewiring-a-house-cost-now-with-diy/221671/12 "2012-03-30T08:15:49Z")
Check with local building department. Most allow wireless interconnected smoke/co2 for remodel applications. Product cost is more but may offset labor costs of a hardwired system. ---
**Author:** ![Joehip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@Joehip](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Joehip)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 10:03am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rewiring-a-house-cost-now-with-diy/221671/13 "2012-03-30T10:03:30Z")
I hired a contractor to do this for me in 2010 for $3000. Materials included about 20 receptacles, 15 switches, 6 ceiling outlets, wire, breakers, and all other materials needed for the job. They ran new wire from my box in the basement, up to my attic and dropped the lines down through the walls. The made new outlet locations rather than using the existing…all the original knob and tube stuff they just left as is. I know the cost of copper has gone up since then so I would say 3500 - 4000 would be a good baseline to estimate. Make some calls, get some quotes. Doesn’t cost you anything and then you will know for sure. ---
**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 10:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rewiring-a-house-cost-now-with-diy/221671/14 "2012-03-30T10:32:28Z")
Here’s another question…Can I do one room at a time? ---
**Author:** ![tpgsr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/tpgsr/32/7374_2.png) [@tpgsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/tpgsr)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 11:07am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rewiring-a-house-cost-now-with-diy/221671/15 "2012-03-30T11:07:41Z")
> [@ProgRocker](#): > > Here’s another question…Can I do one room at a time? Yes. I have done mine one room at a time as I gut and rebuild. I did my panel then ran my homeruns up to the attic and have been taping off of it each time i do a room. It works well if you are doing all the work yourself. Joehip basically said the same thing I did in much less space which adds to my confidence on my rough number. I would be willing to help you out or just do the job. I need to check my license status in Tonawanda though (if you decide to pull a permit) ---------- Post added at 02:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:04 PM ---------- > [@1QIKZ](#): > > Check with local building department. Most allow wireless interconnected smoke/co2 for remodel applications. Product cost is more but may offset labor costs of a hardwired system. Truth. I was estimating based on the city of buffalo. You still need to have 14/2 or 12/2 to power them, but it does not have to be woven all over the house to interconnect them. Just saves a bit on wire and labor. Material cost about doubles though. ---
**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 11:19am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rewiring-a-house-cost-now-with-diy/221671/16 "2012-03-30T11:19:22Z")
Like I said, my electrical knowledge is nil. But I could help pull wire, splicing, punching down…w/e. Does it matter which floor you start with as far as ease-of-installation? The upstairs drywall needs to be taken down and would mean easier electrical access (I’m assuming), but that might be something I do later. ---
**Author:** ![drvnkd](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/drvnkd/32/109615_2.png) [@drvnkd](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/drvnkd)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 12:33pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rewiring-a-house-cost-now-with-diy/221671/17 "2012-03-30T12:33:07Z")
Why would anyone put CO2 monitors in their holmes? ---
**Author:** ![1QIKZ](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/1qikz/32/6112_2.png) [@1QIKZ](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/1QIKZ)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 4:02pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rewiring-a-house-cost-now-with-diy/221671/18 "2012-03-30T16:02:31Z")
> [@tpgsr](#): > > Yes. I have done mine one room at a time as I gut and rebuild. I did my panel then ran my homeruns up to the attic and have been taping off of it each time i do a room. It works well if you are doing all the work yourself. > > Joehip basically said the same thing I did in much less space which adds to my confidence on my rough number. I would be willing to help you out or just do the job. I need to check my license status in Tonawanda though (if you decide to pull a permit) > > ---------- Post added at 02:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:04 PM ---------- > > Truth. I was estimating based on the city of buffalo. You still need to have 14/2 or 12/2 to power them, but it does not have to be woven all over the house to interconnect them. Just saves a bit on wire and labor. Material cost about doubles though. Not so. They are battery powered, hence the saving in wiring cost. Battery, program, lick and stick. ---
**Author:** ![Carbonfiberhooded](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/carbonfiberhooded/32/7608_2.png) [@Carbonfiberhooded](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Carbonfiberhooded)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 7:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rewiring-a-house-cost-now-with-diy/221671/19 "2012-03-30T19:08:40Z")
Replacing ungrounded 2 prong receptacles with Grounded 3 prong receptacles without actually grounding them is against code. You can replace like with like, run a grounded conductor to each receptacle and put the 3 prongs in, or your other option is to replace the 2 prongs with GFCI. Those are the only ways to upgrade receps while following code. CO2 and smokes are also becoming required in many cities and townships if you upgrade any part of the electrical. If you call for a permit, the inspector will make you install a minimum of a smoke in every bedroom, and a CO2 on every level. ---
**Author:** ![tpgsr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/tpgsr/32/7374_2.png) [@tpgsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/tpgsr)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 7:19pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rewiring-a-house-cost-now-with-diy/221671/20 "2012-03-30T19:19:27Z")
> [@Carbonfiberhooded](#): > > Replacing ungrounded 2 prong receptacles with Grounded 3 prong receptacles without actually grounding them is against code. You can replace like with like, run a grounded conductor to each receptacle and put the 3 prongs in, or your other option is to replace the 2 prongs with GFCI. Those are the only ways to upgrade receps while following code. > > CO2 and smokes are also becoming required in many cities and townships if you upgrade any part of the electrical. If you call for a permit, the inspector will make you install a minimum of a smoke in every bedroom, and a CO2 on every level. Truth. They are also starting to force the AFCI for bedrooms (soon to be “all living spaces” in the new code book) [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rewiring-a-house-cost-now-with-diy/221671.md?page=2)