How much does it cost to rewire a 1,500 sq ft house in Ottawa?

Rewiring a 1,500 square foot house in Ottawa typically costs between $8,000 and $15,000, depending on the complexity of the job, accessibility of wiring routes, and specific electrical needs of your home.

The wide price range reflects several factors that significantly impact the final cost. Accessibility is the biggest variable - if your home has an unfinished basement and accessible attic space, the job will be on the lower end of the range. However, if walls need to be opened extensively or if you're dealing with challenging layouts like concrete block construction or multiple stories with limited access, costs can reach the higher end.

What's included in a full rewire covers replacing all the old wiring throughout the house, installing a new electrical panel (usually upgraded to 200 amps), adding sufficient outlets to meet current Ontario Electrical Safety Code requirements, and ensuring all circuits have proper GFCI and AFCI protection where required. Most 1,500 sq ft homes need 15-25 new circuits to properly serve modern electrical loads, including dedicated circuits for major appliances, kitchen countertop outlets, and bathroom requirements.

ESA permits and inspections are mandatory for rewiring work in Ontario, adding approximately $500-800 to your project cost. Your licensed electrician will pull the necessary permits before starting work, and ESA will conduct inspections at rough-in and final stages. This isn't optional - unpermitted electrical work can void your home insurance and create serious safety and resale issues.

The timeline typically runs 3-7 days for most homes, depending on complexity and whether drywall repairs are needed. If you're combining the rewire with a renovation where walls are already open, you'll save significantly on labor costs. However, if the house is finished and lived-in, expect some drywall patching and repainting after the electrical work is complete.

Special considerations that increase costs include knob and tube removal (which requires extra care and often asbestos precautions), aluminum wiring replacement, or upgrading the main service entrance if your current service is inadequate. Homes built before 1950 often have additional challenges that can push costs toward the higher end of the range.

For a detailed estimate on your specific 1,500 sq ft home, Electrical Ottawa offers free consultations where we can assess your current wiring, discuss your electrical needs, and provide an accurate quote based on your home's unique characteristics and your family's electrical requirements.

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