Cost to Rewire a House in San Diego (2026 Estimates)
Rewiring a San Diego home runs anywhere from $4 to $12 per square foot depending on whether walls are open, what era the existing wiring is, and how much knob-and-tube or aluminum branch wire is still in service.
Rewiring is one of the few electrical projects where price varies wildly depending on conditions. Walls open during a remodel? Cheap. Finished plaster walls in a 1940s Mission Hills bungalow? Significantly more, because every fish involves cutting drywall and patching.
2026 rewire cost by scope (San Diego)
| Scope | Typical $/sq ft | 1,500 sq ft home |
|---|---|---|
| Walls open (during remodel) | $3 – $6 | $4,500 – $9,000 |
| Finished walls — partial rewire | $5 – $9 | $7,500 – $13,500 |
| Finished walls — full rewire | $7 – $12 | $10,500 – $18,000 |
| Knob-and-tube replacement | $8 – $14 | $12,000 – $21,000 |
| Aluminum branch wiring replacement | $6 – $10 | $9,000 – $15,000 |
Most San Diego rewires also include a panel upgrade, GFCI/AFCI replacement, smoke and CO detector hardwiring, and an updated grounding system — all of which the inspector will require to bring the work to current code.
When you actually need to rewire
- —Knob-and-tube wiring (pre-1950 homes) — insurance carriers refuse coverage
- —Aluminum branch wiring (1965–1973 homes) — fire risk at terminations
- —Cloth-insulated wire that crumbles when you flex it
- —Two-prong outlets throughout (no ground)
- —Flickering lights, warm switch plates, burning smell
- —Major addition or ADU — existing service can't handle the load
What's included in a proper rewire
- 01Whole-home assessment + load calculation
- 02Permit pulled with the relevant jurisdiction
- 03New 12 AWG or 14 AWG copper Romex throughout
- 04Updated panel with AFCI/GFCI/dual-function breakers per NEC 2023
- 05Tamper-resistant outlets in living spaces
- 06Hardwired, interconnected smoke + CO detectors
- 07All splices in accessible junction boxes (no buried splices)
- 08Final city inspection + sign-off
How long it takes
For a typical 1,500 sq ft single-story San Diego home with finished walls, plan on 5 to 10 working days plus drywall repair. Open-wall rewires during a remodel often finish in 2 to 4 days.
Quick answers, straight up.
How much does it cost to rewire a house in San Diego?
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Most San Diego rewires run $7 to $12 per square foot for a full rewire of a home with finished walls. A 1,500 sq ft home typically lands between $10,500 and $18,000 including permit, panel upgrade, and new code-compliant outlets, detectors, and grounding.
Does insurance require rewiring of knob-and-tube?
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Most major California carriers will not write a new policy on a home with active knob-and-tube wiring, and many will non-renew existing policies. Replacement is effectively required to keep coverage.
How long does a whole-home rewire take?
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A typical 1,500 sq ft single-story San Diego home with finished walls takes 5 to 10 working days, plus drywall repair. Open-wall rewires during a remodel often finish in 2 to 4 days.
Is aluminum wiring dangerous?
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Aluminum branch wiring (common in homes built 1965 to 1973) is prone to loose connections at outlets and switches due to thermal expansion. Loose connections heat up and can ignite. Either fully replace or — at minimum — install AlumiConn or COPALUM connectors at every termination.
