I have a 60 year old house that needs a full rewire. I'm going to hire an electrical contractor but want to get an idea about costing. From what I've read, he will charge me by the "opening" (switches, outlets, fixtures). I have 35 openings and I want to add about 4 new circuits. I already have a breaker box installed.

What should the cost "by the opening" cover? I assume labor, but does it include new switches? New outlets? Circuits? New wire? Just want to see what kind of total I might be looking at so I can plan the financial end.

Thanks!!!

 

If you find an electrician that will do this by the opening, by all means hire him. As a rule, rewires tend to be bid as strictly time and material. It's hard to tell how long or involved a projet like yours will get, so most contractors shy away from hard prices to avoid the financial risk.

As to what it should cost, that depends on what area of the country you live in. In the Chicago area, such work normally goes for about $85 per hour plus material plus travel. In Milwaukee, the figure is closer to $55 per hour plus material. Your area may be cheaper still, or more costly.

Incidentally, if a contractor qoutes you a per opening price, that includes labor and materials. The price is for one complete and functioning opening.

Another point to consider is intrusive work. Your electrician will most likely have to open your walls and ceilings to complete this job. Look for a contractor that specalizes in remodeling. They have more experience in this area and generally cause a lot less damage to the plaster. Also make sure you know ahead of time, on the contract, who will be responsible for wall and ceiling patches (as a rule, the homeowner usually is.)

I also must stress, when hiring an electrician make sure he is fully qualified. Ask for a license (if your state or locality has a licensing program.) Make sure he is insured. If possible, ask your friends and aquantences for recommendations.

 

For instance, in 2000 I had a 1939 house rewired and a panel upgrade to 200 amps. Installed 30 new outlets and balanced the distribution on the old circuits, traced and identified all the old circuits. All work was done on a crawl space, single story, wood-frame. $3000.

I found it quite difficult to get anyone to come look at the job . I suppose because nobody wants to work on old buildings.

Hope this helps.

 

So, I got an estimate from this electrician. I have knob and tube wiring and there will be a lot of holes in my walls due to the construction method used in the framing. Luckily, I'm replacing the siding in the next few months also so he can go in from outside on those walls. He says it will take approx 2 days of 10 hours work for himself, a journeyman and an assistant. The price would be $75 per opening and for each new circuit added (4 total). Patching is my responsibility.

I live in Southern California and this electrician is from a referral of a co-worker. I am curious though now, since CSelectric said $85 an hour. That would come to approx $1700 as opposed to the $2925 that I was quoted. Am I getting ripped off????

 

You are getting a crew of three people, so they are estimating 60 man hours, not 20.

 

Correct you are brick. 60 (man hours) x 75 (per hour) = 4500.00

Or (being one is an assistant (charged at half rate) 50x75 = 3750.00


Either way, it works out to be a pretty fair deal for you. Which is usually the case when you get this kind of work done on contract.

Also note (and this note should be headed by everyone.) I qouted a relatively normal price in the Chicago market. That should never be construed as anything other than an example. Your area may, and likely does, very greatly.