How Much Does A Whole-House Rewire Cost In Tacoma? Real Numbers And WhatTo Expect

If you live in an older Pierce County home with aluminum branch circuits, brittle cloth cable, or knob and tube, a whole-home rewire can feel like a big leap. You want clear pricing, an honest scope, and a realistic timeline so

you can plan life around the work. This guide breaks down what a rewire includes, what drives cost in Tacoma, how long it takes, and how to limit disruption while the job gets done safely and to code.

The Short Answer: What A Full Rewire Costs In Tacoma

For most Pierce County homes, a full rewire typically falls between $9 and $18 per square foot. That range reflects local labor, permitting, and the quirks that come with older construction. A 1,200 sq. ft. home could land

around $10,800 to $21,600, while a 2,000 sq. ft. home might come in around $18,000 to $36,000. Homes with plaster walls, finished basements, limited attic access, or heavy patch and paint needs often price toward

the higher end.

Every house is different. Wired Up Electrical Co provides free on-site estimates with up-front pricing so you know your exact number before work starts.

What A Full House Rewire Includes

A true whole-home rewire replaces outdated or unsafe branch wiring and brings your system up to current code. Here is what you should expect in a comprehensive scope:

New branch circuits and home runs from the panel to outlets, lights, and switches, sized and protected correctly.

Removal or bypass of hazardous wiring methods such as knob and tube, cloth-insulated cable, or hacked splices.

New receptacles, switches, and tamper-resistant outlets where required, with proper box fill and grounding.

Required AFCI and GFCI protection in applicable rooms, plus smoke and CO alarm circuits brought to current standards.

Grounding and bonding corrections as needed; older homes often need updated grounding to water and gas piping and ground rods.

Labeling and documentation, permit, and inspection sign-off.

Optional panel upgrade if capacity or condition requires it. Many older homes also need a 200A service to support modern loads. If your home shows signs like frequent trips or dimming when big appliances run,

ask about a tacoma panel upgrade during your estimate.

What Drives Cost In Pierce County Homes

Rewire pricing is not only about square footage. Local homes in Tacoma, University Place, and Gig Harbor were built in different eras with different materials, so these factors matter:

Size and number of circuits. Larger homes and more dedicated circuits raise labor and material.

Access. Clear attic space, crawlspace height, and open framing speed up pulls. Tight crawls, low attics, or full insulation slow things down.

Wall and ceiling finishes. Lath and plaster, tile backsplashes, and built-ins make fishing wires harder and can add patching.

Panel condition and location. If the existing panel is undersized or in a non-compliant spot, a panel replacement may be part of the scope.

Repair and finish expectations. Some homeowners prefer minimal holes and plan their own drywall and paint. Others want turnkey electrical plus wall repair.

Add-ons. New lighting layouts, extra exterior outlets, EV-ready circuits, and surge protection add cost but also long-term value.

Do You Have To Remove Drywall?

Not usually. In many Tacoma homes, skilled electricians can fish new wiring through attics, crawlspaces, and closets with only small, strategic access holes. Expect some patching around tricky runs such as stairwells,

plaster-on-masonry walls, or tight ceiling bays. If your house has extensive plaster or limited access, plan for more repair time. During your estimate, we will point out where holes are likely and discuss patch options.

Can You Live In The Home During A Rewire?

In most cases, yes. Many homeowners stay in place with some planning:

Phased work. We can rewire and re-energize sections in stages so you always have essential power.

Temporary lighting and outlets. Safe temporary circuits keep refrigerators, internet equipment, and key rooms usable.

Work hours and dust control. Weekday work, sealed work areas, plastic zipper walls, floor protection, and daily cleanup help reduce disruption.

Safety first. There will be periods when power is off to parts of the house. Pets should be secured, and we will coordinate clearly each day so you know what to expect.

If anyone in your home relies on powered medical equipment, tell us up front so we can plan temporary power or adjust phases accordingly.

Timeline: From Estimate To Final Inspection

Here is a typical flow for Pierce County rewires:

1. Free on-site estimate and planning walkthrough, 60 to 90 minutes. We map circuits, check access, review panel capacity, and discuss goals.

2. Written scope and up-front price within a few days, including options like panel upgrades, surge protection, and patching levels.

3. Permitting. We pull the electrical permit with the city or state, then schedule start dates and inspections.

4. On-site work. Most full rewires take 5 to 10 working days for an average single-family home. Homes with tough access, plaster, or added lighting may extend to two weeks or more.

5. Inspection and corrections. Inspections are usually same day or next business day. Any corrections are handled promptly.

. Final walkthrough and labeling. You get a tidy panel directory and a clear explanation of what changed.

Ways To Reduce Disruption

Approve a phased schedule for kitchens, bedrooms, and internet areas so you keep day-to-day life moving.

Clear access. Empty closets with panels or junctions, move stored items in attic paths, and make crawlspace entries easy.

Plan paint timing. If you are repainting soon, we can sequence holes to align with your contractor’s schedule.

Combine upgrades. If you expect to add an EV charger or heat pump, doing it during the rewire can save time and labor. If you want to bring wiring up to code in tacoma as part of a remodel plan, let us know

during the estimate so we can include it efficiently.

Does Rewiring Increase Home Value?

Yes, in several ways:

Safety and insurance. Replacing knob and tube or unsafe aluminum branch circuits can improve insurability and may lower risk surcharges.

Inspection ready. When you sell, a recent permitted rewire with labeled circuits and documented grounding is a strong selling point.

Modern capacity. Buyers value homes that support EVs, heat pumps, and home offices without nuisance trips. If your panel is due, pairing the rewire with a capacity upgrade further improves appeal.

Real-World Examples Of Tacoma Pricing

These are typical scenarios we see locally:

1,100 sq. ft. craftsman with accessible attic and crawl, modest circuits, minimal plaster: often $10,000 to $16,000.

1,600 sq. ft. 1940s home with lath and plaster, limited attic access, and a few tiled walls: often $18,000 to $28,000.

2,200 sq. ft. split-level with finished basement and panel relocation: often $24,000 to $38,000, plus panel upgrade if required.

Your number depends on the items covered earlier. That is why a no-obligation site visit is the best way to dial it in.

Straight Answers To Common Questions

How much does it cost to fully rewire a house? In Tacoma and Pierce County, plan for $9 to $18 per square foot, with access and finishes pushing the price up or down.

What does a full house rewire include? New branch circuits, required AFCI and GFCI protection, updated grounding and bonding, replacement devices, labeling, permits, and inspections. Panel work is included if

needed for safety or capacity.

Can a house be rewired without removing drywall? Often yes, using attic and crawl pulls plus small access holes. Plaster or tight framing may require extra openings.

How long does it take an electrician to rewire a house? About 5 to 10 working days for many single-family homes; complex sites may run two weeks or more.

Does rewiring increase home value? Yes, through improved safety, easier insurance, inspection readiness, and modern capacity.

Can you live in a house during rewiring? Yes, with phased work, temporary power to essentials, and daily coordination.

Why Choose Wired Up For Your Tacoma Rewire

Local, licensed, and insured. Washington License WIREDUE758C7.

Clear, up-front pricing with free on-site estimates.

Permitting and inspection management handled for you.

Tidy workmanship with readable labeling and code-compliant protection.

Respect for your routine, with dust control, daily cleanup, and clear communication.

If you are comparing bids or just starting to plan, we are ready to help. Schedule your free on-site estimate and planning walkthrough so you know your exact scope, price, and timeline. If you need a responsive tacoma

electrician for other projects or have urgent issues after hours, we can help there too.

Ready to get started? Call 253-431-2957 or visit wiredupelectricwa.com to book.

Note on service area: We serve Pierce County, including Tacoma, Fircrest, University Place, Lakewood, Gig Harbor, Puyallup, Fox Island, and Steilacoom.

Internal resources you may find helpful:

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bring wiring up to code in tacoma: https://wiredupelectricwa.com/tacoma-wiring-code-compliance

emergency electrician tacoma: https://wiredupelectricwa.com/tacoma-emergency-electrician