Remodeling? Rewire while the walls are open.
If you're remodeling anyway, the marginal cost of rewiring drops 30-40%. The walls are already accessible. Inspection scope is bundled. This is the cheapest possible moment to do work that's coming eventually.
By Steven Lockhart · Reviewed by Alex Towery, C-10 #989290
Updated 2026-06-16
Rewiring during a remodel is meaningfully cheaper than standalone rewiring — typically 30-40% less because wall opening, patching, and finish work are already in the remodel scope. The timing window is narrow: rough electrical happens after framing is complete and before drywall closes the walls. Coordination with your GC and architect needs to start at the same time as architectural design — not as an afterthought during construction.
01Why the cost drops 30-40%.
Standalone rewiring carries large 'access cost' — opening walls, then patching them. For typical Marin partial rewire, $4,000-$10,000 of the total is wall opening, patching, texture matching, and paint. During a remodel where walls are open anyway for framing changes, plumbing reroutes, or HVAC work, that access cost evaporates. The electrical scope itself (wire runs, boxes, devices, panel) is the same — the savings come entirely from sharing wall access with other trades.
Additional savings: shared mobilization (electricians on-site for remodel rough-in are also there for rewire work), shared permit and inspection (one electrical permit covers both new work and rewire), shared coordination overhead (one set of meetings with GC and inspector). The result is rewire scope that costs $14,000-$28,000 standalone might cost $9,000-$18,000 as part of a remodel — for the same actual electrical work.
02When to start the conversation.
The right time to discuss rewire-during-remodel is at the architectural design phase, not at construction. Why: the architect needs to know about wire routing if any major chases are being created or eliminated, the GC needs to know about electrical scope when bidding the project, and the electrician needs to know about wall opening sequence to plan rough-in efficiently. Three-way conversations between architect, GC, and electrician at design phase produce dramatically better outcomes than electrical-as-afterthought during construction.
We meet with homeowners and architects on remodel projects 4-12 months before construction starts — early enough to influence design decisions, late enough that scope is concrete. The output is a coordinated electrical plan covering both the new construction and any rewire-during scope. Architect gets a clean drawing set, GC gets accurate electrical scope to bid, homeowner gets a single coordinated project rather than two awkwardly-overlapping ones.
03Typical remodel-coordinated scope.
Kitchen remodel + kitchen-area rewire
Replace kitchen circuits, add dedicated appliance circuits, add USB/code-required GFCI/AFCI, while the new layout is going in. Marginal cost typically $3,500-$6,500 above base remodel electrical.
Bath remodel + bath-area rewire
Replace bath circuits, add GFCI and AFCI per current code, add bath fan timer wiring. Marginal cost $1,800-$3,400 above base remodel electrical.
Whole-floor remodel + partial rewire
Replace all circuits on the affected floor, including living areas. Marginal cost $6,500-$14,000 above base remodel electrical.
Major addition + service upgrade + partial rewire
New service capacity for the addition plus rewire of existing high-risk circuits. Marginal cost $8,500-$18,000 above base remodel electrical.
Full gut remodel
Walls open throughout — full rewire is the natural scope. Marginal cost vs base electrical is small (10-25%); the access savings is largest in this scenario.
04Coordination realities.
Common questions.
How early in the remodel do I need to bring in the electrician?
Architectural design phase, ideally — 4-12 months before construction. At minimum: before the GC bids the project. Electrical scope changes after bid acceptance create change orders that are more expensive than scope established up front. We don't charge for design-phase consultation on remodels where we're being considered for the electrical scope; it's part of the relationship-building before formal contract.
Can I add rewire scope mid-remodel if I didn't plan for it?
Sometimes yes if walls are still open. The economics still favor rewiring while walls are open even as a mid-project add — just not as favorably as planning it from the start. Talk to us as soon as you think it might make sense; the access window is finite (typically a 2-4 week period during rough-in) and once drywall is going up, the savings opportunity closes.
Will my GC handle the electrical coordination or do I need to?
Depends on your GC and the project. Larger GCs with experienced project managers handle electrical coordination as part of normal scope. Smaller GCs and design-build firms vary widely. We work with GCs at all levels — when the GC is leading coordination, we follow their process; when the homeowner is leading or there's a coordination gap, we step in more actively. Discuss this with your GC at contract signing to set expectations clearly.
Does rewire-during-remodel still need its own permit?
Electrical permit covers both scopes in one filing — the new construction work and the rewire scope are both electrical permit items. Inspection is also combined. The permit fee may be slightly higher than new-construction-only because of the additional scope, but you're paying one fee rather than two. Building permit (separate from electrical) is the GC's process; we coordinate but don't drive that piece.
What if my remodel scope changes the rewire scope?
Common — and we plan for it. Initial scope is based on the design at signing. If architectural changes mid-project alter what walls open or where circuits need to go, we update scope and price formally before proceeding. Change orders are normal in remodel work; the goal is keeping them transparent and reasonably-priced. Our change order rates match the original project rate; no premium for changes.
How do you handle pricing — flat fee or hourly?
Both, depending on scope. Routine service calls and predictable scope (panel replacement, EV charger install, transfer switch install, fixture replacement) are flat-fee quoted up front. Diagnostic visits and emergency scope are hourly because we don't know what we'll find. Either way, you get a written quote before work starts on anything significant, and we don't proceed beyond the quote without your sign-off.
How quickly can you schedule?
Depends on scope and season. Emergency dispatch: same-day across Marin County (1-3 hours business hours, 1-4 hours after-hours). Same-day standard service: 3-6 hours from call when capacity allows; otherwise next business day. Scheduled service work: 1-3 weeks typical. Larger projects requiring permits and PG&E coordination: 4-12 weeks depending on scope. We're upfront about timeline at the quote stage.
What warranty do you offer on work?
Our standard residential warranty: 2 years on labor, manufacturer warranty on parts (varies by product — typically 1-10 years). Major installs (panels, generators, EV chargers) often have longer manufacturer warranties (5-10 years). If there's an issue with our work in the warranty period, we come back and fix it at no cost. We also stand behind work past warranty — repeat customers and referrals matter more than a transactional fix.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. California State License Board C-10 Electrical Contractor #989290, in good standing. Carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance as required by California law. Bondable on projects requiring it. Happy to provide proof of insurance to clients or property managers on request. License lookup: cslb.ca.gov.
Talk to a licensed electrician in Marin.
Family-run, C-10 #989290, 20+ years in the trade. Honest scoping, fair pricing, work that lasts.