Estimated Read Time: 9 minutes
Flickering lights, warm outlets, tripping breakers, or an older panel are all red flags. If you are pricing a whole house rewiring cost in Austin, you want straight answers and a safe plan. This guide explains what drives price, how to compare bids, and why a modern, code‑compliant rewire boosts safety, reliability, and resale value for Central Texas homes.
When a Whole‑Home Rewire Makes Sense
A rewire solves more than nuisance trips. It replaces outdated conductors, devices, and often an undersized panel so your system meets today’s safety standards and household demand.
Common triggers in Austin and across Travis County include:
- Frequent breaker trips, dimming or flicker when large appliances run.
- Two‑prong outlets or no equipment grounding in older rooms.
- Warm or discolored outlets and switches, buzzing at the panel.
- Knob‑and‑tube or older aluminum branch‑circuit wiring.
- Renovations that open walls, room additions, or service upgrades.
- Home inspections citing code defects during a sale.
Modern living loads the system differently than when many Central Texas homes were built. EV chargers, heat pumps, induction ranges, and home offices often need more capacity and extra circuits. Rewiring brings the backbone up to date, adds GFCI and AFCI protection where required, and allows proper grounding and surge protection throughout the home.
Local note: In the City of Austin and surrounding jurisdictions, permitted residential electrical work is inspected at rough‑in and final. A licensed Texas Electrical Contractor must pull permits and supervise the work. SALT performs full or partial rewires across Travis County and Central Texas with code updates and panel work coordinated under TECL #26149.
What Drives the Cost in Austin
Whole‑home rewiring cost is a function of scope and access. The same square footage can price differently based on construction and code requirements. Key drivers:
- Size and layout
- More circuits, devices, and longer wire runs raise material and labor.
- Two‑story homes without attic basements can be harder to fish, which adds time.
- Access and finishes
- Plaster, stone, tight crawlspaces, or spray‑foam attics slow routing.
- Drywall repair and paint are often separate costs unless included.
- Panel capacity and service
- Many rewires pair with a panel or service upgrade to 200 amps for modern loads.
- AFCI and dual‑function breakers add protection and material cost per circuit.
- Code updates and safety devices
- GFCI in kitchens, baths, garages, exterior, and laundry.
- AFCI in habitable rooms and combination protection in many areas per recent NEC editions.
- Tamper‑resistant receptacles and proper bonding improve safety.
- Special conditions
- Aluminum branch‑circuit wiring often needs copper rewiring or approved mitigation.
- Smart switches, dimmers, USB outlets, and dedicated EV or range circuits add scope.
- Permits and inspections
- City or county permits and two rounds of inspection. We schedule and meet inspectors.
- Occupied vs. vacant
- Working in lived‑in spaces requires dust control and phased shutdowns, which adds time.
SALT’s estimates break out labor, materials, panel and service options, drywall repair if included, and any add‑ons like low‑voltage runs or surge protection. You see what you are paying for before work starts.
Typical Price Ranges and Real‑World Examples
Every home is different, but these ranges help you plan. These are ballpark figures for Central Texas and assume code‑compliant copper rewiring with GFCI/AFCI where required. Actual pricing depends on inspection and final scope.
- Whole‑home rewiring
- Small homes or condos up to ~1,000 sq ft: often $6,000 to $12,000.
- 1,200 to 2,000 sq ft: often $9,000 to $20,000.
- 2,000 to 3,000 sq ft or complex layouts: $18,000 to $35,000+.
- Panel upgrades
- 150A to 200A panel with labeling and new main disconnect: about $1,800 to $4,000.
- Service mast or meter base updates may add cost if required by the utility.
- Protection devices and safety
- AFCI or dual‑function breakers: roughly $50 to $120 each device.
- Whole‑home surge protector: device $300 to $700 plus labor.
- Hardwired smoke/CO alarms: $80 to $150 per unit plus wiring if new locations are added.
- Drywall and patching
- Access holes are typical. Basic patch and texture is often $500 to $2,000 depending on scope. Full repaint is separate.
Example bundles we install often in Austin:
- 1,500 sq ft 1970s home, occupied, copper rewire, new tamper‑resistant outlets and modern switches, dual‑function breakers, whole‑home surge protector, GFCI where needed, panel labeling. Typical range: $12,000 to $19,000 plus patch/paint.
- 2,400 sq ft two‑story with partial aluminum circuits, new 200A panel, smoke/CO interconnected upgrade, EV circuit, and LED retrofit in common areas. Typical range: $22,000 to $34,000 plus patch/paint.
We verify scope during a free on‑site assessment, then deliver a fixed price with clear alternates for items like surge protection, low‑voltage runs, or EV readiness.
The Safety and Lifestyle Benefits
A rewire is one of the few upgrades that protects your family and property while also improving daily comfort.
- Stronger safety baseline
- New copper conductors, proper grounding, and secure device terminations reduce heat at connections.
- Correct GFCI and AFCI protection helps prevent shock and arc‑fault fire hazards.
- Reliability and performance
- Balanced circuits reduce dimming when HVAC, ovens, or vacuums turn on.
- Properly sized home runs keep voltage stable for sensitive electronics.
- Power for modern living
- Dedicated circuits for EVs, induction ranges, home offices, and media rooms.
- Cleaner pathways for future solar or battery storage tie‑ins.
- Insurance and resale confidence
- Some insurers flag older aluminum or knob‑and‑tube. A documented rewire can improve insurability.
- Buyers value updated electrical with clear labels and inspection records.
- Whole‑home surge protection
- A professionally installed surge protector will guard against electrical fluctuation like nothing else can. It helps protect appliances and electronics from grid events or lightning nearby.
What SALT Includes in a Professional Rewire
SALT offers residential wiring and rewiring services across Travis County and Central Texas. We handle full rewires and targeted upgrades with the following scope as needed:
- Wiring and rewiring of branch circuits
- Troubleshooting before, during, and after the project
- Retrofitting solutions when full replacement is not required
- New construction and remodeling circuits and device layouts
- Electric code updates and safety device installation
- Aluminum wiring issue diagnosis and remediation options
- Whole‑home surge protection at the panel
- Lighting and ceiling fan wiring and new device install
- Smoke and CO alarm layout and wiring
- Data communication cables for offices and media rooms
- Custom installations to match design or specialty equipment
We also coordinate with drywall, painting, and other trades as needed, and we leave every space swept and ready. Courtesy calls, shoe covers, clear daily updates, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee are standard on every SALT project.
Our Step‑by‑Step Process
- Assessment and load planning
- We inspect the panel, major appliances, visible wiring, and devices. We measure service load and discuss future needs like EVs or a workshop.
- Transparent proposal
- You get a detailed scope with line items for panel work, circuits, devices, safety upgrades, surge protection, and any drywall patching we include.
- Permits and scheduling
- We pull permits and set a schedule that minimizes downtime. In occupied homes we stage work room by room and keep essential circuits live as long as possible.
- Safe demo and routing
- We isolate affected circuits, verify de‑energized, and create small, strategic access holes. We fish new copper home runs and label conductors for clean terminations.
- Panel and protection
- We replace or recondition the panel as scoped, install AFCI or dual‑function breakers, set GFCI where required, and add whole‑home surge protection if selected.
- Device and fixture install
- New tamper‑resistant receptacles, modern switches or dimmers, and any new lighting or fan rough‑ins are completed and tested.
- Testing and inspection
- We perform continuity, polarity, and load tests, then meet inspectors at rough‑in and final. You receive panel directory updates and documentation for your records.
- Cleanup and handoff
- Access holes are patched per scope, and we walk the project with you, noting any punch items. We review labeling and show you how to reset GFCI and AFCI.
Aluminum Wiring Solutions for Central Texas Homes
Many 1960s to early 1970s homes used aluminum branch‑circuit wiring. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has reported that some aluminum connections can degrade over time if not installed with the correct devices and techniques. That can increase the risk of overheating at terminations. If your home has aluminum conductors, we provide two primary paths:
- Full copper rewiring
- Best long‑term solution when access and budget allow. Replaces aluminum with copper and updates devices, grounding, and protection.
- Code‑accepted remediation for branch circuits
- We deploy approved connectors and techniques at every device and splice point using compatible devices. This method targets failure points while reducing wall disruption when a full rewire is not planned yet.
We will identify aluminum wiring during the assessment, show you photos, and price both options when feasible. Our goal is to reduce risk now and plan for a complete upgrade on your timeline.
Ways to Save Without Cutting Corners
You do not need to do everything at once to improve safety. SALT offers retrofit and staged solutions that lower upfront cost and limit disruption.
- Stage by zone
- Prioritize bedrooms and common areas first to add AFCI protection and grounding where you sleep and spend the most time.
- Pair with planned remodels
- If a kitchen or bath renovation is coming, run new circuits and GFCI/AFCI at the same time to reduce access work.
- Choose retrofit where effective
- Not every home needs a full gut. We use targeted rewiring and device‑level upgrades where code allows.
- Membership savings
- SALT+ members receive priority scheduling, annual whole‑home maintenance inspections across electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and drain systems, and up to 20% off on repairs and additional services. That keeps your upgraded system maintained year after year.
Permits, Code, and Inspections in Travis County
Electrical work in Central Texas must meet the current adopted National Electrical Code and local amendments. Expect two inspections on a permitted rewire: rough‑in before walls are closed and a final. We schedule both, meet the inspector, and address any notes.
Typical code topics we address during a rewire:
- GFCI protection for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry, garages, exterior, and within required distances of sinks.
- AFCI protection for bedrooms and most habitable rooms, often via dual‑function breakers.
- Proper equipment grounding and bonding, including water bond where applicable.
- Tamper‑resistant receptacles and correct box fill, support, and device ratings.
- Correct labeling at the panel with a clear, durable directory.
Working with a licensed contractor protects you. In Texas, electrical work requires a licensed electrical contractor. SALT operates under TECL #26149 and provides permits, load calcs, and as‑built notes on request.
How to Compare Bids and Avoid Costly Surprises
Low numbers that skip code items create expensive change orders later. Use this simple checklist when reviewing quotes:
- Panel and protection explicitly listed
- Are AFCI, GFCI, and surge protection called out or excluded?
- Device count and locations
- Are new receptacles, switches, and smoke/CO devices included, with counts per room?
- Copper conductors and gauge
- Are wire types and sizes specified for major loads and small appliance circuits?
- Patching and paint
- Is basic drywall patching included or excluded? Is texture matched?
- Permits, inspections, and labeling
- Does the contractor pull permits and include panel directories?
- Warranty and satisfaction
- SALT backs labor and parts with a satisfaction guarantee and offers SALT+ benefits for ongoing care.
Bring us a competing quote. We will review the scope line by line, point out gaps, and offer apples‑to‑apples pricing so you can choose with confidence.
The SALT Difference on Rewires
Beyond technical execution, service matters during a rewire. We are in your home for days, sometimes weeks. Our team is trained to protect floors, isolate dust, communicate daily, and keep essential rooms powered whenever possible. We coordinate with our plumbing and HVAC teams if you are tackling multiple upgrades at once. That one‑stop approach keeps schedules tight and accountability clear. Same‑day service is available for urgent hazards, and our 100% satisfaction guarantee backs every job.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a whole house rewire cost in Austin?
Most homes fall between $9,000 and $35,000+ depending on size, access, panel upgrades, drywall repair, and safety devices like GFCI and AFCI. We confirm scope on site and provide a fixed price before work starts.
Do I need to upgrade my panel when rewiring?
Often yes. Many homes benefit from a 150A or 200A panel to support modern loads, AFCI or dual‑function breakers, and future circuits. We evaluate your service, utility requirements, and load during the assessment.
Can I live in my home during a rewire?
Usually yes. We stage work room by room, maintain temporary power where safe, contain dust, and communicate daily. Vacant homes finish faster, but most projects can proceed while you stay.
What if my home has aluminum wiring?
We will identify aluminum during inspection. Options include full copper rewiring or code‑accepted remediation at device and splice points. We explain pros, cons, and pricing for both so you can choose.
How long does a whole‑home rewire take?
Small homes may take 3 to 7 working days. Larger or two‑story homes can take 2 to 3 weeks, especially if panel upgrades, patching, or complex finishes are involved. Timelines are confirmed in your proposal.
In Summary
A modern rewire eliminates risk, stabilizes power, and sets your home up for EVs, smart tech, and future projects. If you are researching whole house rewiring cost in Austin or anywhere in Central Texas, SALT will give you a clear scope, code‑compliant execution, and respectful service from start to finish.
Get Your Fixed‑Price Rewire Quote
Speak with a licensed SALT electrician today. Call (512) 956-7842 or schedule at https://callsalt.com/. Ask about SALT+ membership for priority service, annual electrical inspections, and savings on future repairs. We serve Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, Pflugerville, Kyle, Hutto, Del Valle, Belton, and all of Travis County.
About SALT Plumbing Air & Electric
Family owned and serving Austin since 1984, SALT provides licensed, code‑compliant electrical, plumbing, and HVAC services across Central Texas. We offer same‑day service, upfront pricing, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Our electricians are licensed under TECL #26149 and follow current NEC standards. Recognized as Austin’s #1 Electrician and voted Best in Austin five years running, we deliver clean, respectful service, shoe covers on, and full cleanup on every job.