Guide · Modesto, CA
Whole-house rewiring cost in Modesto, CA
As of September 2026, whole-house rewiring in the Modesto area typically costs $2 to $4 per square foot, or roughly $5,000 to $10,500 for a 2,500 sq ft home, per 2026 industry cost data.
Rewiring cost breakdown
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Standard rewiring rate | $2 – $4 per sq ft |
| Full house (2,500 sq ft example) | $5,000 – $10,500 |
| Knob-and-tube removal (older homes) | +~$5,000 on top of standard rate |
| New service panel, if also needed | $700 – $4,220 |
| Permits & inspection | $75 – $500 |
2026 industry cost data (Angi). Not a quote — labor rates and wall-access difficulty (drywall vs. plaster, finished vs. unfinished spaces) both move the final number.
Warning signs your Modesto home needs rewiring
- A fuse box instead of a modern breaker panel
- Two-prong outlets throughout the house, with no ground wire
- Cloth-insulated or knob-and-tube wiring (common in pre-1950s homes)
- Breakers that trip repeatedly, or outlets that feel warm to the touch
- Flickering or dimming lights that aren’t isolated to one bulb
- A burning smell, discoloration, or a buzzing sound near outlets or switches
If your situation sounds urgent rather than a planning question, see our emergency electrician guide for what to do right now.
Why knob-and-tube wiring specifically matters
Knob-and-tube wiring — common in homes built before roughly 1950 — has no ground wire, which limits the safety protection modern circuits rely on, and its aging insulation can become brittle over decades. Many insurance carriers flag it directly, which is a practical reason beyond safety alone to have it assessed. Removing it (rather than capping it off and leaving it in the walls) typically adds around $5,000 to a standard rewiring project.
Full rewire vs. partial rewire
Not every older home needs a full rewrite from the ground up. An electrician can assess which circuits or rooms are actually the problem — often the kitchen, bathroom, or garage first, since those carry higher loads or need GFCI protection (see our GFCI guide) — and rewire just those areas at a fraction of the full-house cost. A full rewire makes more sense when the wiring type itself (knob-and-tube, aluminum branch wiring) is the underlying issue rather than one isolated circuit.
Permits for rewiring work
Rewiring requires a permit and inspection in both Modesto city limits (through the Building Safety Division’s eTRAKiT portal, 209-577-5232) and unincorporated Stanislaus County (through Planning & Community Development’s Accela portal, 209-525-6557). See our full permit guide for the details, including Ceres, Turlock, Riverbank, and Oakdale, which each run their own building department.
Whole-house rewiring FAQ
How much does it cost to rewire a house in Modesto? +
Whole-house rewiring typically runs $2 to $4 per square foot, or roughly $5,000 to $10,500 for a 2,500 sq ft home, per 2026 industry cost data. Homes with knob-and-tube wiring generally cost more, since that wiring type has to be fully removed, not just capped off.
How do I know if my Modesto home needs rewiring? +
Common signs: a fuse box instead of a breaker panel, two-prong (ungrounded) outlets throughout the house, cloth-insulated wiring, frequent breaker trips, warm outlet covers, or flickering lights unrelated to a single bulb. A home built before the 1970s is more likely to have one or more of these.
Can I rewire just part of my house instead of the whole thing? +
Yes — partial rewiring (one room, one circuit, or replacing just the oldest sections) is common and less expensive than a full house. An electrician can assess which areas actually need it rather than assuming an all-or-nothing project.
Do I need a permit to rewire my house? +
Yes, whole-house or substantial partial rewiring requires a permit and inspection whether you’re in Modesto city limits or unincorporated Stanislaus County. See our permit guide for the process for your address.
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