House Rewiring Cost in Vancouver (2026): by home size, age and accessibility.

Complete whole-home rewiring in the City of Vancouver typically runs $12,000-$35,000 depending on home size, wall accessibility and how much knob-and-tube or aluminum branch wiring has to come out. A straightforward rewire on a 1,200 sq ft single-storey open-plan home lands near $12,000-$18,000. A 2,500 sq ft pre-1940 character home with plaster walls, limited access and active knob-and-tube typically runs $22,000-$35,000, including full drywall or plaster restoration, AFCI and GFCI breakers to current Canadian Electrical Code, City of Vancouver electrical permit and final inspection.

What drives the cost: the five variables that matter

• Home size in square feet. Circuit count and cable length scale with floor area.
• Wall material. Drywall is cheap to open and patch. Lath-and-plaster is slow to cut and slow to restore, and drives the largest single cost delta.
• Home age and existing wiring. Knob-and-tube removal is labor-intensive. Aluminum branch circuits require pigtailing or full replacement.
• Access to attics, crawlspaces and basements. Accessible runs cut 20 to 40 percent off labor. Finished-above and finished-below scenarios push the top of the band.
• New circuits added. Adding dedicated circuits for heat pump, EV charger, induction range or sub-panels bumps material and labor.

Price bands by home size

• Under 1,500 sq ft: $12,000-$18,000 for drywall homes with accessible attic and basement. Single-storey open-plan is the bottom of this range.
• 1,500-2,500 sq ft: $18,000-$28,000 depending on wall type and existing wiring. This is where most Vancouver character home rewires land.
• 2,500+ sq ft: $22,000-$35,000 for full plaster with active knob-and-tube, more for heritage-constrained Shaughnessy or First Shaughnessy homes.

For secondary suite electrical permits and load calculations see our basement suite electrical permit guide.

What is included in every LGD rewire

• City of Vancouver electrical permit and final City inspection (Vancouver operates its own permit system, not Technical Safety BC).
• CEC Section 8 load calculation before cable pull.
• New 14/2 NMD90 copper for 15A lighting circuits and 12/2 for 20A receptacle and small-appliance circuits.
• AFCI breakers in bedrooms and living areas, GFCI in wet locations, tamper-resistant receptacles throughout.
• Drywall or plaster restoration feathered and primed ready for paint.
• Letter of completion on LGD letterhead for your insurance carrier.
• 1-year labor warranty.

Insurance pressure: the 12-24 month clock

Most major BC insurance carriers require full knob-and-tube replacement within 12-24 months of purchase on homes that still have active K&T circuits. Partial remediation rarely satisfies the letter-of-completion requirement. See our Vancouver knob-and-tube replacement guide for the full insurance-timeline breakdown.

How long does a Vancouver rewire take?

• Drywall homes, accessible: 5-10 working days.
• Mixed drywall/plaster, 1,500-2,500 sq ft: 10-15 working days.
• Full plaster, 2,500+ sq ft: 2-3 weeks with restoration.
• Heritage-constrained jobs: 3+ weeks, scheduled around Heritage approvals.

Rewire cost FAQ

How much does it cost to rewire a house in Vancouver?

Typical range is $12,000-$35,000 depending on size, wall type and existing wiring. 1,200 sq ft drywall home: $12,000-$18,000. 2,500 sq ft plaster with active K&T: $22,000-$35,000.

What drives the cost of a Vancouver rewire?

Five variables: size, wall material, home age and existing wiring, access to attics and crawlspaces, and new circuits added. Plaster walls and active knob-and-tube are the biggest drivers.

How long does a whole-home rewire take?

Standard drywall: 5-10 working days. Plaster-wall character homes: 2-3 weeks including restoration. City of Vancouver permits issue in 5-10 business days.

What is included in an LGD rewire quote?

City of Vancouver permit, load calc, new NMD90 copper, AFCI and GFCI breakers, tamper-resistant receptacles, drywall or plaster restoration, final inspection, letter of completion for your insurance carrier.

Can I stay in my house during a rewire?

Small jobs with accessible attics yes, with intermittent power interruptions. Large plaster-wall jobs most homeowners stay off-site during the active phase.

Do I need to rewire the whole house for insurance?

Most major BC carriers require a letter of completion stating no active K&T or aluminum branch circuits. Partial remediation rarely satisfies underwriting.