What does a full home rewire cost in an older Burnaby house?

A full home rewire in an older Burnaby house typically costs $12,000-$25,000 for a standard 1,200-1,500 sq ft home, with luxury upgrades pushing costs to $30,000+. The wide range depends on your home's size, age, accessibility, and the level of electrical panel and fixture upgrades you choose.

Factors Affecting Your Rewiring Cost

The biggest cost drivers are your home's age and construction type. Pre-1960s homes often have knob-and-tube wiring or early aluminum wiring that requires complete replacement. Vancouver Specials and 1970s-80s homes might have aluminum branch circuits that need updating. Two-story homes cost more than ranchers due to the complexity of running wire between floors.

Accessibility plays a huge role in pricing. Homes with finished basements, multiple levels, or limited crawl space access require more labor-intensive installation methods. If your electrical panel needs upgrading from 100-amp to 200-amp service (common in older homes), add $2,000-$4,000 to your total. Many Burnaby homes from the 1950s-70s still have 100-amp panels that can't handle modern electrical loads.

Metro Vancouver Pricing Breakdown

For a typical older Burnaby house, expect these ranges:

Vancouver construction costs run 15-25% above national averages, and electrical work is no exception. Licensed electricians in Burnaby typically charge $85-$120 per hour, with most rewires taking 40-80 hours depending on complexity.

Permits and Code Requirements

All electrical work in BC requires a licensed electrical contractor and Technical Safety BC inspection — this isn't DIY territory. Your contractor will pull the electrical permit (typically $200-$500 in Burnaby) and coordinate inspections. The work must meet BCBC 2024 standards, including AFCI (arc-fault circuit interrupter) protection for most circuits and proper grounding throughout.

Older Burnaby homes often need service upgrades to meet current code. If your home still has a fuse box or early breaker panel, factor in panel replacement costs. The utility connection may also need upgrading, which requires coordination with BC Hydro.

Timeline and Disruption

Plan for 3-7 days of work with power interruptions throughout. Your electrician will typically rewire one section at a time to minimize disruption, but expect to live without power in parts of your home during the process. Some wall patching and paint touch-ups are inevitable, so budget an additional $1,000-$3,000 for drywall repairs.

When to Consider Rewiring

Rewire if you have knob-and-tube wiring, frequent breaker trips, flickering lights, or outlets that don't work reliably. Homes over 40 years old often benefit from rewiring, especially if you're planning other major renovations. It's much more cost-effective to rewire during a whole-home renovation when walls are already open.

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