Cost to Rewire a House in Victoria BC

The cost to rewire a house in Victoria BC is not published by local electricians, but Canadian market references put a full knob and tube replacement between $8,000 and $25,000 or more, depending on size and access. A 1,500 to 2,000 sq. ft. two-storey home sits around $14,500 to $22,500 including finishing.

How much does it cost to rewire a house in Victoria BC?

We did not find a Greater Victoria electrician publishing a rewire price. The most useful public breakdown we found is a Canada-wide guide published October 1, 2026. It is not specific to Victoria or BC, and it gives no per-square-foot rates. Treat the numbers as a budgeting range, not an ACAP Electric price.

Home type	Electrical	Finishing	Total budget
Bungalow, 1,000 to 1,200 sq. ft.	$8,000 to $12,000	$1,500 to $3,000	$9,500 to $15,000
Two-storey, 1,500 to 2,000 sq. ft.	$12,000 to $18,000	$2,500 to $4,500	$14,500 to $22,500
Heritage or large plex, 2,200+ sq. ft.	$18,000 to $25,000	$4,000 to $7,000	$22,000 to $32,000

The same guide shows the electrical portion of a full replacement at $8,000 to $20,000, interior finishing at $2,000 to $5,000, and a panel upgrade to 200 A, if needed, at $2,500 to $4,500. For BC-specific panel ranges, see panel upgrade cost in Victoria BC.

What makes rewiring a Victoria house cost more?

Wall and ceiling access. Open basements and attics make runs easy. Finished plaster and insulated exterior walls force more cutting and more patching.
Number of circuits. More outlets, fixtures and switches mean more cable and labour.
Home type. Heritage and large plex homes sit in the top row of the table above. Homes built before 1950 may still carry knob and tube wiring.
The panel. A fused or undersized panel often gets replaced as part of the work.
Finishing. Drywall patching and painting can be a separate trade, or part of the quote.
Surprises behind the walls. Aluminum wiring, past amateur modifications or overloaded circuits can widen the scope.

When does a house actually need a full rewire?

Not every older house needs one. The Electrical Safety Authority (Ontario's regulator) says existing knob and tube conductors concealed in walls can stay in place if they are protected by a 15 A fuse or breaker, no extra outlets have been added to overload the circuit, and visible conductors appear in good condition. It recommends replacement where conductors show mechanical abuse, deterioration, poor connections, overheating, or alterations that cause overloading.

Insurance can also force the decision. The ESA notes that many insurers will not provide or renew coverage on homes with knob and tube wiring, and some require total replacement first. Ask your insurer what it needs before you plan the work.

What do you gain from new wiring?

The ESA lists the benefits of modern installations over older ones: larger electrical capacity and more circuits, which reduce the need for extension cords; splices made in approved boxes; dedicated circuits for certain appliances; grounded and bonded receptacles, switches and fixtures; tamper-resistant receptacles; GFCI protection in bathrooms and outdoors; and arc-fault protection in bedroom circuits. Those items are from an Ontario notice, so ask your BC electrician which apply to your project.

Should I rewire all at once or in phases?

Both are possible. A full rewire during a renovation, when walls are open, is usually the most efficient. Phasing by floor or by circuit group spreads the cost and keeps part of the house usable, but each phase has its own set-up and patching. Whichever route you choose, plan the sequence with your electrician so a later phase does not undo earlier finishing.

If you are weighing aluminum wiring, read aluminum wiring pigtailing vs rewiring. If you are buying, start with the older home electrical inspection checklist.

What does the process involve?

Assessment. A licensed electrician inspects the panel and the accessible wiring and identifies which circuits are old.
Scope and quote. The quote should list the circuits, the panel, the permit and the finishing.
Permit. Electrical work in BC requires a permit, and a licensed contractor normally applies for it. Ask who applies.
Rough-in. New cable is run to outlets, switches and fixtures.
Inspection. The work is inspected before walls are closed and finished.
Finishing. Patching and painting, by a drywall and paint trade.

What should I keep after the work is done?

Keep the permit number, the inspection record, the invoices and an updated panel directory. They show your insurer what was done and by whom, and they help the next buyer. If you rewire in phases, keep one folder per phase.

What should I ask for in a rewire quote?

The number of circuits and devices included.
Whether the panel and service are included.
Permit and inspection fees.
Who handles drywall repair and painting.
A clear sequence if the work is phased.

ACAP Electric assesses and rewires older homes in Greater Victoria. See our renovations and rewiring service and contact us for a free quote.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to rewire a 1,500 to 2,000 sq. ft. house?

A Canadian cost guide published October 1, 2026 gives $12,000 to $18,000 for electrical and $2,500 to $4,500 for finishing, a total of $14,500 to $22,500 for a two-storey home of that size. It is a Canada-wide figure, not a Victoria quote.

Does a panel upgrade add to the rewire cost?

Often. The same guide puts an upgrade to 200 A, if required, at $2,500 to $4,500. BC-specific panel ranges are in our panel upgrade cost guide.

Can knob and tube wiring stay in place?

The Electrical Safety Authority says it can remain if protected by a 15 A fuse or breaker, not overloaded by added outlets and in good visible condition, but it recommends replacement when conductors show damage, overheating or overloading. Many insurers also push for replacement.

Do I need a permit to rewire?

Yes. Electrical installation work in BC needs a permit and a licensed contractor normally applies for it. Ask your electrician to confirm who is applying and to give you the inspection record.

Is it cheaper to rewire during a renovation?

Usually. When walls are already open, access costs and patching fall. Plan the electrical rough-in into the renovation schedule.

Sources

Last verified October 8, 2026. Rebates, codes and prices change; confirm with the program or Technical Safety BC before you rely on them.