How Long Does Electrical Rewiring Take? A Kingston Homeowner's Guide

The short answer: most Kingston homes take between 3 and 7 days for a complete rewire. Here's a more detailed breakdown: • Small bungalow (1,000–1,200 sq ft): 3–4 days • Average 2-storey home (1,500–2,000 sq ft): 4–5 days • Large or complex home (2,500+ sq ft): 5–7 days These timelines assume the walls are open or accessible. If you're rewiring during a renovation where walls are already open, the job goes much faster. If walls are closed, we'll need to make small access points (which we patch afterward), adding some time to the project.

A full rewire involves removing or abandoning all old wiring and replacing it with new NMD90 copper wiring. This includes running new circuits from the panel to every outlet, switch, and fixture in the home; installing new outlets, switches, and cover plates; upgrading the panel if needed; adding GFCI protection in wet areas and AFCI protection in living spaces; bringing everything up to current Ontario Electrical Safety Code standards; and pulling the ESA permit and scheduling the inspection.

In most cases, yes — but it won't be entirely comfortable. During the rewire, your power will be off for portions of each day (typically 6–8 hours). We work room by room and can usually keep some circuits live while working on others, but there will be times when the entire house is without power. If you have young children, pets, or work from home, you may want to make alternate arrangements during the active work days.

The cost of a full rewire in Kingston depends on the size and complexity of the home: • Small bungalow: $8,000–$12,000 • Average 2-storey: $12,000–$18,000 • Large or heritage home: $18,000–$25,000+ These prices include all materials, labour, the ESA permit, and the inspection. If a panel upgrade is needed (which is common with full rewires), that's typically included in the quote. Additional costs may apply if significant drywall repair is needed after the rewire.

To help the project go smoothly and stay on schedule, here's what you can do to prepare: • Clear furniture and belongings away from walls (2–3 feet if possible) • Remove items from closets where wiring access is needed • Make sure the attic and basement are accessible • Plan for meals that don't require cooking (power will be off during the day) • Secure pets in a safe area away from the work zones • Communicate any specific outlet or switch locations you'd like

One of the biggest concerns homeowners have about rewiring is wall damage. Modern rewiring techniques minimize this significantly. We use flexible drill bits to fish wire through closed walls, strategic access points at the top and bottom of walls, existing pathways (attic, basement, chases) wherever possible, and small, precise openings that are easy to patch. We'll patch any access holes we make, but final painting is typically the homeowner's responsibility. If you're rewiring as part of a renovation, this becomes a non-issue since the walls are already open.