How Long Does a Whole-Home Rewire Take in Fort Worth?

Whole-home rewiring is not a quick job. It is invasive, dusty, and requires your electrical system to be partially or fully offline at times. But for Fort Worth homes built before 1980 — especially those with knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum branch circuits, or cloth-insulated Romex — it is often the only path to safety, code compliance, and modern electrical capacity. We have rewired hundreds of homes across Fort Worth, from historic bungalows in Ryan Place to sprawling ranches in Benbrook and Keller. Here is exactly what the timeline looks like.

Timeline by Home Size and Wiring Condition

These timelines assume a standard two-person crew working full days. Larger crews can compress timelines but increase labor costs. These are realistic ranges, not best-case scenarios:

• 1,000 – 1,500 sq ft (single-story, crawl space access): 5 – 8 business days
• 1,500 – 2,500 sq ft (single or two-story, attic access): 8 – 14 business days
• 2,500 – 3,500 sq ft (two-story, finished basement or bonus room): 12 – 18 business days
• 3,500 – 5,000 sq ft (multi-level, custom finishes): 18 – 28 business days
• Historic homes with plaster walls (no attic/crawl access): Add 30-50% to all timelines

The biggest variable is wall access. Homes with unfinished basements, crawl spaces, and accessible attics are fast. Homes with plaster-and-lath walls, no attic access, and finished drywall everywhere take significantly longer because we have to cut access holes, fish wires through closed cavities, and patch afterward.

Day-by-Day Breakdown of a Typical Rewire

Here is what a 2,200 sq ft two-story home rewire looks like day by day. This assumes the home has a partial basement and accessible attic:

Days 1-2: Planning and Protection

We lay floor protection, set up temporary lighting and power, and mark all circuit paths. The electrician reviews the existing panel, tests every outlet and switch, and maps what stays and what goes. We also meet with the homeowner to confirm outlet placement, switch locations, and any special requests like USB outlets or smart switch boxes.

Days 3-6: Rough-In (First Floor)

The crew opens walls where necessary, drills studs and joists, and pulls new 12-gauge and 14-gauge Romex for outlets, switches, and lighting. All old wiring is disconnected at the panel and labeled for removal. If the home has knob-and-tube, this is where we start tracing and removing the old circuits. Dust and debris are significant during this phase.

Days 7-10: Rough-In (Second Floor + Basement)

Second-floor bedrooms, bathrooms, and hallway circuits are pulled. Basement utility areas, laundry, and any workshop circuits are added. If the homeowner requested dedicated circuits for appliances, home offices, or entertainment centers, those go in now. All wiring is secured, stapled to code, and left long at boxes for device installation.

Days 11-13: Panel Upgrade + Connections

If the rewire includes a panel upgrade (which it almost always should), the old panel is removed and the new 200-amp or 400-amp panel is installed. All new circuits are landed on breakers. GFCI and AFCI breakers are installed where required by 2020 NEC code. The grounding system is upgraded, including ground rods and bonding. This is the phase where power is fully shut off for several hours.

Days 14-16: Device Installation + Testing

Outlets, switches, dimmers, fans, and light fixtures are installed. The electrician tests every circuit for proper voltage, polarity, and grounding. AFCI and GFCI function is verified. Labeling is applied to the panel. We do a walkthrough with the homeowner to confirm everything works and looks right.

Days 17-18: Inspection + Wall Repair

The city electrical inspector visits to verify code compliance. If any issues are flagged, we correct them same-day or next-day. Once inspection passes, drywall patches are completed, textured to match existing walls, and painted. We do not do full wall painting — we patch and prime. The homeowner typically handles final paint matching.

Can You Live in the House During a Rewire?

Yes, but it is uncomfortable. Power is shut off in sections, not all at once, so you usually have electricity in at least part of the house each night. However, dust, noise, and the presence of a work crew make it unpleasant. Many Fort Worth homeowners choose to stay with family or at a hotel for 3-5 days during the roughest phase. If you work from home, plan for alternative workspace during wall-opening days.

Cost of a Whole-Home Rewire in Fort Worth (2025)

• 1,000 – 1,500 sq ft: $8,000 – $14,000
• 1,500 – 2,500 sq ft: $12,000 – $22,000
• 2,500 – 3,500 sq ft: $18,000 – $32,000
• 3,500 – 5,000 sq ft: $28,000 – $48,000
• Historic home with plaster walls: Add 30-50% to above ranges

These prices include materials, labor, permits, inspections, and standard drywall patching. They do not include decorative finishes, custom lighting fixtures, or smart home wiring add-ons. A rewire + panel upgrade + smart home pre-wire package can add $3,000 – $8,000 depending on the scope.