How much does a whole home rewire cost for a 1950s bungalow in Saint John?

Whole Home Rewire Cost for a 1950s Bungalow in Saint John

A full rewire of a 1950s bungalow in Saint John typically costs between $12,000 and $22,000 depending on the size of the home, the condition of existing wiring, and whether you are upgrading the electrical panel at the same time. This is one of the most significant electrical investments a homeowner can make, but for a 70+ year old home with original wiring, it is often necessary for safety, insurance compliance, and modern living.

Why 1950s Homes Need Rewiring

Homes built in the 1940s-1960s across Saint John's south end, west side, and north end neighbourhoods typically have 60A service with 6-8 circuits — designed for an era when a toaster and a few light bulbs were the peak electrical load. Today, a typical New Brunswick household runs heat pumps, multiple computers, kitchen appliances drawing 1,500+ watts each, and potentially an EV charger. The original rubber-insulated or cloth-wrapped wiring in these homes is often brittle, cracking, and unable to safely carry modern loads.

Saint John also has a significant number of heritage homes in the uptown area with knob-and-tube wiring, which many insurance companies in New Brunswick now refuse to cover or charge substantial premium surcharges of 15-25%.

Cost Breakdown by Home Size

| Home Size | Circuit Count | Typical Cost Range |
|-----------|--------------|--------------------|
| Under 1,000 sq ft | 15-20 circuits | $10,000 - $15,000 |
| 1,000-1,500 sq ft | 20-25 circuits | $14,000 - $20,000 |
| 1,500-2,000 sq ft | 25-35 circuits | $18,000 - $25,000 |
| Over 2,000 sq ft | 35-45 circuits | $22,000 - $30,000 |

These estimates include labour, materials, TSANB permit and inspection fees, and a 200A panel upgrade (which is almost always done alongside a rewire).

What Is Included in a Full Rewire

• Removal of all old wiring (knob-and-tube, aluminum, or deteriorated copper)
• New 200A main panel with arc-fault and ground-fault breakers where required by current CEC
• New NMD90 copper wiring throughout the home
• New outlets in every room (current code requires outlets every 12 feet along walls and within 6 feet of any doorway)
• Dedicated 20A circuits for kitchen, bathroom, and laundry
• GFCI protection for bathrooms, kitchen counters, garage, and exterior outlets
• AFCI protection for bedrooms (CEC requirement)
• New light switches and fixtures can be included but are often quoted separately
• TSANB permit ($150-$300) and rough-in plus final inspection

• Plaster walls — 1950s Saint John bungalows typically have plaster-and-lath walls, which are harder and slower to fish wire through than modern drywall. Expect 20-30% higher labour costs compared to a drywall home
• Finished basement — If the basement is finished, the electrician needs to access wiring paths that are hidden behind paneling or ceiling tiles. This may require removal and reinstallation of finishes, adding $2,000-$5,000
• Asbestos — Some 1950s homes have asbestos insulation in walls or around ducts. If disturbed during rewiring, professional abatement is required by WorkSafeNB regulations. Testing costs $200-$400 and abatement can add $3,000-$10,000 depending on extent
• Adding circuits for modern needs — Running a dedicated 50A circuit for an EV charger, a 30A circuit for an electric dryer, or wiring for a future heat pump adds $300-$800 per circuit
• NB Power service upgrade — If the overhead service entrance from the NB Power pole is undersized or deteriorated, NB Power handles the connection but the homeowner pays for the new mast and meter base ($500-$1,500)

A complete rewire of a typical 1,200 sq ft bungalow takes 5-8 working days with a crew of 2 electricians. Add 1-2 days for the TSANB inspection (rough-in inspection before walls are closed, final inspection after). Most Saint John electricians book 2-4 weeks out for large projects like rewires, so plan accordingly.

How to Save Money

• Do your own drywall patching after the rewire (saves $1,500-$3,000)
• If you are planning a renovation, combine the rewire with the reno so walls are already open
• Get 3-4 quotes — prices in Saint John vary by 20-30% between companies
• Ask about whether a partial rewire makes sense. If only the main floor wiring is degraded but the basement was updated in the 1990s, a partial rewire at 40-60% of the full cost may be sufficient

A TSANB permit is mandatory for a rewire. The permit ensures two inspections — rough-in (before drywall goes back up) and final (everything complete and energized). Once the final inspection passes, you receive a certificate of compliance that your insurance company will want to see. Most New Brunswick insurance providers offer a 5-10% premium reduction once knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring is replaced with modern copper and a 200A panel, which helps offset the rewire cost over time.

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