M-205 Home Systems
Knob and tube rewiring for older Toronto houses
Replacing knob-and-tube wiring in a Toronto house typically costs $8,000 to $25,000 for the electrical work, before HST. Plaster repair and a panel upgrade are often priced on top.
- Typical cost
- $8,000–
$25,000 - Timeline
- Set at the estimate
- Permit
- ESA permit and inspections
- Prices checked
- 2026
- Licensed electrical contractors
- Plaster and paint by one company
- Free on-site estimates
Free, no-obligation estimate. We typically reply within 24 hours.
M-205.1 Why MKC
Why choose MKC for knob and tube rewiring
ESA says knob-and-tube wiring is safe when it is properly maintained by a Licensed Electrical Contractor. The usual reason to replace it is insurance: ESA also notes that many insurers will not provide or renew coverage on homes that have it. We only use ECRA/ESA-licensed electrical contractors to perform any electrical work. They rewire in copper under an ESA notification. Our crew then repairs the plaster and paints, so one company hands back finished rooms.
One quote: wiring, plaster and paint
Published prices differ mainly because some include wall repairs and the panel and some do not. Plaster patching after a rewire runs $2,500 to $8,000 plus paint, and a 100 A to 200 A upgrade $2,500 to $5,000. Our estimate lists the electrical work, the panel and the wall repairs as separate lines.
M-205.2 Scope
What’s included
- M-205.1Wiring assessmentCircuits traced and live knob-and-tube identified, with a written report for your insurer.
- M-205.2Full rewireNew copper branch wiring, receptacles, switches and breakers through the whole house.
- M-205.3Partial replacementThe remaining live knob-and-tube circuits replaced where most of the house is already rewired.
- M-205.4Aluminum wiringAluminum circuits assessed, with connections repaired or wiring replaced as the contractor advises.
- M-205.5Panel and service upgradeFuse panels and 100 A services replaced or upgraded to 200 A where the load calls for it.
- M-205.6Plaster repair and paintAccess holes in plaster and lath patched, skimmed and painted once ESA has inspected.
M-205.3 Cost guide
What it costs
in Toronto & the GTA
Three 2026 guides overlap at $8,000 to $25,000 for the electrical work on small to mid-size houses. Large pre-1930 houses run higher. Prices are before HST.
Whole-house rewire of a small to mid-size home; patching and panel often extra
The schedule depends on the size of the house and how much plaster is opened, and we set it out in the estimate. ESA inspects the rough-in before walls are closed, and again at the end. A panel upgrade takes 6 to 10 hours on site, and Toronto Hydro scheduling can add two to four weeks.
Every project is different, so your estimate comes with its own written schedule, and we aim to beat the usual industry timeline on every job.
| Level of work | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Small home, no panel upgradeBungalow or semi of about 1,000 to 1,200 sq ft: new copper wiring, devices, ESA notification, basic patching. | $8,000– |
| Mid-size two-storey with panelAbout 1,500 to 2,000 sq ft: full rewire, a new panel and patching of access holes. | $12,000– |
| Large pre-1930 detached house2,200 sq ft or more: full rewire with panel or service work and extensive plaster repair. | $20,000– |
| 100 A to 200 A service upgradeOn its own: new 200 A panel, meter base and mast on an overhead service, with ESA notification. | $2,500– |
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Whole-house rewire by floor area | $5– |
| Plaster patching after the rewire, plus paint | $2,500– |
| Panel replacement, same amperage | $1,500– |
| 200 A upgrade, underground service with trench | $5,000– |
| Electrical safety inspection with written report | $250– |
Worked examples
- Example 1
Bungalow of 1,000 to 1,200 sq ft, wiring plus wall finishing
$9,500–$15,000 - Example 2
Two-storey of 1,500 to 2,000 sq ft, wiring, finishing and a 200 A panel upgrade
$17,000–$27,000 - Example 3
1,800 sq ft house priced by the square foot, plus plaster patching
$11,500–$35,000
What moves the number
- 01House size and circuits
Published totals including wall finishing range from $9,500 to $15,000 for a bungalow to $22,000 to $32,000 for a house of 2,200 sq ft or more.
- 02Access
By floor area, a whole-house rewire runs $5 to $15 per sq ft, depending on access to the walls, attic and basement.
- 03Plaster and lath
Patching plaster after the rewire costs $2,500 to $8,000 plus paint, and is often a separate line from the electrical work.
- 04Panel and service
A fuse panel or 100 A service does not automatically need 200 A. Where it is upgraded, a 100 A to 200 A upgrade adds $2,500 to $5,000.
- 05Asbestos
Old duct wrap or plaster may need abatement before walls are opened. One Toronto contractor lists $1,500 to $3,500 for duct paper.
Ranges are for the electrical work, before HST. Sources differ on whether wall patching and a panel upgrade are included, so both are shown as separate lines. Asbestos abatement and utility fees are extra. Prices checked in 2026. Not a quote: your estimate is built from your own measurements and choices.
Where these numbers come from
- Knob and Tube Wiring, Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) (2026)
- Aluminum Wiring, Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) (2026)
- 2026 Wiring Fee Guide, Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) (Effective April 1, 2026)
- Hire a Licensed Electrical Contractor, Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) (2026)
- Notifications and Inspections: What You Need to Know, Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) (2026)
- Service charges, Toronto Hydro (2026)
- Published 2026 price guides and GTA contractor price pages (2026)
G-003 How we work
How we deliver your rewiring project
- 1
Free Estimate
Tell us what you have in mind. We review your space and goals and give you a clear estimate at no cost.
- 2
Design + Permits
Our in-house designers model your project in 3D so you can see it and settle every choice. Our in-house engineering team prepares drawings, engineering letters and permit applications.
- 3
Material Procurement
We order cabinets, tile, stone, pavers and decking from trusted suppliers such as Unilock, Techo-Bloc, TimberTech and Trex, and schedule deliveries around the work.
- 4
Construction Process
Our crews build to code with site supervision and regular updates, so you always know where things stand.
- 5
Project Completion
Final inspection, walkthrough and clean-up. On time, within budget and beyond expectations. That is the MKC Guarantee.
Plan your project
with a free estimate.
We review your space and goals and give you a clear estimate at no cost.
M-205.4 Questions
Questions about knob and tube rewiring
Don’t see your question? Call (647) 637-6052 or ask in your estimate request.
How much does it cost to replace knob and tube wiring in Toronto?
Typical cost in Toronto and the GTA: $8,000 to $25,000 (Whole-house rewire of a small to mid-size home; patching and panel often extra). By level of work: Small home, no panel upgrade: $8,000 to $15,000; Mid-size two-storey with panel: $12,000 to $25,000; Large pre-1930 detached house: $20,000 to $45,000; 100 A to 200 A service upgrade: $2,500 to $5,000. House size and access to the walls, attic and basement move the price most. Whether plaster repair and a panel upgrade are inside the quote explains most of the gap between published figures. These are typical ranges, before HST, with prices checked in 2026; your estimate is built from your own measurements and choices.
Is knob-and-tube wiring dangerous?
Not by definition. ESA’s position is that knob-and-tube wiring is safe, provided it is properly maintained by a Licensed Electrical Contractor, and the Ontario Electrical Safety Code does not require it to be removed just because it is old. ESA recommends having a Licensed Electrical Contractor assess the system. Problems tend to come from age, damage and later alterations, which is what the assessment looks for.
Will my insurer cover a house with knob-and-tube?
Ask your insurer in writing, because policies differ. ESA notes that many insurers will not provide or renew coverage on homes with this type of wiring. Some will consider coverage once a Licensed Electrical Contractor has inspected it, and a safety inspection with a written report typically costs $250 to $450.
Do the walls have to come down?
No. In most houses the electrician fishes new cable through the walls and ceilings and cuts access holes where it cannot be fished. Those holes are then patched. Plaster patching after a rewire typically runs $2,500 to $8,000 plus paint, and we price it on the same estimate as the electrical work.
Do I need a 200 A panel when I rewire?
Not automatically. A fuse panel or a 100 A service does not have to become 200 A because the house is rewired. If the load calls for it, a 100 A to 200 A upgrade on an overhead service typically costs $2,500 to $5,000, and an underground service with trenching $5,000 to $7,000 and up. Toronto Hydro charges $120 to disconnect and reconnect at the meter, or $300 at the pole, in regular hours.
Does rewiring need a permit and inspection?
Yes, through the Electrical Safety Authority. The contractor files a notification, and for 41 or more outlets the 2026 contractor fee is $201, or $256 with a service change. A rewire gets a rough-in inspection before walls are closed and a final inspection. The contractor can then give you an ESA Certificate of Acceptance, which insurers often ask for.
Do you also deal with aluminum wiring?
Yes. ESA says a home built between the mid-1960s and late 1970s may have aluminum wiring, and that it is safe if proper connections and terminations are made without damaging the wire. ESA’s advice is to have a Licensed Electrical Contractor assess it, make the necessary repairs and have the work inspected. We price that after the assessment, because the scope varies house by house.
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