If you own an older home in the Des Moines metro — especially one built before the 1960s — you’ve probably heard someone say:

“You’ll need to rewire it someday.”

That’s a big statement. And the question we always hear next is:
“Okay… how much is that actually going to cost?”

It’s a fair question — and it deserves a straight answer. So let’s break it down honestly, They Ask, We Answer style.

Why Many Homes in Des Moines Need Electrical Rewiring

A lot of older homes across Des Moines, Urbandale, and West Des Moines still have knob-and-tube or cloth-insulated wiring, often paired with fuse panels that were never meant for today’s electrical loads.

This older wiring:

Lacks grounding
Has brittle insulation
Can overheat under modern demand
That’s why most insurance companies in Iowa will not insure homes with active knob-and-tube wiring.
Common reasons homeowners in central Iowa call Coffin Electric for rewiring include:
Insurance cancellations or failed inspections
Safety concerns like overheating or buzzing outlets
Remodeling or room additions
Flickering lights or frequent breaker trips
Preparing a home for resale

Even if your lights still turn on, your electrical system might not be safe or compliant with the City of Des Moines or City of Urbandale electrical codes.

Realistic Cost Range for Electrical Rewiring in Des Moines

For most homes in the Des Moines metro, a complete electrical update — including new wiring, service panel, grounding, smoke/CO system, and inspections — typically costs:

$15,000 to $65,000+

Every home is unique. Factors like size, access, and the amount of existing wiring all affect the final cost.

Home Type Typical Scope Approx. Cost Range

Small bungalow (1 story, unfinished basement) Replace knob-and-tube, install new panel, 12–16 circuits, hardwired smoke/CO detectors $15,000–$35,000
Mid-size ranch (1 story, partial finish) New panel, rewire kitchen/laundry/furnace, add dedicated circuits and smoke/CO system $25,000–$40,000
Two-story home (finished basement) Full rewire, panel or meter relocation, code upgrades $40,000–$55,000
Large historic home or home with detached garage/outbuilding Full rewire, multiple subpanels, trenching, drywall repair, detached building feeds $55,000–$65,000+

These figures reflect licensed, insured, and code-compliant electrical work, including permits, inspections, and hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup and interconnection.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Rewiring

Access to Wiring

In single-story homes with open basements or attics, new wiring is simpler to install.
In contrast, two-story homes with finished basements make access harder — electricians may need to create small openings in drywall or lathe and plaster to safely fish wires.

Repairing those surfaces is usually not included in the electrical estimate.

Number of Dedicated Circuits

Modern code requires dedicated circuits for kitchens, laundries, furnaces, and HVAC equipment. Adding those circuits ensures your home can handle today’s electrical loads safely.

Upgrading Amperage and Underground Service

Many older homes have 100-amp service, which is often insufficient for modern electrical loads — especially if your home has an electric dryer, air conditioning, and an electric range. A load calculation may show that 100 amps is not enough.

Upgrading to 200-amp or 400-amp service increases costs due to:

Larger panels and breakers
New main service cables
Potential upgrades to grounding and bonding
Coordination with MidAmerican Energy

Additionally, installing your incoming service line underground instead of overhead adds trenching, conduit, and labor, which can significantly increase the project cost.

Panel or Meter Relocation

Some homes require the panel or meter socket to be relocated to meet clearance or accessibility codes. This can involve trenching, new conduit, and coordination with MidAmerican Energy.

Detached Garages or Outbuildings

Running new conduit or subpanels to detached structures adds labor and material costs — especially when trenching or boring is necessary.

What’s Included in a Full Electrical Rewire

When Coffin Electric rewires a home, you can expect:

Safe removal or bypass of outdated wiring (knob-and-tube, cloth, or aluminum)
New grounded copper wiring throughout
Modern breaker panel with AFCI and GFCI protection
Hardwired smoke and CO detectors with battery backup and interconnection
Proper grounding and bonding system
Whole-home surge protection
City permits, coordination, and inspections handled for you
Transparent, itemized pricing — no surprises

We follow City of Des Moines and City of Urbandale electrical upgrade requirements and current NEC (National Electrical Code) standards.
For details on outdated or unsafe panels, visit IsMyPanelSafe.com.

The Truth About “Panel-Only” Upgrades

Some municipalities around Des Moines allow homeowners to replace just the electrical panel and add an exterior meter disconnect without updating the home’s interior wiring.

That’s a cheaper option, and it does improve safety at the service point — but it can also give the illusion that the entire home has been upgraded.

The reality is:

If the interior wiring is still old, ungrounded, or overloaded, the home is not truly safe or “updated.”

At Coffin Electric, we believe in transparency. While we’re happy to complete panel-only upgrades when permitted, we always recommend considering a full wiring update for long-term safety and insurance compliance.

Think of it like this: installing a new panel on old wiring is like putting a new steering wheel on a car with bad brakes — it looks better, but the real problem remains hidden.

Why Updating Electrical Wiring Is a Smart Investment

Rewiring your home is one of the most valuable electrical upgrades you can make:

Meets insurance requirements and protects coverage
Prevents fire and shock risks from old, ungrounded wiring
Improves home resale value and inspection results
Reduces nuisance tripping and flickering
Supports modern appliances, A/C, and EV chargers

The Bottom Line

Electrical rewiring isn’t a one-size-fits-all project. But at Coffin Electric, we believe every homeowner in Des Moines deserves clarity, not confusion.

We’ll inspect your system, explain every option, and provide a clear, written estimate before any work begins.

No hidden fees. No jargon. Just honest answers and quality work — every time.

How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a House in Des Moines, Iowa?