How much does it cost to install a hardwired computer network?

Installing a hardwired computer network in your home or business is a great way to improve its network speed and stability. Wired networking continues to be more reliable and faster than wireless networking, in spite of recent advances in wireless.

There are two main types of cabling normally used for modern networking installations: Cat 5 and Cat 6. Cat 5  is capable of speeds up to 1 Gigabit, while Cat 6 is capable of 10 Gigabit networking. Cat 7 is also available as the newest cable standard for Ethernet, the main difference is that this cable is shielded.

Fiber optic cable ¹ is one of the newest options available for networking and it is substantially different from the copper wiring used for Cat cables. The cable is made out of thin strands of pure glass that carry digital information with light instead of electrical currents.

Although a home networking installation can be performed as a DIY project for some tech savvy homeowners, it is usually performed by an electrician or IT specialist. If performed as DIY project, the only costs are the material costs described below.

This guide will look at the cost to install wired copper networking for the average home office which is usually located in one 10’x12’ room. The cost of equipment prices for switches, panels and other necessities that can influence the total cost of the project.

Cost breakdown

• Installing hardwired networking in a 10’x12’ office by itself is a smaller networking installation job and presents the lowest cost option. Hardwire networking installations are routinely charged as a flat rate between around $300-$2200 based on the estimate from an electrician or IT contractor and the complexity of the installation.
• If charged hourly, most electricians charge between $65-$85/hr.
• One room takes approximately 3 hours to wire, so the labor cost would be between $195 and $255 to have a Cat 6 network professionally installed. Material costs are an additional $125-$225 depending on how many computers are in the room.
• The minimum materials that are needed for a one home office networking installation include:
  • 250’ of Cat 6 Ethernet ² cable: $50.
  • Ethernet ² switch: $25-$50. Popular brands include the TRENDnet TEG-S80g 8-Port Gigabit Switch ($26), NETGEAR GS108 8-Port Gigabit Switch ($41), and the TP-LINK 8-Port Gigabit Switch ($25).
  • Patch cables: $25 for 5.
  • RJ45 Jacks, plates and plugs: $25.
  • Optional add-ons include velcro strips ($10), patch panels ($50), and plastic grommets ($10) for cable management.

Enhancement and improvement costs

• A patch panel can be purchased for $50 and wall mounted with about 1 hour of labor time $65-$85. They can improve the organization of a network but aren’t necessary for simpler networks.
• Adding more ports to the switch for more computers throughout the home, which costs $50-$100 for an upgraded switch.
• Additional rooms will cost 2-3 hours per room. However, each additional room does not need a new Ethernet ² switch.
• To install Cat 6 cable ³ for 4 rooms in a home, the labor cost is between $195-$255 per room at minimum, or a total of $780-$1020 for the home. Material costs are an additional $275-$500 depending on how many computers are situated throughout the home.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Fiber optic cable: A type of cable through which the information signals are transmitted through a strand of glass the thickness of a human hair. Fiber optics are capable of carrying data longer distances at high speeds, and are replacing traditional copper wire cables.

³ Cat 6 cable: Similar to Cat 5e cables, but better at reducing crosstalk/system noise. They are a later generation of network cable, suitable for up to 10 gigabit Ethernet at 250 MHz. They are backward compatible with Cat 5/5e

⁴ Routers: A device used to share data packets between computer networks