How much does it cost to install an electrical outlet?

An electrical outlet is a unit that allows an electrical device to connect to the source of electricity. These are usually installed in walls, and sometimes floors. Proper electrical work requires knowledge of building codes and can potentially be hazardous if you don’t know what you’re doing, which is why the installation is best left to a professional electrician.

The cost to install a new, heavy-duty appliance outlet that requires its own circuit will cost approximately $120-$175.

Cost factors

There are several factors that can impact the cost of outlet installation. Some of these may not be a “line item” in terms of your bill, but they can add to the time it takes the electrician to complete the project, meaning the labor costs will increase.

• Existing wiring: installing an outlet where there is no existing wiring will definitely add to your labor costs, as the electrician will have to add wiring extensions to get to where the outlet is going to go. Depending on the location, this could potentially add more than an hour to the labor costs.
• Location: outlets can be installed in the wall (which is standard) or the floor (which is more unusual). Floor outlets can be useful for providing easy access to plug in devices such as electronics, though this should be avoided in areas with potential for liquid spillage. Because there probably isn’t wiring in the flooring already, you can anticipate added costs for wiring extensions to the floor.
• Purpose: different appliances and rooms require different outlets. Heavy-duty outlets designed for appliance use, for example, cost $5-$15, not including the labor costs to install a new circuit.
• Type: the type of outlet you choose will affect the cost. Standard duplex outlets, for example, cost about $1-$2 per outlet, smart outlets cost as much as $20-$80.

Wiring

Outlet installation requires a box that houses the outlet and wiring. If the box already exists, installing a new outlet should be pretty easy and not require new wiring. Wiring may be required if the receptacle needs to be installed from scratch or if the electrician determines that a circuit needs to be extended. The cost for new wiring varies but can take 1-2 hours at a cost of $65-$85 per hour.

Types

There are many different types of electrical outlets, some of which are required for specific appliances.

• Rotating: rotating outlets do just what you think, they rotate to accommodate different devices. This is a good option for handling bulkier adapters. Sometimes this is in the form of a surge protector that plugs into an existing outlet ($12-$15 per outlet).
• Standard (120v): this is the standard duplex outlet you see in most homes. The outlet contains a long slot, a short slot, and a grounding slot ($1-$2 per outlet).
• Heavy-duty (220v, 240v, 250v): this refers to outlets that are designed for devices that draw a lot of power, such as refrigerators, dryers, and ovens. This will be the only outlet on a particular circuit. Heavy-duty outlets typically cost $5-$15 per outlet.
• Grounded outlets: the National Electrical Code now states that grounded outlets are standard. The third slot of the ground connection is a safety measure.
• Duplex outlets: this is a standard option that means that two outlets are in a single unit.

GFCI/AFCI circuit breaker

Beyond the standard outlet are outlets with a GFCI or AFCI circuit breaker, or both, in the same unit. A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is designed to reduce the risk of electrical shock. An arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) is designed to reduce the risk of fire caused by arcing faults. The following table outlines some of the requirements for GFCI and AFCI breakers.

Standard vs tamper-resistant receptacles

The standard outlet has standard slots for a plug, but tamper-resistant outlets have an internal shutter that closes when the outlet is not in use. This safety feature prevents children from tampering with the outlet and getting shocked, as it is more difficult to put foreign objects in the outlet. This has become a requirement in some state codes and they cost about the same as ones w/o the safety feature, so it is always best to choose a tamper-resistant outlet when replacing an old one.

Labor

A licensed electrician will perform the installation and electricians charge by the hour ($65-$85 per hour). Many electricians will also charge a minimum service fee for any project (often one hour). For a simple outlet installation, the area for the outlet will be cut away and the wires attached to the outlet, but in many cases, the electrician may need to add a new circuit, which takes a little more time. Adding a circuit will avoid a blown breaker and electrical overload. Expect to pay for 1-3 hours of labor plus the cost of parts.

New installation vs replacement

New outlet installation may possibly include the cost to wire a new circuit, which adds to your labor costs, but the price for materials may not differ much from the cost of replacement. The replacement may simply involve installing a new receptacle, but it could also require replacing wires or the box as well. The new installation will require a receptacle (outlet), box, and wire connectors. Expect to pay $65-$85 per hour for labor (1-3 hours) and $10-$100 for materials.

Replacing an outlet, if it doesn’t require new wiring, is generally less expensive than a new installation. However, new installation means you have a choice in where the outlet goes, which can be more convenient for your home layout. With a replacement outlet, you’re stuck with the location, and you may not have an option to upgrade to a heavy-duty outlet if you need it.

Moving an outlet

Instead of installing a new outlet, you may want to have an outlet moved. The entire box will need to be moved, and the electrician will need to shift the wiring. There probably won’t be much cost in terms of materials, but the process will take at least an hour ($65-$85 per hour). If you move an outlet instead of simply installing a new one, there will be a hole in the wall where the old electrical box was. Some electricians may be able to patch this with drywall, but some may direct you to a handyman. A handyman can repair drywall at $60-$90 per hour, and the process will probably take about an hour.

Enhancement and improvement costs

Upgrading 2-prong to 3-pronged outlets

The difference between 2-prong and 3-pronged outlets is that the 3-pronged outlet has a “ground.” Upgrading takes a little more work than just switching the outlet panel. A grounded fuse box will make the task easier and will take about an hour ($65-$85 per hour), plus the cost of the new outlet ($10-$25). If the fuse box is not grounded, the costs will increase and vary based on the complexity of the project.

Decorative outlets

The standard color for outlets is white, but there are other color options if you want a more decorative look. Many nonstandard colors will cost a little more than the standard outlet, sometimes as much as twice the price ($4-$15).

Installing switches

Light switches may feel like an afterthought, but they are critical to your home’s lighting system. The price varies to install a light switch, depending on how complex the switch is. For example, a single-pole switch requiring no rewiring will cost about $75, while a smart switch requiring new wiring may cost as much as $250.

Smart outlet

Also known as “smart plugs,” smart outlets are Internet-compatible, helping you build your smart home. These outlets and switches can be Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth compatible, and many have USB ports as well. Smart plugs range from $20-$80 each.

Additional considerations and costs

• The average homeowner should not attempt to install electrical outlets, particularly if you are making the switch to a 3-pronged outlet. Housing electrical codes are complex, and working with anything electrical can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing.
• All residential, commercial, and industrial buildings in the United States must comply with the National Electrical Code (NEC). The NEC outlines the guidelines for electrical installation, general safety, grounding, and overcurrent protection.
• In general, up to 10 outlets may be installed on a 20-amp circuit, but the NEC specifies that kitchens must have more than one circuit. Essentially, though, the amount of outlets depends on the intended location and use of the circuit, as well as NEC guidelines.
• Some appliances draw a significant amount of power, such as clothes dryers and ovens. These appliances will need to have their own 20-amp outlets, not the standard 15-amp outlets. Other outlets cannot be on the same circuit.
• It’s generally less expensive to have a “bundle” of electrical work completed in one project. Electricians typically have a minimum service fee (one hour, $65-$85 per hour), and small projects such as light switch installation may take less than an hour. Bundling projects can reduce your overall costs.