Electricians typically charge by the receptacle, so the cost to install an outlet largely varies on how many you wish to install in your home. On average, homeowners will spend between $75 and $485 to install an outlet.
The cost to install an outlet is $300 on average, or between $100 to $450 per outlet. The price of installing an outlet varies based on factors like the type of outlet, project size, your electrician’s rate, and more. This guide will help you plan how much you should budget to install electrical outlets in your home.
The cost to install an outlet is $130 to $300 per outlet on average. The cost depends on various factors, such as the type of electrical outlet and project size.
“The cost to install a new outlet may seem expensive, but the added convenience and prolonged safety benefits may justify those prices,” explains electrician Salvatore Cutrona.
Outlet Type | Average Cost Per Outlet |
---|---|
Standard (120V) | $3–$5 |
Heavy-duty (220V, 240V, 250V) | $10–$20 |
GFCI | $7–$25 |
AFCI | $20–$30 |
Floor | $30–$50 |
Coax | $5 |
Tamper-resistant | $5–$10 |
Smart | $25–$50 |
Rotating | $8–$20 |
Outdoor | $1,000–$1,400 |
LED | $10–$30 |
USB | $20–$40 |
Recessed | $10–$60 |
Ceiling | $3–$5 |
TV | $3–$5 |
Let’s look at what price tag you can find on some common electrical outlet types. These are product costs only, not including the labor costs cited above.
The most common electrical outlet has 120 volts, using 15 amps to power your small appliances or any device that needs 110 to 125 volts to run. They cost $3 to $5 each to install, with two-prong outlets on the lower end of this price range and three-prong on the higher end.
To install a heavy-duty electrical outlet like 220V, 240V, and 250V, you'll pay between $10 and $20 per outlet.
The Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet has an internal surge protector that almost instantly cuts off the outlet’s power if a power surge or moisture is detected. Expect to pay $7 to $25 each.
The Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) outlet quickly detects any electrical arcs in your system and cuts off power to that circuit to avoid an electrical fire. They can average between $20 to $30 each.
Floor outlets let you use an outlet for your electrical needs, even if you’re not near a wall outlet. They often come in a kit that costs $30 to $50 each.
The coax outlet, used for cable TV, costs around $5 for each receptacle. Installing a coax outlet is doable if you’re a DIY-savvy homeowner.
Homeowners can install a tamper-resistant, child-proofing outlet to keep their home a safe place. These can cost $5 to $10 for each outlet (materials only).
Smart outlets let you control the devices connected to the same outlet. To install one, expect to pay $25 to $50 extra for capabilities.
Most homeowners know how difficult it can be to get oddly shaped plugs on one outlet together, which is why a rotating outlet that can swivel 360 degrees is so appealing. They average around $8 to $20 an outlet.
Installing outdoor electrical outlets requires more experience with weather protection and safety when creating an outlet outdoors. This project can cost $1,000 to $1,400 per outlet, if the outlet is installed away from your house and requires installing electrical lines in the ground.
LED lights offer a set of LEDs at the bottom of the plate, usually combined with a motion sensor. These typically cost $10 to $30 depending on the type.
A USB outlet has American standard electrical outlets, but then adds a USB port or two to power compatible electrical devices. Average prices are between $20 and $40.
These outlets have faceplates with the outlet set an inch or so back into the wall. These outlets vary greatly in cost, from $10 to $60 depending on the design.
Ceiling outlets don’t have the same requirements as floor outlets, so their costs tend to be the same as standard outlets, around $3 to $5. However, expect labor costs to be higher, as electricians typically have to do more work for a successful ceiling installation.
A TV outlet is specifically designed for a TV placement, often over a fireplace. If there are no necessary additions like a coaxial cable, then standard rates of around $3 to $5 to install.
Review the factors that determine outlet installation prices.
Your total price to install an electrical outlet depends on the project size. The average price range to install an individual outlet is $130 to $300.
Number of Outlets | Average Cost Range |
---|---|
1 | $130–$300 |
2 | $250–$600 |
3 | $400–$900 |
4 | $500–$1,200 |
5 | $650–$1,500 |
6 | $800–$1,800 |
7 | $950–$2,100 |
8 | $1,100–$2,400 |
9 | $1,200–$2,700 |
10 | $1,350–$3,000+ |
Your preferred outlet’s location can also impact its cost. Electricians may charge extra for the extra time required to install outlets in difficult-to-reach locations, like behind large furniture or crawl spaces.
If your electrician determines that you need new wiring for your outlet because your current wiring is faulty, damaged, or old, it’ll take extra time for them to fix it and can cost $540 to $2,100, depending on the severity.
The installation costs can change depending on the local cost of living, the price of shipping materials to the area, and similar factors. Expect to pay significantly more for an outlet if your home is in a more urban area with a higher population.
Many electricians will have standard plastic covers or plates to install when putting in an outlet, costing under $10. The most expensive models may be finished in brushed metal surfaces made from nickel or bronze, adding more than $100.
Most home outlets are destined to become sockets for plug-in power or switches for controlling lights. If you’re installing an outlet that will become a switch, prices may go higher.
Some outlet technology will add dollar signs to your installation project. Keep in mind that important additions like smart technology, USB ports, or even more common options like GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) will cost extra.
On average, an electrician charges $50 to $100 per hour. Some electricians may charge more for the labor of certain projects, such as GFCI or heavy-duty outlets, that are more labor-intensive to place in your home.
The type of electrical pro you hire for the job will also impact your final cost, as there are many different types of electricians. For example, if you hire a master electrician—a highly experienced pro with more than 4,000 hours of work—you can pay anywhere from $90 to $150 per hour. Hiring electricians with less experience can cost $40 to $85 per hour.
Electricians also charge minimum fees, which cover the cost of travel, supplies, gas, and more. Since outlets are primarily inexpensive and a licensed electrician can get it done in less than an hour, they usually charge a minimum fee of at least $100 to $200 per visit.
Replacing an outlet costs $3 to $5 per outlet, plus labor costs. There’s often less labor involved for the electrician, so they may cut their labor costs by $10 to $20 or even more. New outlet and outlet replacement costs—aside from any handy tech upgrades—are often the same. Let’s compare the average cost difference between getting an outlet replaced and opting for a whole new outlet.
Low Cost | $75 | $60 |
Average Cost | $100–$300 | $100–$150 |
High Cost | $500 | $300 |
Consider these additional costs for specific outlet situations.
Drywall repairs: $300–$900
Electrical permits: $50–$100
New wiring: $100–$1,000
Electrical outlets seem like simple additions to your home. However, installing an electrical outlet is a task that’s better left to an experienced, licensed, and local electrician. This project involves, well, electricity and electrical wiring, meaning it requires safe handling to avoid an electrical emergency or home damage.
Installing outlets yourself is not a project that most DIYers should attempt since one wrong action can result in an electrocution or fire hazard. Plus, if a house fire was to occur because of improper electrical work, your insurance company might not cover the damages. Lastly, there are building code requirements to adhere to that you might not know, but an experienced electrical pro will.
Hiring a professional is typically necessary for a new outlet, but there are still several ways you can cut down your costs.
Choose an ideal location: You can use a stud finder to check for studs and wiring or other obstructions in your walls, and narrow down exactly where you want the outlet to go.
Complete outlet installation early: Arrange for outlet upgrades and wiring installation in the early stages of a home renovation, ahead of adding insulation and drywall.
Use energy-saving features: Smart outlets have a high initial cost, but their ability to schedule turn-offs and measure electricity can help you save money.
Shop for faceplates: If you want a specific faceplate style or material, finding a discount online could save some of your budget.
If all you want is to move an existing outlet to another area of your wall, it will likely cost $25 to $300. However, many factors can impact your final cost, including existing wiring, the type of outlet, and more. It’s always best to speak with a pro to get an individualized quote.
This type of conversion is easy—you’ll just need to upgrade to the correct amperage in your wires before wiring the new outlet. However, these projects can be tricky without intermediate electrical knowledge, so consider consulting a pro before flipping any switches on your circuit breaker.
It can take an electrician 30 minutes on average to install an outlet, but they’ll likely charge a minimum fee for one to two hours. If you have any additional electrical work you’d like them to perform, it could be worth an electrician’s while (and yours) to mention that ahead of time and bundle the tasks together.
It costs between $750 to $5,000 to install 10 outlets. The total cost to install 10 outlets will vary based on the type of outlet being installed, labor costs, the scope of the work, and additional costs that may arise such as for permits and repairs.
The total cost to install a 120V outlet will depend on the type of outlet you choose, labor costs, and any customizations. Standard 120 volt outlets usually cost $3 to $5 each. But say, for example, you customize your 120V outlets with USB ports, you’ll end up paying a bit more at $13 to $22 per outlet. When it’s all said and done, you can expect to pay around $175 for each new 120V outlet and $125 each for replacement.