You’ll need to hire a pro for this job, so be sure to budget for labor and materials.
Most electricians have a minimum fee, even if your project takes less than an hour to complete.
Outdoor GFCI outlets can cost up to $1,400 due to additional project requirements.
While a permit may be required, most electricians bundle it into their cost.
A GFCI outlet costs between $130 and $300 to install for most homeowners, with an average price of about $210. If you simply want to replace an existing GFCI outlet or upgrade your standard outlet to a GFCI outlet, you might spend as little as $100.
Safety is of the utmost importance when it comes to your home's electrical system. A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) electrical outlet is a safe option because it protects against electric shocks in wet areas. Below, we cover the costs of installing GFCI outlets, so you know what to expect.
GFCI Outlet Cost Factors
Luckily, only a few main cost factors are associated with installing a GFCI outlet. Considerations like the number of outlets you install, whether you’re replacing or adding a new outlet, and where it’s installed, all impact your final price. Speaking with an electrician near you will help you determine the best place for your outlets and the correct number of outlets you need.
Angi Tip
Homeowners should steer clear of DIY electrical repairs or installations, as the risk of injury is shockingly high! Instead, hire a local electrician who has the expertise to complete electrical jobs safely.
Guide to Electrical Switches, Outlets, and Fixtures
Materials
GFCI outlets cost between $15 and $50 each for materials alone. So, materials make up a very small proportion of the cost of this project, with labor being the bulk of the cost. While the materials cost for installing or replacing a GFCI outlet are small, you might be tempted to DIY this project. Unless you have extensive electrical experience, we advise you to hire an electrician to ensure proper installation and safety.
Size of Outlet
Different projects require GFCI outlets of different sizes. For example, the amperage needed for a home office differs from that required for a garage. And if you want to get fancy with a night light or light switch, you’ll end up paying a little more for the upgrade.
The number of outlets you need will be the biggest factor in the cost of your GFCI outlet project. Luckily, your electrician might offer a discount if you install several GFCI outlets at once. And remember—since GFCI outlets protect other outlets that receive power from them, you’ll only need to install the GFCI on the first outlet on each circuit, not every single one.
Labor Costs
A professional local electrician typically charges between $50 and $100 per hour, depending on their expertise and the cost of living in your area. Some electricians charge per outlet instead of by the hour. There’s usually a minimum fee of at least $100 to $200 per visit, making it cost-effective to have them tackle several electrical projects at once.
Replacing vs. New Outlet Installation
If you’re replacing a grounded outlet with a GFCI outlet, the job is straightforward and takes a matter of minutes if you know what you’re doing. If you’re installing a GFCI breaker in your panel or putting in a new outlet altogether, you’ll need to hire an electrician to do the job.
Replacing GFCI Outlet
Installing New GFCI Outlet
Average cost: $100–$200
Average cost: $150–$300
Replacing existing standard 120V outlet or dated GFCI outlet
Wiring outlet in new location
Takes between 10 and 30 minutes to complete
Takes between 30 minutes to 3 hours to complete
Can DIY, if experienced
Will need to hire an electrician
Indoor vs. Outdoor GFCI Outlet Installation
In general, standard outlet installation costs $210, while outdoor outlets cost anywhere from $300 to $1,400 per project. Outdoor outlets need a waterproof electrical box and may require drilling into the side of your home or running new electrical lines if they are installed away from the house.
Outdoor Outlet Service
Cost
GFCI outlet materials
$15–$35
Waterproof outlet cover
$10–$20
Electrician labor costs
$50–$100 per hour
Moving an outlet
$200–$300
Permits and Inspection Costs
Before installing a new outlet, you (or your electrician) may need to apply for an electrical permit. Check your local building code before doing any electrical work to see if you need a permit. In general, electrical permits cost anywhere from $50 to $400, depending on what you’re tackling.
If you’re just adding or replacing outlets, inspections for code compliance are often free and included in your electrician’s work. If you have concerns about your electrical system, consider having an electrical inspection done, which costs an average of $150.
Tools Needed
If you're starting from scratch and don't have the tools for the job, you may need to spend about $100 on wire strippers, a voltage tester pen, a screwdriver, and so on. However, if you don't have the basic tools for the job, it's probably not something you should do on your own. Contact an electrician in your area and get a quote.
Access to Wiring
If your wiring is in a place that is more difficult to access, like in a ceiling, you can expect to pay a little more for labor. You should factor the extra time it would take an electrician to access your outlet into your budget. Additionally, unless you are already a skilled DIY expert, accessing more difficult locations is a job for a pro.
The best route is to hire a local electrician to install a GFCI outlet rather than attempting to do the work yourself. Labor is the bulk of the project's cost, but it’s well spent due to the safety risks involved with working with electrical systems, including electrical shock and fire.
Here’s why it’s ideal to hire an electrician
While this task is not as labor-intensive as adding an entirely new outlet to your home, there are some reasons you should always hire a pro to install a GFCI outlet:
A licensed electrician can install a GFCI outlet quickly and safely and ensure compliance with local electrical codes.
Reputable electricians offer warranties and carry insurance.
DIY electrical work may void your homeowners insurance and poses a significant safety risk, including electric shock.
Your pro will correctly wire your outlet and alert you to faulty wiring, one of the leading causes of house fires.
Where GFCI Outlets Are Required
You will need to meet the following code requirements for installing a GFCI outlet in the following rooms:
Location
Description
Bathroom
All bathroom outlets must have GFCI protection.
Kitchen
Kitchen outlets need at least two 20-amp small appliance circuits for the countertop, and outlets that are within 6 feet of a sink must be GFCI-protected.
Laundry Room
The outlet needs a 30-amp, 240-volt circuit with four conductors, and all receptacles need GFCI protection.
Garage
You will need one outlet for each car space, and all outlets will need GFCI protection.
Next Steps: Finalize Your Project With a Pro
Be ready to provide basic information to your electrician, such as the number of outlets and the location of each in your home.
Since this is a small job, consider discussing potential add-ons with your contractor, such as updating multiple outlets.
Ask about warranties or guarantees, along with verifying your electrician’s credentials.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can replace a standard outlet with a GFCI outlet. This offers circuit protection and ultimately helps to prevent electric shocks. It is especially necessary near water sources, like sinks, which can make an electrical shock fatal.
Certain places in the home, like kitchens and bathrooms, require GFCI outlets to be installed. Other places, like hallways and living rooms, do not. If you have questions on whether you need a GFCI outlet, contact an electrician in your area.
GFCI outlets generally last between 7 and 15 years, depending on how often they are used. There are signs that a GFCI outlet needs to be replaced, including:
No power coming from the outlet
The outlet is not resetting when the “reset” button is pressed
The outlet is not tripping when the “test” button is pressed
If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to contact an electrician near you to have the outlet replaced.
A GFCI outlet is a type of electrical outlet that monitors the electricity flowing through the circuit and shuts off power immediately when it detects a loss or acceleration of current. They are particularly important in areas that may come in contact with water, which is why they're most common in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and garages.
Any appliance with an internal motor—like a refrigerator, a fluorescent light, or a vent fan—can cause a GFCI outlet to trip. Though these appliances don’t cause a safety hazard when plugged into a GFCI receptacle, they can cause the GFCI to trip even under optimal conditions. This can be annoying, and will eventually cause your outlet to wear out and need to be replaced.
Mariel is a writer from New York City who has a passion for helping renters and homeowners make their space unapologetically their own—and save a few bucks along the way.
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