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CostHelper.com > Home & Garden  > Adding an Electrical Outlet

Adding an Electrical Outlet Cost


How Much Does Adding an Electrical Outlet Cost?


low costMedium: $75-$250
low costHigh: $300-$800

Related Topics:

Upgrading an Electrical Panel

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Adding outlets can replace wall-to-wall or room-to-room extension cords, increasing both safety and style. Standard outlets (for a toaster or a hair dryer) are 120 volts; outlets for appliances such as a refrigerator or a washing machine are 240 volts.
 
Typical costs:
  • Electricians charge $75-$250 to add a conventional 120V household outlet (also known as a receptacle) to an existing nearby circuit.
  • Bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and other moisture-prone areas (including the outdoors) need ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets, which prevent shocks. These are at the higher end of the scale, or it's about $60-$125 to replace an existing standard outlet with a GFCI receptacle.
  • If existing circuits don't have the capacity for another outlet, running a new 120V circuit off the electrical panel adds another $150-$250.
  • Generally, adding a 240V outlet means installing a new 240V circuit on the main electrical panel, at a cost of $300-$800.
What should be included:
  • HomeTips.com describes and illustrates typical electrical outlets, while HomeTime.com provides a glossary of electrical terms, which helps in comparing electricians' quotes or understanding exactly what's needed in a specific situation.
  • To add an outlet, proper wiring must be run from the existing panel or circuit to the new site. DoItYourself.com explains the basic principles of good wiring and OnTheHouse.com gives step-by-step instructions for adding an outlet.
Additional costs:
  • Child-tamper-resistant outlets cost about $4-$6 each, compared to $1-$3 for standard hardware, according to State Farm Insurance.
  • Designer covers in metal or wood, or with special colors or designs can add $7-$40 or more to the total cost.
Discounts:
  • If outlets are added as part of a larger project, such as upgrading an electrical panel or wiring, the cost per outlet could be on the lower end of the scale; if an electrician comes in just to add one outlet, the minimum charge might be higher than the range estimated above.
Shopping for adding an electrical outlet:
Article updated May 2007
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Amount: $275.00 IC rated 4" recessed can installation ,six cans, thin wall ridgid conduit, 3 wrire 14 gage wiring
Posted by: EDP in wilmette, IL.Purchased: December, 2007
I installed this lighting loop myself...works brilliantly. Curious what this would cost to be done by a licensed contractor.
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Amount: $300.00 Gracen Electric: Excellent work, WAY cheaper than Home Depot
Posted by: k21009 in Edgewood, MD.Purchased: April, 2009
Type of Outlet: Regular, AC 2-plug
Whole-house electric receptacles(around 30 outlets) replaced over the course of four hours, including run to hardware store to pick-up materials. Labor cost was $90 for the first hour, $60 thereafter. Responsible, efficient work from an honest small business.
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Amount: $800.00 2 -15A new lines to two rooms
Posted by: Dash in Old Bridge, NJ.Purchased: August, 2009
Type of Outlet: Outlets to each rooms
Got new 15A lines from panel (in finished basement) to each room (second floor) , that will be hooked to existing outlets (five in each room), cost $700 labor + $100 parts. This was the cheapest, other quotes were $950 & $2000
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