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CostHelper > Home and Garden  > Electrical, HVAC & Energy Efficiency > Adding an Electrical Outlet

Adding an Electrical Outlet Cost


How Much Does Adding an Electrical Outlet Cost?

 
average costMedium: $75-$250high costHigh: $300-$800

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.
Related articles: Upgrading an Electrical Panel, Electrician

What should be included:
  • HomeTips.com[1] describes and illustrates typical electrical outlets, while HomeTime.com[2] 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[3] explains the basic principles of good wiring and ThisOldHouse.com provides a video and instructions[4] showing how to add an electrical outlet.
Additional costs:
  • Child-tamper-resistant outlets cost about $4-$6 each, compared to $1-$3 for standard hardware, according to State Farm Insurance[5] .
  • 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:
  • Request and contact references, and make sure the electrical contractor is properly bonded and insured, as well as licensed in your state.
  • Referrals to electrical contractors are available from the National Electrical Contractors Association[6] .
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
New Stove outlet
Amount: $600.00
Posted by: Natalie ;) in Benicia, CA.Posted: July 1st, 2021 11:07PM
Type of Outlet: 240 volt 4 prong
Installed new circuit breaker, wiring, outlet
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Removing old knobs and rewiring two outlets
Amount: $1,400.00
Posted by: DoMoreResearch in Arlington, MA.Posted: September 30th, 2020 09:09PM
Type of Outlet: 120V outlets
Remove the current knobs connecting to two outlets, running a new 120V circuit off the electrical panel to replace the current wire.
I feel like the electricians were milking out money
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Dryer and dedicated 20amp
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Eudell Lyons in Saint Louis, MO.Posted: May 10th, 2020 05:05PM
Type of Outlet: 20 amp 220
Y'all getting robbed in Texas 900 to 1400 Wow i live in the wrong state shit i could mega bus down and still save you 400-600 per job
Hell look me on FB Dell Lyons
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240 Volt Electric Dryer circuit
Amount: $695.00
Posted by: Kadour in Rochester, MN.Posted: April 17th, 2020 05:04AM
Type of Outlet: 240
Installed a New 240 Volt Electric Dryer circuit from fuse box to the dryer closet (13 feet)
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Replace 240 outlet
Amount: $900.00
Posted by: Alexhampton in Charlotte, NC.Posted: March 4th, 2020 02:03PM
Type of Outlet: 240 dryer outlet
had electrician change 120 volt outlet for old gas dryer to 240 volt outlet for new dryer. It took about 4 hours but the guy was very professional. Great price and job will use him forever.
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240V Dedicated outlet right next to braker box
Amount: $1,227.00
Posted by: a user in PLANO, TX.Posted: January 24th, 2020 02:01PM
Type of Outlet: 240V
Got a quote to install a new 240V outlet right next to braker box in garage. They wanted $1,227. Seemed pretty high so I'm still looking
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Outdoor electric outlet.
Amount: $451.16
Posted by: Ed Schauer in Littleton, CO.Posted: July 22nd, 2019 10:07AM
Type of Outlet: 3 wire outlet
existing outside box needed new cover, over 30 years old. electricity was fine but rain tripped the circuit breker all the time. to replace outlet and add new plastic cover box to outlet. Did a great job, looks great, but still seems extremely expensive, for about 1 hr work.
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Adding electrical outlet where there was previous hardwiring
Amount: $450.00
Posted by: a user in Portland, OR.Posted: April 13th, 2018 08:04AM
Type of Outlet: unsure
I have no idea if I paid way too much or not. It seems simple, but I have no clue about this stuff. We were replacing a dishwasher and it turned out the old one was hard wired and we needed a designated outlet.
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Two dedicated 20A circuits and outlets
Amount: $1,000.00
Posted by: JTrader in Eden Prairie, MN.Posted: April 16th, 2017 02:04PM
Type of Outlet: two 20A outlets
Electrician added two dedicated 20A lines and two anti-sparking(?) duplex outlets for computer servers and laser printers from attached garage sub-panel about 50 feet away through two inconvenient attic crawlspaces down inside opposite home office walls (was 2nd bedroom). Took 2 guys about 2.5 hours. Very clean install. Odd, that they never shut off the power while connecting to the sub-panel! Yikes. Better them than me.
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Change of 220 outlet 4 prong to a 3 prong
Amount: $575.00
Posted by: Richard cortez jr in Pueblo, CO.Posted: March 6th, 2017 02:03PM
Type of Outlet: 220 dryer outlet
If you tell your local electrician what you need done they will give you a estimate and they charge you automatically $75 just for coming out to you and they charge $150 for the permit and then the rest is for the installation
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Electrical install
Amount: $75.00
Posted by: Roberts in Oklahoma City, OK.Posted: September 4th, 2016 11:09AM
Type of Outlet: any
Most of you people just complain about the job because you THINK it should take a shorter amount of time that it does. You insult Electricians with your imaginative ideas of what you THINK it should take. Try doing it yourself and see just how long it would take before comparing your THOUGHTS with REALITY. Chances are the Electrician will charge you less if you are not an ass about it and expecting him or her to be done quicker than you would like. Let that marinade in your head for a while. ....From an Electrician!!!!
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Replace receptacales (11), run dedicated line fro m circuit breaker box
Amount: $660.00
Posted by: Carl Heise in Jersey city, NJ.Posted: April 18th, 2016 02:04PM
Type of Outlet: Child resistant
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2 number 12 wire 20 amps per line
Amount: $200.00
Posted by: Tutotuto in Guttenberg, NJ.Posted: November 7th, 2015 02:11PM
Type of Outlet: 3 prong number 12 wire
One wire # 12 in kitchen for microwave oven
Another wire #12 for a airconditioner
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Dryer Outlet
Amount: $625.00
Posted by: Wil in Gonzales, CA.Posted: April 4th, 2015 04:04PM
Type of Outlet: 125V 3-prong
Replaced a 4-prong to a 3-prong outlet
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electrician installed 4 prong 220V outlet
Amount: $404.50
Posted by: I.P.C. in Marin County, CA.Posted: January 5th, 2015 08:01PM
Type of Outlet: Levitan(?)
Bought a bew range. Retailer said the outlet was 'hardwired', I needed to have a new plug installed. Called two electricians, neither would or could give me an estimate. The installer broke a box, had to get a new one .... it took him 2 1/2 hrs to install it, I thought it was expensive. there was no cutting, etc., a straight forward job. 01/05/2015
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storm damage feeder and drops
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Artisan resort in cearlake, CA.Posted: December 8th, 2013 12:12AM
Type of Outlet: rv and reuse
Tree took out line feeding 3 drops and 4 merc vap lites in our resorts . Electrician. Came in removed damage and new line to sub meters. Upgraded to code No lighting. then claimed work ONLY to restore service one to eliminate hazards.
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changing light switches/plugs
Amount: $115.00
Posted by: bj in foam lake, Other.Posted: January 29th, 2012 08:01PM
Type of Outlet: 120v/20amp
changed 10 switches/10 outlets 300 total cost
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Wired our shed
Amount: $325.00
Posted by: R Simpson in Egg Harbor Twp, NJ.Posted: August 20th, 2010 06:08AM
Type of Outlet: Electrical
We had a guy named Jeff next to our home working . I asked him about if he knows someone that could add some lights, outlets, and a motion light on our shed.He told me he would do it. Well we did let him do the job. The job he did is just wonderful. All wires are straight and very neat person. His number is 609-839-2559
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hot tub outlet/ 220 v
Amount: $669.05
Posted by: a user in Lehighton, PA.Posted: June 10th, 2010 08:06AM
Type of Outlet: 220v
I had to have a 220 line run outside (about 100 feet of wiring), plus a regular outlet. It took the guys about 8 hours to run the line from our braker box to the hot tub, plus running at least 30 feet of piping for cables. Labor was $280, parts $389.05
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Golf cart outlet
Amount: $300.00
Posted by: gregs238 in the villages, FL.Posted: February 27th, 2010 11:02AM
Type of Outlet: single outlets
we charge $299 for a single outlet (not a duplex) installed for golf cart 120volt and 20 amps in Gar near panel $299 parts and labor...$119-$149 for oullet under panel, $800 for 2 home runs to second floor is a GOOD price..$2,000 is pretty high. $1,500 ave
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2 -15A new lines to two rooms
Amount: $800.00
Posted by: Dash in Old Bridge, NJ.Posted: August 18th, 2009 07:08PM
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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Gracen Electric: Excellent work, WAY cheaper than Home Depot
Amount: $300.00
Posted by: k21009 in Edgewood, MD.Posted: May 3rd, 2009 05:05PM
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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IC rated 4" recessed can installation ,six cans, thin wall ridgid conduit, 3 wrire 14 gage wiring
Amount: $275.00
Posted by: EDP in wilmette, IL.Posted: December 20th, 2007 04:12PM
I installed this lighting loop myself...works brilliantly. Curious what this would cost to be done by a licensed contractor.
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External Resources:
  1.  www.hometips.com/how-it-works/wiring-electrical-outlets.html
  2.  www.hometime.com/Howto/projects/electric/elec_8.htm
  3.  www.doityourself.com/stry/h2installelecwiring
  4.  www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,1618107,00.html
  5.  learningcenter.statefarm.com/safety-2/family-1/childproofing-electrical-outlets/
  6.  www.necanet.org/find-a-contractor
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