How Much Does It Cost to Add an Electrical Outlet in 2025?

Cost Factors for Adding Electrical Outlets

Labor rates and the complexity of your installation are some of the main factors influencing the final cost of adding an outlet.

Number of Outlets

Outlet installations range from $75 to $485 each, including labor and materials. You can expect to pay a per-receptacle price to outfit a home with new outlets when each requires wiring.

Labor

Hiring a local electrician costs between $40 and $150 per hour on top of a standard $100 to $200 dispatch fee. Electricians with relatively lower rates compared to other local contractors typically have less experience or specialization. Master electricians have higher rates, usually between $90 and $150 per hour. Contractors may offer flat rates for some installations.

Electricians can typically install an outlet in one to two hours. Expect higher costs for installing several outlets or additional tasks, such as rewiring and adding circuits.

Location

Different locations in your home have varying requirements or pose greater installation challenges. For example, bathroom or kitchen outlets near water sources must adhere to stricter regulations regarding ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) installation, which protects against electric shock and other hazards.

Other locations, such as garages, may require heavy-duty outlets capable of handling large power loads from appliances and power tools. Installing an outlet on the ceiling, floor, or another spot with accessibility and safety challenges may incur higher labor costs.

Electrical Upgrades

Various electrical upgrades may increase outlet installation costs. If your current electrical panel lacks the capacity to handle additional outlets, you may need to upgrade or expand it with a sub-panel. In certain cases, such as for high-powered devices, a dedicated circuit may be required for your outlet, potentially requiring new wiring and a breaker addition.

Consider these costs:

• Dedicated circuit installation: $570–$1,100

• Subpanel installation: $400–$1,750

• Rewiring: $2–$4 per sq. ft.

New Construction & Whole-Home Remodels

For new construction or whole-home remodels, electricians generally charge by the receptacle rather than by the hour. This pricing structure is cost-effective when outlet installation is part of a larger electrical project, such as installing a new electrical system.

Permits

Most municipalities require you to obtain a permit when modifying your electrical system, which includes wiring new outlets, adding circuits, and making other system upgrades. Electrical permits range from $10 to $500.

Cost by Outlet Type

Electrical outlets vary in design, voltage, and functionality. Each outlet carries different costs, ranging from $3 to $50 each, and may have other requirements affecting labor.

Standard 120V

Standard outlets have 120 volts and use 15 amps to power common household items that run on 110 to 120 volts, such as lamps, TVs, and various small appliances. Some 120V outlets are designed for 20 amps, and they’re typically required for small and some larger home appliances in your kitchen or laundry room. These outlets range from $3 to $22 each.

New installations typically don’t use two-prong outlets because they don’t have a grounding wire for electrical hazard protection. Three-prong outlets feature a ground pin and a vertical slot.

Heavy Duty

Standard, higher-voltage versions cost between $10 and $20, and they include:

• 220V

• 240V

• 250V

These outlets power appliances that require a much higher voltage than others, such as modern refrigerators, dryers, stoves, and portable AC units. Some homeowners even use heavy-duty outlets to charge electric vehicles, albeit at a much slower rate than upgraded charging systems. Heavy-duty outlets typically cost more to install because they require increased circuit capacity, more robust materials, and specialized components.

GFCI

GFCI receptacles cost $7 to $25 each. Like standard, three-prong outlets, GFCIs feature two vertical slots and one round slot with grounding wiring. They also feature a test and reset button. These devices continuously monitor the flow of electricity within the circuit. If they detect even a marginally abnormal current, they’ll trip and disconnect, minimizing the risk of shock and electrical fire.

According to electrical codes, GFCI outlets are required in areas of your home where water or moisture increases the risk of shock. Any electrical outlet within six feet of a sink or similar fixture must have GFCI protection. These areas include:

• Kitchens

• Bathrooms

• Laundry or utility rooms

• Garages

• Basements

• Outdoors

• Pools and hot tubs

AFCI

Arc fault circuit interrupters cost $20 to $35. These devices detect arc faults in wiring due to damaged or loose wires and cut off power to prevent arcing and electrical fires. Some outlets feature dual GFCI/AFCI protection but may cost slightly more. The National Electric Code requires AFCI outlet or breaker protection in areas more prone to electrical fire, such as:

• Bedrooms

• Living rooms

• Hallways

• Family rooms

• Dining rooms

• Kitchens 

• Basements

• Other areas with occupied spaces

Cable/Coaxial Wall Plate

The average cost of a coaxial wall plate is about $5. These are typically installed by cable or internet service providers.

Floor Outlets

Floor outlets cost between $30 and $50 each and come in a kit with specialized components. Designed to be stepped on or exposed to water, these outlets feature more robust housing. The higher cost for floor outlets reflects the specialized and more involved labor required for installation.

Smart Outlets

Hardwired smart outlets range from $25 to $50 each. They can be controlled remotely via smartphones, voice assistants like Amazon Echo and Google Home, or a central control hub. While more costly upfront compared to standard outlets, smart outlets offer automation features that enhance convenience and energy savings.

Tamper-Resistant 

Tamper-resistant outlets, also known as childproof outlets, cost $5 to $10 each to install. These receptacles function much like standard outlets, but they feature built-in safety mechanisms that prevent children from inserting objects into the slots.

Cost to Replace an Outlet

Replacing or repairing an outlet is usually straightforward since it typically involves replacing just the receptacle rather than installing or replacing various other components. Replacement is easier than a new installation unless you’re moving the outlet elsewhere, upgrading your electrical system, or rewiring circuits.

Number of Outlets

The cost of replacing an outlet depends on hourly labor rates, materials, and other necessary upgrades or repairs. If you’re upgrading outlets, such as from a standard outlet to a heavy-duty outlet, factor in costs for the type you’re upgrading to. On average, replacing an outlet costs $175, ranging from $125 to $200.

Replacing Wiring

Replacement costs increase if the wiring associated with the existing outlet is outdated or faulty. Rewiring a home or section of the electrical system costs between $2 and $4 per square foot, depending on the materials and labor rates. Rewiring an entire home (ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 square feet) costs between $3,000 and $8,000. If your home requires a new panel to handle modern electrical loads, expect about $520 to $2,150 to replace it.

Changing from Two-Prong to Three

Switching from two-prong to three-prong outlets is a common upgrade for older homes. If you have a grounded fuse box, an electrician can replace the outlet in about half an hour for a total cost of $20 to $50. Costs increase if your electrician must ground your fuse box or upgrade your panel.

Moving an Outlet

In addition to replacing the receptacle, moving an outlet to a new location requires running new wiring and modifying the wall. Depending on the complexity of the project, moving an outlet can cost anywhere from $25 to $300.

Does Adding Outlets Increase Home Value?

Adding outlets can increase home value, but its actual impact may not be as dramatic as other electrical system upgrades. If your installation also involves upgrading other system components, it may reflect more in your home value than a standard installation.

Otherwise, adding outlets can improve the appeal of your home by offering enhanced safety and convenience, particularly in high-traffic spaces.

Budgeting for Outlet Installation

Save on costs for your outlet installation with these budgeting tips:

• Request detailed quotes from several electricians to ensure you get a competitive price.

• Where electrical codes permit, opt for standard outlets. For example, avoid installing overpowered outlets in spaces reserved for small household devices.

• Bundle services, such as multiple outlet installations, wiring upgrades, surge protection, and other projects, to reduce costs.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from 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.