Look at what is already in the box
Two-prong outlets with no ground wire, cloth-covered cable or aluminum branch wiring change the job. An electrician should tell you up front whether a swap is allowed or whether the run needs replacing.
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Outlets · Switches · GFCI · Dedicated Circuits · Whole-House RewireElectrical wiring and outlet cost calculator
Swapping an outlet in a box that already exists usually costs $150 to $350 with the electrician’s trip. Adding a new outlet where there was none runs a little more, because someone has to fish cable through a finished wall. A whole-house rewire is a different job altogether: most homeowners spend $10,000 to $15,000, and the drywall patching afterwards is usually a separate bill.
Planning a full rewire of knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring? The whole-house rewire calculator prices it by wiring type, wall type, permits and patching. This page is for outlets, switches and new circuits.
Reviewed 25 October 2026 · Written by Mantu Kumar
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Written and maintained byMantu Kumar
Evidence review16 October 2026
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Key facts at a glance
- Outlet replacement commonly runs $150–$350 per outlet including the visit; Angi puts the average near $200.
- A new outlet where none existed is typically $138–$320; a GFCI is $200–$350 and an outdoor outlet $200–$450.
- Whole-house rewiring: most homeowners pay $10,000–$15,000; small, easy homes start near $3,500 and large plaster-wall homes can pass $30,000.
- Electricians typically charge $50–$100 an hour, and most add a minimum service call.
- Permits for electrical work usually cost $50–$350, depending on the city and how many inspections the job needs.
Sources: Inch Calculator rewiring cost guide; ThePricer outlet cost roundup citing Angi, HomeAdvisor and HomeGuide; ReplaceCost 2026 planning ranges.
2026 planning ranges
- 1Swap outlets & switches · $150–$350 each
- 2Add new outlets · $138–$320 each
- 3GFCI outlets · $200–$350 each
- 4Outdoor outlet · $200–$450
- 5Dedicated circuits · $400–$900 each
- 6Permit · $50–$350
- 7Whole-house rewire
- 8AFCI + tamper-resistant
- 9Wall openings + patching
Whole-house rewire: Most pay $10,000–$15,000; small homes from about $3,500.
Wiring and outlet cost estimator
No email · nothing sentDiagram, part by part
Electrical wiring and outlet: every numbered part explained
The electrical wiring and outlet drawing above has 9 numbered parts, from Swap an outlet to Opening and patching walls. Each card below frames one of them, and after you run the calculator it shows what that part adds to your estimate.
1 Swap an outlet
$150–$350
Replacing a worn, cracked or loose outlet or switch in an existing box is a short visit per device. Current code calls for tamper-resistant receptacles in most living areas, and the electrician checks the connections and grounding while the cover is off.
What moves it: Number of devices, their location and whether backstabbed wiring must be redone.
On the quote: Ask whether tamper-resistant receptacles are used and whether loose or backstabbed connections will be moved to screw terminals.
2 Add a new outlet
$138–$320
A new outlet means tapping an existing circuit, fishing cable through finished walls and cutting in an old-work box. Price depends on access from the attic or basement and the distance from the nearest circuit.
What moves it: Wall type, access above or below, and the distance to a circuit with spare capacity.
On the quote: Ask which circuit the new outlet will be on and whether wall patching is included.
3 GFCI outlet
$200–$350
GFCI outlets cut power within milliseconds if current leaks to ground, which protects people near water. Code requires GFCI protection in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, basements, laundry areas and outdoors.
What moves it: How many locations need protection and whether a GFCI breaker is used instead.
On the quote: Ask which locations get GFCI protection and whether downstream outlets are labeled.
4 Outdoor outlet
$200–$450
Outdoor outlets need a weatherproof box, an in-use cover that stays closed while something is plugged in, and GFCI protection. A hole is often drilled through the rim joist or siding and sealed.
What moves it: The wall the outlet goes on and the distance from the panel or a nearby circuit.
On the quote: Ask for an in-use cover and confirm the outlet is GFCI protected.
5 Dedicated circuit
$400–$900
Large appliances such as a microwave, freezer, window AC or EV charger get their own circuit from the panel so they do not trip other loads. It needs an open breaker space and a cable run from the panel.
What moves it: Circuit size, run length and panel space.
On the quote: Ask for wire gauge and breaker size, and whether the panel has room.
6 Permit
$50–$350
Most new circuits and outlets need an electrical permit and inspection. It protects you at resale and in an insurance claim if a fire is ever traced to the wiring.
What moves it: Your town and the scope of work.
On the quote: Ask who pulls the permit and when the inspection is scheduled.
7 Whole-house rewire option
$8,000–$16,000 on a typical home
When the wiring is knob-and-tube, ungrounded cloth cable or aluminum, spot repairs stop making sense and the whole house is rewired. This page gives a quick estimate; the whole-house rewire calculator breaks it down by wiring type, wall type and patching.
What moves it: Home size, wiring type and wall construction.
On the quote: Ask whether old wiring will be fully disconnected and how many access holes the walls will need.
8 AFCI and tamper-resistant protection
Required on most new work
New and extended circuits in living areas usually need arc-fault protection, and receptacles must be tamper-resistant. These code items can add breaker cost, especially in older panels that need specific breakers.
What moves it: Panel brand and age, and which rooms are affected.
On the quote: Ask whether AFCI breakers are available for your panel and included in the price.
9 Opening and patching walls
Often a separate line
Fishing cable through finished walls leaves small access holes near outlets, at the ceiling line and where the cable crosses framing. Some electricians patch them; others leave patching and paint to you.
What moves it: Wall type, plaster or drywall, and how many runs are needed.
On the quote: Ask whether patching is included and to what finish level.
Device swap or new circuit
Separate a $200 outlet swap from a $12,000 rewire
Most electrical calls are a worn outlet, a dead switch or a GFCI that keeps tripping. Those are quick swaps. The price changes when a new cable has to be run, when the panel has no room for another breaker, or when the house still has wiring that is no longer allowed to be extended.
The three close-ups below show what to look at in the box, at the device and behind the wall before you approve a price. These close-ups are crops of the same AI-generated illustration.
Ask which outlets must be GFCI or AFCI
Current electrical codes require ground-fault protection in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, basements and outdoors, and arc-fault protection in many living areas. Those devices cost more than a basic outlet, so they should be named in the quote.
Find out who patches the drywall
Fishing new cable often needs small openings. Many electricians leave the holes for a drywall or paint contractor, so ask whether patching is included before comparing two totals.
Before you sign a quote or file a claim, verify these three details
- Device type
- Whether each opening gets a standard, GFCI, AFCI, USB or weather-resistant device
- New runs vs swaps
- How many outlets need new cable from the panel and how many reuse an existing box
- Panel space
- Whether the panel has room for new breakers, or whether a subpanel or upgrade is part of the job
On this page
- 2026 wiring cost by job
- When a house needs rewiring, not repairs
- What moves an electrical quote
- Worked example: eight swaps and two new outlets
- What insurance pays
- Electrical outlet and wiring cost by region
- What “What are you pricing” does to the price
- How age changes the electrical outlet and wiring claim payout
- Quote checklist: 6 items to verify
- How long the job takes
- Ways to keep the cost down
- Signs your wiring needs work
- Sources
- Frequently asked questions
Electrical wiring cost by job (2026)
Electricians price small jobs per device plus a trip charge, and big jobs by the house. Keep the two apart when you compare quotes.
| Job | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Replace an outlet or switch | $150 – $350 | Average near $200 with the visit |
| Replace only the device (several at once) | $65 – $125 each | Cheaper per outlet when done in one visit |
| Add a new outlet | $138 – $320 | Includes fishing cable through the wall |
| GFCI outlet | $200 – $350 | Required in wet and outdoor areas |
| USB or smart outlet | $175 – $300 | Device costs more than a standard outlet |
| Outdoor outlet | $200 – $450 | Weatherproof box and in-use cover |
| Whole-house outlet refresh | $1,200 – $2,600 | New devices throughout, same wiring |
| Whole-house rewire | $10,000 – $15,000 typical | $3,500 small and simple, $30,000+ large or plaster |
When a house needs rewiring, not repairs
A rewire replaces the branch circuits: the cable running from the panel to every outlet, switch and light. It is worth pricing when the house still has knob-and-tube wiring, cloth-insulated cable that crumbles when moved, or aluminum branch wiring that has not been remediated. Frequent tripping, warm cover plates, flickering on several circuits and two-prong outlets throughout are the usual signs.
A rewire is not the same job as a panel upgrade. Many older homes need both, but the panel is priced separately in the electrical panel calculator. If the service is only 60 or 100 amps and you are adding a heat pump, an EV charger or an induction range, price the panel before deciding the scope of the rewire.
What moves an electrical quote
- Access. An open attic or unfinished basement lets the electrician run cable quickly. Finished walls on both floors, plaster or a slab foundation slow everything down.
- New runs versus swaps. Replacing a device takes minutes. A new run from the panel takes an hour or more, plus materials.
- Code upgrades. Touching a circuit can trigger GFCI or AFCI protection requirements in that area.
- Permits and inspections. Usually $50 to $350, more if the city requires several inspections on a rewire.
- Patching and paint. Rarely included. Budget for a drywall repair and paint touch-up after any job that opens walls.
Worked example: eight outlet swaps and two new outlets
These are the calculator’s default inputs: eight devices replaced in existing boxes, two new outlets with cable fished through finished walls, no dedicated circuit, national labor rates and 40-year-old wiring.
8 device swaps · 2 new outlets
Worked example| Line item | 2026 planning range |
|---|---|
| Swap outlets and switches in existing boxes (8) | $1,200 – $2,400 |
| New boxes and cable runs (2) | $500 – $1,100 |
| Planning total | $1,700 – $3,500 |
If the eight swaps are done together, many electricians charge less per device than the single-outlet price, so the low end is realistic for a straightforward house. Drywall patching around the two new outlets is not included.
Does homeowners insurance pay for rewiring?
- Old wiring is maintenance. A policy does not pay to replace wiring because it is outdated or ungrounded.
- Fire and lightning are covered perils. Wiring, outlets and walls damaged by a covered fire or a lightning surge are usually covered, subject to the deductible and depreciation on an actual cash value policy.
- Insurability. Some insurers decline or surcharge homes with knob-and-tube or ungraded aluminum wiring. Rewiring can make the house easier to insure, even though the insurer will not pay for it.
- Code upgrades after a claim are paid only under ordinance or law coverage, and only up to that limit.
Electrical outlet and wiring cost by region
The calculator's default electrical outlet and wiring job, repriced for each of its six regions. At the national average it runs $1,700 – $3,500; South / Lower Midwest is the lowest at $1,479 – $3,045, and West Coast metro is the highest at $2,210 – $4,550, a gap of about $1,118 at the midpoint.
| Region | Planning range | Midpoint |
|---|---|---|
| National average | $1,700 – $3,500 | $2,600 |
| South / Lower Midwest | $1,479 – $3,045 | $2,262 |
| Mountain / Plains | $1,615 – $3,325 | $2,470 |
| Mid-Atlantic / Upper Midwest | $1,904 – $3,920 | $2,912 |
| Northeast metro | $2,142 – $4,410 | $3,276 |
| West Coast metro | $2,210 – $4,550 | $3,380 |
What “What are you pricing” does to the price
Every other input stays at its default and only “What are you pricing?” changes. The cheapest choice, Outlets, switches and a few new runs, comes to $1,700 – $3,500; the most expensive, Whole-house rewire, comes to $8,150 – $16,350.
| Choice | Planning range | Midpoint vs default |
|---|---|---|
| Outlets, switches and a few new runs (default) | $1,700 – $3,500 | — |
| Whole-house rewire | $8,150 – $16,350 | +$9,650 |
How age changes the electrical outlet and wiring claim payout
Using the default job, a $1,000 deductible and a 40-year expected life. At 10 years old, about $650 is held back as depreciation; a replacement cost policy releases it after the work is finished, while an actual cash value policy keeps it.
| Age | Wear | First check | Held back |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 years | 5% | $1,470 | $130 |
| 5 years | 12% | $1,275 | $325 |
| 10 years | 25% | $950 | $650 |
| 15 years | 38% | $625 | $975 |
| 20 years | 50% | $300 | $1,300 |
| 30 years | 75% | $0 | $1,950 |
Quote checklist: 6 items to verify
Wiring quotes are easiest to compare device by device.
- Device count. Outlets, switches and GFCI locations.
- New circuits. Breaker size, wire gauge and panel space.
- Code protection. AFCI, GFCI and tamper-resistant receptacles.
- Wall access. How cable is routed and how many holes.
- Patching. Included or left to you.
- Permit. Pulled and inspected.
How long the job takes
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Walkthrough | 30 – 60 minutes | Locations and panel checked. |
| Device swaps | 15 – 30 minutes each | In existing boxes. |
| New outlets and circuits | 2 – 8 hours | Depends on access. |
| Inspection | 1 – 10 days | Before walls are patched. |
| Patching | 1 – 2 days | If included. |
Label the panel directory after the work so each new circuit can be found quickly.
Ways to keep the cost down
Wiring costs depend on access and device count.
- Group the work. One visit.
- Use existing circuits. If capacity allows.
- Work from attic or basement. Less patching.
- Buy devices in bulk. Lower cost.
- Patch yourself. If comfortable.
- Plan for future needs. Avoid repeat work.
Signs your wiring needs work
These can be fire risks.
- Warm outlets. Loose connections.
- Two-prong outlets. No ground.
- Frequent breaker trips. Overload.
- Flickering lights. Connections.
- Burning smell. Danger.
Sources and further reading
- Inch Calculator — Cost to rewire a home
- ThePricer — Outlet replacement and installation cost
- NAIC — Actual cash value vs replacement cost coverage
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to add an electrical outlet in 2026?
Adding a new outlet where there was none typically costs $138 to $320, because the electrician has to run cable to the new spot. Replacing an outlet in an existing box is usually $150 to $350 including the visit, and less per outlet when several are done together.
How much does it cost to rewire a whole house?
Most homeowners spend $10,000 to $15,000. A small home with easy attic and basement access can come in near $3,500, while large homes with plaster walls can pass $30,000. Drywall repair and a panel upgrade are usually separate.
Can I replace an outlet myself?
Swapping a like-for-like outlet is a common DIY job if the circuit is switched off and tested dead first. Many cities still require a permit for new circuits, and anything involving the panel, aluminum wiring or a new run is work for a licensed electrician.
Do I have to upgrade to GFCI outlets?
When an outlet in a kitchen, bathroom, garage, basement or outdoors is replaced, current codes generally require ground-fault protection. Your local code and inspector decide what applies.
Does insurance pay to replace knob-and-tube wiring?
No. Replacing old wiring is maintenance. Insurance pays for wiring damaged by a covered event such as a fire. Some insurers will not write a policy on a home with active knob-and-tube wiring, which is often what prompts a rewire.
How long does a whole-house rewire take?
Many rewires take one to two weeks of electrical work, plus time for inspections and drywall repair. Homes with plaster walls or no attic access take longer.
What is an AFCI breaker?
An arc-fault circuit interrupter breaker detects dangerous arcing from damaged cords or loose connections and shuts off the circuit before a fire starts. Codes require them on many living-area circuits.
How many outlets can be on one circuit?
Home codes do not set a strict number for general circuits, but electricians plan for the expected load. Kitchens and bathrooms have specific circuit requirements.
Do I need an electrician to add an outlet?
Most areas require a licensed electrician or a homeowner permit for new wiring. Replacing an outlet in the same box is often allowed for homeowners but still needs care.
What is a tamper-resistant outlet?
An outlet with internal shutters that open only when both prongs enter together, protecting children from inserting objects.
Do outdoor outlets need covers?
Yes. Outdoor outlets need weatherproof in-use covers that stay closed while something is plugged in, plus GFCI protection.
Is aluminum wiring dangerous?
Older aluminum branch wiring can overheat at connections. Approved connectors or repairs by a qualified electrician reduce the risk.
Related planning tools
Next steps for your estimate
When the electrical wiring and outlet quote touches the claim or another part of the house, start here.
Electrical panel upgrade calculatorPrice a 100A-to-200A upgrade before a rewire.Lighting and ceiling fan calculatorPrice fixtures, recessed lights and fans.Standby generator calculatorAdd backup power and a transfer switch.Drywall repair calculatorPatch the openings left after new wiring.Should I file a claim?Check a fire or surge claim against your deductible.Home rebuild cost calculatorCheck your dwelling limit after major upgrades.EV charger installation calculatorA 240V circuit for the car.
Key topics covered
Popular wiring and outlets searches answered on this page
Planning topics covered in the calculator and guide above.
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