Replacing all the electrical outlets and switches in your home can cost anywhere between $900 and $3,000
The average homeowner spends around $2,000 to swap out all the outlets and switches in their home. If the switches and outlets in your home aren’t what you need, you’re not powerless—a local electrician can give you an upgrade. For homes that deviate from the national average of 75 outlets, your final cost will vary. We plug the numbers in for you here.
“Although the cost can add up, new outlets will greatly boost the appearance of your home, and more importantly, the safety,” says plumber Salvatore Cutrona.
| Low Cost | Average Cost | High Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $900 | $2,000 | $3,000 |
Electrical Outlet and Switch Replacement Cost Breakdown
Your bill for replacing all the electrical outlets and switches throughout your home will come down to labor and materials. Extra charges apply for upgrades such as GFCI, AFCI, smart, and high-voltage outlets.
Labor
Your local electrician will typically charge between $9 and $35 per switch or outlet, plus the cost of materials. While the cost to install an outlet or switch usually goes by the hour, a pro may go by the outlet or switch for whole-home remodels. There’s also a generous price break for larger quantities too, so that’s a big bonus for your bottom line.
If you’re getting ready to budget, always consider the highest possible price. If you have the standard 75 outlets in your home and your pro charges $35 per outlet, you should budget $2,625 for just the labor costs, but you’ll need to add in the price for the materials later.
Materials
In addition to your labor charge, you’ll pay around $3 to $5 per outlet to cover materials for each standard 120-volt outlet installed. High-voltage, GFCI, and other specialty types of outlets could cost up to $50 each.
If you have standard outlets in your house, given the average of 75 outlets in a home, materials will cost an extra $375 on the high end ($5 per outlet). Add that to your labor cost and you need to budget $3,000 to replace all the outlets in your home on the more costly side.
Adding New Outlets and Switches
Charges for installing new electrical outlets or switches, like adding an outdoor outlet, will add to your bill.. Still, if you find yourself in a constant jungle of extension cords, it’s a worthwhile investment, averaging around $215 per outlet.
If you build a garage or room extension, you'll need additional switches. Plus, having an extra switch in a large room is handy so you don’t have to do a full lap when you switch from overhead lighting to your reading lamp. The cost to install a new light switch ranges from $100 to $200.
Before bringing in an electrician near you, consider the best places to install new outlets and switches in your home—and have a list at the ready.
Additional Upgrades
Average rates will apply for a simple “plug and play” switch, but prices can go up if you need any rewiring. For example, the cost to ground a two-prong outlet can significantly increase the numbers on your bill, as it’s not a simple swap.
The same applies if you want to relocate a light switch or host a variety of switches in one panel to control your home’s lighting system. What you pay depends on your home’s existing wiring system and how much extra work it requires.
Cost to Replace an Electrical Outlet by Type
To figure out your cost to replace all the outlets in the house, start with a base labor expense of $9 to $35 per outlet. Then, factor in the average material prices below. Many of these will require rewiring, which also costs extra. Your electrician will provide an accurate estimate.
Standard 120V
Standard three-prong 120V outlets typically cost between $3 and $5 for materials only. With labor included, these can go for between $12 and $40 each in large quantities. These 15-amp units are capable of powering 110-volt devices, though their actual voltage can range from 110-125 volts.
220V, 240V, & 250V Power Outlets
For each high-voltage outlet you need, you might pay an additional $10 to $20 per outlet, plus the cost of labor and any additional rewiring. You’ll need the extra juice to power your dryer and other large appliances, so remember to factor these into your budgeting.
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) Outlets
GFCI outlets are pricier additions at about $7 to $25 each, plus the cost of labor. These prevent electrocution and are necessary to meet code requirements for any area that sees water or moisture, such as your bathroom or kitchen. Be sure to test them at least once a year to ensure they’re working properly.
Smart Outlets
Smart Outlets typically run $25 to $50 each. For brands like Google Home and Amazon Echo, you’ll also need a control hub to sync your outlets with all of your smart devices.
Cost to Replace All Switches by Type
When calculating the cost to replace light switches in your home, factor in labor expenses of $10 to $30 per switch or an hourly rate of $50 to $150 per hour. Material costs vary depending on the kind of switches you want. Some of the most common types of electrical switches are outlined below.
Standard Switches
If you’re happy to keep things simple, single-pole switches range from $1 to $10. You’ll get one straightforward “on and off” switch, and it’s a cinch for an electrician to replace. The total cost with labor ranges between $50 and $150 per switch.
Double Switch
If you’ve got a ceiling fan with an attached light, you’ll probably be replacing a panel with two switches—one to control the fan and one for the light. You’ll pay an average of $10 to $20 for double switch fittings, and total costs including labor range from $75 to $175.
Three-Way
You might want three-way switches in your hallway. They allow you to turn the light on when you're upstairs and off again downstairs (and vice versa). These switches that can control one light from two locations cost from $3 to $20, and $75 to $175 with labor.
Four-Way
You might have a four-way set up if you’re controlling a single fixture from multiple spots in a large open-plan living space. The switches themselves cost from $10 to $20, but you’ll need to factor in a higher bill from your electrician for these more labor-intensive replacements.
Dimmer Switches
Want to reduce your electric bill? Consider updating existing fixtures with dimmer switches. The switches cost $15 to $30, and you’ll pay between $80 and $200 with labor included.
Smart Switches
Like the idea of controlling your lights from a smart home hub? You’ll need to replace your standard switches with smart ones. These futuristic features don’t come cheap though—installation of smart switches can cost anywhere from $50 to $500.
Timer Switches
If you’re a security-conscious homeowner, being able to set your lights to come on as it gets dark is an appealing feature. Timer switches also help keep energy bills down if your kids—or, let’s face it, even you—leave lights on when heading to bed. Budget between $85 and $200 to install timer switches.
What Factors Influence the Cost to Replace All Outlets and Switches in Your House?
Your final price to replace all the electrical outlets and switches in your home can vary widely per project. Here are some of the biggest factors that affect your cost:
The type of electrical outlet or switch you need
The rates of the electrician you hire
The number of outlets or switches you’re replacing
The location of the outlets and switches
Minimum service fees (these typically apply for orders below $25 to $75)
Whether you need rewiring or other major electrical work
The number of hours it takes for professional installation
Alison Kasch contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your home has a faulty outlet, this could point to a bigger issue with all of your wiring, which would indicate a need to completely rewire the home. Rewiring can cost anywhere between $540 to $2,100, or possibly more depending on the project. A professional electrician can evaluate the situation and give you a more concrete estimate.
Installing USB outlets, which can charge your phone, tablet, or other USB-powered devices, typically costs between $13 and $22 for a standard 15-amp 120V outlet. Since USB ports don’t draw too much power compared to standard outlets, adding a USB port on any of your existing outlets is a simple and safe job for a pro that can make your life a lot easier.
The more amps you have, the more electricity that specific outlet gets (which translates to more power being delivered to your devices). Because of this, the higher the amperage, the higher the cost. Additionally, more expensive outlets also tend to have higher durability and better safety ratings. A more budget-friendly outlet will need to be replaced more often, and more expensive outlets (typically made with metal instead of plastic) are often the safer choice for your home and worth investing in for peace of mind.
A skilled electrician can replace an outlet or switch in 30 minutes or less. Installing an outlet is a relatively simple job for pros who deal with other, more complex electrical tasks. However, replacing anything involving electricity still requires you to follow strict safety precautions to avoid injury or property damage.
While it’s only required that you replace outlets with ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) varieties in areas of your home that are close to water, if you’re doing an outlet overhaul, there’s nothing to stop you from using them everywhere. GFCI outlets offer additional peace of mind with increased electrical safety, provided you don’t mind their premium price tag.
A straight swap of single switches isn’t too daunting as a DIY task, even if you have to rewire the switch yourself. Replacing switches with more complex dimmer, smart, or timer styles might merit calling the pros.
You can also replace an outlet without relying on the experts, but it pays to have some electrical circuit know-how, and you need to be a stickler for following safety standards. If you have doubts, reduce the risk by hiring an electrician.
