Electrical service costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Light switch replacement runs $60 to $300 for your home, depending on labor rates and switch type.
Your final cost depends on your switch style, standard, dimmer, timer, or transfer, plus wiring complexity.
You should budget for drywall repair, which can add $150 or more if wall cutting is required.
Hiring a local electrical professional prevents fire hazards from improper wiring and ensures all connections meet your local electrical code requirements.
Want to light up your home with new light switches? The average cost to replace a light switch is $150. However, you could pay as little as $45 or as high as $450. The difference depends mostly on the type: standard, double, dimmer, transfer, or timer switch. Learn more about the cost of installing a light switch, when to hire an electrician, and how to install a light switch.
A big cost factor is the type of light switch you choose. The more elaborate, the more costly. So, a standard switch is your least expensive repair, while dimmers and timers land on the higher side.
| Type of Switch | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard | $1–$20 |
| Double | $10–$20 |
| Three-way | $3–$15 |
| Four-way | $10–$25 |
| Dimmer | $10–$25 |
| Timers | $20–$150 |
| Smart | $20–$100 |
| Manual transfer | $100–$800 |
| Automatic transfer | $300–$2000 |
A single light switch is the standard “on and off” switch that controls one light fixture. Depending on your electrician, a simple light switch replacement can cost between $50 and $150. It’s the easiest switch to replace. This price is based on an electrician’s average hourly charge of $50 to $100 per hour.
Double light switches operate two items. Three-way switches power one fixture at two locations, and four-way switches operate one fixture from three locations. They require slightly different wiring than a single switch and are a bit more expensive to replace. A typical electrician will charge between $75 and $175 for this repair.
A dimmer switch can give you a range of illumination. However, these switches do require more time to install than standard switches. They usually run between $80 and $200.
Timer switches allow you to set lights to a schedule. Timer switches don't cost much more than a dimmer switch, typically between $85 and $200.
Like dimmers and timers, smart switch installation runs between $85 and $150 nationally. Note that this is the switch only. If you are doing hardwiring of smart devices, lights often come in a package deal with items such as outlets.
Transfer switches are installed near the main breaker of your home and direct power from a portable or standby generator to select appliances. Professional installation of a transfer switch averages $200 to $400. This is based on an electrician’s average hourly charge of $50 to $100 per hour, since this is a three- to four-hour job.
The location of the switch will be a factor in the cost. The residential units range from $100 to $800 for a manual and $300 to $2,000 for an automatic.
Before you change to a different switch, check to make sure it is compatible with the type of light fixture you have.
Labor makes up most of the cost to install a light switch. A local electrician will usually charge their minimum rate for a single switch, while some will charge an hourly rate. You may be tempted to save money by doing this seemingly small job on your own, but DIY electrical work comes with a serious risk of injury or electrical fire.
When installing a light switch, always hire a pro for the following reasons:
Working with live wiring comes with a risk of shock and injury.
Simple mistakes like using an incorrect wire gauge or loose connections can cause an electrical fire.
Professional electricians know the local electrical code and can install your outlet safely, efficiently, and in the correct location.
DIY electrical work can void your homeowners insurance or the manufacturer's warranty on your appliances.
Pros know how to avoid common issues like improper grounding or overloaded circuits, ensuring an added outlet won’t damage your electrical system or appliances.
Experts know how to choose the right outlet for the job, whether it’s a GFCI outlet or an outlet for 240V appliances.
Electricians have specialized testing tools that ensure proper installation.
Reputable pros carry insurance and might offer a warranty on their work.
Let your electrician know where you want to install the outlet and how you intend to use it so they can give you an accurate quote.
It’s a good idea to understand which outlets are controlled by which circuits in your home, so your pro doesn’t have to do any guesswork.
Consider adding more than one outlet at a time or bundling smaller electrical jobs together in the same service to save.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Great company! Price was competitive, technician showed up on time and completed the job (exterior electric Radon fan replacement) quickly. Would hire them again.
MaGen Property Inspections and Radon MitigationI conferred with 2 other contractors before Armstrong Electric. Nick and his crew showed me that the project was not as convoluted as the other contractors made it appear to be. They completed the entire project on time. They were professional, friendly and cleaned up after at completion. I...
Armstrong Electric LLCThe techs on my project, Shawn and Cliff, were great. They were prompt, courteous, and efficient. I am very happy with the results and would definitely contact Mr. Electric for any future electrical projects.
Mr. Electric of ColumbusVictor was wonderful. He was on time, professional, and explained everything he was doing. He was thorough and figured out that the problem was electrical instead of with my HVAC system. Very knowledgeable. I will be using this company in the future for any HVAC needs. Thanks!
Hubbs Heating & Air LLCThey were excellent. They did a great job. I was totally satisfied. They put tremendous effort in making sure the work was completed. They were great. They provided immediate response to any inquires I made. I would hire them again. I would recommend them to anyone who needs electrical work....
Property-Tech Industries, LLCInitially, the repairman could not find the problem. Apparently, there was some electrical shortage, but he could not find the definite problem. He left, but called back later to say he had a new idea. He returned and replaced the light switches on the doors. The refrigerator seemed to return...
Appliance Pro LLCThe initial quoted price from a walk-through seemed high, but we discussed that the quote represented worst case scenario (re-wiring to two floors) and we were excited about the opportunity to have the work done in a timely manner with closing for fire safety reasons, etc. When the job was...
I have to tell you I am all about customer service - I will go out of my way and even pay more for it if you give me great customer service. <br> <br>In a world where this is hard to find, these guys were awesome! I can not sing their praises enough. They were prompt, personable, funny, got...
Waibel ElectricWhen I challenged the markup on the generator, Bruder Electric withdrew its bid. They only want naïve customers.
We had no power to any of the electrical outlets in the MBR. We'd had an intermittent problem for a few years and they finally went out all together. We live on the 3rd floor of a 100 year old building and I know from past experience the wiring has been added to in hodgepodge ways over the...
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