The average cost to install an electrical outlet is $133 to $296 each. This guide explains what factors impact the total cost of installing an outlet.
How to Wire an Outlet Switch Combo Like a Pro
Take control over your home’s power
Get quotes from electricians near you
No obligation · 100% free
Get quotes from electricians near you
No obligation · 100% free
Need Help With a Project? Connect With a Pro
A light switch and outlet combo lets you add an outlet at a switch location or control an outlet from a switch without running new wiring.
Expect to pay $75 to $270 for the combo device itself, plus around $350 for professional installation to ensure safe, code-compliant wiring.
You need to test for live current with a multimeter before touching any wires, and confirm your tester works on a known live circuit first.
Hiring a local electrical professional provides reliable help with combo device installation and wiring configuration, keeping your home safe and up to code.
Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.
There are several reasons to install a switch and outlet combination device around your home. The most common is adding versatility to an electrical circuit without running new wiring. You may want to add an outlet while maintaining control of an overhead light or turn a duplex outlet into a switched receptacle. Whatever the reason, a switch and outlet combination device can do that. Learning how to wire an outlet switch combo offers a relatively simple way to increase the functionality of an electrical circuit.
How to Wire an Outlet Switch Combination
An outlet and switch combo allows several configuration options to establish various circuit setups. The versatile device has a toggle switch and a receptacle or outlet contained within the same unit. You can use an outlet switch combination device to add an outlet at a single-pole or three-way switch location or add a switch to an outlet or GFCI outlet location for a variety of reasons.
Unlike wiring a single-function light switch, several configurations are possible with outlet and switch combo devices. How you install it depends on what you're trying to accomplish with it and your home's existing wiring and requirements.
Following is a list of connection guidelines for possible applications of an outlet switch combo depending on wiring configuration and GFCI or three-way switch requirements.
1. Test Voltage
Working with electrical components in the home can be dangerous. While we encourage using a professional, licensed electrician to perform any electrical work your home requires, some DIY electrical projects might be within your reach, provided you strictly follow several electrical safety guidelines.
Always assume a wire is live until you prove otherwise with an appropriate tester, such as a multimeter.
Before starting work, understand the functions and use of a multimeter or other electrical testing device.
Test your testing device on a known live circuit to prove it's functioning as it should before relying on it to test the circuit you're working on.
If you're unsure of how to perform any steps to complete an electrical project, stop work and call a pro for assistance.
2. Switch Controls a Light While Outlet Stays Hot
Suppose the room you're working in has a light fixture on a switch, and you'd like to add an outlet, or you have an outlet high on a wall or workbench, and you'd like to add a light on a switch at that location. You can accomplish that by wiring your combo device to act as a switch for the light while allowing the outlet to always have power available.
Single Hot Source
Connect the power source wire to the outlet hot terminal.
Leave the connection tab in place.
Connect the load wire to the opposite side of the switch.
Connect the neutral side of the outlet to the load and source neutrals
Two Hot Wires
Connect each hot wire to the line side of the switch—one to the outlet and one to the switch.
Break the connection tab.
Connect the load wire to the opposite side of the switch
Connect the neutral side of the outlet to the load and source neutrals
GFCI
Pigtail the source wire and connect both hots—one to the load hot terminal and one to the line hot terminal.
Connect the load wire to the light to the load side of the switch.
Connect the neutral line outlet terminal to the source and load neutral
The load neutral will have no wires connected.
Three-Way Switches
Connect the line wires to the common terminals on the outlet side.
Connect the line neutral wires to the neutral terminals and the light neutral.
Connect the traveler wires to the traveler screw terminals.
Break the tab on the device closest in line to the light.
Leave the tab in place on the other device.
Connect the load hot to the common terminal on the switch side at the device nearest the light.
2. Switch Controls the Outlet
If you have an outlet high on a wall and would like to control the outlet from the switch, or if you have a switch and would like to add and control power to the outlet from it, wire it using one of these methods.
Single Hot Source
Connect the source hot to the switch's neutral side
Connect the source neutral to the outlet neutral.
Leave the connection tab in place.
Two Hot Wires
Use one of the source hot wires to wire the switch as if it were a single hot source configuration.
Abandon the second source hot wire.
GFCI
Connect the source hot to the load hot terminal and add a jumper to the line hot terminal.
Connect the line terminal to the source neutral.
Tips for Working With Switch and Outlet Combos
Wiring an outlet switch combination device may appear confusing. Here are a few tips to help sort it out.
Always be safe first. Test for electrical current before touching any wires or components. Don't rely on a wall switch to interrupt the power.
When multiple wires of varying colors are present in an electrical box, use a multimeter to help identify where each wire goes to or comes from and label them with electrical tape.
It may help to consider the outlet switch combo as two separate devices, and the connection tab between the hot terminals is just a jumper wire.
Cost to Wire an Outlet and Switch Combo
A combination outlet and switch costs between $75 and $270. The cost depends on the outlet you choose, whether you need to run new wire to the location, and how complicated the job is. If you’re adding a new circuit for your outlet and switch combo, you can expect it to cost around $300.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
With patience, installing an outlet and switch combo on your own is possible. However, the job requires a solid understanding of basic electrical principles and wiring knowledge. For safety, the project isn't great as a first-time electrical project due to its potential complexity.
While installing your own outlet and switch combo device is less expensive than the cost of installing outlets and switches by a professional, having peace of mind that the job is complete and safe by hiring a nearby electrician to perform the task is likely worth the additional price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Electrical services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.7★ avg. • 107 total reviews
- Jeff B.
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 Mitigation - Regina H.
I 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 LLC - Jeffrey J.
The 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 Columbus - William R.
Victor 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 LLC - Jerald W.
They 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, LLC - Paul H.
Initially, 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 LLC - Sarah C.
The 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...
- Erin W.
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 Electric - Bradley H.
When I challenged the markup on the generator, Bruder Electric withdrew its bid. They only want naïve customers.
- Gregory B.
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...
The homeowners guide to electrical services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
The cost to ground outlets depends on several factors. This guide will help you prepare for all of the costs involved with this project.
Wiring a switch to an outlet is a relatively simple DIY that makes it easy to flip on your lights or devices. Find out how to wire a switch to an outlet.
Adding an outlet to your home can be as straightforward as connecting to an existing circuit. Learn how to wire an outlet from another outlet in this advanced-level DIY guide.
To wire outlets and lights on a single circuit, you need experience with electricity. Keep reading to learn how to wire outlets and lights on the same circuit.
Learn how to release the wire from an outlet when replacing or updating an outlet. Find out what to do if you can’t get the wires to release.