How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Standard Outlet With A GFCI?
Most homeowners probably don't give too much thought to their AC outlets until something goes wrong. However, in rooms where water can be found, such as your kitchen and bathroom, a slight mishap can turn into an emergency if your home isn't using the right electrical outlets. GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets help protect homeowners by monitoring an outlet's electrical current and shutting it down when it detects a dangerous anomaly.
While a GFCI outlet will probably cost around $7 to $25 if purchased from your local hardware store, per Angi, hiring an electrician to replace your standard outlet with a GFCI outlet will likely set you back around $200. Nowadays, you can also invest in tamper-resistant GFCI outlets, weather-resistant GFCI outlets, and self-testing units for added safety, according to HomElectrical. Luckily for homeowners, these types of GFCI outlets do not come with much of an additional price bump compared to standard GFCI offerings.
Factors for cost
The cost of replacing a standard outlet with a new GFCI outlet will depend on a variety of factors, including where you live, whether you'll be undertaking the installation yourself, and how many outlets you'll be replacing in your home.
Location of property
If you hire an electrician to install your GFCI outlets, the total you end up paying will partially be determined by where you live, per HomeGuide. If your town or city has a relatively low number of electricians proportionate to the total population, the hourly rate of the electrician you employ will likely be more than you'd expect. This is especially true if you are dead set on hiring an experienced master electrician.
DIY vs. professional installation
According to The Spruce, many homeowners should be capable of installing their own GFCI outlets in their homes, with each outlet only taking around thirty minutes to install. While this will substantially cut down the cost you pay for the job, it's definitely a task that is better left to professionals if you do not feel comfortable working on your home's electrical receptacles. However, cutting costs from $200 to less than $50 per outlet will be an enticing proposition for many DIYers.
Number of outlets being replaced
While the professional installation of a single GFCI outlet will likely cost around $200, installing five GFCI outlets throughout your home will proportionally increase the cost of your investment, per Angi. For this reason, be sure to factor in the number of outlets you are replacing before you start calling around for estimates.
Experience of electrician
According to House Method, your electrician's experience level goes a long way in determining how much you will pay for their services. Most apprentice electricians should be capable of handling a GFCI outlet installation, so you can likely save some money by hiring an apprentice over a master or journeyman electrician. However, if you will be replacing many electrical outlets, a master electrician's speed and expertise could limit your bottom line versus an electrician who's still learning the ropes.
Additional costs
As with any home installation project you undertake, replacing standard outlets with GFCI outlets can accrue some additional costs. Here are some minor investments you might have to make when upgrading your home's electrical outlets.
Supplies
If you'll be installing your own GFCI outlets, you will probably have to go to the hardware store and pick up a few supplies before you can complete the job. According to Angi, in addition to your GFCI outlets, you'll probably also want to buy electrical tape, a wire stripper, and a voltage tester, among other more common household items. This could set you back anywhere from $50 to $100 dollars depending on how well-stocked your home is with DIY electrician gear.
Estimates
If you live in a very old home with an antiquated electrical system, you might need an electrician to make a house call in order for them to give you an accurate quote for how much a job will cost. These days, most estimates that require an on-site consultation are bound to cost you $50 to $100, but this won't be a factor for homeowners who live in homes with modern wiring setups.
Specialty outlets
If you have small children running around your home, it might be a good idea to purchase tamper-resistant GFCI outlets instead of a standard model. If you will be installing a GFCI outlet outside, it is wise to invest in a model that is thoroughly weatherproofed. Specialty outlets like this won't cost a whole lot more than standard GFCI outlets, but expect to pay at least a few extra dollars per outlet if you will be going with a specialty model.
Types of GFCI outlets
When shopping for the perfect GFCI outlets for your home, it's important to keep in mind that there are several different types of GFCI outlets on the market. Not every GFCI outlet is appropriate for your unique application, so be sure to consider your needs before deciding on the outlet that's right for you.
Basic GFCI outlet
Basic GFCI outlets utilize Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter technology to stop the flow of electricity when its monitoring system registers that the electricity from your home is following an irregular path that can lead to danger. These outlets can be identified via their unique two-button design but don't sport any additional features to make them safer for outdoor environments or homes with small children.
Tamper-resistant GFCI outlet
According to HomElectrical, these outlets were mainstreamed via the National Electrical Code in 2017 when they were required for implementation in the construction of new homes. Tamper-resistant GFCI outlets add extra shock protection due to their built-in shutter mechanism that is designed to protect children from electrical shock. The shutters are designed to only allow plugs through while ceasing the progress of other foreign objects.
Weather-resistant GFCI outlet
These GFCI outlets are designed for characteristically-wet environments such as patios and porches. While these outlets tend to sport weather-resistant covers, some models will leave the homeowner to provide a covering for the outlet themself. Due to their penchant for resisting cold environments and corrosion, these are the types of GFCI outlets that you would want to install outside of your home.
Self-testing GFCI outlet
Self-testing GFCI outlets give homeowners additional peace of mind by periodically testing their operational status and visually indicating whether they are functioning properly. Otherwise, these outlets feature the same functionality as basic GFCI outlets.
Why you need new GFCI outlets
There are several factors that may entice homeowners to upgrade basic AC outlets to GFCI outlets or even upgrade existing GFCI outlets with new ones. Ultimately, these factors boil down to improving the safety of a home's electrical setup.
Replacing a standard outlet in a wet environment
If you've still got standard outlets in your bathroom or kitchen, it would be wise to replace them with GFCI outlets as soon as possible. Nobody expects an electrical emergency to unfold in their home, but upgrading your home's electrical outlets to GFCI can be a lifesaving investment. Thankfully, it'll probably be a fairly affordable one as well.
Home improvement
According to Bob Vila, if you're a DIYer with basic electrical wiring know-how, replacing standard three-prong outlets with safer GFCI outlets is probably a task that you can accomplish on your own while keeping expenses to a minimum. You can even make your home more functional by opting to install GFCI outlets with built-in USB ports in areas where family members like to charge their electronic devices. While these can cost $10 to $15 more than traditional GFCI outlets, they're great for large families who are always struggling to find an outlet to charge their devices.
Lifestyle changes
Your current outlets, whether they are standard models or GFCI, might have been installed before you had children running around the home and getting into mischief. If your situation has since changed, upgrading to tamper-resistant GFCI outlets can provide an extra layer of safety for your children while not inconveniencing other family members in the slightest.
Redesigning home
If you've just given your living room a facelift via a fresh paint job and new furniture, you might notice that your outlets suddenly stick out like a sore thumb. Thankfully, minor design mishaps such as this can serve as a wonderful opportunity to upgrade your electrical outlets. Not only can you invest in a color that goes well with your walls and furniture, but you can also make the room safer with GFCI technology.
Benefits of GFCI outlets
The benefits of GFCI outlets go well beyond protecting homeowners from electrical shock. In fact, implementing GFCI outlets in your come can make your home more attractive to potential buyers and even protect your home from an electrical fire.
Bring your home up to code
If you're putting your home on the market, it's never a bad idea to modernize your electrical outlets and bring your home up to code. Potential homebuyers will likely notice details like outdated kitchen and bathroom outlets as they scrutinize every aspect of a potential home. Thus, modernizing your outlets to include the latest GFCI models can only make your home a more attractive option.
Peace of mind
Some homeowners always want to know how their electrical outlets are performing. However, busting out your GFCI receptacle tester every few days to check on the GFCI outlets in your home can be a major inconvenience. By upgrading your GFCI outlets to the latest self-testing models, you can be made aware of issues with your GFCI outlet when they arise without the need to constantly test them with a third-party product, per HomElectrical.
You live in an older home
According to The Happy Outlet, if you live in an older home with an antiquated electrical system, your home's wiring may have deteriorated enough to be at risk of causing an electrical fire. Thankfully, GFCI outlets can provide robust protection from fires thanks to their ability to detect dangerous currents before cutting the power to the outlet.
More affordable than a GFCI circuit breaker
If you opt to install GFCI outlets in moisture-prone areas of your home, you'll probably save some money compared to installing a GFCI circuit breaker (per How-To Geek). This is especially true for those who install a GFCI outlet at the start of a circuit since the circuit's subsequent outlets will benefit from the GFCI protection of the outlet you installed.