How Much Does It Cost To Install A Gfci Outlet?

What is a GFCI outlet?

GFCI outlets prevent damage and electrocution from sudden power surges by automatically shutting off. Some electrical contractors will refer to a GFCI outlet as a GFI outlet, but the two terms mean the same thing. You can identify GFCI outlets by looking for the reset and test buttons on the face of the outlet.

No matter what name it goes by, the GFCI outlet simply means you will be protected from electrical shocks if there is a fault in your device. Shock protection should be a key consideration when contemplating an outlet upgrade, whether you are looking at a single replacement or a whole house.

GFCI outlets are required in rooms with a water source, including bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. If you’re buying a home, your home inspector will likely point out any areas where they are missing.

Understanding GFCI installation costs

The price of GFCI outlet installation generally depends on the cost of your electrician and the amount of outlets you want to have replaced. The materials needed for the job are fairly inexpensive, so this is the least impactful cost component.

Number of outlets

Before you call an electrician for your GFCI outlet installation, be sure to assess how many outlets you need replaced. The average home has 75 electrical outlets, with 7 in the kitchen, 3 or 4 in the bathroom, and 3 in the laundry room.

How much do electricians charge per outlet?

Electricians will charge between $140 to $170 per outlet for the GFCI installation. This installation includes both the costs of the receptacles themselves and the cost of the labor.  Electricians charge an average of $28 per hour — they base their rates on experience and the market rate in your location. Even if you’re a DIY champ, you should not do electrical work like this if you are uncertified. Electricity is dangerous, not only at the installation time, but any mistakes can cause hazards down the road for yourself and your household. 

While cost is always a consideration, the last thing you want is to pay less and end up with poorly done electrical work. Take the time to vet your electrician, including reading reviews and asking for references. How much an electrician costs will depend on these factors, but it’s worth taking the time to find the right one.

Cost to ground an outlet

A ground wire connects to an electrical box in the wall, grounding it to the house. If there is a power surge or the outlet malfunctions, the electricity is directed into your home, not you.

If you have an older or historic home, it’s possible that the electrical wiring is old enough to not have ready ground wires. You can still install GFCI outlets without a ground wire, but they offer less protection.

Most modern homes will already have grounded outlets or outlets that can easily be grounded by an electrician for about $30 - $50 or as part of a GFCI outlet installation.

Types of outlets

While, at first glance, it might seem like an outlet is an outlet, there is a surprising amount of variety in types. To get an accurate quote from an electrician, you’ll need to know what kind of outlets you need. If you can’t get this info offhand, you can likely send photos of the outlets you need replacing, and your electrician can do the rest.

Once you know what you need, you can request quotes from local electricians. In general, you can use this outlet replacement cost estimate as your guide.

AFCI vs. GFCI cost

You might run into a similar term to GFCI — AFCI. AFCI stands for arc-fault circuit interrupter, and like the GFCI outlet, its design is with the homeowner's safety in mind.

An AFCI outlet is specially designed to reduce the risk of fire due to arc faults, a common cause of house fires. Arc faults happen when corroded or loose wire connections create intermittent contact, causing sparks that can lead to fires.

The cost to install a new or replacement AFCI outlet is typically between $140 and $350. AFCI technology is more recent than GFCI, and the complexity reflects the higher cost. If you have multiple outlets to upgrade, you’ll likely get a volume deal from your electrician, which is worth asking for if they don’t mention it themselves. 

The main difference between a GFCI and an AFCI outlet is that GFCI outlets prevent the user from receiving an electrical shock and are generally used in areas close to water sources. AFCI outlets prevent electrical fires from arcing electricity and can be used anywhere. 

How to install GFCI outlets

If you’re confident that you can safely install a GFCI outlet, you can purchase them at your local hardware store and install them yourself with only a voltage tester and wire cutters. Following a step-by-step guide like the one below is vital to keeping yourself safe during the process.

1. Turn OFF the power at the breaker.
2. Remove the wall plate covering the outlet.
3. Remove the old outlet.
4. Pull the line wires, being careful that they cannot touch each other.
5. Turn the power back on.
6. Using your voltage tester, identify the line wires.
7. Once you have the line wires identified, turn the power back OFF.
8. Connect the black line hot wire to the brass screw.
9. Connect the white line neutral wire to the silver screw.
10. Connect the ground wire to the green screw.
11. Always connect black to black and white to white.
12. Wrap connections with electrical tape.
13. Place the GFCI outlet into the wall and replace the mounting screws.
14. Replace the wall cover.
15. Turn the power back on.
16. Press the Test button on the outlet.