How Much Does Lighting Installation Cost?
Last Updated: January 14, 2022
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It can be difficult to accurately estimate the cost to add new electrical to a home addition or remodel. In the end, the price of new electric depends on the size of the living space the electricity is added to as well as the extent of the upgrade. Generally, if you are upgrading your living space you will want to add new fixtures, switches, circuits, outlets and lighting as well. The number and quality of these will raise the price accordingly. Below is some general information that will help you figure out the cost to install electrical in your addition or renovation.
Lighting Costs #
- Most electricians charge somewhere between $35 and $75 per hour.
- To give you a relative idea of cost, the price to re-wire an entire, average-sized home (two or three bedrooms) would be somewhere between $2,000 and $6,000.
- One way to figure out the cost of electric installation is to estimate roughly $25-$50 per opening. This means each individual switch, outlet, light, etc.
- One homeowner renovated his basement, with a total of 41 openings, as well as four new circuits, 12 recessed lights, 3 wall sconces and 2 under cabinet lights. They received several estimates from electricians between $2,500 and $4,500.
- In a home, electricity is fed through an outside meter and from there into an electrical panel which runs the electricity to various parts of a house. Each house has a maximum capacity, measured in amps. If you are renovating your home or creating an addition this will require more electricity and you may have to increase the amplitude of your electric panel and/or add a separate panel to control the flow of electricity to your upgrade, especially if you live in an older home.
- A 100 amp service costs approximately $1,000.
- For 200 amps, plan on $1,200 to $3,000.
- For a new sub-panel (many renovated areas or additions require their own electrical panels) expect to pay $750 on average.
Discuss your project details with a few professionals, compare your no obligation quotes, and choose the right electrician for you!
Installing new electrical switches, electrical circuits and electrical outlets (Note: The prices below are for adding wiring to an existing space. For new construction, the prices will be approximately 25%-30% less due to the fact that walls/ceilings do not have to be punctured and repaired in order to run wire)
- It will cost $35 to $50 for an electrician to add a single electrical switch.
- For a three-way electric switch, expect to pay $50 to $80.
- To install a 120 volt electrical circuit it will cost $125 to $250.
- A 240 volt electric circuit will cost you $200 to $400.
- A standard electric outlet costs $30 to $50 to install.
- 220-volt electric outlets go for $35 to $65.
- For a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), you'll pay $30 to $60.
- Again, keep in mind that adding electric wiring to a home can be very complicated. The cost can vary a great deal depending on the existing wiring in the home, how easy it is to open up walls to access power sources, etc. This Ezine article can give you a better idea of the factors that determine the cost to remodel electrical.
Shopping for lighting installation? #
- It is not advisable for a novice or even intermediate level do-it-yourselfer to tackle installation electrical. If you don't really know what you're doing you could be seriously injured. However, for those willing to give it a go, Doityourself.com has a whole host of articles. You may want to start here, at the introduction.
Even if you think you know what you are doing you should not ever do the electrical for an addition yourself. If it fails or something is done wrong you will be tearing out your newly finished walls and ceilings, not to mention your hair. The work will need to be inspected by the town building inspector when all is said and done. If he catches someone doing electrical without a permit that he may fine you. Also, if the electrical wiring catches fire at any point and you did the work, good luck getting the insurance company to pay for your house that just burnt to the ground.
It's best to be safe and remember liability issues. Get a licensed professional. If anything ever goes wrong he has insurance to cover that.