Expect to pay roughly £100 for a plug single socket and £110 for a double plug socket. However, this can range between £60 – £200+ depending on the contractor.
Average Installation Cost
We contacted 53 electricians for quotes to install one new plug socket including labour and materials. Prices exclude VAT.
| Cost | Average | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| New Single Plug Socket | £100 | £60 - £160 |
| New Double Plug Socket | £115 | £70 - £190 |
| Installing USB Plug Socket | £130 | £80 - £200 |
Generally, each socket charged after the initial one will be less. Expect to pay £65 extra for every additional socket installed.
Factors That Affect the Cost
Although the prices are pretty standard for installing a new socket, there are important factors that an electrician needs to consider before offering a definitive quote.
If they can’t visit your home first, you can often send them a few pictures of the proposed area so they have an idea of the layout and potential issues.
State of Circuit
Additional sockets may cause issues if your fuse box or consumer unit can not cope with the additional load. An electrician will be able to advise further.
If there is no RCD protection present then that will need to be installed. BS 7671 wiring regulations state all new sockets installed require additional RCD protection.
This is needed so that an electrical safety certificate can be issued upon completion.
Proximity to Nearest Suitable Power Source
An electrician will need to know how easy it is to get a cable to the new socket.
Usually, the easiest way to do it is if there is a socket in another room back to back with where you would like the new socket. If it is further away from the cables, then extra wiring is needed and this will increase the cost.
Moving a socket a short distance can often be cheaper than adding a new one. This is because existing wiring can be used instead.
Type of Socket
Electricians will usually quote for standard white sockets.
Black nickel, polished chrome, brushed steel and other styles will cost more. Metal sockets must also be earthed, which adds extra cost.
There are a variety of styles and colours, so choose something that matches the decor.
Plug sockets come in different colours and styles so choose the one that best matches your needs and decor.
Floors & Walls Types
Generally, the prices quoted are based on the fact the carpets are up and there is access under the floorboards.
If floorboards need to be lifted, there may be an extra charge.
Depending on where the new socket is placed, the construction of the wall will play a role, i.e. brick and plaster vs plasterboard.
Also, be sure to check if your electrician will use a plasterer to repair the walls after the work has been completed, or if you will need to do this.
Location
Labour costs in London and the south of England are generally more expensive than elsewhere.
If the contractor needs to travel beyond a certain radius, then they may add an extra fee on top. Unless you live in a very rural location or want to use an electrician that operates further afield, you shouldn’t need to pay extra.
Why You Can Trust This Cost Data
We received quotes from over 53 different electricians throughout the country.
We received prices for different types of sockets and averaged out the prices with thresholds for the different types. We would like to give special thanks to the following companies for their replies to our enquiries:
- Bakersfield Electrical Services
- Oakley Electrical Contractors Ltd
- A Brice Electrical Ltd
Get Pricing on Adding a New Socket Near You
We’ve done our best to give you a good idea of what you can expect to pay to install a new socket.
However, our guides are not a substitute for a fixed quote specifically for you.
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