How much does it cost to replace a GFCI outlet?
Updated
Short answer
Testing the GFCI outlets costs nothing and takes 5 to 10 minutes for the whole house. The cost comes when one fails: an electrician charges $100 to $200 to replace a GFCI outlet. The outlet itself is a modest part, and the fee is mostly the electrician's trip and the check that the outlets downstream are wired through it properly. A failed GFCI is an outlet with no shock protection, so the replacement isn't one to put off.
Cost breakdown
| Item | DIY | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $0 | included |
| Tools you may need to buy | none | included |
| Labor | your time | $100 to $200 |
| Total | $0 | $100 to $200 |
The DIY column is the monthly test, which needs nothing. The pro column is a replacement by an electrician, including the new outlet. An owner comfortable working in an outlet box with the breaker off can replace a GFCI for the price of the part, which is a fraction of the pro fee.
What drives the cost
- The outlet. A standard GFCI is cheap. A weather-resistant one for outdoors, or a model with built-in self-testing, costs more.
- The call-out. A single outlet costs the full trip. Several replaced in one visit, or a GFCI added to a kitchen that lacks one, spreads the fee.
- The wiring. A GFCI that protects the outlets after it has to be wired correctly, and an electrician's price includes sorting out which wires go where. An outlet box that's crowded or has aluminum wiring takes longer.
- Outdoors or in a damp spot. Outdoor GFCIs need a weatherproof cover, and an outlet that's failed from moisture may need the box sealed too.
- Doing it yourself. The part is the whole cost, if you know how to turn off the breaker, confirm the outlet is dead, and match the line and load terminals.
DIY vs. pro
The test is yours, and it's the whole job most months: how often to test GFCI outlets is once a month, by pressing test and reset on each one. It costs nothing and takes minutes.
Replacing a failed GFCI is a moderate job for an owner who's replaced an outlet before, since the line and load terminals have to go the right way or the downstream outlets lose their protection. Anyone who hasn't should pay the electrician's $100 to $200, and have every GFCI in the house checked in the same visit. An outlet that fails its test near water should be left unused until it's replaced, not swapped for an ordinary outlet to make the problem go away.
FAQ
How much does a GFCI outlet cost?
The part is cheap, and an electrician charges $100 to $200 to replace one, including the outlet and a check of the wiring.
Can I replace a GFCI outlet myself?
If you can turn off the breaker, confirm the outlet is dead, and wire the line and load terminals correctly, yes. If any of that is unfamiliar, an electrician is the safer choice.
Does it cost anything to test a GFCI?
No. Press the test button, watch the power cut, and press reset. It takes seconds per outlet.
Why replace a GFCI instead of a regular outlet?
A GFCI is what protects people from shock near water. Replacing it with an ordinary outlet removes the protection from that outlet and every one wired after it.