How Much Does it Cost to Install a Powerpoint? [2024]

These days, everything is becoming electrical and we have more gadgets and appliances than we had in the past. There’s nothing worse than buying a new appliance or setting up a room and finding that there’s nowhere to plug the power cable into. 

Only a licensed electrician can install power points for you. 

So, how much does it cost to install a powerpoint?

Expect to be charged anywhere from $150 - $300 to have a single power point installed. This should include the cost of the powerpoint, though it’s best to check before you go ahead. 

1. What you need to know about installing power points 
2. How much does it cost to install a powerpoint?
3. Electrician's charges: what you need to know
4. Costs of other electrician's jobs

What you need to know about installing powerpoints?

Your electrical system can only account for so many outlets. Installing one power point or replacing a single powerpoint with a double power point might not be a problem. But if you install several powerpoints, you could overload your electrical system and cause power outages or even a fire.

In older homes particularly, it’s easy to overload the system. Their wiring can often struggle to handle modern appliances and it may mean that you need to have your home rewired. 

Installing several power points throughout the house may also require you to have an electrician inspect your switchboard to ensure that there aren’t going to be any issues. Switchboards are there for a reason and, should any of the following happen, you may need to replace the switchboard:

• Fuses blow when more than one or two appliances are running
• Lights flicker for no reason
• Fuses seem to need replacing more often than in the past

Issues with your switchboard can cause fire hazards or, if they use ceramic fuses, can generally be dangerous. If you’re experiencing these issues or your switchboard has ceramic fuses, it could mean you need to replace them. Other times it might be necessary so that you can add the powerpoints that you want. 

When you’re thinking about installing power points, think about whether you want to add many. If you want to add a lot of power points to cover your needs, it may be necessary to completely overhaul your electrical system. Think about the appliances you want in your home: air conditioning, home theatre systems, computers, kitchen appliances, home automation, security systems and power-hungry electrical appliances. 

Making sure that your electrical system can cope with all of these appliances will often require you to have your wiring and switchboard inspected by an electrician. 

When thinking about how many outlets to install or how your electrical system will be used, you can think about the average annual electricity usage in each state as a guide:

State	Average usage (kWh)
ACT	6,407
NSW	5,662
QLD	5,535
SA	4,950
TAS	8,619
VIC	4,615

 

Colder climates can tend to cause higher energy usage. If you are living in one of these areas you may need to account for the extra load heating will take on your electrical system while you plan your powerpoints. 

Types of powerpoints

Powerpoints, sockets or outlets come in several different types and styles. Some of the styles that are commonly used these days include:

• Single powerpoint 
• Double powerpoint 
• Weatherproof power points 
• Double power point with additional switch 
• USB power point 
• 15A power points (common for garages) 

For each socket you want to install, think about what you’re going to be plugging into it so that you know which to choose. Generally, people use double power points but these days USB power is becoming more common and you may want to be able to plug in your phone charger without an adapter. 

Read more: How much does it cost to install a USB power point?

How do electricians calculate their costs? 

When you are paying to have a powerpoint, or several, installed, the cost will usually cover the hourly rate of the electrician and the price of the parts. Electricians also charge "call out rates" or "service fees" for jobs that take just a few minutes of their time. These can be up to $100 in normal work hours or $265 for out-of-hours. Luckily, for smaller jobs that require the call out rates, electricians will generally charge in 15-minute increments. 

Hourly rates for electricians can be anywhere from $80 - $130 per hour and the cost of the outlets can range from $70 - $160. 

Type of outlet	Cost of socket
Single	$70 -$90
Double	$80 - $100
Weatherproof	$100 - $160
USB	$110 - $150

 

Generally, it’s better to avoid getting just a single power point installed as electricians will usually charge the service fee which can almost double the cost. Depending on the electrician they may just charge the call-out fee for a quick installation but it's always better to check the quote and get it in writing. 

Installing a single power point only takes an electrician 20 minutes to up to an hour. When you pay a service fee on top of that, you are paying far more than you need to pay. Before you call them out to your house, have a look around for any other jobs that you might need an electrician for, you’ll probably be able to have them all done at the same time and save on the call-out rates. 

How much does it cost to install powerpoints?

On average, electricians charge $95 per hour in install powerpoints but these costs vary from state to state. 

State	Average rate (per hour)
ACT	$90.5
SA	$92
WA	$95
QLD	$98
NSW	$102.5
VIC	$104

While aspects like the location of the socket, accessibility to the area, the complexity of the job and if it’s a replacement or a new socket, will all change the price you can generally expect to pay between $140 - $180 per power point installed. 

Costs of other electrical jobs

As mentioned above, if you have an older home, the electrician may need to rewire the home and/or install a new switchboard. These have significant costs but may not be necessary. If your wiring and switchboard are in good condition, what other jobs can an electrician do for you and how much do they cost?

• LED downlights cost approximately $35 to $50 per downlight. It will take an electrician approximately 3 hours to install downlights in a single room
• An owner-supplied ceiling fan will cost between $80 and $200 to install. If the electrician supplies the fan, the cost will be approximately $150 to $300, depending on the fan.
• If you need an extra TV connection, it can cost between $90 and $180
• If a switchboard doesn't need replacing, an electrician can replace a circuit breaker or fuse with an RCD (residual current device) for $150

Larger jobs will cost more. For example, if you're renovating your kitchen, an electrician can connect the oven and cooktop and install five power points for between $450 and $850.

Look for places where you have power boards installed. A power board can have up to six plugs. While it's an inexpensive way to add plugs to the electrical system, power boards can be dangerous. It's better to have power points than an overloaded power board. If you decide not to get extra power points, be sure to buy a power board that has surge protection. This will help protect your computer or other appliances.

There are large variations in prices. Get quotes from several electricians and you may save money. However, you want to know the work they do conforms to or exceeds Australian standards. When hiring an electrician, ask them:

• If they are licensed (electricians must be licensed in all states)
• If they carry insurance
• Do they guarantee their work?
• Can they supply you with references?
• Will they supply you with a certificate of electrical safety?

Every licensed electrician should carry insurance and certificates of electrical safety are required by law. A good electrician will stand behind their work and offer a workmanship guarantee. An electrician who has been working in your area for a long time is usually an electrician you can trust to do a good job. They have an established reputation and work hard to ensure customer satisfaction.

An electrician won't install power points if they feel the wiring or switchboard can't handle the extra load. They will suggest rewiring, installing a new switchboard or improving your existing switchboard. If you're in doubt, you can always get another quote, but if two or more electricians recommend the same thing, take their advice seriously. Electricity isn't something to take for granted. It must be able to handle the load or there could be serious problems.