How much does Outlet repair cost?

Electrical outlets—also called receptacles or plugs—make it possible to use lights, appliances, and electronics throughout your home. Though they’re built to last for decades, outlets occasionally need repair. Over time they can develop loose connections, crack, overheat, make noises, and more. If an outlet sparks, buzzes, or causes lamps to flicker, it’s time to get it inspected and repaired by a professional electrician.

For nearly all electrical repairs, it’s safest to hire a licensed electrician who understands electrical code requirements and knows how to deal with the potential dangers of electricity—including fire and shock. 

This guide explains how electricians charge for outlet repair and the factors that affect costs. Pricing data is based on estimated project costs provided to Yelp users by electrical businesses on Yelp, along with industry research. Learn more about how we calculate these costs in the methodology section at the end of the guide. 

The cost of common repairs to an electrical outlet is typically $190, according to Yelp data. However, that cost can range from $135–270, including labor and materials, depending on local electrician rates, type of outlet, and nature of the repair. On the low end, resetting a tripped GFCI outlet may cost $135, but running new wire to an outlet can be priced considerably higher—$250–1,612, according to Yelp data.

Location also makes a difference in quotes. The typical cost of outlet repair in San Diego is $180; in the Seattle area it’s $329. See more about costs in different regions below.

One thing to keep in mind with electrical outlet repair: Defective electrical outlets are not “repaired,” they’re replaced. As a result, many of the costs in this guide are based on outlet replacement costs. These numbers also take into account the cost of fixing other issues that can stop outlets from working—most of them dealing with the wiring that connects outlets to the electrical circuitry and circuit breakers.

Electricians may charge by the hour, with a flat rate, or a project quote. Their fee type is often based on the type and complexity of the project.

An electrician’s typical hourly rate is $134, according to Yelp data, but those fees can range from $80–195 nationwide, depending on location and type of repair. 

Like total costs, electricians’ hourly rates vary by location. In Paso Robles, California, for example, the typical hourly rate is $116, while electricians in Leesburg, Virginia, charge $184 per hour. 

Many electricians charge a service-call fee of $100–200 to cover their initial visit plus 1 hour of work. They’ll usually credit this fee toward your overall project cost if the job takes longer. 

For common repairs, some electricians charge a flat fee that includes material costs, labor costs, and travel expenses. “If your kitchen outlets are dead, that’s a relatively straightforward and simple job for an electrician, and we know how much electrical work that job is going to take to complete,” says Craig Etling, owner of D.C. Electrical in Reno, Nevada. “It’s usually a simple service call that might take an hour, but that’s determined through a conversation with the client.”

Electrical services can be expensive, so for larger, more complex jobs—such as faulty wiring that’s causing outlet problems—it’s a good idea to get 2–3 free quotes from local pros. 

The cost to fix most outlet problems ranges from $115–555, depending on whether it’s more cost effective (and safer) to repair or replace the outlet. 

Here’s a closer look at common types of outlet repairs, their costs, and what professional electricians recommend.

The cost to replace a damaged outlet is typically $325, including labor and materials, according to Yelp data, but can range from $195–555 nationwide. It can take less than 1 hour to repair an outlet problem such as loose wires, or 2–4 hours to install a new outlet that requires running new wire. 

Visible cracks, scorch marks, or melted plastic indicate a damaged outlet that poses a fire hazard. The outlet should be replaced immediately, along with any wiring that has been damaged. Replacing an outlet is faster, easier, and less expensive than trying to fix it. A standard new electrical outlet costs about $2 (not counting labor costs), and replacement is usually just a matter of disconnecting the old one from its wires and connecting the new one. 

The cost to repair (or usually: replace) a loose outlet ranges from $115–270—with a typical cost of $200—according to Yelp data. When an electrical plug doesn’t fit snugly in a worn outlet, it can cause sparks and poor connection. Resolving this problem is a quick, 1-hour job that involves replacing the outlet with a new one. If the problem is that the wires attached to the outlet are loose, have the electrician tighten them. If the screws that secure the outlet to the electrical box are loose, you can tighten them yourself—but don’t touch the wires or screw terminals on the outlet with your fingers or the screwdriver.

The cost to repair a tripped outlet is typically $190, including labor and materials, but can range from $135–270, according to Yelp data. The type of outlets installed in bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoors are usually ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). They have a built-in circuit breaker that trips when they sense an electrical danger to protect against shocks. This type of outlet has “Reset” and “Test” buttons. You can generally reset the circuit by pressing the “Reset” button yourself. If this doesn’t work, and the “Test” button fails, the outlet needs to be replaced. 

Repairing a tripped circuit breaker typically costs $195, but can range from $145–280 nationwide, according to Yelp data. If an electrical outlet circuit has become overloaded, the circuit breaker in the main electrical panel (the box that provides electrical service for the house) shuts off to prevent damage. 

In many cases, you can restore normal functions by turning the circuit breaker switch back to “On.” But if the circuit breaker trips repeatedly, you should call an electrician.

If an outlet isn’t working but looks intact (with no visible soot or cracks), an electrician can investigate the source of the problem. This involves checking that wires haven’t become disconnected or—if more than one outlet isn’t working, that the outlets’ circuit breaker in the electrical panel hasn’t flipped off due to overload or a short. Including the inspection, these issues can usually be resolved in less than an hour for a basic service call fee of $100–200.

If electrical wiring is at fault, the job will be more involved. “Finding the problem is what takes the most time and labor cost,” says Vlad Kravets, a certified electrician and co-owner of Reamco Electric in New Holland, Pennsylvania. For diagnosing and repairing wiring issues, you’re likely to pay an electrician by the hour, at a typical rate of $80–195, for as long as the diagnosis and repair takes.

There isn’t much difference in repair costs for various types of conventional outlets. As the table shows, the typical cost to repair most common 120-volt outlets ranges from $115–270, according to Yelp data. Electric vehicle charging stations run higher, between $150-400. As noted previously, repairing an outlet in most cases means replacing it.

The cost to repair (replace) 2-pronged outlets is typically $185, including labor and materials, according to Yelp data, but can range from $135–250. These “old school” 120-volt outlets don’t have built-in grounding wires to protect against shock and fire. In most cases, they’re also aged, and commonly become cracked, broken, or burnt out.

Unless the problem is related to loose wires or flipped circuit breakers, an electrician typically replaces these outlets. To meet electrical codes for safety in some areas, defective ungrounded 2-prong outlets must be replaced with grounded ones. A ground wire that connects to the outlet must also be installed, increasing time and costs. 

The cost to repair AFCI outlets is typically $185, including labor and materials, but can range from $115–245, according to Yelp data. Arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) 120-volt outlets help prevent electrical fires by detecting and stopping electrical shorts that can cause sparking. Outlets in nearly all interior rooms must be protected by an AFCI outlet on each circuit, including an AFCI circuit breaker that’s installed in the home’s electrical panel. To reset AFCI outlets, you’ll reset the breaker in the panel. If resetting the breaker doesn’t reset an AFCI outlet, the outlet has become defective and needs to be replaced.

The cost to repair GFCI outlets is typically $190, but can range from $135–270, including labor and materials, according to Yelp data. Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) 120-volt outlets protect against electrical shock in areas exposed to water, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoors. In the event of an electrical short (which occurs when exposed wires cross, allowing current to move in a potentially dangerous way), one of the outlets will shut off the entire electrical circuit, including other outlets near it. Some GFCI outlets also have AFCI protection, discussed above. If any of these outlets don’t reset properly, they need to be replaced.

The cost to repair standard grounded outlets is typically $195, including labor and materials, according to Yelp data, but can range from $140–270. Standard outlets provide 120 volts of electricity for most devices and appliances throughout a house. They’re the most common and familiar electrical outlets in homes, with 2 sets of slots (called a “duplex” outlet) for 3-prong plugs. (The lower, dome-shaped prong is for grounding, which provides a safe electrical connection to the earth to prevent dangerous voltage imbalances and potential shocks.) 

The simplest repairs involve simply tightening or reconnecting wires to these outlets. But like all outlets, these wear out over time, causing them to lose their grip on electrical plugs and develop visible cracks or scorch marks. That’s when they need to be replaced.

The cost to replace 240-volt outlets is typically $300 and can range from $170–415, including labor and materials, according to industry data. Homes typically have 240-volt outlets in certain areas to power large appliances such as ovens, electric hot water heaters, and laundry room electric dryers. If these become defective with old age, they’re not repaired—they’re replaced. 

The cost of repairing a residential EV-charging station is typically $317 (labor only), according to Yelp data, but can range from $150–400 plus parts. Both 120-volt and 240-volt systems can be repaired (240-volt systems are preferred because they charge more rapidly). 

The following issues can affect the total cost of your outlet repairs. 

Ease of access can make a big difference in the time (and cost) of an electrical repair, especially if rewiring is needed. With damaged wiring of an electrical circuit, the electrician would diagnose the problem, then possibly run wire for a new circuit. If the outlet is difficult to service, repairs can take longer. “The price for that job would [depend on] whether or not there’s access through an attic or crawlspace,” Etling of D.C. Electrical says.

Project costs for electrical work can vary by city or region. In small towns or rural areas, rates tend to be lower than in larger cities. Costs can vary even within a single state—outlet repair in San Diego typically costs $180, while that same outlet repair job in San Francisco costs $250, according to Yelp data.

Depending on the type of outlet and repairs needed, cutting into the wall surrounding the receptacle may sometimes be necessary to access wires. Medium-sized drywall repair costs $125–550.

Sometimes it costs more to repair electrical outlets in older homes. Outdated, deteriorating, non-grounded wires and receptacles can complicate installations. New wiring installation is often required in these cases, which can range in cost from $250–1,613, according to Yelp data.

Here are some potential ways to reduce your outlet repair costs.

Screen local pros by checking their Yelp reviews, and look for highly rated electricians who can get the job done correctly at a good price. Keep in mind that rates can vary by electricians’ credentials and skill levels. A lower-cost journeyman electrician can handle a basic job like outlet repair or installation. Master electricians, usually at the top end of the hourly scale, may be needed for more complex jobs, such as rewiring or installing new circuits of multiple outlets.

Although it’s usually best to hire an electrician, an experienced handyman or handyperson may be qualified to replace an electric outlet, at a cost of about $40–80 per hour. Make sure they’re accomplished at this type of electrical work, understand safety measures, and that they turn off the electricity at the electrical panel before beginning repairs. 

Electrical outlets are relatively inexpensive, and heavily used ones eventually wear out. So, when an electrician is trying to fix a non-working outlet, ask whether it’s best to replace it with a new one. “Like it or not, we live in a disposable society,” Etling says. “A good electrician will be able to fix what they can,” he says, but points out that a new outlet is less likely to require additional costly repairs in the near future.

Schedule your service during the most affordable times to potentially reduce costs. Electricians usually charge a premium for “after-hours service” during weekends, evenings, or other non-standard times—often 1.5 -2x their normal hourly or flat rates. On the other hand, you can ask potential electricians if they offer discounted rates for work during off-peak hours or days. 

Electrical businesses sometimes offer discounts to new customers, seniors, or members of the military. They may also have seasonal rates or online coupons that reduce the total cost.

Electrical work comes with inherent risks of fire, shock, or even electrocution, which means electrical outlet repairs should be left to an expert. Find a professional electrician in your area to replace electrical outlets or fix any other electrical problems. If you’re an experienced homeowner with DIY skills, tools, and knowledge, you may be able to handle a small repair like switching out an existing receptacle for a new one. Just be sure you know all the necessary safety practices and always turn off the power to the outlet’s circuit before working on it.

When interviewing an electrician for outlet repair, ask about their qualifications and customer service practices. The following information is often available on the pro’s Yelp Business Page:

Questions about the business 

Questions about outlet repair costs

How much does it cost to fix an outlet?

The typical cost to repair electrical outlets is $190, according to Yelp data, but prices can range from $135–270 nationwide, according to Yelp data. For a standard, grounded duplex outlet (the most common type), you’ll typically pay $195, but project costs can range from $140–270.

How much is the outlet replacement cost of a GFCI outlet?
The typical cost to replace GFCI outlets, including the cost of the outlet, is $190, though projects can range from $135–270. Don’t delay in making this type of repair—GFCI outlets are important for your family’s safety because they protect against shock, especially in areas that could be exposed to water, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoors.

How long does it take an electrician to replace an outlet?
Unless there are unforeseen issues—such as hard-to-access outlets or a need for rewiring—most electricians can replace an outlet in a few minutes. For a small job like replacing 1 outlet, they typically charge a minimum service fee of $100–200. 

Find a professional electrician in your area.

Cost data in this guide is based on project quote estimates provided to Yelp users by licensed professionals and businesses on Yelp (as well as analysis of industry data). Actual project costs may vary depending on location or complexity of the project. Cost data has been reviewed by our industry expert, Don Vandervort, a nationally known home improvement author. Don is the founder of the website HomeTips.com and has written or produced more than 30 home improvement books.