What Is the Cost of Installing New Plug Sockets?

Quick Cost Breakdown

• A standard new plug socket costs around £75 to £150, including labour and materials.
• Electricians typically charge £40 to £60 per hour, and most socket installations take one to two hours.
• Installing multiple sockets in one visit is significantly cheaper per socket.
• Hidden costs such as plastering, wall repairs, or wiring upgrades add to the costs

New Plug Socket Cost Contents

1. New Plug Socket Average UK Costs
2. Plug Socket Types and Their Costs
3. What Affects the Cost of Installing a Plug Socket?
4. Installing Multiple Sockets to Save Money
5. Hidden Socket Installation Costs to Watch Out For
6. Installing Plug Sockets in Older Properties
7. Find an Electrician on MyBuilder
8. FAQs: Common Questions About Plug Socket Installation Costs

New Plug Socket Average UK Costs

Most new plug socket installations are quick, clean jobs that an electrician can turn around in a morning. The cost is straightforward too, once you know what the variables are.

For a standard double socket installed close to existing wiring, expect to pay around £80 to £150 in total.

Where the cost increases is when the installation is more complex: the new socket is further from the existing circuit, additional wiring is needed, or the job is in a solid wall rather than a stud partition. Here is the average cost of plug socket installation:

Socket Type	Total Cost
Standard single socket	£65 - £110
Standard double socket	£75 - £135
USB socket	£100 - £170
Smart socket	£115 - £210
Outdoor/weatherproof socket	£120 - £250

These figures assume that the installation process is simple with accessible existing wiring. For jobs requiring new circuit runs, chasing into solid walls, or rewiring, costs will be higher, see the cost factors section below.

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Plug Socket Types and Their Costs

The type of socket you choose is one of the biggest variables in the final price. Here is what each option involves and what you should expect to pay:

Standard sockets

Standard sockets are the most common choice for most rooms. A white plastic double socket costs as little as £5 to £15 to supply, making it the most affordable option. If you want a more decorative finish, brushed steel, chrome, or black nickel, expect to pay more for the unit, and note that metal sockets must be earthed, which adds a small amount of work for the electrician.

USB sockets

USB sockets have become increasingly popular for bedrooms, kitchens, and home offices. They eliminate the need for plug adapters and typically cost £20 to £40 for the unit. Installation takes slightly longer than a standard socket and total costs usually fall between £100 and £170.

Smart sockets

These connect to your home Wi-Fi and can be controlled via an app or voice assistant such as Alexa or Google Home. Units vary widely in price, budget options start around £25, while premium brands like Lightwave can cost £50 to £60. Installation takes around two to three hours, putting total costs at £115 to £210.

Outdoor sockets

Outdoor sockets require weatherproofing (IP66-rated covers as a minimum) and must have RCD protection on the circuit. This makes them more involved than indoor installations and total costs typically run from £120 to £250 for a single outdoor double socket. For more information on electrical installation costs, see our guide to wireless light switch installation costs.

What Affects the Cost of Installing a Plug Socket?

Two identical sockets in different homes can carry very different price tags. The socket and the labour rate are only part of the equation, what really determines the final cost is the specific conditions of your property and where the new socket needs to go.

Here are the main factors that drive the cost up or down:

• Distance from existing wiring: This is the biggest variable. If the new socket can be spur off a nearby ring main, the job is quick and straightforward. If it needs a longer cable run, chased into walls or run under floorboards, labour time increases significantly, adding £50 to £150 or more to the total.
• Wall construction: Plasterboard stud walls are quick to work with. Solid brick or concrete walls require chasing channels for the cable, which takes longer and often means additional plastering costs afterwards.
• Condition of existing wiring: Older properties, particularly those built before the 1970s, may have wiring that does not meet current standards. If an electrician identifies issues, aluminium wiring, outdated consumer units, or deteriorated insulation, remedial work will need to be done before new sockets can be added!
• Floorboard access: Most quotes assume carpets are up and floorboards can be easily lifted. If floorboards need to be lifted to run cable beneath them, this will add time and cost. It’s good to always clarify this when getting quotes.

The best way to get an accurate figure for your specific situation is to have an electrician assess the job in person before committing. On MyBuilder, you can post your job for free, receive responses from available electricians near you, and compare their profiles and reviews before deciding who to invite for a quote.

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Installing Multiple Sockets to Save Money

If you need more than one new socket, grouping them into a single visit is by far the most cost-effective approach. Most electricians charge a call-out or minimum job fee, typically £50 to £80, on top of their hourly rate.

If you book three or four sockets as a single job, that fixed cost is spread across all of them, reducing the price per socket considerably. As a rough guide, adding three to four sockets in one room during a single visit typically costs £250 to £400 in total. This is significantly cheaper than booking each one separately.

If you are already having other electrical work done, bundling multiple jobs can help you save money, like a consumer unit upgrade, rewiring, or lighting installation. See our guide to electrician hourly rates for more on how electricians structure their pricing.

Hidden Socket Installation Costs to Watch Out For

The socket and installation are the headline costs, but there are a few additional expenses that can catch homeowners off guard: Wall repairs and plastering Chasing a cable channel into a plaster or masonry wall leaves a groove that needs to be filled and made good afterwards. Some electricians include this; many do not. Always confirm whether making good is included in the quote, or budget an additional £50 to £150 for a plasterer to finish the work.

Electrical safety certificate:

For new circuits or significant additions, an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) may be required to demonstrate compliance with BS 7671 UK wiring regulations. This is typically included in the job cost by registered electricians, but worth confirming upfront.

Consumer unit issues:

If your fuse box is old or at capacity, adding new sockets may require a consumer unit upgrade before the work can proceed safely. A replacement consumer unit typically costs £300 to £500 installed.

Installing Plug Sockets in Older Properties

Older properties present a specific set of challenges when it comes to adding new sockets, and it is worth understanding these before getting quotes, they can have a significant impact on the final cost.

**The most common issue is outdated wiring. Properties built before the 1970s may still have rubber-insulated cables, aluminium wiring, or older consumer units that do not meet current BS 7671 standards. A partial circuit rewire typically costs £150 to £400; a full consumer unit replacement runs £300 to £500. For a full breakdown of rewiring costs, see our house rewiring cost guide.

Solid walls are another factor. Victorian and Edwardian properties typically have solid brick walls rather than modern stud partitions. Chasing cable channels into solid masonry takes longer than running cable through plasterboard, and the resulting channels need to be properly made good afterwards. Budget an additional £50 to £150 for plastering if your walls are solid.

Listed buildings and properties in conservation areas add a further layer of complexity to your project. Any work that affects the character of the building may require consent from the local planning authority before it can proceed. An electrician with experience in period properties will be able to advise on what is and is not permissible.

The practical upshot is that for older properties, it is particularly important to have an electrician assess the job in person before committing to a quote.

A figure given over the phone without a site visit is likely to change once the wiring is inspected. On MyBuilder, you can read reviews from homeowners in similar properties to find electricians with relevant experience.

Find an Electrician on MyBuilder

It is easy to find an electrician near you on MyBuilder. Post your job and available electricians in your area can respond with their services and pricing. You can browse their profiles, read reviews from local homeowners, and see photos of previous electrical work before making a decision.

All tradespeople on MyBuilder undergo checks at registration, such as ID documents, company details, certifications for regulated jobs and skill assessments, allowing you to hire with confidence.

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FAQs: Common Questions About Plug Socket Installation Costs

Can I Install a Plug Socket Myself?

Technically yes, but in practice it is rarely straightforward. Under Part P of the Building Regulations, new socket installations are notifiable work and must be certified by a registered electrician. If you do the work yourself, you will need to either hire a registered electrician to inspect and certify it or submit a Building Regulations application to your local authority. In most cases, hiring an electrician to do the job from the start is simpler and not significantly more expensive.

How Long Does It Take to Install a New Plug Socket?

Most standard socket installations take one to two hours. Smart sockets take slightly longer, around two to three hours, due to the additional configuration involved. Jobs requiring new cable runs, wall chasing, or work in difficult locations will take longer and cost more accordingly. You can browse photos of completed socket installation jobs on MyBuilder to get a sense of what the finished work looks like and the standard of local electricians in your area.

Are There Any Regulations I Need to Be Aware Of?

Yes. New plug socket installations fall under Part P of the Building Regulations in England and Wales, which covers electrical safety in dwellings. Work must be carried out by a registered competent person, such as an NICEIC or NAPIT-registered electrician, or notified to and inspected by your local authority building control. A registered electrician will self-certify the work and provide an Electrical Installation Certificate on completion.

Is It Worth Installing USB or Smart Sockets?

USB sockets are worth considering in rooms where devices are regularly charged, bedrooms, kitchens, and home offices in particular. The additional cost over a standard socket is modest, and they remove the need for plug adapters. Smart sockets are more of a lifestyle choice, useful if you have a wider smart home setup, but the cost premium is harder to justify for occasional use.

How Do I Know If My Existing Wiring Can Support a New Socket?

If your property was built before the 1970s, has never been rewired, or you are unsure of the wiring's history, a professional inspection is particularly worth arranging before committing to additional socket installation. On MyBuilder, you can browse photos of completed electrical jobs and read reviews from homeowners in similar properties - making it straightforward to find an electrician with relevant experience in older homes before getting in touch.