How much does it cost to ground an outlet or a house?
How much does it cost to ground an outlet or a house?
$100 – $300 cost to ground one outlet
$90 – $200 cost to replace ungrounded outlet with GFCI outlet
$2,000 – $10,000+ cost to ground all outlets in a house by rewiring
Cost to ground an outlet
The cost to ground an outlet is $100 to $300 on average, including labor and materials. Grounding an outlet requires running new wire from the outlet to the main electrical panel. Grounding a house costs $2,000 to $10,000+, depending on the home's size and current wiring conditions.
| Project | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Cost to ground one outlet | $100 – $300 |
| Cost to ground all outlets in a home by rewiring | $2,000 – $10,000+ |
| Cost to replace all outlets in the home with GFCI outlets | $90 – $200 per outlet |
| Cost to install GFCI circuit breaker | $120 – $380 per breaker |
| Cost to replace main electrical panel grounding wire | $100 – $300 |
| Cost to replace exterior grounding rod | $100 – $400 |
Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Cost to ground a house
Grounding all the outlets in a house requires running a ground wire from each outlet to the main electrical panel or completely rewiring the home, depending on the existing wire type. Rewiring a house costs $7 to $10 per linear foot or $2,000 to $10,000+ total.
Less costly alternatives to rewiring the house include:
Replacing ungrounded outlets with GFCI outlets
Installing a GFCI circuit breaker to protect any outlets wired to that circuit
Although GFCI protection does not provide grounding, it protects the home's residents from fatal electrical shock by immediately cutting power to an outlet upon sensing an imbalance in the current.
Cost to ground a house by size
| House square footage | Cost to ground all outlets by rewiring |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | $1,600 – $3,800 |
| 1,500 | $2,400 – $5,700 |
| 2,000 | $3,200 – $7,600 |
| 2,500 | $4,000 – $9,500 |
| 3,000 | $4,800 – $11,400 |
| 3,500 | $5,600 – $13,300 |
| 4,000 | $6,400 – $15,200 |
Cost to add ground wire to a house
The cost to add a ground wire to a house is $100 to $300. However, adding a ground wire from the main electrical panel to an exterior grounding rod does not ground the outlets throughout the house. Each outlet must have a ground wire running from the receptacle to the panel.
Cost to add a whole-house surge protector
A whole-house surge protector costs $200 to $800 with installation, depending on the brand, type, protection rating, and the electrician's labor rates. A whole-home surge protection device (SPD) protects your appliances, electronics, HVAC system, and wiring against damage from powerful electrical surges.
Cost factors to ground outlets in a house
Outlet replacement by type
Grounding an outlet often includes replacing the receptacle itself. Outlet replacement costs $80 to $200 on average, depending on the type.
GFCI outlet – Replacing an ungrounded outlet with a GFCI outlet costs $90 to $200. When replacing an old ungrounded two-prong outlet with a GFCI outlet, the new GFCI receptacle must be labeled "No Equipment Ground". Manufacturers include this label in the box with GFCI outlets.
Smart / USB outlet – Replacing an old outlet with a smart outlet costs $170 to $350. Electricians recommend grounding a smart outlet to prevent damage to sensitive electronic devices plugged into the outlet's USB ports.
220V / 240V outlet – A 220V or 240V outlet costs $250 to $650 installed, depending on the location, distance from the main electrical panel, and whether the outlet requires a new circuit.
Outdoor outlet – An outdoor outlet costs $180 to $350 installed. Replacing an existing outdoor outlet costs $100 to $175.
Replacing an ungrounded two-prong outlet with a three-prong outlet is highly dangerous and against code unless the three-prong outlet is either grounded or GFCI-protected.
Electrician labor cost to ground outlets
Electricians charge $50 to $130 per hour for labor to ground an outlet. Most electricians also charge a $100 to $200 trip fee, which may be applied to the first hour. Other factors that affect labor costs include:
Number of outlets – Costs per outlet are lower when grounding multiple outlets at the same time.
Opening walls / drywall repair – Drywall repairs cost $50 to $100 per square foot to patch small holes. The electrician may need to open multiple holes in the wall to run a new ground wire, depending on the outlet's location and the home's current wiring conditions.
Permits – Electrical permits cost $50 to $350. Most areas require a permit to run new wiring or install new outlets.
Moving or installing a new outlet
New outlet installation costs $150 to $350, depending on the type, features, voltage, and location. Costs are typically highest for outlets located far from the main electrical panel or 220V/240V outlets requiring a new dedicated circuit.
Replacing a circuit breaker
Replacing a circuit breaker costs $100 to $260 on average, depending on the type. Replacing a standard breaker with a GFCI circuit breaker costs $120 to $380 and provides protection for any outlets wired to that circuit without grounding.
Installing a new dedicated circuit costs $250 to $900 and typically includes a new outlet. Circuit installation costs depend on the type, distance from the main panel, installation difficulty, and whether the new circuit fits the main panel's capacity.
Replacing an electrical panel
Replacing an electrical panel costs $1,300 to $2,500 for a 200-amp panel or $2,500 to $4,000 for a 400-amp panel. The panel may require replacing or upgrading if it does not have the capacity to support the home's electrical demand.
Outlet grounding FAQs
What is a grounded outlet?
A grounded outlet has a third prong and wire that acts as a grounding pole, sending extra power into the earth to prevent surges that could cause electrical shock or overload devices and appliances.
Are grounded outlets required by law?
Grounded outlets are required by the National Electric Code (NEC) in homes built in 1968 or later.
Homes built before 1968 may still have ungrounded two-prong outlets, which can be replaced with ungrounded two-prong outlets or GFCI outlets when they fail. Replacing an ungrounded two-prong outlet with an ungrounded three-prong outlet that is not GFCI-protected is dangerous and against code.
How long does it take to ground an electrical outlet?
Grounding an outlet takes 30 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the distance from the outlet to the home's main electrical panel. Grounding requires running new wiring from the outlet box to a grounding screw on the main panel.
Replacing an existing ungrounded outlet with a GFCI outlet takes only 10 to 15 minutes but does not provide the same level of protection as grounding the outlet.
How can I find out if my house is grounded?
Follow these steps to find out if your house is grounded:
Check the outlets to determine if they are three-prong or two-prong. A grounded three-prong outlet features two vertical slots, one slightly longer than the other, and a U-shaped hole. In comparison, ungrounded two-prong outlets have two vertical slots of the same size and no U-shaped hole.
Use a multimeter to test the three-prong outlet to confirm it is grounded. It is against code to replace an ungrounded two-prong outlet with a non-GFCI three-prong outlet without grounding it. However, testing the outlet is the only way to confirm the previous installer adhered to code.
Repeat this process with each outlet throughout the home. Older houses or homes that have been renovated may have both grounded and ungrounded outlets.
Confirm the main electrical panel has a grounding wire that connects to an exterior grounding rod.
Can a ground fault outlet go bad?
Yes, GFCI outlets—also called "ground fault circuit interrupters"—can go bad but typically last 7 to 15 years before failing.
Getting estimates from outlet electricians
Before hiring an electrician to ground an outlet or a whole house, be sure to:
Get three in-person estimates to compare.
Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Hire a licensed, insured, bonded company that has been established for 5+ years.
Avoid hiring the company with the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
Get a detailed contract and warranty in writing before the work begins.
Never pay in full before the project is complete. Work out a payment plan instead.
Questions to ask
How long have you been in business?
Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?
Can you provide local references with contact information?
Do you recommend grounding the outlet or replacing it with a GFCI unit instead?
How much more would it cost to ground the entire house?
Will the project require a permit? If so, will you obtain one?
Are all permit fees included in the estimate?
What additional costs might come up during installation?
How long will the installation take?
Do you offer a warranty. If yes, what does it cover?