12/2 Romex, commonly sold as nonmetallic-sheathed NM-B cable, typically costs about $0.55-$1.35 per foot before tax, with many standard retail purchases near $0.85 per foot. Spool size, copper prices, brand, local availability, and whether an electrician installs the cable can change the total substantially.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/2 NM-B cable, per foot | $0.55 | $0.85 | $1.35 | Retail material price; larger spools often lower the unit rate |
| 100-foot coil | $60 | $95 | $140 | Brand and store inventory affect price |
| 250-foot spool | $140 | $210 | $340 | Typical copper NM-B cable with ground |
| Installed cable run, per foot | $2 | $4 | $8+ | Labor and access can exceed material cost |
What a 12/2 Romex run costs by the foot
For cable alone, a practical shopping range is $0.55-$1.35 per linear foot. A common planning figure is about $0.85 per foot for standard 12/2 NM-B copper cable with a bare grounding conductor. At that rate, 100 feet is about $85 and 250 feet is about $213 before tax. Store-specific sales or bulk pricing can put a spool outside those examples.
For a typical homeowner buying cable off the shelf, budget roughly $80-$120 for 100 feet or $175-$250 for a 250-foot spool. These estimates assume ordinary indoor residential cable, not specialty wire, delivery, installation, or electrical devices. Check the package footage and cable markings: a lower package price may simply reflect a shorter coil.
The installed cost is a separate estimate. A straightforward accessible run may add about $1.50-$4 per foot in electrician labor, while concealed runs through finished walls, difficult framing, or multiple floors can cost more. A contractor may charge by the job rather than by the foot, especially when the work includes circuit connections, permits, patching, or troubleshooting.
Assumptions: U.S. retail pricing for standard copper NM-B cable, ordinary residential availability, and no sales tax or delivery.
How copper, ground wire, and labor shape the quote
A cable price covers more than the two insulated conductors. Standard 12/2 NM-B generally contains two 12-AWG insulated copper conductors, typically black and white, plus an equipment grounding conductor under the outer jacket. The cable is commonly used for 20-amp residential branch circuits when the full installation meets electrical code and equipment requirements.
When a contractor supplies and installs cable, the quote may combine material, labor, fastening, routing, device connections, and business overhead. Labor is often the largest variable because two jobs using the same 75 feet of cable can require very different access and finish work. Ask whether the quote covers only the cable route or also the breaker, boxes, receptacles, testing, and wall repair.
| Quote component | Typical range | What changes the charge | Pricing basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12/2 NM-B cable | $0.55-$1.35 | Copper market, brand, spool size | Per foot |
| Electrician labor | $75-$150 | Local rate, access, crew and minimum charge | Per hour |
| Boxes and connectors | $2-$12 | Box type, count, connector style | Per location |
| Breaker and circuit parts | $15-$100 | Panel compatibility and protection requirements | Per circuit or part |
| Permit and inspection | $0-$250 | City rules and project scope | Per permit or job |
| Wall access and patching | $50-$500+ | Number and size of openings, finish work | Per job |
A useful quote separates cable footage from labor, circuit parts, permit charges, and finish repairs. That breakdown makes it easier to compare bids where one electrician includes boxes and testing while another lists them as extras.
Does a 100-foot coil cost more than a 250-foot spool?
Smaller packages generally have a higher price per foot, but they can reduce leftover cable on a modest project. A 100-foot coil may cost $60-$140, or roughly $0.60-$1.40 per foot. A 250-foot spool may cost $140-$340, or about $0.56-$1.36 per foot. Brand, retailer, copper market, and temporary promotions create overlap between the ranges.
For a planned 70-foot run, buying 100 feet may be more economical than paying for 250 feet that remains unused. For several runs totaling 180-230 feet, a 250-foot spool can reduce the effective material price. Include routing slack and panel connections in the footage estimate, but avoid assuming the shortest straight-line distance is the actual cable route.
Some stores price cable by packaged coil rather than allowing a custom cut. A coil that appears cheaper may have fewer feet, so compare the total divided by stated length. Also verify that the label says 12/2 NM-B and includes a ground conductor; 12/2 without ground or a different cable type is not a direct equivalent for many residential jobs.
Compare the unit price, not just the sticker price, and choose a spool size that matches the full routing plan. Keep unused cable dry and protected from physical damage, and retain the packaging or receipt if the store has a return policy for unopened electrical materials.
Which cable specifications can push the price higher?
Copper content is a major pricing driver because the conductors use copper, whose wholesale cost changes over time. Retail prices do not move in lockstep with commodity quotes, but a sustained copper increase can raise the cost of both short coils and large spools. Brand, insulation and jacket markings, manufacturing origin, and local stock can also affect the shelf price.
Length creates a clear threshold: buying 250 feet or more may lower the unit cost compared with a short coil, while a single run under 50 feet may not justify a large spool. The job’s electrical load matters too. A 12-AWG branch circuit is commonly associated with 20-amp protection, but cable gauge alone does not establish whether an existing circuit is appropriate. Circuit length, load, device ratings, installation method, and applicable code all matter.
Installation conditions can change the project price even when the cable specification does not. A run through an open basement or unfinished attic may be straightforward; routing 50-100 feet through finished walls may require extra labor, access openings, or a different wiring method. NM-B is generally intended for dry indoor locations and is not a universal substitute for cable or conductors rated for wet, exposed, or otherwise special conditions.
Confirm the cable type and circuit design before buying; a lower-priced cable is not a savings if it is unsuitable for the location. When a project crosses an attached garage, outdoor area, damp location, or fire-rated assembly, an electrician can determine whether protection, conduit, or another wiring method is required.
How long does an electrician need to install 12/2 cable?
In accessible unfinished space, a short branch-circuit run may take about 1-3 labor hours, including routing, securing, and basic connections. A 50-100-foot route through open framing may take roughly 2-5 hours, depending on the number of turns, boxes, and terminations. These are planning ranges, not guarantees; an electrician may impose a service minimum even when the physical work takes less time.
Finished walls, fire blocking, crowded panels, attic heat, crawlspace access, and multiple floors can extend a job to 4-10 hours or more. If drywall openings need patching and painting, those trades may be quoted separately. Electricians commonly charge about $75-$150 per hour, with higher rates possible in expensive metro areas or for urgent appointments.
Labor is best estimated from route accessibility and the number of terminations, not cable footage alone. Ask for the expected crew size, billable hours, service-call fee, and minimum charge. For a simple job, a fixed quote can be easier to budget; for hidden conditions, clarify how additional work will be approved and priced.
Why do 12/2 Romex prices vary by U.S. region?
Material prices can differ by roughly 5%-20% between markets because of retailer competition, freight, inventory, and local demand. Rural areas may have fewer stores and less price competition, while large metro areas may offer more options but charge more for delivery or contractor labor. These are general differences, not fixed regional surcharges, and an online listing may not reflect local pickup availability.
Installed quotes often vary more than cable prices. Labor in a high-cost coastal metro can be 20%-50% above a lower-cost market, while remote travel or limited contractor availability can raise rural job totals. Permits also vary: a small wiring alteration may require a permit in one jurisdiction and not another, or the fee may depend on the type and scope of work.
Compare local quotes using the same cable length, access conditions, circuit scope, and permit assumptions. A $3-per-foot installation quote is not directly comparable with a $6-per-foot quote if one excludes panel work, boxes, inspection, or wall repairs. Request a written scope and ask whether the quoted rate includes sales tax on materials.
When does a different cable or repair make sense?
For standard indoor residential branch-circuit work, 12/2 NM-B is often a practical material choice, but it is not appropriate for every location. In conduit, wet areas, or exposed locations, the electrician may specify individual conductors or another cable assembly suited to the installation. Those alternatives can carry different material and labor costs; a higher per-foot wire price may be offset by the installation method or required protection.
If an existing cable is damaged, the repair may involve replacing a section, adding an accessible junction box, or rerouting a new cable. A localized repair might cost about $150-$500 when access is easy, while a concealed or extensive repair can exceed $1,000. A junction box must remain accessible, and the repair has to comply with local electrical requirements; hiding a splice behind finished wall material is not a proper shortcut.
Compare repair and replacement by total scope, not by the price of a few feet of cable. When the existing circuit has repeated faults, insufficient capacity, or damaged insulation along a long route, replacing the run may be more sensible than paying for repeated spot repairs. A licensed electrician can evaluate the cause before pricing the work.
How can buyers reduce the cable and installation bill?
Measure the planned route rather than the straight-line distance, then add a reasonable allowance for turns, vertical drops, and terminations. For a project requiring about 80 feet, a 100-foot coil may avoid unnecessary material, while multiple planned runs totaling around 200 feet may favor a 250-foot spool. Verify the quantity with the installer before purchasing; some contractors prefer to supply materials and may not warranty customer-provided cable.
Keep the route accessible where allowed, clear storage from work areas, and identify the devices or rooms involved before the electrician arrives. This can reduce setup time and avoid a second visit. Do not drill framing, remove panel covers, or alter wiring as a cost-saving measure unless qualified; mistakes can create shock, fire, structural, or code risks.
Request two or three written quotes that use the same scope. Separate the cable price, hourly rate or labor allowance, permit, circuit protection, boxes, and patching. Scheduling nonurgent work during normal business hours may avoid emergency or after-hours charges, which can add $100-$300 or more depending on the market and service provider.
The most reliable savings come from accurate footage, accessible routing, and a clear quote—not from choosing underspecified cable. Avoid buying surplus cable solely to chase a lower per-foot price, and do not assume a bulk spool is cheaper until its total cost, leftover quantity, and return terms are considered.