12 gauge wire costs about $0.20-$1.70 per linear foot, depending on cable type, conductor count, and insulation; a 100-foot roll of common 12/2 NM-B usually runs $55-$95. Installed wiring can cost several dollars per foot or more because routing, access, electrical connections, and permits add labor and other charges.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/2 NM-B cable, 100 ft | $55 | $75 | $95 | Indoor copper cable with ground |
| 12/3 NM-B cable, 100 ft | $90 | $125 | $160 | Extra insulated conductor |
| 12 AWG THHN copper, per conductor-foot | $0.20 | $0.32 | $0.45 | Single conductor; conduit required |
| 12/2 UF-B cable, per foot | $0.90 | $1.25 | $1.70 | Outdoor or direct-burial-rated cable |
| Electrician-installed wiring, per route-foot | $8 | $14 | $25+ | Higher for concealed or difficult routes |
Assumptions: Typical U.S. retail and contractor pricing, copper conductors, standard cable lengths, and normal access. Local quotes vary.
What a Typical 12 Gauge Wire Purchase Costs
For ordinary indoor branch-circuit work, buyers most often price 12/2 NM-B cable, commonly called Romex. A 100-foot coil typically costs $55-$95, or roughly $0.55-$0.95 per cable-foot. A 250-foot coil may cost $130-$240, while a 1,000-foot roll can run about $500-$900. Larger spools often lower the per-foot price, but only if the full quantity will be used.
12/3 NM-B, which contains three insulated conductors plus a ground, usually costs $0.90-$1.60 per foot. It may be specified for certain switched circuits or other applications, but the correct cable depends on the circuit design and local code. Price the exact conductor count and cable marking rather than comparing packages by gauge alone.
For a basic 100-foot indoor run, budgeting $55-$95 for 12/2 cable is a useful material-only starting point. This excludes boxes, connectors, breakers, labor, and any repair to finished walls. Copper grade, brand, package size, and local supply can shift the shelf price.
Gauge identifies conductor size, not the whole product. A 12 AWG single THHN conductor, a 12/2 NM-B cable, and a 12/2 UF-B cable serve different installation conditions and have different prices. A licensed electrician can confirm which wiring method and circuit rating match the intended use.
How Cable Type and Electrical Work Shape the Quote
Wire material is only one part of a project estimate. The table separates typical material costs from common installation charges; labor pricing is especially sensitive to whether the electrician can reach the route without opening finished surfaces.
| Quote item | Typical price | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|
| 12/2 NM-B cable | $0.55-$0.95 per cable-foot | Coil size, brand, local stock |
| 12/2 UF-B cable | $0.90-$1.70 per foot | Outdoor rating, burial route, trench work |
| 12 AWG THHN copper | $0.20-$0.45 per conductor-foot | Color, quantity, conduit layout |
| Electrician labor | $75-$150 per hour | Market, crew, access, troubleshooting |
| Boxes, fittings, and connectors | $15-$100 per circuit | Number of outlets, boxes, and transitions |
| Permit and inspection | $50-$300 | Municipality and job scope |
Labor is often charged hourly, by the project, or as a combined installation rate. A rough planning range for straightforward new wiring is $3-$8 per route-foot for labor, but that does not necessarily include the wire or finish repairs. Fishing cable through existing walls can push labor above that range.
Ask whether the quote includes cable, terminations, testing, permit fees, and wall repair before comparing totals. For example, 6-10 labor hours at $75-$150 per hour equals $450-$1,500 in labor before materials or other charges.
Why NM-B, THHN, UF-B, and MC Cable Prices Differ
NM-B cable is intended for permitted indoor residential locations and combines multiple insulated conductors in one sheath. It is usually the least expensive practical option for a dry, protected route. It is not a substitute for cable or conductors rated for wet locations, outdoor exposure, or other specific conditions.
THHN is sold as individual conductors, so the quoted price is per conductor-foot. A conduit route that needs two or more insulated conductors plus a grounding conductor uses several lengths; multiplying one conductor’s price by the route length understates the material total. A 500-foot spool of 12 AWG THHN may cost about $100-$225, depending on color and supplier.
UF-B is designed for damp or direct-burial applications when installed as allowed by code. At approximately $0.90-$1.70 per foot, it costs more than indoor NM-B, and trenching can add substantially to the job. Metal-clad cable, or MC, commonly falls around $0.80-$1.60 per foot for 12 AWG configurations, with variation by conductor count and armor type.
Compare complete wiring systems, not just the price of one conductor or cable foot. Product markings, listing, conductor count, grounding, and installation location determine whether a low-priced option is appropriate. Aluminum conductors are not a simple lower-cost replacement for copper in typical 12 AWG branch-circuit work; connections and equipment must be specifically suitable.
Which Specifications and Route Conditions Raise the Price?
The first major variable is the product configuration. Moving from 12/2 to 12/3 can add roughly 40%-80% to cable material cost. Switching from indoor NM-B to UF-B may raise the cable price by about 50%-150%, before any trenching or protective fittings. More conductors in conduit also increase the total quantity purchased.
Route length affects both material and installation time. A 50-foot accessible run may need 50-60 feet of cable after allowing for routing and terminations; a 150-foot run requires more wire and may need extra planning for voltage drop and circuit performance. An electrician should assess long routes and load requirements rather than assuming that gauge alone determines suitability.
Access can matter more than the wire price. Running cable through an open basement or attic is generally less labor-intensive than fishing 50 feet through finished walls, drilling fire blocks, or working in a crowded ceiling. Difficult access can add several labor hours, and patching or painting is often quoted separately.
Three measurements can quickly improve an estimate: route length, conductor configuration, and whether the path is open or concealed. Outdoor runs, wet areas, masonry, fire-rated assemblies, and detached buildings can require a different wiring method, added protection, or inspection. Those details should be disclosed before a contractor prices the work.
Three Example Quotes for 12 Gauge Wire Projects
These examples illustrate how materials and labor combine; they are not fixed national rates. The assumed labor rate is $75-$150 per hour, with local minimum charges and code requirements potentially changing the final bill.
| Project | Materials | Labor and other charges | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50-ft open-basement 12/2 run, 2-3 hours | $40-$80 | $225-$450 labor; $25-$100 fittings | $290-$630 |
| 100-ft concealed 12/2 run, 6-10 hours | $75-$150 | $450-$1,500 labor; $50-$250 permit and patching | $575-$1,900 |
| 60-ft outdoor 12/2 UF-B route with trench, 5-9 hours | $55-$105 cable; $40-$150 supplies | $375-$1,350 labor; $100-$600 trenching | $570-$2,205 |
The open-basement example assumes a short, accessible route and minimal finish work. The concealed run may require drilling and wall openings, so its labor range is broad. The outdoor example assumes a modest trench; rocky soil, paving, deeper burial requirements, or a long distance can push the total higher.
Use these totals as quote-comparison benchmarks only after matching the route, finish work, and included fees. A project price that appears high may include a new breaker, circuit labeling, testing, drywall repair, or inspection coordination that another estimate excludes.
When Electrician Labor and Permits Matter More Than Wire
Material may account for a small share of a professionally installed circuit. Electrician rates commonly range from $75-$150 per hour, while a service-call or minimum charge may be $100-$250 even for a brief task. New circuits, troubleshooting, panel work, and difficult routing can require multiple visits or more than one worker.
For a simple accessible run, installation may take 2-4 hours. A concealed route through finished rooms can take 6-12 hours or longer when the crew must locate obstructions, drill, secure the cable, install boxes, and restore access openings. A detached-building route may also require trenching and weather-resistant equipment.
Permit costs commonly fall around $50-$300, but some jurisdictions use fixed fees while others base charges on the work. Inspections can require corrections if existing wiring or the proposed installation does not meet local rules. Contractors may include permit handling in their estimate or list it as a separate line item.
For installed pricing, the route and scope usually matter more than saving a few cents per foot on cable. Electrical work can expose occupants to shock and fire hazards if circuits are improperly sized, protected, or connected. A qualified electrician should verify the circuit design and local requirements; work involving energized equipment should not be treated as a routine material purchase.
Regional Pricing and Seasonal Scheduling for Wire Installation
Wire retail prices can vary by roughly 5%-20% between markets because of shipping, retailer inventory, and local competition. Labor differences are usually larger: metropolitan areas with high wages may price installation 15%-35% above a lower-cost rural market, while remote locations can also charge more for travel and limited contractor availability.
Weather and demand affect outdoor work most. Spring and summer schedules can fill quickly for exterior circuits, garages, and detached buildings. A rush appointment or after-hours visit may add $75-$250 or more, while ordinary scheduling can avoid that premium. Indoor wiring is less seasonal, although contractor backlogs still influence appointment timing.
Homeowners should compare estimates from contractors serving the same area and specify the same cable type, route length, outlet count, and finish work. A quote that lists a lower hourly rate may still cost more if it adds a trip fee, diagnostic fee, or separate permit charge.
Local labor rates and scheduling are more useful comparison points than a national per-foot figure alone. For an apples-to-apples check, request the material quantity, labor basis, permit allowance, and exclusions in writing.
How to Lower a 12 Gauge Wire Quote Without Cutting Corners
Define the work before requesting estimates. Mark approximate outlet or equipment locations, identify the panel, and share whether the route passes through an attic, basement, crawl space, or finished wall. Accurate details reduce allowances and make it easier to compare labor assumptions.
Choose the correct cable type without paying for a rating the location does not require. Indoor NM-B may be less expensive than UF-B or MC cable where it is permitted, but using indoor cable outdoors or in a wet location is not a safe cost-saving measure. Likewise, do not reduce conductor size or omit required grounding to lower the material bill.
Combining nearby electrical tasks can reduce repeated service-call minimums. If several circuits, receptacles, or small repairs are needed, ask whether they can be completed during one visit. Clear access to the work area and moving stored items before the appointment can also limit billable time.
Compare at least three written quotes with matching scope, then check exclusions before selecting the lowest total. Ask whether the estimate includes the breaker, boxes, fittings, testing, permit, disposal, and surface repairs. Avoid unnecessary upgrades, but have the electrician explain any proposed change tied to capacity, code, or safety.