Putting electricity into a U.S. home, garage, or outbuilding typically costs $1,500-$12,000, with an average near $5,000 for a moderate wiring project. The price depends on distance from the existing service, electrical capacity, trenching, number of circuits, permits, and whether a new panel or utility connection is needed.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic wiring for a small space | $1,500 | $3,500 | $6,000 | Nearby power, limited outlets and lights |
| Detached garage or workshop | $2,500 | $6,000 | $12,000 | Trench and subpanel may be needed |
| New home electrical installation | $8,000 | $15,000 | $30,000 | Often priced by home size and finish level |
| New utility service connection | $1,000 | $3,000 | $10,000+ | Utility charges and long service runs vary |
Typical electricity installation prices by project size
For a small room addition or basic outbuilding with nearby power, a licensed electrician may charge $1,500-$4,000 for wiring, a few outlets, and lighting. A detached garage with a subpanel and underground feed commonly runs $2,500-$8,000; long trench runs, high capacity, or difficult access can push the total above $12,000.
Wiring an entire new home often costs $4-$9 per square foot, or roughly $8,000-$30,000 for a 2,000-square-foot house. That range generally covers standard wiring, switches, outlets, and a main panel, but not premium fixtures, extensive smart-home equipment, or utility work. The lowest estimates assume short wiring runs, normal access, standard materials, and no major service upgrade.
Assumptions: Typical U.S. contractor pricing, standard copper wiring, ordinary access, and permit fees where required.
What electricians include in a wiring and panel quote
Quotes may combine materials and labor into a project price, so the table shows common budget shares and standalone ranges. The mix changes with project size, distance, and local labor rates.
| Quote item | Typical price | What changes the charge | Common share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wire, boxes, outlets | $300-$2,500 | Number of circuits and wire gauge | 15%-30% |
| Electrician labor | $75-$150 per hour | Access, crew size, and local rates | 30%-50% |
| Panel or subpanel | $500-$2,500 | Capacity, breakers, and panel location | 10%-25% |
| Trenching and conduit | $10-$30 per linear foot | Soil, paving, depth, and obstructions | Variable |
| Permits and inspection | $50-$500 | City rules and project scope | Usually under 10% |
Labor can be the largest quote item, especially when walls must be opened or buried conduit is required.
How distance, amperage, and trench depth raise the estimate
Distance is a major price driver: a 20-foot feed to a garage may require far less wire and trenching than a 100-foot run. Underground work commonly adds $10-$30 per linear foot for trenching and conduit, before unusual rock, concrete, landscaping restoration, or utility fees.
Capacity also matters. A 60-amp subpanel may suit a small garage, while a workshop with a welder, compressor, or heating equipment may need 100 amps or more. Moving from a 100-amp to a 200-amp main service can add about $1,500-$4,000; utility-side changes or a meter relocation can add more. Ask whether the quoted amperage is calculated for the actual planned loads, not just the number of outlets.
How long the electrical work takes and what labor covers
A straightforward small-space wiring job may take one electrician 8-16 hours. A detached garage feed with trenching and a subpanel can take 1-3 workdays, while whole-home wiring may require a crew over several weeks, coordinated with framing and drywall schedules.
Electricians commonly bill $75-$150 per hour, with higher rates in expensive metro areas or for urgent service. The labor line may include layout, pulling cable, mounting boxes, panel work, testing, and inspection corrections. Confirm whether patching drywall, painting, and landscaping restoration are excluded. A detailed scope helps distinguish a low bid from one that simply leaves out finishing work.
Regional labor rates change the same garage project
Electrical installation prices can differ by roughly 15%-30% between lower-cost rural markets and high-cost coastal cities. Dense urban areas may charge more for permits, parking, access, and labor; rural properties may pay extra for long utility connections or travel. Local utility rules can affect service charges independently of an electrician’s quote.
For comparison, a garage project priced at $5,000 in a moderate-cost market might run $4,000-$4,500 in a lower-cost area or $5,750-$6,500 in a high-cost metro, assuming comparable scope. Use local quotes for budgeting because national averages cannot account for utility boundaries and municipal requirements.
Three sample quotes for putting power in a garage
A 12-by-20-foot garage 20 feet from the house might cost $2,500-$4,000 for a 60-amp subpanel, four outlets, and two lights, with little or no trenching. A 24-by-24-foot workshop 60 feet away could cost $5,000-$8,000 for a 100-amp feed, conduit, eight outlets, and dedicated equipment circuits.
A 30-by-40-foot outbuilding 120 feet from the house may reach $9,000-$15,000 when it needs a 100-amp feed, substantial trenching, multiple circuits, and site restoration. These examples assume standard access and exclude unusually high utility connection charges. Compare quotes only after matching panel capacity, circuit count, trench length, permits, and restoration work.
Permits, utility fees, and repairs that can add to the bill
Most jurisdictions require permits for new circuits, panels, or service changes; fees often range from $50-$500, with larger projects sometimes costing more. A utility may charge separately for a new meter, service drop, transformer work, or connection, commonly adding $500-$3,000 and potentially much more when infrastructure must be extended.
Older homes can also need grounding, bonding, or panel corrections before new work passes inspection. Replacing an obsolete panel may add $1,500-$4,000, while repairing a minor grounding issue may cost a few hundred dollars. Have the electrician identify likely code upgrades and utility charges before work begins.
Ways to lower the cost without undersizing the electrical system
Keep the run short where practical, group outlets and lights sensibly, and decide equipment needs before the electrician sizes the panel. For a garage, a correctly sized subpanel can avoid the cost of a separate utility service; however, a licensed electrician should confirm load capacity and applicable code requirements.
Homeowners can clear access, move stored items, and coordinate trenching with other planned yard work, but should not perform wiring or panel work themselves. Request at least three itemized quotes and compare labor, materials, permit handling, trenching, and restoration—not just the total. Avoid paying for excess capacity or premium fixtures unless the intended loads justify them. Good scope planning reduces extras while preserving safe, code-compliant capacity.