Romex, the common brand name for NM-B electrical cable, typically costs $0.25-$2.00 per foot for wire alone, depending on gauge, conductor count, and package size. With professional installation, a straightforward run may total $2-$6 per foot; access, circuit requirements, and local labor rates can raise the quote.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14/2 NM-B wire | $0.25/ft | $0.40/ft | $0.70/ft | Common lighting circuits; wire only |
| 12/2 NM-B wire | $0.35/ft | $0.60/ft | $1.00/ft | Common 20-amp circuits; wire only |
| 10/2 NM-B wire | $0.75/ft | $1.20/ft | $2.00/ft | Heavier cable for specified loads |
| Installed cable run | $2/ft | $3.50/ft | $6/ft or more | Accessible route; excludes major repairs |
What Romex wire costs by foot and common gauge
Retail pricing varies with copper prices, brand, spool length, and sales. For typical residential NM-B, 14/2 and 12/2 are the least expensive choices, while larger conductors and cables with more conductors cost more. A 250-foot spool often has a lower per-foot price than a 50-foot coil, though buying extra wire only saves money if it will be used.
For a basic materials budget, allow about $0.40-$0.70 per foot for 14/2 and $0.50-$0.90 per foot for 12/2. These are planning ranges, not a substitute for checking current local retailer prices. Assumptions: standard copper NM-B, ordinary residential use, wire only, U.S. retail pricing.
How copper, labor, and electrical work shape the quote
An electrician’s price includes more than cable. The quote may cover measuring and routing, pulling and securing the wire, connecting devices, testing the circuit, and patching or protecting the work area. Permit fees and inspection charges may appear separately, especially when adding a circuit or doing larger electrical work.
| Quote component | Typical range | What it covers | Pricing basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| NM-B cable | $0.25-$2.00 | Common gauges and conductor counts | Per foot |
| Electrician labor | $75-$150 | Routing, pulling, connections, testing | Per hour |
| Small-job minimum | $150-$400 | Travel, setup, and limited service work | Per visit |
| Permit and inspection | $50-$300 | Local filing and inspection charges | Per project |
| Wall or ceiling repair | $100-$600 | Patch and finish after access cuts | Per area or job |
Labor and access usually matter more than the wire itself on short runs. A 20-foot run of cable costing $12-$20 may still require a service minimum, so the total will not necessarily equal a simple per-foot material rate.
Why 14/2, 12/2, and 10/2 prices differ
Gauge and cable configuration determine how much copper and insulation a product contains. The correct cable depends on the circuit design and applicable electrical code; a lower wire price does not make an undersized cable a safe substitute. A 12/3 cable, which has an additional insulated conductor compared with 12/2, commonly costs about $0.75-$1.50 per foot.
Moving from 12/2 to 10/2 can add roughly $0.40-$1.10 per foot in material. Run length also changes the order: projects over 100 feet may need more cable than the measured route because of routing, service loops, and connections. Runs through finished walls, attics with limited access, or multiple floors can require substantially more labor than open framing.
How long installation takes and what labor adds
An accessible 50-foot run through open framing may take an electrician about 2-4 labor hours, while a finished-home route may take 4-8 hours or more if access holes, difficult pulls, or circuit connections are needed. At $75-$150 per hour, labor alone can range from about $150-$600 for the simpler example and $300-$1,200 for a more involved route.
Ask whether the quote includes circuit connections, testing, patching, and permit fees. Some electricians price by the project rather than by foot, and minimum charges can dominate a small job. Any estimate should identify whether the cable route is exposed or concealed and how many outlets, switches, or junction points are included.
Three Romex run examples show total project ranges
A 30-foot 14/2 lighting run through open framing might use $8-$21 of cable and 2-3 labor hours. With connections and a service minimum, a practical total is about $200-$500, excluding drywall repair or permit costs.
A 60-foot 12/2 run to several receptacles through an accessible basement may use $30-$54 of cable and 3-5 labor hours. A likely project quote is $350-$900, depending on the number of devices and whether the circuit already exists.
A 100-foot 10/2 run for equipment requiring that cable may use $75-$200 of wire and 5-8 labor hours. Budget about $600-$1,500 before unusual access work, equipment connections, or inspection charges. The electrician must confirm the circuit and cable specifications for the equipment.
These examples assume ordinary access and do not treat wire footage as installed footage. A route with detours or service loops can require more cable than the straight-line distance suggests.
When wall access, disposal, or permits raise the bill
Fishing cable through finished walls can add labor and repair costs, while exposed framing often permits faster installation. Removing old wiring may add about $100-$500 or more, depending on how much must be removed and whether it is accessible. Small jobs can also carry a trip or minimum charge even when only a few feet of cable are needed.
Confirm permit requirements before work starts, because rules vary by city and project scope. A simple cable replacement may be treated differently from adding a new circuit or changing a panel. If drywall repair is excluded, the electrician’s quote may be lower but the full project budget should include a separate repair allowance.
Ways to reduce Romex installation cost without cutting corners
Group several cable runs or device changes into one scheduled visit to reduce repeated trip charges. If a renovation is underway, have the electrician route cable while walls are open; access during framing can avoid costly fishing and patching later. Provide a clear list of outlets, switches, and equipment locations before the estimate.
Compare itemized quotes that use the same gauge, route, device count, and finish scope. Buying a large spool may lower material cost per foot, but confirm the electrician will accept customer-supplied cable and that it meets project requirements. Avoid choosing wire by price alone or skipping required permits, testing, or code-compliant circuit sizing.