Wiring a shed usually costs $500-$4,000, with a typical project near $2,000-$2,500 when it includes a dedicated circuit, basic outlets and lighting, and a moderate-length feeder. The biggest price drivers are distance from the home, underground trenching, electrical capacity, finish level, and local labor and permit requirements.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic wiring from nearby source | $500 | $900 | $1,500 | Short run, few outlets, no major trenching |
| Underground feeder and shed wiring | $1,200 | $2,500 | $4,000 | Typical 50-100 ft run and basic finish |
| Subpanel installation | $500 | $1,000 | $2,000 | Panel, feeder connection, grounding, and labor |
| Trenching | $5/linear ft | $12/linear ft | $25/linear ft | Soil, depth, access, and restoration affect price |
Typical shed wiring prices by project size
Most complete shed wiring projects fall between $1,200 and $4,000. A small shed with one light and a few receptacles may cost $500-$1,500 if a suitable circuit is close and the route is simple. A detached shed supplied by a new underground feeder commonly costs $1,500-$4,000, including basic interior wiring.
A larger workshop with a subpanel, several circuits, bright task lighting, and power for tools may reach $3,000-$7,000 or more. The upper range is more likely when the home panel needs an upgrade, the trench is long or obstructed, or the shed needs finished walls and numerous devices.
For a rough planning allowance, basic interior wiring often adds $5-$12 per square foot, while a complete feeder-and-wiring job may work out to $10-$30 per square foot on a small structure. Per-square-foot figures are only a screening tool: feeder length and panel work can dominate the price regardless of shed size.
Assumptions: Typical U.S. contractor pricing, standard copper wiring and devices, accessible work area, and no major service upgrade.
What feeder, trench, panel, and device charges include
The feeder route and labor usually account for the largest share of a detached shed quote. The table separates common work items; a contractor may combine these charges into a single project price rather than list each line separately.
| Quote item | Typical price | Pricing basis | What changes it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician labor | $75-$150 | Per hour | Local rates, crew size, access, and finish work |
| Underground trench | $5-$25 | Per linear ft | Soil, rock, roots, paving, and digging method |
| Feeder cable or conduit | $3-$12 | Per linear ft | Wire size, conductor type, and conduit needs |
| Small subpanel and installation | $500-$2,000 | Per shed | Panel capacity, circuits, grounding, and labor |
| Outlet or light point | $100-$300 | Per device point | Wiring access, device type, and wall finish |
| Permit and inspection | $50-$500 | Per project | Municipality, scope, and permit fees |
Some estimates include excavation and restoration; others assume the homeowner handles trenching. Confirm who marks utilities, digs, backfills, and repairs lawn, gravel, or paving before comparing bids. The electrician may also specify weather-resistant equipment, ground-fault protection, and a grounding arrangement required for the design and local code.
Example: 12-20 labor hours at $75-$150 per hour produces $900-$3,000 in labor before materials, permits, or excavation.
How distance and electrical load change the quote
Every added foot can raise both excavation and feeder costs, while higher loads may require larger conductors or a subpanel. A 20-30 ft route across open soil may be relatively straightforward; a 75-100 ft run can add hundreds or more than $1,000, depending on trenching, wire size, and restoration.
Load planning matters as much as shed square footage. A shed used for lights, a charger, and occasional small tools may need only a modest circuit arrangement. Several power tools running together, a heater, an air conditioner, or a compressor can require multiple circuits and a larger feeder. Ask the electrician to calculate the expected simultaneous load rather than sizing the system by guesswork.
As an illustration, a 60-amp feeder may suit some workshop plans, while a 100-amp subpanel can add equipment and conductor expense. The right rating depends on the load, distance, voltage drop, service capacity, and applicable code. A longer run can require larger conductors even when the planned shed load is unchanged.
Buried utilities, tree roots, rock, drainage, and a route beneath a driveway can shift a simple trench into a specialized excavation job. If a trench crosses pavement, boring or concrete cutting may cost several hundred dollars or more beyond ordinary digging. Marked utility locations and a route chosen before work begins help the contractor estimate accurately.
Regional labor rates and trench conditions across the U.S.
Local labor and site access can move the same shed wiring scope by roughly 15%-35%. Dense metro areas and regions with higher electrician rates often price above the national middle; rural markets may charge less per hour but more for travel or minimum service calls. These are planning differences, not guaranteed regional price lists.
In areas with hard, rocky soil, digging can be slower and may require machinery. In warm-climate markets, contractors may face different soil and restoration conditions than crews working through frozen ground or seasonal weather delays. A narrow side yard, steep slope, or long distance from the service panel can create added labor regardless of the region.
Compare quotes using the same route length, trench responsibility, feeder capacity, device count, and finish expectations. A low bid that excludes digging, permit fees, backfill, or panel work may not be cheaper after those items are added.
How long an electrician may need at the shed
A straightforward job may take one day, while trenching, panel upgrades, or interior finish work can extend it to two or more days. A small, accessible installation may require about 6-12 labor hours. A typical detached-shed feeder and wiring project may take 12-24 hours of electrician labor, plus excavation time.
The crew may spend time planning the circuit, installing conduit or cable, setting a subpanel, pulling conductors, connecting outlets and lights, testing protection, and arranging inspection. Labor cost can rise if the shed is unfinished and wiring must be routed around framing, or if finished surfaces need repair after installation.
Scheduling can affect the total when the work depends on a utility locate, permit approval, inspection availability, or a separate excavation contractor. Ask whether the estimate includes return visits and whether the electrician charges a minimum service fee for small changes.
Three sample shed wiring quotes with different scopes
These examples show why a quote should specify both the shed work and the route back to the house. Actual prices vary by market, code, and site conditions; each example assumes no major service upgrade.
| Project | Scope and assumptions | Illustrative total |
|---|---|---|
| Small garden shed | 8-by-10-ft shed, 20-ft accessible route, one light, three outlets, existing circuit capacity | $700-$1,300 |
| Detached hobby shed | 12-by-16-ft shed, 60-ft underground feeder, small subpanel, four outlets, two light points, standard soil | $1,800-$3,500 |
| Tool workshop | 16-by-24-ft shed, 100-ft route, 60-100-amp subpanel as load requires, several circuits, difficult digging | $3,500-$7,000 |
In the hobby-shed example, a quote might include 12-18 labor hours, trenching at $8-$20 per linear foot, feeder materials, panel equipment, devices, permit fees, and testing. The workshop example can rise substantially if it needs larger conductors, a driveway crossing, a new home panel, or circuits for high-demand equipment.
Permits, inspections, and home panel capacity
Permit and inspection costs are usually modest compared with the feeder, but they can reveal work that changes the budget. Local fees commonly range from $50-$500. Requirements differ by jurisdiction and project scope; some areas require permits for new circuits or detached-building wiring, while others may have different thresholds.
The electrician should verify that the home panel has room and capacity for the planned load. Adding a breaker may cost roughly $150-$500 when capacity and space are available. A panel replacement or service upgrade can add $1,500-$4,000 or more, depending on equipment, utility coordination, and local conditions.
Inspections may check conductor protection, grounding, bonding, burial depth, and required safety devices. The required installation details depend on the design and adopted electrical code. Confirm in writing whether permit filing, inspection coordination, and correction visits are included in the quote.
When overhead wiring or fewer circuits can lower the price
The biggest savings usually come from shortening the route and avoiding capacity or finish upgrades the shed does not need. If local rules and site conditions allow it, an overhead feeder may avoid trenching and restoration, though it requires suitable clearances, support, and weather-rated installation. Ask the electrician to price both feasible routes.
Plan the outlets and lights before bidding. Grouping devices along accessible framing and limiting unnecessary receptacles can reduce wiring time. Choose fixtures and controls that meet the actual use rather than adding specialty lighting or smart controls by default. Do not reduce conductor size, omit required protection, or bypass permits to cut a quote.
Homeowners may be able to clear the work area or arrange approved trenching, but excavation should happen only after utility marking and coordination with the electrician. If a contractor allows owner-provided digging, get the required trench depth, width, route, and inspection sequence in writing. Poorly placed or shallow trenches can lead to rework that costs more than the initial savings.
Request at least three itemized quotes with identical assumptions: route length, feeder rating, number of circuits, outlet and light count, trenching, disposal or restoration, permit, and testing. Compare any allowance or excluded item, and ask the contractor to price optional upgrades separately. A clear scope is the most reliable way to tell whether a low shed-wiring quote is genuinely lower.