Outdoor Socket Installation Cost Guide for 2023
An outdoor socket is super handy to have, whether it's for plugging in the lawnmower or for an outdoor heater for those slightly chillier summer nights. But how much does outdoor socket installation cost in 2023? The average cost is around £120, but we'll go into detail about the factors that affect the price.
How much does it cost to fit an outside socket in the UK?
It costs an average of £120 to fit an outside socket in the UK, but it will depend on the type of socket you choose and where you are in the country. HaMuch has a large database of rates for installing outdoor sockets across the UK, but here's a breakdown of the average costs based on socket type:
|
Socket type |
Average cost |
|
Single socket |
£120 |
|
Double socket |
£150 |
|
Socket with RCD |
£170 |
|
Socket with timer |
£185 |
The biggest cost of installing an outside power outlet is the electrician's time. However, in most cases it's a simple job and shouldn't take any more than 2 hours. If you want your outdoor socket installed in a location that will be difficult for the electrician to reach or requires cabling, this will increase the cost since it will take longer to complete.
Factors affecting the cost of installing an outside socket
- Type of socket - If you go for a socket with RCD, this will cost more than a standard socket. However, you might save on installation costs in the long run as your electrician won’t have to connect to another RCD in your home.
- Whether your home’s electrics are old - If they are, your electrician may suggest that you have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) conducted. This is to check that your consumer unit can cope with an extra outlet being added.
- Where you want your socket to be installed - It will be cheaper to install an outdoor socket close to other sockets inside your home, as the electrician can run off that cabling. The further away from other sockets, the more cabling required - and therefore the more it will cost.
- How you want to use your socket - If you want to use your outside socket for heating or Christmas lights, you might want a socket with a timer so you can turn them on and off at certain times. These types of outdoor sockets tend to be the most expensive.
- The number of sockets you want - It will always be cheaper to install a double socket than two singles. Even if you have no need for two outdoor plug sockets right now, but you think you might in the future, it’s worth considering a double socket to save you money in the long term.
Why should I install an outdoor socket?
An outdoor socket is a great way to use electrical equipment safely outside your home. It’s much more convenient than having to run long extension cables from inside your home just to switch the lawnmower on, and it means you’ll reduce trip hazards too.
It also means that if you have any permanent outdoor features, like hot tubs or outdoor lighting, you’ll have a dedicated power source that you can run them from. This is much safer than running a cable through an open window as it keeps your home secure but also ensures that the power source is waterproof.
What is an outdoor socket with RCD?
An outdoor socket with an RCD, or ‘residual current device’, is a useful thing to have. It means that the socket will cut off electricity if there is fault, such as if you cut through your strimmer cable. This protects you and your family from electric shocks, which can be fatal. RCD sockets also include a cover that holds the cable in place, so there’s no risk of you pulling out the cable accidentally.
While an outdoor power outlet with RCD is more expensive to buy, it could work out cheaper as it may take an electrician less time to install. With a standard outdoor socket, your electrician will need to connect to an RCD elsewhere in your home, which could take more time and require more cabling.
Can I install an outside socket myself?
You should not install an outside socket yourself. Fitting an outdoor power outlet means working with your electrics, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, you could cause a fatal accident.
Also, if you decide to have any major building work done on your home in the future, you will have to have building regulations approval. While your outdoor socket won’t need to be inspected at the time of fitting, if you have any building work done in the future the socket will be checked. If you haven’t installed it correctly, it could cost you more to have it replaced than it would have done to have it fitted properly in the first place.
Overall, we think it’s a brilliant idea to get outdoor power sockets installed as they give you much more flexibility when using electrical appliances in your garden. Just remember that you should always get a registered electrician to install your outside sockets. Use HaMuch to get a range of quotes from qualified electricians in your area.