Running out of sockets is one of the most common household frustrations, and adding a dedicated plug socket is a relatively inexpensive electrical job. In 2026, most householders pay £80–£200 per socket for a qualified electrician to add a new double socket to an existing circuit, with the price depending primarily on how far the new socket is from an existing one and how disruptive the cable run needs to be.
This guide covers the full range of scenarios — from a straightforward spur off a nearby socket to a brand-new circuit for a kitchen island or outbuilding.
Why Hire a Qualified Electrician?
Under the Building Regulations Part P (Electrical Safety – Dwellings), certain electrical work in dwellings must be either carried out by, or inspected and certified by, a competent person. Adding a new socket is a notifiable alteration in a kitchen or bathroom and in any location where a new circuit is being added. The easiest way to comply is to use an electrician registered with a competent persons scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT, Stroma, etc.) who can self-certify their work.
DIY socket additions are not illegal in England in non-notifiable locations (e.g., adding a spur in a bedroom), but the work must still comply with BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 (IET Wiring Regulations 18th Edition). An untested connection that causes a fire or fault will likely invalidate your home insurance.
Socket Addition Cost Breakdown
| Scenario | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Single socket spur from adjacent socket (same room) | £80–£150 |
| Double socket spur from adjacent socket | £90–£160 |
| Socket requiring cable run through wall/floor | £150–£250 |
| New circuit from consumer unit for one room | £250–£500 |
| Kitchen socket (notifiable, with Part P certificate) | £150–£300 |
| Bathroom shaver socket (SELV, specific rules) | £150–£280 |
| Outdoor weatherproof socket (RCD-protected circuit) | £200–£400 |
| EV charge point (dedicated circuit, 7 kW) | £750–£1,200 |
The above include labour and materials. Electrician day rates in 2026:
| Region | Hourly Rate | Day Rate |
|---|---|---|
| London & South East | £60–£90/hr | £420–£650 |
| Midlands & North | £40–£65/hr | £280–£460 |
| Scotland & Wales | £40–£60/hr | £280–£440 |
Most single-socket jobs take 1–2 hours. Multiple sockets on the same visit significantly reduce the per-socket cost because mobilisation is shared.
What Affects the Cost?
Access and cable routing — the biggest variable. A surface-mounted socket on a hollow stud wall where cable can drop from above is a 30-minute job. Chasing into solid brick or concrete, running cable under concrete floors, or threading cable through a loft adds time and labour.
Type of wiring — most post-1960s homes are wired as ring mains. Adding a spur (a branch off the ring) is straightforward. However, there are limits: you can only add one socket spur per socket on the ring, and the new socket must be a maximum of one double outlet. If the ring is already heavily spurred, a new radial circuit from the consumer unit may be necessary.
Consumer unit capacity — if you need a new circuit and the consumer unit has no spare ways, either an MCB must be freed up or a new consumer unit (fuseboard) or sub-board is required. A consumer unit replacement costs £500–£900 for a standard domestic board.
Certification — a Part P certificate (Electrical Installation Condition Report is not required, but an Electrical Installation Certificate should be issued for new circuits) adds nominal cost when issued by the installing electrician. If a third party must inspect, expect an additional £100–£200.
Room-by-Room Considerations
Living rooms and bedrooms — standard 13A double sockets. The most straightforward work; often a simple spur, no certification needed for minor additions to an existing circuit.
Kitchens — all kitchen socket additions are notifiable. Sockets must be positioned at least 300 mm from a sink horizontally. Circuits must be RCD-protected. New circuits must be on their own MCB in the consumer unit. Budget £150–£300 per socket.
Bathrooms — standard 13A sockets are prohibited in bathrooms (BS 7671 Zone restrictions). You can install a SELV shaver socket (typically 115/230V dual-voltage) in Zone 2 or outside the zones. Cost: £150–£280 including the specialist socket.
Garages and outbuildings — a dedicated RCD-protected circuit is required. The cable run from the house adds significant cost; underground armoured cable (SWA) costs £5–£12/m for the cable alone, plus trenching.
How Many Sockets Do You Actually Need?
The guidance in BS 7671 and the NHBC’s Standards publication suggests a minimum number of outlets per room:
| Room | Recommended Minimum Doubles |
|---|---|
| Living room | 6 |
| Main bedroom | 4 |
| Other bedrooms | 3 |
| Kitchen | 6 (plus dedicated appliance circuits) |
| Home office | 4–6 |
| Utility room | 3 |
If your house was built before 1990 it almost certainly falls short of these figures. If you are already having electrical work done, adding multiple sockets per visit will be more economical than returning for one at a time.
Getting the Best Price
- Bundle work — agree all additions at the outset. Electricians typically discount multi-socket jobs compared to one at a time.
- Choose surface mounting where practical. A surface-mounted plastic conduit socket is a fraction of the labour cost of a chased-in flush socket.
- Get three quotes — prices vary significantly. Avoid firms that will not provide a fixed-price quote in writing; cost-plus jobs for socket additions frequently overrun.
- Check registration — use NICEIC’s or NAPIT’s online register to verify your electrician is currently registered.
