electrical outlets

[aurelio alarcon]

I am planning to have some outlets replaced in my house (wife wants them to match new paint). How much do electrical techs charge. I plan to replace about 40 wall outlets.

[Peter Stahl]

Call a couple in the phone book. They should be able to tell you roughly what it would cost. Can't imagine it would be that much.

[Tyler Howell]

Just to replace may not be bad. Installing new was running $150 eachhere.
It's not rocket science, but it is a science that requires some skill and common sence. A good book and a mentor could get you through

[Brian Weick]

Just to replace may not be bad. Installing new was running $150 eachhere.
It's not rocket science, but it is a science that requires some skill and common séance. A good book and a mentor could get you through

Tyler,
You know , you don't mind paying for something if it's worth it - You turners spend all your time on your projects - they come out beautifully and you could see why you would charge what you do- justifiable~ it's art work!
A $5.00 receptacle ( or a lot less) for a brand new, in the box ~ the installation 10 min or less, the charge for labor $145.00 - now that is highway robbery to me. I must be missing something here- "replace/New" aren't we talking about the same thing. It is so simple- black (hot)goes to the brass terminal, neutral to the silver terminal and ground to the green (Chassis) and mount it with the eye's on top and the mouth (ground port) below. What is the difference between "replacing/new" I am not sure what you mean ~ Thanks Tyler
Happy Turning
Brian

[Steven Triggs]

What is the difference between "replacing/new" I am not sure what you mean ~ Thanks Tyler

I believe by "new" he meant installing an outlet where there wasn't previously one, and by "replacing" he meant removing an existing outlet and installing a new one in its place.

I think his point was that it would cost a good bit of money to have an electrician install an outlet if it required running cables to put one where you didn't already have one, but that he thought it wouldn't be too expensive if you are just needing existing outlets replaced.

[Brian Weick]

I believe by "new" he meant installing an outlet where there wasn't previously one, and by "replacing" he meant removing an existing outlet and installing a new one in its place.

I think his point was that it would cost a good bit of money to have an electrician install an outlet if it required running cables to put one where you didn't already have one, but that he thought it wouldn't be too expensive if you are just needing existing outlets replaced.

Steve,
thanks for adjusting my central nervous system - what was I thinking!
my excuse- I didn't have my java yet-LOL - thanks buddy! yea- that could run that kind of money- I don't know what I was (not thinking) if that makes any sence! -LOL
Happy turning

[Jim O'Dell]

snip It is so simple- black (hot)goes to the brass terminal, neutral to the silver terminal and ground to the green (Chassis) and mount it with the eye's on top and the mouth (ground port) below. snip

Brian, I always mount mine the same way. But most electricians mount it the other way. Why? If it is pulled away from the wall, the hot and neutral are where a tool could drop on them and short out the wiring if hot. Yes, the circuit should be turned off when working on it. If turned the other way, the tool hits ground and slides off. A safety feature. I still do mine the other way, because I like the visual that looks like when I see the receptacle. It tells me to be careful. Jim.

[David G Baker]

Jim,
Not sure what site the topic was on but many pages of dialog were generated when the issue of which way up the receptacle is mounted. I am like you, I like the way they look with the ground pin on the bottom.

[Jim Becker]

Brian, I always mount mine the same way. But most electricians mount it the other way. Why? If it is pulled away from the wall, the hot and neutral are where a tool could drop on them and short out the wiring if hot. Yes, the circuit should be turned off when working on it. If turned the other way, the tool hits ground and slides off. A safety feature. I still do mine the other way, because I like the visual that looks like when I see the receptacle. It tells me to be careful. Jim.

I've never seen an electrician mount them with the ground up, both in residential and commercial work...but I do understand the reason why some might.

[Matt Meiser]

I agree with everyone else that it is quite easy. I replaced all of them in our old house and have replaced many of them in this house. The BORG even sells a handy handle that plugs into the outlet to hold them for rewiring. After turning off the outlet, take a look at how each is wired before disconnecting anything--that way you can be sure to put it back exactly as it was. One other thing to watch for--in this house, most of our rooms have the top outlet always hot and the bottom switched by the light switch. There is a tab to break off on the hot side of each receptacle to separate the circuits.

[Mike Henderson]

I agree with everyone else that it is quite easy. I replaced all of them in our old house and have replaced many of them in this house. The BORG even sells a handy handle that plugs into the outlet to hold them for rewiring. After turning off the outlet, take a look at how each is wired before disconnecting anything--that way you can be sure to put it back exactly as it was. One other thing to watch for--in this house, most of our rooms have the top outlet always hot and the bottom switched by the light switch. There is a tab to break off on the hot side of each receptacle to separate the circuits.

Different people may do this different ways, but most homes have their outlets with the ground down. When you have an outlet that has one or more of the individual outlets switched, electricians around here put that outlet with the ground up to tell people (people who know, that is) that the outlet is switched. I find it useful to know which ones are switched.

If you like your outlets with the ground up, then mount the switched outlets with the ground opposite (down).

Mike

[Matt Meiser]

Mike, ours are actually split. If plug something into the top half, it is always on. If you plug something into the bottom half, it is switched. Or maybe its the other way around--I can never remember...

[Mike Henderson]

Mike, ours are actually split. If plug something into the top half, it is always on. If you plug something into the bottom half, it is switched. Or maybe its the other way around--I can never remember...

Yes, that's the way my switched outlets are. The electricians turn those over to let you know one is switched - it's always the top that's switched and the bottom that's always live around here. Once you know the "secret" you really appreciate it.

Mike

[Stuart Johnson]

Aren't there a couple grades of outlets? I remember another thread and it seems like the cheap Borg aren't near as good or safe as some more expensive ones purchased at electrical supply houses.

[Tyler Howell]

Tyler,
You know , you don't mind paying for something if it's worth it - You
Brian

Brian,
I agree it's insane. Installing new in a old house, electricians earn their bucks.
Buttttt!
A lot of work I have done is undoing somebody elses mess.
reversed polarities, nicked wires, grounds cut off, using a conduit for a return and using water pipe for a return. Now that's insane.
I'm a strong supporter of DIY. But it has to be done right.