The cost to replace a light switch is $150 on average, but it often ranges from $60 to $300, depending on the switch type and the cost of professional labor in your area.
You don't necessarily need an electrician to change a light switch if you have some basic electrical knowledge and feel comfortable working with electricity. However, it is important to take safety precautions. Here's what you should consider:
Most electricians charge between $35 and $100 per hour, and it takes an average of two hours to install a light fixture, so you're probably looking at a cost of $50 to $250 to finish the job.
Standard Light Switch Installation Costs
Depending on your electrician, a simple light switch replacement can cost between $50 and $150. It's the easiest switch to replace. This price is based on an electrician's average hourly charge of $50 to $100 per hour.
Your Safety is Priority
That said, have a licensed electrician install that new light fixture for you! It's the fastest and simplest way to enjoy your new lights. It's also the safest method, which should be enough reason for you to hire a pro.
Average Hourly Rates
Typically, electricians charge between $50 and $100 per hour. But the first hour might cost more, about $150, due to initial setup and travel. In emergencies, expect to double the rate to $100–$200 per hour.
If your outlet or switch requires more complex installation, such as a GFCI outlet installation or a circuit reconfiguration or upgrade, call a skilled electrician for help. Some municipalities may also require an electrician to perform the service to comply with safety codes.
Depending on where you live and the specific project, you may not need an electrician to replace a light switch. While it's a project that many intermediate do-it-yourselfers can take on, you must follow any building or electrical codes that apply to the work. You may need to get a permit and have the work inspected.
Replacing a circuit breaker switch typically costs between $100 and $300, including parts and labour. Larger 20-amp switches cost $10 to $20 each, and installing a circuit breaker typically costs between $300 and $2,000.
Electric, a Neighborly company, says, “While handymen may handle small electrical tasks, it's important that all national and local regulations for electrical work are performed by electricians who have undergone extensive training and possess the necessary qualifications to ensure safety and compliance with electrical ...
On average, homeowners will spend between $75 and $485 to install an outlet. The cost to install an outlet is $300 on average, or between $100 to $450 per outlet. The price of installing an outlet varies based on factors like the type of outlet, project size, your electrician's rate, and more.
It takes about 1 hour to replace a light switch even if you don't have a lot of experience doing electrical repairs.
As such, there's often not a lot of room for negotiation, especially since they're doing dangerous work in your home. Still, as we touched on before, you have a little wiggle room to negotiate on parts and by getting multiple quotes. Of course, it always helps to be polite and reasonable in your requests, too.
Rubber gloves are insulator which do not allow the current to flow through it. Therefore, an electrician use rubber gloves while repairing an electric switch at your home because it protect them from the shock of electricity and for the safety purpose.
Master electricians can supervise journeymen and apprentices (see next section). They can make $50 per hour designing schematics for electrical systems.
Most handymen charge between $50 and $80 per hour, making an average of $150 to $600 per job. Rates depend on their specialty, experience, level of education, and whether the handyman is insured, requires specialized equipment, or services rural locations.
The average cost to install a light fixture typically falls within the range of $75–300, though this is often just the starting point. The total cost for lighting installation services can climb toward $1000+ depending on the complexity of the installation and your electrician's rates.
That's an average of $300, with a range of $200 to $400 for labor. While repairing an existing light fixture saves you the cost of a replacement, repairs take longer than a simple replacement job. Expect at least 2 hours of labor for repair, or $100 to $200 plus the cost of any necessary parts.
Do I need an electrician to replace a light switch? Replacing a light switch is a simple enough task that does not need assistance from an electrical professional. You do need to know the basics—how to safely isolate the circuit, and which tools to use—and the rest is easy.
How Much Do Electricians Charge? Hiring a qualified electrician costs $50 to $100 per hour. The first hour of an electrical job costs more than subsequent hours, about $150 on average. Hiring an electrician for an emergency visit tends to double the hourly rate, so you could pay between $100 and $200.