How much would an electrician charge to put in an outlet?

aphex

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Jul 19, 2001
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We want to replace our range hood with a over-the-range microwave. We currently only have bare wires behind the hood, and i know we need a junction box with outlets to get a OTR microwave installed.

Any idea how much an electrician would charge to drop in a box in the cabinet above using the wiring thats already right there?

I would call an electrician right now, but like most professions, they never tell you the price over the phone, they want to come out.
 

tfinch2

Lifer
Feb 3, 2004
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So they won't tell you a price over the phone, but you want us to tell you a price over the internet? :confused:
 

aphex

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Originally posted by: tfinch2
So they won't tell you a price over the phone, but you want us to tell you a price over the internet? :confused:

So, exactly when are you going to stop posting a-hole responces to my (any many others) threads?
 

amdskip

Lifer
Jan 6, 2001
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Sounds like a pretty easy job to me from your description. I'd guess no less than $100 though.
 

SarcasticDwarf

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2001
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Originally posted by: aphex
We want to replace our range hood with a over-the-range microwave. We currently only have bare wires behind the hood, and i know we need a junction box with outlets to get a OTR microwave installed.

Any idea how much an electrician would charge to drop in a box in the cabinet above using the wiring thats already right there?

I would call an electrician right now, but like most professions, they never tell you the price over the phone, they want to come out.

If the electrician can't give you a ballpark range for that, you need to find a different one. There is no way they can give an exact quote as there are too many factors, but they should be able to give you a general idea.
 

aphex

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Originally posted by: amdskip
Sounds like a pretty easy job to me from your description. I'd guess no less than $100 though.

I wonder if its something that i could even do myself since the wires are already right there. I dont really have the tools to cut through the cabinet and the wall though...
 

aphex

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Jul 19, 2001
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Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf
Originally posted by: aphex
We want to replace our range hood with a over-the-range microwave. We currently only have bare wires behind the hood, and i know we need a junction box with outlets to get a OTR microwave installed.

Any idea how much an electrician would charge to drop in a box in the cabinet above using the wiring thats already right there?

I would call an electrician right now, but like most professions, they never tell you the price over the phone, they want to come out.

If the electrician can't give you a ballpark range for that, you need to find a different one. There is no way they can give an exact quote as there are too many factors, but they should be able to give you a general idea.

Well last time i called around for both an electrician and a plumber, none of them would even give me ballparks. All of them wanted to come out and see in person before discussing numbers.

I was just curious if someone else had done this before, roughly what it cost them.
 

tfinch2

Lifer
Feb 3, 2004
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Originally posted by: aphex
Originally posted by: amdskip
Sounds like a pretty easy job to me from your description. I'd guess no less than $100 though.

I wonder if its something that i could even do myself since the wires are already right there. I dont really have the tools to cut through the cabinet and the wall though...

Do you have a drill and a coathanger? If yes, you can do it. Make sure to turn off the electricty first.
 

aphex

Moderator<br>All Things Apple
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Jul 19, 2001
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Originally posted by: tfinch2
Originally posted by: aphex
Originally posted by: amdskip
Sounds like a pretty easy job to me from your description. I'd guess no less than $100 though.

I wonder if its something that i could even do myself since the wires are already right there. I dont really have the tools to cut through the cabinet and the wall though...

Do you have a drill and a coathanger? If yes, you can do it. Make sure to turn off the electricty first.

Yep.

Do they happen to make outlet boxes that don't need to be mounted "in" the wall? Something that i could just screw down inside the cabinet?

 

rhino56

Platinum Member
Oct 6, 2004
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if you want i could do it with your hands. its not really hard at all. take a pic and ill tell you what to do step by step.
 

tfinch2

Lifer
Feb 3, 2004
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Originally posted by: aphex
Originally posted by: tfinch2
Originally posted by: aphex
Originally posted by: amdskip
Sounds like a pretty easy job to me from your description. I'd guess no less than $100 though.

I wonder if its something that i could even do myself since the wires are already right there. I dont really have the tools to cut through the cabinet and the wall though...

Do you have a drill and a coathanger? If yes, you can do it. Make sure to turn off the electricty first.

Yep.

Do they happen to make outlet boxes that don't need to be mounted "in" the wall? Something that i could just screw down inside the cabinet?

The whole point of the outlet box in the wall, and the plate over it is to make it look clean as well as provide the outlets. You don't want a hole in your wall with wires coming through it.
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
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One thing to be aware of is that code calls for a 20amp circuit for microwaves, make sure that circuit is also 20 amps.
 

jadinolf

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
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Do they happen to make outlet boxes that don't need to be mounted "in" the wall? Something that i could just screw down inside the cabinet?


Yes.
 

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
22,622
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It is cake to install an "Old work box", as they are called.
If you are cutting only sheetrock, all you need is a razor knife. If you are cutting some plywood, a keyhole saw will make it easier.

Locate and turn off that breaker.
Determine which way the wires go inside the wall from the small hole.
Mark out the cuts for the hole needed, and keep in mind where those wires are. You don't want to score them with the knife or saw.
Cut out the material.
Pop open the holddown tab for the wire, feed wire into box as you feed box into hole.
Secure box to wall with screwdriver.
Install outlet and cover plate.
Profit!
 

EatSpam

Diamond Member
May 1, 2005
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Why don't you put it in yourself? Outlets aren't really that hard.

Otherwise, Best Buy charges $30 over the normal OTR installation to add an outlet.