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What can be involved in installing additional outlets?

A

archcommus

Diamond Member
I'm guessing the complexity/price depends on whether extra outlets can be added to the line already in the room, instead of having to run another line from the breaker box?

My computer is currently in my basement, but when I go to school this fall my dad's computer will go here, and when I come home we'll set up mine in my room instead. Problem is my room only has outlet in the entire room (house built in 1948), so I'm going to need more, wondering what might be involved/what it might cost.
 
You damn well better double-check to see what circuit that one outlet is on. Chances are that just splicing a new outlet into the existing wiring is a bad idea. Adding a whole new circuit would be cost-prohibitive though. Even splicing a new one into the existing circuit is going to be expensive since running conduit through walls that are already up and plastered and all that is more difficult than when they're just framed. Short answer: Probably not worth the money to have an electrician do it. And with the age of the wiring and the house, you definitely should have a licensed electrician doing it.

ZV
 
No, I definitely would not be attempting it myself, I would be hiring someone.

But if it would cost many hundreds then that would be too much. Not sure where else I can have a second computer in our small house, then.
 
..if the existing 20 amp ckt isn't overloaded..you should be able to add another outlet.. you can get nice looking surface conduit at home depot. Good idea to install a gfi plug to the new connection. I've seen the surface conduit in industrial app's and it comes in diffrent colors to match the room/office. Follow all local code restrictions. Turn the power off before you do's it....😀
 
I don't think I'm going to try it myself.

The room is a standard rectangular room with four walls, I'd like to have at least one outlet on each wall, currently I only have one on one wall. So unless that ONE outlet is already on its own circuit, I would almost definitely need another. So how costly would that become?

But yes, if I had this done I probably would get surface conduit put in instead of ripping the walls open.
 
Pick up a book called "Wiring, Simplified; based on the 2005 NEC"

it will answer a lot of your questions. Homedepot is the cheapest place to buy it i've found, but the 2002 is the current one, the 2005 one is due out on march 18th last I checked. The NEC updates code every 3 years.
 
Regardless of what book I have, though, I don't think this is something I should even consider doing myself.

The question about whether that one outlet is on its own circuit or not is up in the air, I could figure out by switching breakers in the box. If its on its own circuit and could accept three more on the same one, then all that would be required is some surface conduit and the labor. But if a new circuit needs to be ran from the box in the basement, not sure how much all that could cost.
 
hmm, send a letter to Ask this ol house,and see if they will do a show on your house.

Call for estimates from 3 Electricians. From yellow pages.
 
Originally posted by: cavemanmoron
hmm, send a letter to Ask this ol house,and see if they will do a show on your house.

Call for estimates from 3 Electricians. From yellow pages.
Click to expand...
Guess that's the only way to really see.
 
if you or pops do the demo, drywalling and plastering, it shouldn't cost too much. it's really not that tough and you don't need any expensive tools to do it.
 
It's been updated to breakers.

Part of the house is modern wiring, most of the house is that old rat-proof black coiled stuff, what's it called again?
 
Perhaps the best bet will be to set up another corner in my basement. It would be easier to add outlets down here since the breaker box is very close and the walls are not finished.
 
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