Power Point Installation Cost vs DIY: Which One Is Worth It?

Do you ever find yourself tripping over extension cords or missing outlets when you really need them? I sure have. Adding a new power point (Australia’s term for an electrical outlet) can save the day – but should you do it yourself or call in a pro? It’s tempting to save cash by “DIY-ing” an extra socket. You pick up a power point and some cable, watch a few YouTube videos, and think, How hard can it be? But in Australia, working with fixed wiring is no minor task. In fact, DIY electrical work is illegal and dangerous here.

Imagine juggling a live 240V circuit – one slip and it’s not just your thumbs that get hurt. The truth is, hiring a licensed electricity technician (aka electrician) costs more up front, but it covers your back (and your house) legally and safely. This post dives deep into the Power Point Installation cost versus DIY trade-offs, so you can figure out which option really pays off in Albany and across Australia. We’ll break down actual costs, safety issues, and even throw in a handy cost-comparison table. Let’s get into it.

DIY Power Points: Why the Appeal?

It’s only natural to eye a potential DIY project when you want to add an outlet. After all, a single power point device might only cost $70–$100, a metre of cable is cheap, and cutting a hole in the wall “doesn’t look too hard.” For a handy young professional or homeowner, DIY offers that sense of accomplishment and the lure of saving a couple hundred dollars. You might already have basic tools (screwdrivers, wire strippers, drill) and a Saturday afternoon to kill, so installing a new power point yourself can feel like a no-brainer.

Plus, with the rise of smart homes and USB-charge outlets, people want more sockets everywhere – in the kitchen for coffee machines, in the home office for all your gadgets, even outdoors for garden lights. It’s easy to underestimate what’s involved. DIY bloggers often suggest “just pick the spot, run some cable, and bang in a new outlet”. But hold on: in Australia, adding a permanent outlet isn’t like hanging a picture. It crosses the line into regulated electrical work, which brings big legal and safety implications.

• Many homeowners start with good intentions: “I’ll only do a simple job.” But even adding a single power point means changing wiring inside walls. In Australia, any work on fixed wiring – including a simple outlet or light fitting – is classified as electrical work.
  
• Cheap thrills vs. hidden costs: Buying one power point device ($70) and some cable ($20–$30) might seem far cheaper than an electrician’s quote. But don’t forget tools, connectors, wall box, and maybe a new drill bit. If you don’t own them, just the basics can add $100+ before you start.
  
• The risk factor: Attempting this yourself can void your home insurance. If anything goes wrong (say a fire starts), insurers will likely refuse a claim for any DIY electrical work. Suddenly your $100 project could cost you your entire house.
  

So the appeal of DIY is cost-saving and self-reliance. But when we talk Power Point installation cost, we must include all costs – including potential disasters. Now let’s look at the flip side: what happens when you pay a professional.

Licensed Electricians: What Do You Get?

Hiring a licensed electrician means paying for expertise, compliance, and convenience. Visit the WA Government’s official electrical safety and licensing guidelines to understand why only licensed professionals may perform fixed wiring under WA law. Here’s why that matters:

• Safety first. A registered electrician will turn off power at the switchboard, use testers, and follow the AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules to the letter. They’ll isolate circuits, wear insulated gloves if needed, and secure everything so it won’t arc or short. No guesswork. You get peace of mind knowing it’s done right — and that your power point installation cost covers more than just the outlet, it covers safety.
  
• Legal compliance. In Australia, only a licensed electrician is legally permitted to install power points. This isn’t just red tape: it ensures the job meets national standards (AS/NZS 3000). All new outlet work must comply with these rules, and the electrician can supply a Certificate of Electrical Safety. If you tried DIY and got it wrong, you could face fines (up to $40,000 for individuals) and even void your insurance.
  
• Comprehensive service. Professional power point installation services often include finding the best location, checking the circuit load, and upgrading the switchboard if needed. Many electricians will also recommend extra touches — like USB-enabled outlets, weatherproof outdoor points, or stylish light fittings — so your space is practical and future-proof.
  
• Guarantees and insurance. A licensed electrician carries public liability insurance and workmanship guarantees. If something fails (rare, but it happens), you have recourse. DIY? You’re on your own.

So, what’s the power point installation cost in Albany? Licensed pros have overheads — training, insurance, tools, vehicles — so they often charge an hourly rate plus a call-out fee. The average rate in WA is about $95 per hour. A single outlet install (parts + labour) usually costs $140–$180. Multiple outlets in one job mean only one call-out fee, lowering the per-outlet price. For instance, five outlets during a kitchen renovation might cost $450–$850 in total. It’s an investment in safety, compliance, and lasting quality.

Let’s break down some typical costs:

Item	DIY (parts only)	Professional (installed)
Single outlet device	$70 – $90	~$150–$300 (incl. labour)
Double outlet device	$80 – $100	Often just one item, but labour adds to price
Weatherproof (outdoor)	$100 – $160	Extra time for sealing; up to $300+
USB-enabled outlet	$110 – $150	Adds ~$10–$20 to labour; total ~$200
Wall box & faceplate	$15 – $30	Included in pro service
Cable (2.5mm² twin/earth)	~$5–$10 per meter (needed ~2–5m)	Included
Electrician hourly rate	N/A (your time)	~$95 on average
Call-out / Service fee	None	~$70–$100 (often waived if job > ~$100)
Estimated cost for 1 new outlet	~$150 (parts & tools)	~$140–$180 (all-inclusive)

Table: Typical material vs professional installation costs for a single new power point. Professional figures include labour, parts, and standard fees.

This table shows why DIY can seem cheaper at first glance. A motivated DIYer might spend ~$150 on parts (outlet + box + cable + extra screws/plugs) and do the install themselves. In comparison, the electrician’s all-in-one price (including that very device and box) runs around $150–$300. For just one outlet, it looks close. But now consider:

• If you need more than one outlet, pros get bulk efficiency: one call-out fee covers them installing all at once. DIYing five separate times costs more in time (and maybe multiple trips to Bunnings).
  
• DIY doesn’t include the electrician’s “10% extra” experience. If you made a mistake and rewired wrong, fixing that could cost more than installing correctly the first time.
  
• An important hidden cost: safety and insurance. If your DIY wiring shorts and causes a fire, your insurance will not pay a dime. That means a $20 DIY mistake could burn your home – not worth saving a couple of hundred on installation.
  

In short, the out-of-pocket difference (DIY parts vs pro all-in) is often surprisingly small, especially once you account for call-out fees and a bit of electrician time. And the advantages of hiring a pro usually outweigh the DIY savings.

Figure: A licensed electrician carefully installs a new power point, ensuring wiring and safety compliance in line with AS/NZS 3000 standards.

What You Need to Consider Before DIY

Let’s say you’re a real go-getter and still considering the DIY route. Here are some very important things to weigh:

• Legality & Licensing: In Australia, only licensed electrical contractors can legally install outlets. Doing it yourself is expressly against the law. It’s not like building a deck – if a DIY outlet ever causes injury or damage, the fines are severe (up to $40,000 plus possible jail time). Also, any unlicensed work means insurance companies can refuse claims related to that wiring. Even if nothing bad happens, having unlicensed work invalidates your home insurance. Ouch.
  
• Safety skills: Installing a power point isn’t just “hole in the wall, attach wires.” You must identify the correct circuit breaker, test that the circuit is off, strip and connect wires to the terminals correctly (active, neutral, earth), and test continuity and polarity afterwards. Any mistake could shock you, fry electronics, or start a fire. Electricians go through rigorous training (and carry public liability insurance) to minimise these risks.
  
• Tools and Standards: A proper install uses special tools: torque screwdrivers to the right Newton-metres on terminals, voltage testers, RCD testers for safety switches, and more. They also make sure the outlet is mounted flush and meets clearance rules (e.g. certain height above floor, distance from water fixtures). You’d need to acquire all that gear and the know-how to use it — especially if you’re thinking of tackling related work like light fitting installation.
  
• Inspection & Certification: After a pro installs power points, in many jurisdictions you get a Certificate of Electrical Safety or compliance form. This paperwork confirms the job meets AS/NZS 3000 and local regulations. If you DIY, there’s no certificate – meaning future sale of your home could become complicated (inspectors might spot the unlicensed work and require costly repairs).
  
• Time vs Money: Installing one outlet might only take an electrician 20–60 minutes. A DIYer could spend all afternoon (or longer, if things go wrong). Factor in your time cost – is your time worth less than the savings on labour? If you’re billing hourly in a white-collar job, maybe not.
  

When you factor in safety, compliance, and potential hidden expenses, the power point installation cost charged by a professional often looks like a bargain compared to the risks of DIY. Even ignoring insurance, imagine spending $150 on parts plus a weekend of work, only to find the outlet buzzing or tripping breakers. That inconvenience and danger often makes hiring a pro the smarter move.

Cost Breakdown: DIY vs Professional

To illustrate the numbers more clearly, here’s a quick bullet list comparing exactly what you’d pay (roughly) in each scenario:

• DIY material costs:
  
  • Single standard power point: $70–$90.
    
  • Wall-mounted box + cover plate: ~$15–$25.
    
  • 2.5 mm² twin-and-earth cable: ~$5 per meter (likely 3–5m needed).
    
  • Ancillary supplies (connector block, screws, anchors): ~$5–$10.
    
  • Total parts ~ $100–$130 for one outlet. If you don’t own a hammer drill for a brick wall, factor ~$20 to rent/buy one-time use bits.
    
• DIY time cost: Your time. Plus, you’ll still need a licensed electrician to test and sign off (in some areas) or at least to undo it if it’s illegal. So DIY might only be legal if you hand it off to a pro anyway.
  
• Professional cost:
  
  • Service call / trip fee: ~$70–$100 (often waived if the total job exceeds some threshold, or if you live close by).
    
  • Labour: ~$95/hour in WA (Albany is in WA). Installing one outlet can take 0.5–1 hour.
    
  • Outlet parts: The electrician might charge you $70–$100 for the outlet unit plus box (often marked-up a bit above retail).
    
  • Typical total: ~$150–$300 per outlet installed. If more outlets, each additional one is cheaper because the electrician is already on site.
    

You can see in many cases one DIY outlet’s parts end up costing about the same as what the electrician charges for installing it. In other words, the labour and call-out fee are roughly what the outlet parts cost. So, skipping the pro only saves the labour charge (~$100) and call-out, in exchange for your time and risk.

The Hidden Costs of DIY

Let me tell you a quick (fictional, but plausible) story: A few years ago, a friend in Albany needed an extra outlet for his home theatre. He decided to DIY – how hard could it be? He bought parts and spent a chilly Sunday afternoon running cable. He thought he’d done it right, but a few weeks later, his new TV kept tripping the circuit. The culprit? A loose connection behind the socket. Not to mention, the poorly cut hole left the outlet barely hanging on the wires – yikes! He had to call a licensed electrician to fix it properly. In the end, he paid nearly as much as he’d feared before (and spent more time dealing with it).

This happens: a quick DIY turns into a costly lesson. Money aside, it’s scary. According to Youi Insurance, DIY electrical work definitely affects your cover. If that loose wire had sparked a fire, his insurer would likely reject the claim, and his family would be on the hook for everything. No one wants that horror-story scenario.

On the flip side, getting an electrician means you walk away confident (maybe with a coffee while they work). Yes, you pay more, but you save on stress, rework, and insurance worries. And in the long run, the professional workmanship can even add to your home’s value – buyers feel secure with certificates and professional installation on the books.

Which One Is Worth It?

Alright, crunch time. DIY might be worth it if:

You’re adding a simple non-permanent outlet (like replacing an extension cord with a plug-in powerboard – that’s fine).

You absolutely know what you’re doing, have the tools, and the law allows minor works (e.g. changing a plug on an appliance).

You’ll still get the work certified or inspected afterwards (rare, usually not done).

But if you need a new fixed power point installed in a wall, calling an electrician is almost always worth it. When you factor in the actual power point installation cost alongside safety and compliance, the choice becomes clearer. Yes, a licensed electrician’s quote is a chunk of change (often a few hundred dollars for a couple of points), but that cost is small compared to:

• Personal safety (we’re talking 240V live wires – a mistake here can be fatal).
  
• Family safety (do you want your kids around a potentially faulty outlet?).
  
• Insurance coverage (you need valid wiring to keep your insurance intact).
  
• House value (future buyers and inspectors will question DIY electrical work – you might even be required to redo it professionally later).
  

For most of us, sleeping soundly knowing it’s done right is worth a few extra dollars. In fact, you might find an electrician quoting exactly the range we discussed – around $150–$300 per point. That’s the average power point installation cost in Albany, and when spread across multiple outlets or paired with other work like light fittings, that cost per outlet can drop. You also get the benefit of an expert’s advice on layout, safety, and future-proofing your home.

If budget is tight, try these tips:

• Bundle jobs: Instead of one outlet now and another next month, plan all you need and hire one time. It avoids multiple call-out fees.
  
• Standard outlets: Stick with regular single/double outlets. Specialty units (USB, weatherproof) can bump costs by ~$20–$50.
  
• Get a few quotes: Even small trades vary. Use apps or local services to compare electricians in Albany. Sometimes you’ll find someone who matches price without skimping on quality.
  
• Negotiate: Ask if the quote includes testing and certification, and whether the outlet part is brand new or some recycled switch-stock.
  
• DIY prep: You can plan placement, clear furniture, maybe cut the drywall (if a plasterboard wall) yourself to reduce the electrician’s time – but only do this under guidance to avoid hitting wires. Better to let pros do all cutting.

Conclusion

Power Point installation cost is more than just dollars and cents. When deciding between DIY and hiring a professional, weigh not just the materials cost but the legal, safety, and long-term implications. In Australia (and specifically Albany, WA), adding a fixed outlet requires a licensed electrician. A free weekend project can turn costly if mistakes happen or if insurance won’t cover a fire.

On the other hand, a qualified electrician might cost $150–$300 per outlet, but they bring expertise, proper equipment, and peace of mind. They’ll handle everything from planning to finishing trim, and leave you with an outlet that’s safe and compliant. For most homeowners, that reliability is well worth the money.

Ready to upgrade your home safely? Think of it this way: those few extra dollars are an investment in your home’s safety and your family’s well-being. If you do decide to call a pro, seek out reputable power point installation services in Albany – look for licensed electricians with good reviews. And if you’re still dreaming of DIY victories, maybe stick to rearranging furniture and leave the electrics to the pros.

Frequently Asked Questions