How Much Does It Cost To Install 30 Amp RV Outlet?
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Are you planning to install an electrical hookup for your RV? Are you wondering how much it costs to install a 30-amp RV outlet? We have the answers.
How much does it cost to install a 30-amp RV outlet for an RV? Is it costly to install an electrical outlet for an RV at home?
Installing a 30-amp RV outlet in your home will cost you between $1,000 and $1,200. This cost will include setting a mounting post, attaching the necessary wiring, running the electrical cable from your house to the post, and then installing the 30-amp RV outlet.
In this article, we will take a closer look at how much it will cost to install a 30-amp RV outlet in your home. So, if you are planning to install one but you are wondering how much you can expect to spend on this installation, then this guide has all the answers.
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Overview
Most recreational vehicles (RVs), especially travel trailers, fifth wheels and smaller motorhomes normally use a 30-amp plug. To this end, if you park your RV at home sometimes, you will require a 30-amp RV outlet on your property, so that you can keep your RV fully powered whenever it’s parked there.
The good news is that installing a 30-amp RV outlet is not a complicated or costly process. You can opt to do it yourself if you have some experience in electrical installations. And in case you don’t have such skills, you can simply hire a professional to do the job for you. Regardless of the approach that you take, installing a 30-amp RV outlet won’t cost you a lot.
Factors that Will Determine the Cost
On average, it will cost you between $1000 and $1,200 to install a 30-amp RV outlet in your home. However, the actual cost will depend on various factors. Some of the key factors that will determine the cost to install a 30-amp RV outlet include:
Outlet’s Installation Location
One of the key determinants of how much you will spend when installing a 30-amp RV outlet is the location. If you will be drawing power for the outlet’s location using an overhead cable, then it will cost you more, compared to using an underground cable.
With an overhead cable, you will need to factor in the additional cost of installing a pole for mounting the box. But, if you will be mounting your 30-amp RV outlet directly to an exterior wall of your garage or home, then the costs will be considerably lower.
The Installer
As earlier mentioned, you have the option of installing the 30-amp RV outlet by yourself or hiring a professional to do the job. Considering that you will be dealing with electricity, improper installation can lead to injuries.
So, if you don’t have the expertise to install the 30-amp RV outlet, then you should consider hiring a professional electrician. And you need to consider this cost. The question is, how much will an electrician charge you?
The amount you will spend to hire an electrical contractor will depend on where you live. On average, most contractors charge an hourly rate of between $50 and $200. The exact amount that you will pay will depend on the cost of your living in your neighborhood as well as the supply and demand.
Materials and Supplies
You will also need to purchase several materials and supplies, needed for the installation of the 30-amp RV outlet. Some of the materials that you will need to purchase for this installation include:
Electrical Wire
You will need to purchase an electrical wire or cable. This cable will go from your RV’s hookup to your home’s circuit breaker box. A reliable, high-quality cable will cost you around $2 to $5. The total amount will depend on the distance between these two installations.
Mounting Post
If you will be installing the 30-amp RV outlet away from your garage or home, then you will need a mounting post. When it comes to a mounting post, you have several options to explore. You can go for an 8-foot, 10-foot, or even a 12-foot mounting post. Depending on the mounting post that you choose, you can expect to spend approximately $15 to $50.
Electrical box
Your installation will also need an electrical box. This is where you will be plugging in your recreational vehicle to the power source running from your house. A high-quality electrical box will cost you around $60 to $80. The actual cost will depend on the type that you choose.
Circuit Breaker
There’s a high chance that you will also add an extra circuit breaker when installing the 30-amp RV outlet. This extra circuit breaker will go inside the electrical box in your house. Depending on the type, model, or brand that you choose, a circuit breaker will set you back around $10 to $40.
Permits
You may also need to get a permit for this installation. Also, there may be a further inspection cost, depending on where you live. The permit and the inspection cost may range from $0 up to $200, depending on your location, the local building requirements, and local codes.
So, ensure you check in with your local county or city offices to determine whether you need any permits as well as the permits you need. Installing a 30-amp RV outlet without a permit in an area where permits are required can lead to issues with the authorities.
As much as you may be looking to save money when installing a 30-amp RV outlet in your home, permits are an unavoidable cost. So, you can’t afford to overlook this important step.
Total Installation Cost
As earlier noted, an electrical contractor will charge you around $50 to $200 per hour. Assuming that the electrical contractor takes half a day to install the 30-amp RV outlet for your RV, and assuming they charge you a flat rate of $100 per hour, then the total cost of hiring one will be around $600.
When you add the cost of the materials, necessary supplies, and permits, the total cost to install a 30-amp RV outlet will be approximately $1,000 to $1,200. The actual cost will depend on various factors listed here.
One expense that you can eliminate from the total cost is renting a trencher. It will cost approximately $150 to $300 to rent a trencher for this work. However, if you will be mounting the outlet directly on your home’s wall or garage wall, then you may not need to dig a trench.
Also, you can decide to dig the trench yourself using a fork hoe and a shovel. While it doing this work using this method will be quite laborious and take longer than using a trencher, you will save a considerable amount of money on the installation.
Wrapping It Up
As you can see, installing a 30-amp RV outlet won’t cost you much. And once you install one, it will make it easy to have your RV ready for travel at any time. Besides, having an electrical hookup for your RV in your home means you can use your RV to unwind on your property or even as additional living space, in case you have guests around.