Network Cable Installation Cost Factors
The amount of cable you need for your home computer network and the type of cable you choose will have the most significant impact on cost, but additional network cable installation cost factors can impact your overall price.
Hardware Options
The hardware costs of a home network include $800 to $1,000 for each computer. A router costs about $130, while a modem costs about $75.
The cost of installing telephone jacks like RJ45 jacks, plates, and plugs can range from $100 to $280, although these costs are almost all labor. Off-the-shelf Ethernet switches cost between $50 and $100, but each port can cost about $10 to $15 to configure if you need custom settings.
Once you have a properly configured network, you can save money by sharing peripheral devices such as monitors, modems, and printers.
Internet and Wi-Fi Installation Cost
Setting up an internet connection ranges from $75 to $150. Providers often waive their setup fee as an incentive for signing up, assuming a site visit isn't necessary. However, the provider will need to send a technician if your home's current wiring doesn't support the speed you want.
For a Wi-Fi installation, you'll spend around $240. This price assumes CAT-5e cable with a maximum run of 150 feet from the hardwired internet connection to the wireless access point. A Wi-Fi installer near you can install the access point at your chosen location and connect it to your local area network (LAN). The technician should also test the network's connections and wireless coverage.
New vs. Existing Building
Installing Ethernet cables in an existing building is more difficult and expensive than wiring a newly constructed home, adding up to around $2,000 to $3,000 more in labor costs. Your electrician can install the wires with a newly built home before the drywall goes up.
With an existing home, the electrician may need to tear down walls and patch and repaint them. They may even need to remove old wiring. No matter the scenario, existing infrastructure generally increases the labor time required.
DIY Network Installation vs. Hire a Pro
Anyone can plug cables into the appropriate port on a computing device, but network installations are usually more complex than this. Installing a cable in a home usually involves routing cable through walls. For this process, you should almost always hire a computer professional or electrician.
Why go with a professional? Custom cable lengths require pros to cut the cable to the desired size and install a connector on the end. Configuring the network, especially one with unusual architecture, is also challenging for novices.