Install an outdoor socket.

Adding an outdoor socket in a UK home is a notifiable Part P electrical job, typically costing £140–£320 for a single weatherproof socket on the back wall, run from an existing internal circuit. More involved installations (long cable runs, separate consumer unit feed, or multi-socket pillars) range from £300–£700.

Outdoor sockets need to be IP-rated, RCD-protected, and properly certified — Part P notification is essential because outdoor electrical work is in a "special location" under the Wiring Regs.

Typical UK costs

What's involved

• Cable from internal circuit — the easiest case. Tap off an existing socket on an internal wall, run cable through the wall to the back, and fit an IP55 outdoor socket. 2–3 hour job.
• Long cable run to garden / outbuilding — typically uses SWA (steel-wired armoured) cable buried at minimum 450 mm depth in a duct, with marker tape above. More involved; allow half a day to a full day.
• Dedicated circuit — a new MCB / RCBO at the consumer unit, dedicated cable run to the outdoor area. Required for high-current uses (EV charger, garden building).

Choosing the right outdoor socket

• IP rating — IP55 minimum (dust and water-jet resistant). IP66 better for fully exposed positions.
• Mounting — surface-mount (easier on existing brickwork) or flush-mount (tidier, requires chasing).
• Hinged cover — must close fully when a plug is in use, and provide a weatherproof seal around the cable when closed on a plug.
• RCD protection — mandatory; either via the circuit's RCD at the consumer unit, or an RCD spur at the socket.

Things people often miss

• Cable depth and route — outdoor cables under 450 mm need protection (concrete cover slab, conduit, or warning tape). Domestic gardeners regularly cut shallow cables; the regs are there for a reason.
• Dedicated circuits for EV chargers — don't try to spur an EV charger from a regular outdoor socket. EV chargers need 32A on a dedicated circuit with type-A or type-B RCD protection per BS 7671.
• Cable de-rating in conduit — running cable in conduit reduces its current rating; the electrician will size up the conductor for buried runs.
• Height from ground — outdoor sockets should be 150 mm+ above finished ground level to avoid splashing and standing water.
• Future-proof for the garden — if you might want a garden building, water feature, or hot tub later, run a larger cable now. Adding a second cable later is much more expensive.

Frequently asked questions

Want a local pro to handle this? A Part P registered electrician will install, certify, and notify outdoor work properly. Cheap unregistered installs cost more in the long run when the certificate is missing at sale.