How to Move a Wall Socket

Turn the power off to the circuit you'll be working on at the home's circuit breaker panel.

Remove the screws that hold the outlet cover in place. Take out the screws at the top and bottom of the outlet then pull the outlet out of the gang box. Loosen the brass- and silver-colored screws that connect the white and black wires to the outlet.

Run a stud finder along the wall near where you want the new socket location. Mark the location of the stud. Cut an opening for the new outlet gang box at the mounting location with a keyhole saw. The hole needs to be large enough to allow you to mount the new box to a stud in the wall. Cut a path along the wall for the cable that will stretch from the old box to the new box's location.

Hammer the nails for the new gang box to the stud at the new location. Be sure the lip of the box is out from the front edge of the stud at the equivalent distance to the depth of the drywall.

Drill holes through any intervening studs with a 1-inch hole saw bit.

Route a length of 14-2 electrical cable from the old box to the new location. Cut the cable to length and insert the ends of the cable into the side openings of both gang boxes. Cut back the outer jacket of the cable at each end and remove 1/2-inch of insulation from the ends of the black and white wires.

Loosen the brass and silver screws on the new outlet and attach the black and white wire ends, respectively. Pair the black and white wires at the old gang box and twist them together with wire nuts.