How Much Does Landline Installation Cost in 2025?

Landline Installation Cost Factors

Several factors influence the cost of installing a landline in your home, such as system type, phone components, labor fees, and more.

Phone System Type

Landline technically refers to a phone system with a dedicated phone cable, but several types of home phone services are now commonly referred to as landlines. Each offers different features and comes with different setup costs.

VoIP

Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, allows you to use your existing internet provider to make voice calls. The primary advantage is that if you already have an internet or cable system installed, you don’t need to do any extra installations. You’ll only need to pay for the account setup, which ranges from $20 to $50, and purchase a telephone, which can cost $20 to $100. 

The disadvantage of VoIP is that it runs through your internet, so if you lose your internet connection, you cannot make calls.

Analog

Installing a new analog landline with a phone jack and cable costs around $150 to $250 for all the installation pieces, plus another $20 to $120 for the phone itself. However, if you already have a copper wire line installed, you might pay as little as $15 for setup.

Some providers may offer free installation if you sign up for a monthly landline plan. Although setup fees are more costly than VoIP, landlines run on a dedicated line that isn’t connected to your internet, so you don’t need a stable internet connection to be able to make calls.

Digital

Like VoIP, digital phone systems use the internet to transmit calls. They offer more features than a landline, including video conferencing capability and affordable long-distance calling. However, you’ll face the same internet limitations as VoIP. Digital phone systems typically cost around $100 for equipment and setup but may run as high as $600 if you need to run the cable to multiple phone jacks in your home.

Components

Depending on the type of landline you choose, you may need to purchase multiple installation components.

Phone Jack

Whether you're using a VoIP, landline, or digital phone system, you’ll need a phone jack to plug your phone into a room in your house. Each jack typically costs $10 to $25 to install, and you may need several if you want to use your phone in different rooms or have multiple phone lines.

Modem

If you're using a VoIP or digital phone, you’ll need a modem to connect to the internet. These range from $50 to $150, although many providers offer them as a rental or part of your internet contract. If you already have an Ethernet or internet service set up, you most likely already have a modem you can use to connect your phone.

Router

The router works with your modem to broadcast an internet signal through your phone. You can also plug your VoIP and digital phones into the router to connect. Purchasing a new router ranges from $80 to $120, but like modems, you’ll likely already have one if you currently subscribe to an internet provider.

Cabling

A cable drop is a length of cable that connects to your wall jack, letting you plug in your phone system. Each cable drop typically costs $200 to $300, making it one of the most costly parts of landline installation. If you’ve previously used cable television or had a landline in the home, you may already have at least one cable drop installed. If not, your cable company must install cables to your chosen wall jack.

Phone

Finally, you’ll need the telephone itself. Costs range from $50 to $200 on average, depending on whether you choose a simple analog phone or a more complicated model with extra features.

Labor 

Most cable companies charge a basic setup fee, which usually ranges from $20 to $50. You'll only pay the setup fee if you already have the necessary phone jack and cabling.

However, if you need a phone jack or wiring installed to run your phone line, expect to pay between $50 to $80 per hour in labor costs. For most cable installations, this comes out to around $200 to $300 per cable run, but it may be higher if your cable installer has to spend more time on the installation. Walls that are difficult to access or running cable through floors and ceilings rather than walls will generally increase labor time. 

Some providers charge a flat fee for visits, even for small jobs like a single jack installation. Fees may also be higher for installations outside urban areas.

Monthly Costs

In addition to setup and equipment fees, you’ll pay a monthly cost for your landline connection. Many providers cater to one or two types of landline phone services with a range of prices, depending on the features you include.

Bundled Services 

Cable and phone providers often offer discounts for bundling your services. You may get discounted rates on monthly packages if you bundle your phone, internet, and television. In some cases, providers may waive installation, setup, or equipment costs. This is most common during promotions or by individual request, so it’s worth calling providers to ask about deals.

Wall Repairs

If you need to run cabling through a wall, you’ll have to do some basic repairs afterward. Drywall repairs cost $50 to $150 for a small hole like those required for cable runs or phone jacks. You may also want to apply a bit of putty and paint over the hole afterward to restore the look of your space.

Analog vs. Digital Landline Installation

Analog landlines use a dedicated phone cable to transmit signals, while digital landlines connect to your internet to make calls. The key differences are in features and internet accessibility.

Analog landlines offer basic voice calling, while digital phone systems can include more features like video calling, multi-way calling, call waiting, and voicemail. However, digital phones require a consistent internet connection to maintain the call. If your connection is shaky or if your power goes out, you won’t be able to use your phone. An analog phone continues to work even without power as long as there is no disruption to the phone cable. For this reason, some homeowners still choose to use a landline as it offers greater reliability in most emergencies.

Both systems require the appropriate wiring to connect your phone. Analog phones don’t need a router or modem because you don’t need to connect to the internet, which may reduce your upfront equipment costs.

Does Installing a Landline Increase Home Value?

A landline is unlikely to significantly increase home value, although some home buyers may still see it as an asset. Even if new buyers don’t plan to use a landline, the cabling and phone jack may be used for high-speed internet connections, which many people use.

However, internet services typically only require one phone jack rather than multiple since the router and modem project the signal through the home. If you’re considering installing a landline and wondering how many wall jacks to include, start with one unless you plan to install landline phones in several rooms.

Budgeting for Installing a Landline

Installing the cabling for a landline typically requires a pro, but there are several steps you can take to keep landline installation budget-friendly:

• Assess your needs: Plan ahead and compile a list of what you need from your phone service. Analog systems are the most affordable and reliable for emergencies, while digital systems offer greater flexibility for group, video, and long-distance calling. Choosing the right system can save you from subscribing to services you don’t use.

• Browse used models: Cell phones have displaced landlines in many homes, so you can often find like-new phone systems at discount prices. Second-hand stores are a great place to buy telephones for VoIP, analog, and digital phone systems.

• Look for subscription deals: Ask your provider about the subscription deals they offer and whether they provide discounts for bundled services. You may get the price of your equipment, set-up, or installation fees waived.

• Contact several pros: Reach out to multiple phone system installers in your area to compare quotes and find the best price.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.