I’m not against safety, just wish there was a way to prioritize the most at-risk spots instead of going all-in everywhere.
Honestly, I’ve run into this exact issue on a few remodels. The code does feel like it’s written for folks with unlimited budgets sometimes. What I’ve done in the past is focus on kitchens, baths, laundry—anywhere water’s involved—and then do the rest as money allows. Not perfect, but better than nothing. I’ve seen one GFCI save a basement from disaster when a sump pump failed, so I get why they push it... but yeah, it’s tough to do every outlet at once.
Honestly, I hear you on the budget thing. When I built my place, I remember standing in the aisle at the hardware store staring at the price tags on GFCIs and thinking, “Do I really need one in the guest room?” Ended up doing what you did—hit the wet areas first, then slowly worked my way through the rest as time (and cash) allowed. The code’s always changing, too... feels like every time I finish a project, there’s a new rule. Still, after seeing a neighbor’s garage nearly go up in smoke from a bad extension cord, I get why they’re strict. Just wish there was a little more wiggle room for us regular folks.
Yeah, the code updates can feel like a moving target. I get the safety side, but sometimes it feels like overkill—like, does my hallway lamp really need GFCI protection? I’ve had inspectors flag stuff that made me scratch my head. Still, after seeing what a single spark can do, I guess it’s better to be safe (and annoyed) than sorry. The price tags sting, though... no argument there.
Honestly, I see where you’re coming from, but I think there’s a point where the code goes a bit too far. In some of my recent projects, we’ve had to put GFCIs in places that just don’t make practical sense—like closets or behind built-ins. Sure, safety matters, but it starts to feel like a checkbox exercise rather than real risk mitigation. I get wanting to avoid electrical fires, but sometimes the requirements seem more about liability than actual danger. And yeah, those costs do add up fast...
WHY DOES EVERY OUTLET IN MY HOUSE NEED TO BE GFCI NOW?
I’ve run into the same thing on a few remodels lately, and it’s honestly a bit of a head-scratcher. There’s this tension between what makes sense for safety and what just feels like overkill. I get that codes are always evolving, but when you’re putting GFCIs behind a wardrobe or in a linen closet, it starts to feel less about protecting people and more about ticking boxes for inspectors.
From a design perspective, it can be frustrating too. Sometimes those outlets are hidden behind custom cabinetry or integrated shelving—places where nobody’s ever going to plug in a hair dryer or anything risky. It messes with the clean lines we’re aiming for, not to mention the extra cost and coordination with electricians. I’ve had clients ask why we can’t just skip them in those spots, and honestly, I wish there was more flexibility.
But then again, I do remember one project where an outlet in a laundry closet ended up being used for an iron—something we hadn’t planned for at all. In that case, having the GFCI actually made sense after the fact. Maybe that’s part of the logic: you never really know how people will use a space down the line.
Still, I wonder if there’s room for more nuanced guidelines—like factoring in actual usage patterns or accessibility instead of blanket requirements. Has anyone seen local inspectors interpret these rules differently? Or maybe found creative ways to integrate GFCIs without compromising aesthetics?
