Disconnect Gas Fireplace starter switch from outlet

Hi -- So for some crazy reason, the outlet under the starter switch for our gas fireplace is wired to the switch, and both outlet receptacles are only active when the switch (and therefore the fireplace) is turned on. Don't have any idea why it was wired this way. My obvious question is, is there a way to disconnect that outlet from the switch? I'm attaching pictures of the switch (2 pix to show both gold and silver screw sides) and outlet (2 pix to show both gold and silver screw sides) in question. I'd love to do this myself, but obviously if it's more complicated than redoing some of the easy wiring, let me know.

Thanks so much in advance if anyone can help me, I truly appreciate it!

 

Welcome to the forums.

Unfortunately I don't think the change can be made that you request.

It looks like the feed comes in at the switchbox on a two wire cable. Then the switched output is sent to the receptacle on a two wire cable. It then goes from the receptacle to the fireplace on the second piece of two wire cable.

You would have to pull a piece of three wire cable from the switch box to the receptacle.

 

Yeah, sounds too complicated for me to do. Could an electrician do it? Ballpark cost for something like that if one could?

Thanks so much for your reply, I appreciate it so much.

 

It's not terribly involved. Right now you have a piece of two wire cable connecting your switch to the the receptacle. The electrician would cut off both ends, abandon that cable and fish a piece of three wire cable in. Looks like about an hour job.

 

Is it okay to ask how much something like that would cost for me to have an electrician do it?

 

$100 and up. You can do it for about $10.

 

Thanks for the help everyone. I have another issue as well that's beyond me, so I have an electrician coming out tomorrow. Again, really appreciate the kind advice.