Abstract: A hand tool is described for holding the front of an electrical outlet box a predetermined distance outwardly beyond the front surface of a stud or other structural member as the box is installed so that when wallboard or other finish material is mounted to the stud, the front of the box is flush with the wallboard. The tool includes jaws for gripping a side panel of the outlet box, indicia for indicating the depth which the side panel is inserted into the jaws, and a spacing member which engages the stud and establishes the predetermined distance between the front surface of the stud and the front of the electrical outlet box. The tool also may include an elevation establishing device for spacing the electrical outlet box a desired distance above the floor. In one embodiment, the indicia comprise pins which limit the depth to which the side panel can be inserted into the jaws. Also, in this embodiment the spacing member comprises first and second spacing bars detachably mounted to the pins.