How Much Does an Electrician Cost? Electrician FAQs from Electric Wire Services
A home visit starts at $100, outlet repair at $80 and panel installation at $1,200. Free quotes cover high-end jobs, and a diagnostic visit is usually under $50.
Every figure is a starting price; your cost may differ. Below are our answers on cost, free quotes, same-day service, who comes to your door and the electrical problems people ask about.
- Licensed and insured
Company licensed and insured; our electricians are licensed
- Call center 24/7
A live person answers right away
- Callback in five minutes
We aim to call you back within five minutes after the form
- Same-day service
Often available, depending on electrician availability
- Google rating
4.8 to 5 across 11 California listings, about 628 reviews
How much does an electrician cost, and what does the price include?
It depends on the job. The table shows where common jobs start and what each price covers.
| Job | Starting price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Home visit | $100 per visit | About the first hour; parts extra |
| Outlet repair | $80 per outlet | Simple repair or replacement of a standard outlet |
| Outlet installation | $150 per outlet | A new standard 120V outlet with a short, accessible run |
| Smoke detector installation | $90 per detector | Existing suitable wiring; new wiring costs more |
| Circuit breaker replacement | $100 per job | One standard breaker or a simple breaker fix |
| Panel repair | $150 per job | A minor component or connection repair |
| Panel installation | $1,200 per job | A basic new 100-amp main panel |
| EV charger installation | $750, labor only | About $1,200 with charger and materials |
| Rewiring | $5 per sq. ft. | About $5,000 for 1,000 sq. ft., before restoration |
| Commercial work | $100 per hour | Basic labor; minimum booking hours may apply |
| Emergency work | $150 per hour | A low-end after-hours labor rate, not a full repair price |
Common cost questions
How much does an electrician cost per hour?
For business premises, from $100 per hour. A home visit starts at $100 per visit and covers about the first hour.
How much does it cost to fix an outlet or replace a breaker?
Outlet repair starts at $80 per outlet. Circuit breaker replacement or a simple breaker fix starts at $100 per job.
How much does a panel cost?
Panel repair starts at $150 per job. See electrical panel repair.
A basic new 100-amp panel installation starts at $1,200. A simple 100-amp replacement starts at $800, and a standard 200-amp upgrade starts around $1,300. See electrical panel installation.
How much does smoke detector installation cost?
From $90 per detector when suitable wiring already exists. See smoke detector installation.
Will my final bill be higher than the starting price?
It can be. A starting price covers a defined basic job, such as one standard outlet or one standard breaker. Extra parts, hard access or added findings change the final cost.
You hear the cause and the price before the work starts.
Do you charge by the hour or by the job?
Business work starts at $100 per hour and emergency work at $150 per hour. Most home jobs start at a per-item or per-job price, such as $80 per outlet or $1,200 for a panel installation.
Can I get a price before I book?
Yes. The call center gives you a time slot and a price estimate when you call.
Do electricians give free estimates, and what is a diagnostic visit?
We give free quotes for high-end jobs. For other work an electrician may need to find the cause first, and that diagnostic visit can carry a charge.
| Job | Free quote or diagnostic visit? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical panel installation | Free quote | It is a defined job |
| Panel upgrade or replacement | Free quote | It is a defined job |
| Circuit breaker replacement | Free quote | The part to replace is known |
| EV charger installation | Free quote | It is a defined install |
| Rewiring | Free quote | It is a defined whole-house job |
| Outlet, switch or lighting repair | Diagnostic visit when the cause is unknown | The electrician has to find the fault first |
| Tripping breaker, flickering lights or a burning smell | Diagnostic visit | These are symptoms, not a defined job |
The diagnostic charge varies by job and is usually under $50. Tell the call center what is happening, and you get a price estimate with your time slot.
Common quote questions
Why do some companies estimate for free while you charge for a visit?
A defined job, such as a new panel, can be quoted as it is. A fault with an unknown cause cannot be priced until someone inspects it. That inspection is the diagnostic visit.
Can you come today, and does the call center answer at night?
Call at any hour: our live call center runs 24/7 and works around your day. Same-day appointments are often available, depending on electrician availability.
How fast will you call me back?
We aim to call you back within five minutes after you send the form. When you call, the call center answers right away.
Is emergency work priced differently?
Emergency electrician work starts at $150 per hour. That is a low-end after-hours labor rate, not a full repair price.
Can you come on weekends or holidays?
Call and the call center offers the earliest slot. What is open that day depends on electrician availability.
Who comes to my home or business?
A licensed electrician visits, inspects the problem and finds the cause. You can accept the work at the visit or book a later date.
Are your electricians licensed and insured?
Yes. Electric Wire Services is a licensed and insured company, and the electricians we send are licensed.
What if someone else will be at the property?
Tell the call center who will be there and how to reach them when you book.
Do you work on businesses?
Yes. Commercial work starts at $100 per hour for basic labor, and minimum booking hours may apply.
Do you serve my city?
We serve California, New Jersey, Texas and Washington. The call center checks your address when you call.
What do people ask about electrical problems?
Why does my outlet tester show an open ground?
In one job a metal box had no bond. We installed the correct bonding jumper, and ground continuity was restored. A three-slot outlet alone does not prove a ground path exists.
Our advice: do not use adapters to hide missing grounding.
Why does my washer trip the protection?
In one job the supply cord had damaged insulation. We removed the faulty cord from service, and the outlet tested correctly. Repeated resets do not fix a cause.
Why will my smart dimmer not start?
In one job the dimmer needed a neutral wire that was missing. We chose a suitable control design, and the lighting responded normally. Check compatibility before you change the control or the light source.
A three-slot outlet does not prove a grounding path exists. We test it and explain the correction rather than relying on appearance. Our work addressed an outlet tester showed an open ground: we installed the correct bonding jumper.