What does an electrician cost?
$150 – $500 for most single-visit electrical repairs — a full panel upgrade runs $1,800 – $4,000 installed.
Warm outlets, burning smells, or repeated tripping are call-today problems, not someday problems. Electrical is the one trade where waiting gets expensive in a different way.
Cost breakdown
Outlet / switch / fixture repair
$150 – $400Typical single-visit service call
Ceiling fan / fixture install
$150 – $600More if there's no existing box or switch
EV charger install (Level 2)
$800 – $2,000Depends on panel capacity and run distance
Panel upgrade (200 amp)
$1,800 – $4,000Required for many EV/heat-pump/addition projects
Whole-home rewire
$8,000 – $20,000+Older homes with knob-and-tube or aluminum
National ranges — your local quotes may vary. Get an exact number free below.
Electrical repair cost shortcuts
Start here if you are pricing a specific electrical problem. A repair visit, outlet, fan, generator setup, EV charger, and panel upgrade all have different cost drivers and permit risk.
Service-call, outlet, breaker, fixture, and panel-troubleshooting ranges.
Outlet installation costStandard, GFCI, outdoor, and 240V outlet cost factors.
Ceiling fan installation costHow wiring, fan-rated boxes, and ceiling height change the quote.
Generator installation costPortable inlet, transfer switch, standby generator, and fuel-side scope.
Researching electrician homeowner demand? Start with the contractor guide before choosing any acquisition channel.
Contractor guide ->Unlock the quote checklist
Use this before you compare electrician estimates, so every quote covers the same assumptions.
What moves your price
Panel capacity
EV chargers, heat pumps, and hot tubs all want amps. If your panel is full, the upgrade comes first.
Wire runs
Distance from the panel and finished walls drive labor. A garage charger next to the panel is the cheap version.
Permits
Panel work and new circuits need permits and inspection. A pro who shrugs at permits is the wrong pro.
Symptoms vs. age
One bad outlet is a repair. A pattern — dimming, buzzing, warm plates — is a system telling you something.
Individual electrical cost guides
Specific repairs, installs, treatments, and replacement jobs need their own price ranges. Start here if you already know the project.
How much does electrical repair cost?
Most single-visit electrical repairs cost $150-$500, including the service call, diagnosis, labor, and common small parts. Larger electrical work moves quickly into $800-$4,000+ when the job needs a new circuit, panel work, long wire run, permit, or utility coordination.
Read cost guideHow much does it cost to install an electrical outlet?
Installing a standard 120V outlet usually costs $150-$350. Replacing an existing outlet can be closer to $80-$200, while adding a new 240V outlet or dedicated circuit can run $250-$1,000+ depending on distance from the panel.
Read cost guideHow much does ceiling fan installation cost?
Replacing an existing ceiling fan or installing one where wiring and a fan-rated box already exist usually costs $150-$500. Installing a fan where there is no fan-rated box, switch leg, or wiring often costs $400-$1,000+.
Read cost guideHow much does generator installation cost?
A portable-generator inlet with an interlock or manual transfer setup often costs $700-$2,500 installed. A standby home generator commonly costs $5,000-$12,500+ installed, and larger whole-house systems with fuel, pad, transfer switch, and panel work can run $15,000+.
Read cost guideHow much does it cost to upgrade an electrical panel from 100 to 200 amps?
A 100-to-200-amp panel upgrade typically costs $1,800–$4,000 installed, including the new panel, breakers, labor, and permit. If the utility needs to upgrade the meter base or run new service entrance wire, costs can push to $4,500–$6,500.
Read cost guideHow much does it cost to install a Level 2 EV charger at home?
Installing a Level 2 home EV charger (240V, 40–50 amp) typically costs $800–$2,000 all-in, including the charger unit and electrician labor. If your electrical panel is already at capacity or still 100 amps, expect another $1,800–$4,000 for a panel upgrade before the charger can go in.
Read cost guideWhat does it cost to have smart home devices installed?
Smart home device installation costs $0 for battery-powered devices you mount yourself to $150–$800+ when hardwiring or electrical work is involved. The dividing line is simple: battery-powered and plug-in devices are DIY. Hardwired devices — Ring doorbells that need transformer power, smart switches that need a neutral wire, in-wall speakers, permanent cameras — usually need an electrician.
Read cost guideWill an electrician come for a small job?
Yes — most residential electricians take small jobs, and many specialize in them. The reason a small job seems expensive is the trip fee or service call minimum ($150–$300), which covers the cost of a licensed tech driving to your home regardless of how long the work takes. The actual labor for a single outlet or switch swap is 30–45 minutes — the trip is the cost.
Read cost guideWant the exact number for your house?
A local electrician pro can look at your exact situation and quote it — free, no obligation, and your info goes to one pro, not a call list.