How much do electricians cost?

Electricity is easy to take for granted until it doesn’t work. Then you realize just how much you rely on your home’s electrical system for lighting—and a world of other functions, like heat and air conditioning, kitchen appliances, entertainment, computers and internet, security systems, smart home automation, and more. 

When your home needs electrical repairs or upgrades, it’s time to call a licensed electrician who can evaluate the issues and perform the work safely and correctly.

This guide explains the cost of hiring electricians to handle various electrical jobs, from installing light switches and outlets to repairing circuit breakers or completely rewiring a house. Pricing information is based on quotes provided to consumers by electrical businesses on Yelp, along with industry data. Learn more about how these costs are gathered in the methodology section at the end of the guide. 

Hiring an electrician for a residential electrical project typically costs $620, but project prices can range from $180–3,780, according to Yelp data. For the most common home electrical work quoted through Yelp, the average cost is $350, with a nationwide range of $125–420. Installing an electrical outlet or replacing a circuit breaker, for example, are both smaller jobs that fall within the $125–420 price range. 

When you hire an electrician, they may either charge for their time (plus the cost of materials), or provide a price quote for the entire job. In some cases, they’ll have an initial service fee to visit your home, diagnose the problem, and possibly make minor repairs.

The typical rate for home electrical work is $134 per hour, but electricians’ fees can range from $80–195 per hour nationwide, according to Yelp data. 

Hourly rates vary by location. As shown in the chart below, an electrician’s hourly fee in Atlanta is typically $85 while those in Leesburg, Virginia, charge $180 per hour. 

An electrician may charge a service-call fee of $100–200—or their hourly rate—to visit your home and assess the situation. This minimum charge may also cover the cost of a small repair, such as installing a switch or resetting a circuit breaker—typically any work done within the first hour. 

“To go to a site just to repair a breaker, we have a minimum service charge,” explains certified electrician Vlad Kravets, co-owner of Reamco Electric in New Holland, Pennsylvania. “If it’s part of a larger project, however, we don’t charge to correct minor issues that we find during the process,” he says.

Based on discussions about the project, an electrician may quote you a price that’s inclusive of all costs. It’s typically based on the amount of time the project is likely to take, along with cost of materials and any other fees, such as travel time. 

This works well for common installations and repairs, because ”we know how much electrical work that job is going to take to complete,” says Craig Etling, owner of D.C. Electrical in Reno, Nevada. For the homeowner, a quote is the best way to prevent cost overruns or unexpected charges.

Electrical services can be expensive, so it’s a good idea to get 2–3 free quotes from local electricians before choosing one for a major job like wiring a new home.

Most common electrical services cost less than $800. The cost of simple light fixture repair, for example, ranges from $130–275, while circuit breaker installation can cost $150–795, according to Yelp data. On the high end, however, installing an electric furnace costs $1,800–4,900 while rewiring an entire home runs $3,400–12,000.

Here’s what you can expect to pay for common electrical work:

The cost of circuit breaker installation, including labor and materials, is typically $365, but can range from $185–795, according to Yelp data. At the high end, an electrician will install both a circuit breaker and a new circuit to serve an appliance or a series of lights or outlets. Doing this involves running new wire for the circuit, which can require $50–150 worth of materials and 2–4 hours of labor.

To have an electrician replace an existing circuit breaker in an electrical panel, you’ll typically pay $150–250. 

If you need a circuit breaker repaired, you’ll typically pay $195, but costs can range from $145–280 nationwide, according to Yelp data. If the electrician simply needs to reset the breaker, it may be covered under a service-call fee of $100–200. For more serious circuit breaker electrical problems, the best solution may be to replace the breaker. 

Most circuit breaker issues are the result of aging or extreme heat, says master electrician Edwin Johnson, who runs EDR John Electric in Baltimore, Maryland. “You’ll know you’ve got a breaker problem if you can’t reset it, it keeps tripping, or if it looks burnt.”

Repairing an existing doorbell system costs $125–275, including materials and labor. If replacement is necessary, the cost to install a doorbell can range from $175–500, depending on the type, your home’s specific needs, and whether new wiring is required.

For repairs to a wireless, “smart,” and/or video doorbell system, you may need the help of a home technology expert or home security company. Like electricians, these pros may charge a minimum service fee of $100–200, which usually include 1–2 hours of their time and expertise. After that, expect to pay $80–195 per hour, plus $50–350 for a new doorbell if replacement is required.

The cost of electrical inspections generally range from $100–200, but can cost $350 for a full inspection of an average-sized home. These safety inspections—which protect your home from electrical problems that can lead to fires or electrocution—involve testing the main panel, outlets, lights, and wiring to confirm that your home’s electrical system is working properly and up to code. If the inspection indicates that you need minor repairs or improvements like replacing a receptacle or light switch, expect electrician labor costs of $80–195 per hour.

The typical cost to install a new electric furnace is $1,800–4,900, including materials and labor. Installing a new electric furnace to replace an old furnace can take 5–10 hours of work, so labor costs account for 20–40% of the total project expense. These costs assume that air ducts are already in place to distribute heat throughout your home. If not, new furnace costs can rise to $4,500–15,000+ when including new ductwork.

If you have an electric-heat furnace that’s not working properly but doesn’t need to be replaced, common electric furnace repairs typically cost $125–600. A heating and air conditioning (HVAC) pro can visit your home to discuss the type of work needed. It might cost as little as $100 to hire a pro for basic furnace maintenance, such as replacing your furnace filter. On the high end, replacing a failed heating element could cost $750–2,000+. 

The typical cost of electrical outlet installation is $325, including labor and materials, according to Yelp data. The average nationwide cost range is $195–560 for any electrical outlet installation project. This may be necessary if you have defective outlets that need replacement, or as part of a home improvement that requires upgrading wiring. 

The typical cost of electrical outlet repair is $190, including labor and materials, according to Yelp data. Nationwide, costs for all types of outlet repair projects can range from $135–270. But costs can be considerably higher, from $250–1,612, if the electrician needs to run new wire to outlets.

To install or replace a main electrical panel (or “breaker box”), you’ll typically pay $3,245, with a range of $1,280–4,145, according to Yelp data. Many older homes have undersized electrical panels that need to be replaced with a new, larger service panel that can handle all of a home’s increasing electrical needs. 

For electrical panel repairs (such as working on the panel’s electrical wiring), costs can range from $160–920 including materials and labor, according to quotes provided by Yelp pros. But in many cases, when the panel isn’t working correctly, you’ll need to replace a circuit breaker or replace the entire panel.

Repairing a subpanel—a smaller service panel that provides electricity to a specific part of your home—costs $135–$430, because it contains less wiring and fewer switches and connections than a main panel.

The cost to install lighting is typically $280 per fixture, according to Yelp data. Nationwide, costs can range from $170–495, depending on the complexity of installation, number of lights installed, type of light, and other factors. 

For common installation tasks—such as hanging a new lighted ceiling fan, or putting a new overhead light in the garage—electricians often charge a flat fee, because they know how much time it will take. But these costs also vary according to the type of light fixture and other details. For example, they might quote a flat rate of $155–400 to install a wall sconce or $180–530 to hang a chandelier.

Light fixture repairs typically cost $290, with a nationwide range of $130–275, according to Yelp data. Providing light fixture installation or repair cost estimates depends on the type of fixture to be repaired or installed, and the complexity of the work.

An electrician might charge an hourly fee, typically $80–195 per hour, to troubleshoot and repair a light that doesn’t work. Heavy light fixtures, like chandeliers, will cost more because of the difficulty and risk involved in removing, fixing, and re-hanging them.

The typical cost to install an outdoor lighting system ranges from $900–2,300, including light fixtures and labor costs. While many electricians and landscape lighting pros charge a rate of $80–195 per hour, most companies will quote an all-inclusive rate for the project. 

But costs can vary even more based on the quality and difficulty of the lighting project. At the low end, a pro can install pathway lights and some adjustable uplights or spotlights as architectural accents for $450–1,200. At the high end, you might pay $3,000–6,000+ for a system that incorporates house-mounted fixtures, solar-powered lights, motion sensors, or other pricey features. 

The cost to wire a new home or addition is $4–9 per square foot (for new construction) and $5–17 per square foot for rewiring an existing home. Rewiring is more expensive because walls need to be opened-up for wiring and then repaired.

When a home’s wiring becomes damaged by a rodent, blunt force, or other issues, it instantly becomes a serious fire hazard. First, turn off the circuit breaker for that part of the house. Then call an electrician. Costs can range widely, based on the home size, age, and condition of its electrical system’s components. 

The following variables can affect the total cost of electrical services. 

To ensure that home electrical systems meet basic standards and are safe, most local governments require permits for electrical home improvements. Simple repairs like changing a defective outlet usually don’t require a permit, but check with your city before moving ahead with new installations or major electrical modifications. If a permit is required, your electrician may take care of obtaining it, but the fees—which vary from city to city—will ultimately come out of your pocket. 

For small electrical jobs, fees average $40–80. Moderately-sized jobs like electrical panel installation can have permit fees of $75–150 and large jobs, like rewiring a house, may have permits that cost as much as $500.

Electricians’ fees vary from one area to another, because of differences in local labor rates and the cost of living. Even within a single state, rates can be quite different. For example, the typical cost for light fixture installation in Las Vegas, is $180, but in Boston, it’s $400, according to Yelp data. In the Seattle area, you can expect to pay $325. 

The cost of electrical repairs and improvements go up when work areas are difficult to access. Dealing with an awkward crawlspace or attic—or working on wires that are inside walls (requiring cutting into drywall)—is more difficult and takes longer, resulting in higher price quotes from electrical contractors. 

When homes are older, they’re more likely to require new electrical boxes or rewiring. “Older homes have a greater chance of having electrical issues that may not be what we were expecting,” says Craig Etling of D.C. Electrical. As a result, an electrical system that’s 30 years old or older may cost more to upgrade or repair than a relatively new one. 

Electricians charge a premium for emergency or after-hours service, with fees that could be 1.5 to 2 times higher than normal hourly or flat rates. When scheduling non-urgent electrical services, avoid weekends, evenings, or other non-standard times. In fact, some electricians may offer discounted rates for work done during less busy periods.

Here are a few ways to keep your electrical project budget-friendly.

Efficient planning can reduce material and labor costs. For example, when doing major electrical home improvements such as adding outlets and lighting during a kitchen remodel or new circuits during a master bathroom addition, work with an electrician to design an effective layout that meets your electrical needs. 

There are several different types of electrician, whose rates vary according to skill levels and credentials. It’s important to choose the appropriate pro for your job. 

Master electrician. Master electricians typically charge $80–195 per hour. They’ve passed a licensing test and has two or more years of experience. They typically oversee a shop and manage large, complex projects, such as designing new electrical systems. You’ll pay top price to hire a master electrician but can rest easy that your most complex jobs will be well done and safe. 

Journeyman electrician. Journeyman (or journeyperson) electrician typically charge $60–90 per hour, though their rates may be higher in certain areas. They’re licensed by the state and can install wiring and equipment, but are not permitted to perform higher-level work, such as designing electrical systems. In some states, journeymen can run a shop if they have a separate electrical contractor license. It takes 2 years for a journeyman to move to the level of master electrician. A journeyman electrician will sometimes charge less per hour, but is a perfectly good choice for basic electrical jobs like installing switches and outlets. 

Electrical apprentice. Electrical apprentices typically charge $40–60 per hour. They’re not licensed until they’ve completed 4 years of on-the-job training. They can work on projects under the supervision of a master electrician or a journeyman electrician. Typical hourly rate:

A skilled handyman or handyperson with experience doing electrical work can be an economical option for certain basic tasks, such as replacing an existing light fixture or installing a new light switch or dimmer switch. They typically charge $40–80 per hour, plus the cost of materials. A handyperson doesn’t have to meet the same requirements as a licensed electrician, as long as the scope of work doesn’t exceed certain dollar amounts (which varies by state). 

If your electrical project is a sizable one, ask for quotes from more than one qualified electrician in your area to compare prices and ensure you’re getting the most competitive rates. Price quotes should include a complete breakdown of costs for accurate comparison. 

If you have multiple electrical projects, consider bundling them together—in addition to the main job, ask the electrician to install that new porch light you’ve been wanting or to fix the hallway light switches that don’t work right. You’ll usually pay less than if you have the electrician return for another visit.

Thinking about doing your own electrical repairs? You may want to think twice because you could be playing with fire—literally. Working with electricity can be dangerous, and doing it incorrectly could result in fire or electric shock. In the vast majority of cases, homeowners will want to have electrical work done by an experienced electrician with the skills, tools, and knowledge to do it safely and correctly, in accordance with local regulations and building codes. To avoid these problems, it’s safer (and potentially cheaper) to hire a licensed electrician upfront, than trying to do it yourself.

Electrical problems appear in many forms. If you’re experiencing any of these 12 warning signs, call a professional electrician immediately:

When interviewing an electrician for electrical work, ask about their qualifications and customer service practices. The following information is often available on the pro’s Yelp Business Page:

Questions about the business 

Questions about repair costs

What do most electricians charge per hour?

Electricians typically charge $134 per hour, but rates can range from $80–195 per hour nationwide, according to Yelp data. In addition to the labor charge, you’ll pay for materials needed for the job, such as wire, switches, and circuit breakers. 

How much does it cost to rewire a 2,000-square-foot house?

Costs to rewire a home can range widely, based on the age of the house and condition of its electrical system’s components. On average, you’ll pay somewhere between $5–14 per square foot for a professional electrician to rewire a home. The total would be $10,000–28,000.

How much does it cost to replace a light switch?

Paying an electrician to visit your home usually costs $100–200, a service fee that typically covers small tasks like replacing a light switch. Including the cost of the light switch itself, this task will usually cost less than $250. If changes to your home’s wiring are required, the project will take longer and cost more. 

Find professional electrical services in your area.

Cost data in this guide is based on project quote estimates provided to Yelp users by licensed professionals and businesses on Yelp (as well as analysis of industry data). Actual project costs may vary depending on location or complexity of the project. Cost data has been reviewed by our industry expert, Don Vandervort, a nationally known home improvement author. Don is the founder of the website HomeTips.com and has written or produced more than 30 home improvement books.