Electrical Quotes & Costs
Panel upgrades, rewiring, EV chargers, and everything in between, see what electricians actually charge before you start calling around.
What electrical work actually costs
Electrical projects vary wildly in price. A couple of new outlets might run you a few hundred dollars, while a full rewire on an older home can easily hit five figures. The table below breaks down the most common electrical jobs we see, based on real quotes from our database.
| Service | Typical Range | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Panel Upgrade (100A→200A) | $1,500 – $4,000 | $2,500 |
| Whole-House Rewiring | $8,000 – $20,000 | $12,000 |
| EV Charger Install (Level 2) | $800 – $2,500 | $1,400 |
| Outlet/Switch Work | $150 – $500 | $250 |
| Recessed Lighting (per room) | $400 – $1,200 | $700 |
| Generator Install | $3,000 – $8,000 | $5,000 |
Based on 171 real electrical contractor quotes in our database. Median project cost: $5,500.
What affects the price
Two homes on the same street can get wildly different quotes for the same job. Here's why.
- Age of the home: Older homes often have outdated wiring, knob-and-tube, aluminum, or ungrounded circuits, that needs to be brought up to code before any new work begins. That adds labor and materials fast.
- Permit requirements: Most electrical work requires a permit and at least one inspection. Permit fees range from $50 to $500 depending on your city, and some jurisdictions require a licensed electrician to pull the permit on your behalf.
- Accessibility: Running new wire through finished walls, tight attics, or crawl spaces takes considerably longer than working in open-stud construction. If drywall has to come down and go back up, that cost gets added to the job.
- Panel capacity: If your existing panel is already near capacity, adding an EV charger or other heavy-draw appliance may trigger a panel upgrade, which tacks $1,500–$4,000 onto your project before the original work even starts.
When do you need a permit?
The short answer: almost always. Swapping a light fixture or replacing a switch usually doesn't need one. But anything involving new circuits, panel work, or adding capacity to your system almost certainly does.
Skipping permits might save a few hundred dollars upfront, but it can create serious headaches when you sell your home or file an insurance claim. A good electrician will handle the permitting process for you, if they suggest skipping it, that's a red flag.
How to hire an electrician
Electrical work isn't the place to go with the cheapest bid. Shoddy wiring is a fire hazard, and unlicensed work can void your homeowner's insurance. Here's what to look for.
- Verify licensing:Every state requires electricians to be licensed. Check their license number with your state's licensing board, it takes two minutes and saves you from a lot of potential problems.
- Ask about insurance:They should carry both general liability and workers' comp. If someone gets hurt on your property and they're uninsured, you could be on the hook.
- Request a load calculation: For panel upgrades, EV chargers, or any major addition, a qualified electrician should perform a load calculation to make sure your system can handle the new demand. If they skip this step, find someone else.
- Get detailed written quotes:A good quote breaks out materials, labor, permit fees, and any contingency allowances. Vague lump-sum bids make it hard to compare contractors or understand what you're paying for.
- Compare at least three estimates:Prices for the same job can vary by 40% or more. Three quotes give you a solid sense of what's reasonable in your area.
Lemay Electric · Cranston, RI
Master electrician, licensed & insured. Get a free estimate from their profile.
Get your electrical quotes
Compare estimates from licensed electricians near you. Free, fast, and no strings attached.