Cost of Hiring an Electrician
By ProMatcher Staff
How Much Does it Typically Cost to Hire an Electrician?
On average, you can expect to pay about $75 per hour for the services of a residential electrical contractor.
The cost of hiring an electrician depends on several different factors, including where you live and what type of services you need. Use the list below to get a better idea of how much it will cost to hire an electrician for your specific project.
The following items should factor into your hiring decision.
1) Your geographic location. The cost of electrical services varies greatly by location. If you live in a large metropolitan area like San Francisco or Washington, D.C., you can expect to pay higher prices for materials and labor. If you live in a small town or rural area, you should expect to pay a little less than the national average. However, if you live in a remote area- outside of the contractor’s normal service area- this may increase the cost of your project.
2) Permitting. Some electrical work will require a permit from your local jurisdiction. The cost of pulling a permit should be included in the contractor’s quote.
3) Is the current electrical wiring up-to-code? If the existing wiring is not up-to-code, the electrician will need to repair these issues before working on any further projects. Depending on the severity of the issue, this can seriously increase the total cost of your project. If the electrician is working in a newly constructed home, with no existing systems to work around, this may lower the cost of the project.
4) What is the base fee? Regardless of how much work you need done, most electricians will charge a base fee for just showing up to your home. This “trip charge” is often put towards the overall cost of the project and it can range anywhere from $30 to $100.
5) What type of services do you need? How much work do you need done? How long will it take? Are you replacing an outlet? Wiring an entire home? Upgrading an electrical panel? Repairing a standby generator? On top of the base fee, many electricians will charge an hourly rate for their services (in addition to the cost of parts and supplies). The hourly rate of a Master Electrician is typically higher than that of a Journeyman electrician. For some projects, an electrician may charge a fixed fee per project, such as installing a ceiling fan or replacing a light switch (regardless of how long it takes).
6) Is the area accessible? Where will the electrician be working? Working in an open crawl space is typically easier than working in a cluttered attic. If it is difficult to access the area, this may add to the cost of your project.
7) Emergency repairs. If the electrician must travel to your home outside of regular business hours, you can expect to pay a higher hourly rate. Emergency calls and weekend projects can be expensive. You may be able to save a few dollars by working around the electrician’s schedule.
8) Licensed and insured. Before hiring an electrician, make sure to verify that the contractor is properly licensed and insured. Getting the job done by a licensed professional will help you save money in the long run. You will be glad you paid a little extra when work is done right the first time and it is compliant with all local codes.
9) Cleanup. Basic cleanup should be included in every contractor’s quote. The work area should be left just as clean, if not cleaner, than when they first arrived.
10) Have you requested multiple quotes? We always recommend contacting multiple contractors before making a hiring decision. This gives you an opportunity to compare estimates and determine which provider delivers the most value.
About the Author
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| ProMatcher Staff, ProMatcher
Orlando, FL 32803
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