Home Services
Electrical
Electrical work is one place where DIY mistakes start fires. Learn what licensed electricians actually charge, what permits you need, and how to budget for the most common projects.
Electrical projects range from a $150 outlet swap to a $4,000 panel upgrade. Costs depend heavily on your home's age, panel capacity, and whether walls have to be opened to run new wire.
Regional cost comparison
Figures are widely cited industry averages compiled from contractor surveys, trade publications, and consumer-reporting databases. Your real quote will vary by home size, materials, accessibility, permits, and local labor rates.
| Service | Northeast | South | Midwest | West | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical service panel upgrade (200A) | $2,800–$5,200 | $2,000–$4,000 | $2,200–$4,400 | $2,800–$5,500 | $2,400–$4,800 |
| Whole-home rewire (1,800 sq ft) | $10,500–$22,000 | $7,500–$16,000 | $8,500–$18,000 | $10,000–$21,000 | $8,500–$18,500 |
| EV charger install (Level 2, 50A) | $950–$2,400 | $700–$1,800 | $800–$2,000 | $1,000–$2,600 | $800–$2,200 |
| Standby generator (22 kW, installed) | $9,000–$15,500 | $7,500–$13,000 | $7,800–$13,800 | $9,200–$16,000 | $8,000–$14,500 |
| Outlet or switch install (single) | $160–$320 | $120–$240 | $130–$260 | $170–$340 | $130–$280 |
When to hire a pro
- Anything inside the main service panel
- Adding circuits or rewiring rooms
- EV charger installs (240V circuits)
- Aluminum wiring remediation
- Generator and transfer switch installs
When DIY is OK
- Swapping light fixtures on existing boxes
- Replacing dimmer switches on the same circuit
- Installing battery smoke and CO detectors
- Replacing decorative outlet and switch plates
Electrical guides
Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost Guide: 100A to 200A
When you actually need a panel upgrade, what permits and utility coordination cost, and how to spot inflated quotes.
Read guideEV Charger Installation: What It Really Costs to Charge at Home
Level 2 charger pricing, the panel work no one warns you about, and how federal and state credits change the math.
Read guideKnob-and-Tube Wiring: Costs, Insurance Issues, and Replacement Options
Why insurers refuse to cover homes with knob-and-tube — and what it costs to bring an old house up to modern code.
Coming soonWhole-Home Generator Cost Guide
Standby vs. portable, fuel options, and the install costs no one quotes upfront.
Coming soonAluminum Wiring: Risks, Remediation, and Real Costs
What to do if your 1960s–'70s home has aluminum branch wiring.
Coming soonRecessed Lighting Installation Cost per Can
Old-construction vs. new-construction pricing, LED retrofits, and dimmer compatibility.
Coming soonCeiling Fan Installation: When to DIY and When to Call a Pro
What it actually costs to have one installed, and which jobs aren't beginner-friendly.
Coming soonGFCI and AFCI Outlets: Where Code Requires Them
The NEC requirements that catch homeowners off-guard during remodels and home sales.
Coming soonHow to Find a Licensed Electrician You Can Trust
License lookups, insurance verification, and the questions that filter out unqualified bidders.
Coming soonSmart Home Wiring: What to Pre-Wire vs. Retrofit
Planning electrical for smart switches, networking, and future-proofing a renovation.
Coming soon