Mountain View, CA

Electrical Work Pricing Guide

$141 – $419 (Small Jobs)
$2,000 – $6,000+ (Large Jobs)

The average cost to hire an electrician to install or repair light fixtures, outlets, switches, or fans ranges from $141 to $419. Wiring costs $6 to $8 per foot and upgrading an electrical panel costs $1,100 to $2,500. Get free estimates from electrical services near you or check out our electrician prices list below.

Electrical Work & Repair Costs

The average cost to hire an electrician to install or repair light fixtures, outlets, switches, or fans ranges from $141 to $419 with homeowners spending $280 on average. For larger electrical jobs like installing wiring or replacing an electrical panel, expect to pay $2,000 to $6,000.

Get free estimates from electricians near you or check out our pricing guide below.

Average cost to hire an Electrician Chart

Average Cost of Electrician
National Average Cost $280
Minimum Cost $90
Maximum Cost $812
Average Range $141 to $419

Table of Contents

  1. Hiring an Electrician
  2. Electrician Prices List
  3. Tips for Hiring an Electrician
  4. Electricians Near Me

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Electrician Cost

The average cost of an electrician is $40 to $100 per hour, with a typical call-out fee or first-hour rate of $75 to $125. To hire a master electrician for specialty work, expect to spend $150 for the first hour, with an average hourly rate of $100 to $120.

Master Electrician vs. Journeyman vs. Apprentice

Electrician Hourly Rates Chart

Electrician Rates
Electrician Type Call-Out Fee Billed Hourly Rate
Apprentice $75 $40 – $50
Journeyman $75 $50 – $70
Master $125 $100 – $120

Most homeowners will call an electrician when too much or too little power is coming to outlets or lighting fixtures (tripping circuit breakers), they need more or safer outlets installed, or the wiring needs upgrading because the house is old and the old wiring isn’t up to par. Most electricians’ charge by the hour and costs are based on the electrician’s experience, what your electrical needs are, and the complexity of the job.

  • Apprentice Electrician – Is usually in school and they are just starting their electrical career.
  • Journeyman Electrician – Has completed the first phase of education and is allowed to work independently.
  • Master Electrician – Has completed their education and has several years of work experience and is a master of the trade.

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Electrician Prices List

While it can be a relatively quick job for an electrician to fit an outlet or wire your surround sound system, the bulk of your cost lies in the electrician’s service call fee of about $75, so it may cost about $125 to $150 for a small job like installing or replacing an outlet. Larger jobs such as wiring and circuit breaker installation run $2,000 or more.

Electrician Prices List

Prices paid for electrical work are hard to nail down because it's dependent on many factors, such as labor and material costs. Below is a list of general pricing. For more accurate prices, request free cost estimates from local electricians here on HomeGuide for the service you need.

Electrician Cost Calculator
Job Average Cost
Electrical Wiring $6 – $8 per foot
Install Light Fixtures $133 – $414
Upgrade Electrical Panel $1,100 – $2,500
Install Home Generator $3,000 – $5,000
Install Electrical Switch $150 – $250
Install Electrical Outlet $120 – $150
Fan Installation $150 – $350
Install Home Automation System $600 – $1,800
Install Hot Tub Wiring / Conduit $800 – $1,500
Install Electric Car Charging Station $750 – $2,600
Install Door Bell, Smoke or Carbon Monoxide Detector $90 – $150

Electrician rewiring and installing new outlet

Electrical Wiring Cost

Electrical wiring costs $6 to $8 per linear foot. For structured wiring — which is designed to handle communication and entertainment devices — add $2 per foot. For low-voltage wiring installations, an electrician will charge $0.40 to $0.62 per linear foot.

A 1,200-square-foot home will have about 284 linear feet in its walls, costing $2,200 to rewire, or from $2,500 to $6,000 to rewire a basic 3-bedroom house.

Electrical Wiring Cost
Type Average Cost
Electrical Wiring $6 – $8 per foot
Structured Wiring +$2 per foot
Low-Voltage Wiring $0.40 – $0.62
Electrical House Wiring Estimate
Job Average Cost
Rewiring a Basic 3-Bedroom Home
(Through attic, basement, or floor joists)
$2,500 – $6,000
Installing Wiring by Running it Through Main Walls
(Opening walls, removing old wires, rewiring, and installing drywall)
$6,000 – $10,000
Knob & Tube Wiring Removal $4,000 – $6,500
Knob & Tube Wiring Removal Permit $200 – $600

Add in permit costs for larger jobs and the likelihood of having to replace almost every part of an older wiring electrical system to bring it up to code, if you’re doing a service upgrade.

electrical wiring installation of outlets and switches

Cost To Install Light Fixtures

The average cost to install a basic light fixture is $133 to $414. For advanced fixtures like a chandelier, be sure to include the cost of the fixture itself which can add another $200 to $700 to your final price. For AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupt) protection, add $50.

If the electrician runs into accessibility issues, or electrical problems that require board or panel upgrades expect to pay more in labor costs. Most of the time, your electrician will be able to give you an accurate estimate up front.

Cost To Install Light Fixtures
Fixture Type Cost Per Fixture
Install Standard Fixture (Existing Wiring) $50 – $150
Install Exterior Light Fixture (Existing Wiring) $150 – $320
Install Fluorescent Light Fixture $200 – $350
Install Recessed Light Fixture $125 – $300
Install New Wiring For Overhead Light $600 – $1,200
Replace Broken Light Fixture $75 – $200
Be careful not to use high-watt fixtures with old wiring—you might have grounding problems.

Replace or Upgrade Electrical Panel

The cost to replace or upgrade an electrical panel is $850 to $2,500 on average depending on the cost of the wire and your electricity amp needs. Service replacement includes a new meter, electric service drop, disconnect, panel, wiring, piping, and a weather head.

Hire a licensed electrician to calculate the service panel amperage required. An electrician runs circuits to your new fixtures, appliances, and outlets while ensuring it’s up to National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements.

With older homes, the electrical service usually has 60-amp panels that are underrated. Most homes require at least 100 amps with newer homes needing 200 amps or more. Proper amps ensure you won’t be tripping circuit breakers or overloading outlets. You can find out the amperage in your home in the following ways:

  • Count the number of wires that emerge from the underground conduit. You need three to get a 240-volt system.
  • The manufacturer’s data plate and the main circuit breaker will give the max amps of the main electrical panel.

Install or Repair Home Generator

The average cost to install a home generator is $6,000 to $11,000, including the generator. A Generac home back-up generator starts at $2,000, and professional installation ranges from $3,000 to $5,000. Pricing varies by system size, electrician costs, and local building codes.

A generator costs is placed on a concrete pad and connected to an existing fuel line, and a transfer switch is installed by the main breaker box.

Cost to Install or Replace an Electrical Switch

The cost for an electrician to install a new light switch ranges from $150 to $200 for a single pole switch, to $100 to $250 for a new three-way switch. To replace an electrical switch, expect to spend about $80 to $120 on average.

Cost to Install or Replace an Electrical Switch
Switch Type Average Cost
Install New Single Pole Switch $150 – $200
Install New Three-Way Switch $100 – $250
Replace Electrical Switch $80 – $120

In some cases, it can cost more to replace an existing light switch than it will to install light switches in new construction because you may need to update your electrical board, install new wiring, switch boxes, or box covers.

Cost To Install or Replace an Electrical Outlet

The cost to install or replace an interior electrical outlet with GFCI is $120 to $150 while replacing an exterior receptacle with cover costs $200 to $275 on average. If you have several outlets to replace, ask your electrician about package discounts.

Cost To Install or Replace an Electrical Outlet
Type of Outlet Average Cost
Replace Conventional Outlet with GFCI $120 – $150
Install New Conventional Outlet $140 – $165
Install New Split Outlet $190 – $275
Install Exterior Outlet with Cover $200 – $275

For safety purposes, especially if you have children in the house, install GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protected outlets in the kitchen, bathrooms, and the laundry room. A GFCI outlet will help prevent electrical shock in wet areas of the home. Also, consider installing dedicated circuits for large appliances.

Fan Installation & Repair Cost

Ceiling fan installation costs around $200 on average, with most spending $150 to $350. Bathroom exhaust fan installation costs $150 to $550, while an attic exhaust fan runs $300 to $500.

Proper ventilation increases indoor air quality and improves the well being of all occupants. Ceiling fans are a great alternative to more expensive air conditioning and will distribute air more evenly in your rooms and create a more comfortable living environment.

Fan Installation Costs
Type of Fan Average Cost
Ceiling Fan Installation $150 – $350
Bathroom Fan Installation $150 – $550
Attic Fan Installation Cost $300 – $900
Power Attic Gable Vent $180 – $250
Roof-Mount Power Ventilator $125 – $210

Fans will also help you save money on your energy bills during the cold, winter months by pushing the warm air back down into the room. Alternatively, it can pull the cooler air up during the hot months.

Smart Home Automation Systems Cost

Smart home automation systems cost $600 to $1,800 that integrates into your existing outlets. For hard-wired systems, which requires extensive rewiring costs $5,600 on average with most homeowners spending between $4,000 and $12,000 based on the extent of automation desired.

Smart Home Automation Systems Cost
System Average Cost
Install Home Automation System $600 to $1,800
Install Hardwired Home Automation System $4,000 and $12,000
New Wired Door Bell System $100 – $140
Install Hardwired Smoke Detector $90 – $150
Install Carbon Monoxide Detector $90 – $150
Install Electric Fireplace $200 – $1,500
Install Video Surveillance System $900 – $2,000
Install Home Theater System $1,300 – $2,600
Install Sprinkler System $1,900 – $3,800

The most common automation systems will turn automatic sprinklers on and off during the day, or lights in the house on and off while you’re out of town. Newer advances in smart devices and automation systems allow you to monitor what’s going on in your home when you’re not there, who is at the door, and what time the kids came home from school. Most smart home upgrades will require the services of a licensed electrician.

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Tips for Hiring an Electrician

When it comes to your home and the safety of those living in it, this is not the time to go with a cheap electrician. Due to the risk of fire or life-threatening electric shocks if you end up with bad electrical work, you want to be sure to hire the best professional, licensed, and insured electrician you can find. Professional electricians are knowledgeable about current building codes and the proper way to safely upgrade or install the wiring in your home.

  • Only hire a licensed and insured electrician.
  • Ask how much experience the electrician has.
  • Get at least three quotes when working on a large project.
  • Ask your friends and coworkers for their recommendations.
  • Check out their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
  • Request an in-person estimate for your job. Some electricians' may offer this free.

Doing things on the cheap can only lead to more expensive repairs down the road. Whether it’s the materials that are subpar or the workmanship, it’s only a matter of time until it fails. That failure could be the loss of power to your home (and losing everything in your freezer), or it could be as bad as a fire in your home. In the long run, it’s more cost effective to get it done right the first time.

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