Do you have an electrical emergency that needs an electrician right away?
Is it time to upgrade your electrical system?
What often comes to many consumers’ minds first is “how much is this going to cost me?”
It’s a fair question because you want fair prices for quality electrical work.
Come along with us as we explore the prices for hiring an electrician for common electrical projects.
How Much Would It Cost to Hire an Electrician?
It is most common for laborers who provide a service to charge at an hourly rate.
There are many factors that will influence the total invoice at the end of the project, though you can expect that most electricians’ hourly rate to cost around $100 per hour.
Here is a breakdown of what the average cost may look like.
The first half-hour of a service call is more expensive than the electrician’s flat hourly rate. This is typically included with every service call and you may see the line item on the invoice be closer to $120.
You can confirm with the electrician on this pricing when you request your quote in the initial phase of the project.
The company may explain that the electrical pricing increase covers the travel expenses, labor costs, and parts for quick jobs.
If your project requires additional labor and time, this will add more to the final cost.
Here are other factors that will impact the electrician cost.
When the Service is Needed
Expect to pay a higher electrician hourly rate if you need emergency services after normal business hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
To save you more money, try to wait to schedule your service for the next business day. Though, if there is a risk of danger do not hesitate to call.
The on-call electrician may be able to diagnose the issue over the phone and advise you on what to do to hold you over to the next business day. This will help you to secure the normal electrician day rate.
Your Location
Your zip code is going to play a role in the final cost for your electrical work.
Each part of the state in which you live has different gas prices, taxes, and costs for materials, which are all rolled into your bill.
If the electrician does not have the parts readily available during the initial inspection to diagnose your electrical needs, then an estimated cost to complete the work with all the required parts will be written up for you.
Costs incurred will include the additional parts and if the technician needs to pick them up from the supplier.
Keep in mind, if you live in a remote area or it is difficult to access your location, there could be an additional cost to cover the required travel.
The Experience of the Electrician
The skill level of an electrician also plays into electrician prices.
A licensed electrician will most likely cost more per hour than your neighborhood handyman.
The reason being is that the licensed electrician will have the necessary qualifications, training, and knowledge, as well as insurance, to properly complete the work!
There are three degrees of training that an electrician can receive.
Each one requires a certain number of training and apprentice hours to be completed to acquire different levels of responsibility.
The Apprentice Electrician
To gain the required experience, an apprentice electrician will work for an electrical company under the supervision of a master or journeyman electrician.
The electrical company will cover the insurance costs of the apprentice while working on approved projects.
The Master or Journeyman Electrician
The master electrician and the journeyman electrician are both licensed. The difference between the two is the number of years of experience each has.
They can work independently from a company but will need to supply their own liability insurance.
Hiring an electrical company for your electric projects can provide you the expertise of a master or journeyman electrician to provide the high-level work you prefer.
How Much Does it Cost to Fix Electrical Problems in a House?
Based on the national average cost to hire an electrician, we have pulled some information together for you to browse through based on the most common electrical projects.
The following are only estimates that do not include the factors mentioned above.
We recommend gathering estimates from local electricians for a more accurate figure to complete the work you need.
What is the cost to replace an outlet or light switch?
Replacing an electrical outlet or light switch is a pretty simple project for an electrician to do and you may be paying a lot more for a short visit.
It’s best to roll this project into a larger project to help stretch your dollar further.
Otherwise, you may be looking at a $150 bill for this job.
How Much to Install a Light Fixture?
Light fixtures such as:
- a chandelier in the dining room
- vanity lighting for the bathroom
- recessed lighting by the front door
- a ceiling fan in the bedroom
…come in at an average of $250 for a light fixture install.
The factors that will increase this figure is the complexity of the install:
- How many light fixtures or ceiling fans are being installed?
- Is a smart home installation or a large upgrade required?
- Does the project require new wiring, or is there existing wiring?
How Much is New Wiring for a Whole House?
A new wiring or rewiring project is a case by case scenario as each home differs in age and size, as well as its existing electrical panel setup and condition.
For a larger project like this one, ask your electrician if there is a difference to pay a day rate as opposed to a per-hour charge to see if there is a cost-saving benefit.
Let’s break down the costs included in a wiring project:
Labor Costs
Your whole-house wiring project is no small feat.
Hiring licensed, bonded, and insured electricians is highly recommended.
With a higher level of experience and quality of work, you may expect to pay more for a quality service you can trust.
The size of your home will also determine the total cost. An average cost for labor can range between $2,000 – $9,000.
Wiring
To give yourself an idea of how much a home rewire may run you. Calculate the square footage of your home and multiply it by $2.65, which is the average cost to wire a home per square foot.
Other Costs
If you have ever done any work on your home you may know that as the project progresses you can always expect the unexpected.
That is why it is recommended to consider that your total project may cost more than predicted, especially if you have an older home.
Working with a well-known, trusted electrician you should receive accurate updates along the way.
Also, if your electrician recommends any upgrades to your electrical panel or other components, it may save you money down the road by preventing another service call.
Work with An Electrician You Can Trust
When it comes down to your expected expenses for your electric project, consider all the factors that may impede the final invoice.
Communication with your electrician will be key to keep surprise expenses to a minimum along with an expected time of completion.
Do you have questions about electrician prices?
Leave a comment below. We are here to help!