Most electricians charge $75 to $150 an hour in 2026, plus a $75 to $200 service call to come out. Small jobs like replacing an outlet or installing a light fixture typically cost $120 to $400, while panel upgrades run $1,800 to $4,500. Before hiring, get a written price and confirm who pulls the permit.
| Electrical job | Typical 2026 price |
|---|---|
| Service call or diagnostic visit | $75 to $200 |
| Replace a standard outlet or switch | $120 to $250 |
| Install a GFCI outlet | $150 to $300 |
| Install a light fixture (existing wiring) | $150 to $400 |
| Install a ceiling fan (existing box) | $150 to $350 |
| Add a new circuit | $300 to $900 |
| Level 2 EV charger installation | $800 to $2,500 |
| Electrical panel upgrade | $1,800 to $4,500 |
| Whole house rewire | $8,000 to $25,000 |
How much does it cost to hire an electrician?
Electricians price work two ways. Many small residential jobs are flat rate: one price to install a fan, replace a switch or add a GFCI. Troubleshooting and open ended repairs are usually billed by the hour, often with a one hour minimum. Rates sit toward the top of the $75 to $150 range in large metro areas and for master electricians, and toward the bottom in smaller markets and for apprentices working under supervision.
Materials are extra on most jobs. A ceiling fan, fixture or EV charger you buy yourself keeps that part of the cost in your control, but ask first; some electricians prefer to supply parts they can warranty. For specific jobs, see our guides to light fixture installation cost and ceiling fan installation cost.
What about emergency calls?
Nights, weekends and holidays typically cost 1.5 to 2 times the normal rate, and emergency service calls often run $150 to $350 before any repair work. Our emergency electrician cost guide explains when a problem truly cannot wait and when it can safely be scheduled for the next business day.
What affects the price of electrical work?
- Access. Finished walls and ceilings, tight attics and crawl spaces add labor. Running new wire through an open basement is much easier.
- Age of the home. Older wiring, undersized panels and missing grounds can turn a simple job into a bigger one.
- Permits and inspections. Panel upgrades, new circuits and EV chargers usually require a permit, which adds fees and scheduling time.
- Distance from the panel. A new circuit on the far side of the house needs more wire and labor.
- Bundling. Grouping several small jobs into one visit spreads the service call fee across all of them.
What questions should you ask before hiring an electrician?
- Do you hold the electrician credential my state and city require? You can usually look up a credential number on your state electrical board’s website.
- Will you pull the permit, and is the permit fee included? Work that needs a permit should be inspected.
- Is the price flat rate or hourly, and what is included? Ask about materials, patching drywall and cleanup.
- What warranty do you offer on labor? One year on workmanship is common.
- Who will do the work? Ask whether a journeyman or an apprentice under supervision will be on site.
- When can you start, and how long will it take? Get the schedule in writing for larger jobs.
What are the red flags when hiring an electrician?
- Offering to skip the permit to save you money.
- Asking for most of the money up front on a small or medium job.
- Cash only, with no written price or receipt.
- A price that changes significantly once work starts, without a clear reason you can see.
- Pressure to replace a panel or rewire immediately without showing you the problem.
An honest electrician should be able to show you why a bigger repair is needed, such as a scorched breaker or a panel brand with a known problem history. Our guide to types of electrical panels helps you understand that conversation.
When do you need an electrician instead of doing it yourself?
| Task | DIY or electrician? |
|---|---|
| Reset a tripped breaker or GFCI | DIY |
| Replace a light bulb or plug in device | DIY |
| Replace an outlet, switch or fixture | Electrician recommended |
| Add an outlet or circuit | Electrician |
| Panel, service or EV charger work | Electrician, with permit |
| Burning smell, sparks or hot outlets | Electrician right away |
Lights that flicker, dim when the AC starts, or outlets that feel warm are signs to call sooner rather than later. Our guide to flickering lights and power surges explains the common causes.
How should you prepare for an electrician’s visit?
A little preparation shortens the visit, and on hourly jobs that directly lowers the bill.
- Write down the symptoms. Note which outlets or lights are affected, when the problem happens and whether it started after a storm or a new appliance.
- Label or photograph the panel. A clear photo of the breaker labels helps the electrician plan before arriving.
- Clear a path. Move boxes away from the panel, attic access and the work area, and secure pets.
- Have fixtures and parts ready. If you bought the fan, fixture or charger, keep the box and instructions on site.
- Group your list. Add every small job you have been putting off, from a loose switch plate to a dead outdoor outlet.
For reference, a fixture or fan swap usually takes one to two hours, a new circuit two to four hours, an EV charger three to eight hours depending on distance from the panel, and a panel upgrade most of a day, plus a separate visit for the inspection.
How do you get a fair price without the back and forth?
Describe the job clearly with photos of the panel, the fixture or the outlet, and list everything you want done in one visit. With House Fly you see an upfront price for the service before you book, you book at that price, and House Fly handles the rest. Payment is held until the job is done, so you are not paying for work that has not happened yet.
See your upfront price and book your electrical work on House Fly.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an electrician charge per hour in 2026?
Most electricians charge $75 to $150 an hour, often with a one hour minimum and a $75 to $200 service call. Rates are higher in large cities, for master electricians and for nights, weekends and holidays, when 1.5 to 2 times the normal rate is common.
Is it cheaper to pay an electrician hourly or flat rate?
For defined jobs like installing a fan or replacing an outlet, a flat rate is usually better because you know the cost up front. Hourly billing makes sense for troubleshooting, where the cause is unknown. Bundling several small jobs in one visit lowers the cost per task either way.
Do I need a permit for electrical work?
Many jobs do. Panel upgrades, new circuits, EV chargers, service changes and most remodel wiring typically require a permit and inspection. Simple like for like swaps, such as replacing an outlet or fixture, often do not. Rules vary by city, so ask the electrician who will pull the permit.
What should I ask an electrician before hiring?
Ask whether they hold the credential your state and city require, who pulls the permit, whether the price is flat or hourly and what it includes, what labor warranty they offer, and who will be on site. Get the scope and price in writing before work begins.
When is an electrical problem an emergency?
Call right away for a burning smell, smoke, sparks, a hot or buzzing panel, scorched outlets, or a breaker that trips immediately every time you reset it. Turn off power at the main breaker if it is safe. Dead outlets or a single fixture that stops working can usually wait.
