Most would agree there is nothing quite as satisfying and rewarding as owning a home. And this is not overly surprising. After all, homeownership enables you to build equity and gives you something to pass on to your children one day. But there is a downside; you are no longer entitled to free repairs. According to a 2021 state of home spending report published by Angi’s, the average homeowner spends a little over $3,000 annually on home repairs, with electrical repair accounting for most of it.

Electrical Repair: Unearthing the True Cost of Homeownership

Murphy’s Law states that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. And you can be assured that this age-old adage applies to homeownership. When things do go wrong in a home, especially when they have to do with electricity, resolving them can set homeowners back thousands of dollars. Several things can dictate the final cost of an electrical repair, including the electrician’s flat hourly rate, which is usually $50 to $100 on average in the U.S., the nature of the repair, and the supplies needed to complete the repair.

The electrician’s expertise can also influence repair costs. For example, it is not uncommon for electricians specializing in low-voltage electrical work to charge considerably more than general electricians. If you need major electrical repair, such as having your home rewired or replacing an electrical panel, an electrician specializing in low-voltage electrical work would be the right person to call. Meanwhile, a general electrician would be ideal for smaller jobs, such as repairing or replacing a faulty outlet or putting an end to an annoying flickering light somewhere in the home. Now, let’s take a look at some of the other electrical work being performed on homes today and how much they are costing the average homeowner:

• Upgrading an electrical panel – $1,100 to $4,000
• Replacing electrical panel – $2,500 and up
• New wiring – $6 to $8 per linear foot
• Replacing a switch or outlet – $100 to $200 per switch or outlet
• Installing a new light fixture – $400
• Electrical Wiring for Home Renovations – $1,000 to $1,500
• Whole-house rewiring – $3,000 to $8,000

Since we’re discussing costs, performing some electrical repairs, like other home repairs, will require pulling a permit, which means forking over even more money. Most electricians will do this on the homeowner’s behalf, but the cost, which can be anywhere from $50 to $300, does get factored into the final bill.

Final Thoughts on the Cost of Electrical Repair

All in all, electrical repair, whether big or small, can be a costly endeavor. As such, it is best to set aside enough money so that you can pay for these and other expenses before they have a chance to spiral too far out of control.

Whether you need electrical installation for your home or business or have an electrical issue that needs immediate service, choosing the right electrical company can make a difference. 

There are many factors to consider when choosing an electrician, and you don’t necessarily want to choose the first one that pops up on Google or the one with the lowest costs. Putting some effort into choosing the right electrical company can save you money and inconvenience in the long run, not to mention ensuring your home or business is safe.

High-Quality Work

You want to hire an electrical contractor who prides high-quality work above all else. Electricians who make it a personal point to only do their best work will ensure you get the quality you expect.

You’ll get an idea of the level of quality your get from a company when you meet with the contractor. Are they thoroughly evaluating your needs, answering your questions, and giving you a detailed description of what the job will require? 

Superior electricians won’t give you the run-around about their work or prices. They know the value of their work and are willing to explain it. 

Safety First

When it comes to electricity, you can never be too safe. Companies that are careless with electrical work put everyone in danger, and their disregard for safety isn’t worth any money you save. 

Be sure to ask about an electrical company’s safety procedures and training. You want a company that values safety by mandating its employees undergo all necessary training.

Dependable

Whether your electrical work is part of a larger project or something that needs to be finished ASAP, you need an electrical company that gets the job done when they say they will. A dependable contractor will stay within the agreed-upon contract and will be easy for you to get in touch with.

Experienced

Experience is a necessity in the electrical industry. You don’t want a novice handling something as important as your home or business wiring. Experienced companies understand industry standards and have seen plenty of scenarios, allowing them to make the best decisions about your project.

Customer Service

Impeccable customer service is a must when working with an electrical company. The contractor should be committed to your satisfaction. A dedicated company will continue until you’re 100% happy with the completed work.

Fair Pricing

Your budget is important, and an electrical contractor should respect that. You typically don’t want to choose the lowest bidder, but you want a company with fair prices. It’s always a good idea to shop around. Look for the contractor that will give you an itemized cost list and prices according to their services and experiences.

Need an Electrical Contractor? Contact Right Touch Electrical

Right Touch Electrical is your go-to business when you need to hire an electrical company. We prioritize quality and safety while finding balance to give you a fair price. Call today for a consultation.

If you’re a homeowner, congratulations are in order; you make up the 65% of Americans who can proudly say they have achieved the American dream. While this is something to celebrate, there is a downside insofar as you are now both a homeowner and landlord, which means you are responsible for maintenance costs associated with the general upkeep of your home. According to Forbes, it is best to set aside 1% to 4% of the purchase price of your home each year to pay for routine maintenance projects. And this can come in handy for those exceedingly costly projects, electrical repairs being one of them.

Signs Your Home Is in Need of Electrical Repair

Some electrical problems can be quickly remedied by replacing a burnt-out lightbulb or resetting your fuse box, but sometimes hiring a professional to perform the necessary electrical repair is the only option. That said, here are some of the signs that might suggest its time to call an electrician skilled in electrical repair:

Flickering lights – Sure, most light bulbs flicker a couple of times just before they blow out; however, persistent flickering is another matter entirely. More often than not, it points to a need for electrical repair. According to a study published by the  University of California Irvine Environment Health and Safety, frequent power surges can cause lights in one’s home to flicker. And the culprit is usually faulty wiring. It is best to have this kind of electrical problem resolved as quickly as possible. Faulty wiring can lead to damaged electrical fixtures and appliances. It can also increase the risk of electrical fires.

Burning odor – The smell of anything burning is unpleasant, but when brought on by an electrical problem, it can also be dangerous. Most licensed electricians in the U.S. say a burning odor could indicate the electrical system in one’s home is generating too much heat, which can increase the risk of a house fire the longer the problem goes unresolved. That said, it is best to have the system inspected by a professional sooner rather than later.

Circuit breakers that frequently trip – Most homeowners have experienced an occasional circuit breaker trip. And they seldom point to anything serious, but when they happen too often, it might be time to call an electrician. When circuit breakers trip too frequently, it usually means one of the circuits in a home is constantly getting overloaded. Failing to call an electrician to perform the electrical repair necessary to resolve the issue can increase the chances of a home’s electrical fixtures, not to mention electronics and other devices connected to them, being damaged or destroyed. 

Buzzing or popping sounds – The electrical system in a home should work quietly. Buzzing or popping sounds usually correlate with loose or faulty wiring and should be looked at by an electrician before they give way to even bigger problems.

Sparking – Whenever there are sparks, fires are usually not too far behind. That said, consider sparking a clarion call to have the issue addressed and resolved by a licensed electrician as soon as possible. Like buzzing and popping sounds, defective outlets or faulting wiring is usually at the heart of most sparking problems.

Bottom Line

In summary, failing to get a needed electrical repair taken care of is something that homeowners should avoid at all costs. As a homeowner, it is in your best interest to set aside enough money so you can take care of such problems before they have a chance to go from bad to worse.