Electrical repairs
Compare local electricians for dead outlets, tripping breakers and wiring faults. 9,914 pros listed in 3,044 cities across 51 states.
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Electrical Repairs by city
What electrical repair covers
Most repair calls are one of a handful of faults: an outlet or a run of outlets that has gone dead, a breaker that trips repeatedly, lights that flicker or dim, a switch or outlet that is warm or buzzes, a GFCI that will not reset, or a fixture that stopped working after a bulb change. Behind them are loose connections, worn devices, overloaded circuits, failed breakers and, in older homes, wiring past its life.
An electrician finds the fault first — which outlet in the chain, which connection — and then fixes it. Diagnosis is often the larger part of a repair call.
Before you call: what is safe to check
- Look for a tripped breaker in the panel and reset it once. If it trips again, leave it off and call.
- Press reset on any GFCI outlets nearby — in kitchens, bathrooms, garages and outside. One GFCI often protects several other outlets.
- Check whether a wall switch controls the “dead” outlet.
Do not take covers off the panel, and do not replace a breaker with a bigger one because it keeps tripping — the breaker is protecting the wire.
Warning signs — and what cannot wait
The Electrical Safety Foundation lists dim and flickering lights, unusual sizzling or buzzing sounds and circuit breakers that trip repeatedly among the signs to call an electrician (ESFI). Also call soon for outlets or plates that are warm or discoloured, and plugs that fall out of worn outlets.
Treat as urgent: a burning smell, smoke or sparks from an outlet, switch or panel, or electrical equipment that has been under water. Turn the power off at the main breaker if you can do it safely, and call 911 if there is fire or smoke.
How to choose an electrician for a repair
- Check the licence with your state or city. Most states license electricians, often at journeyman and master level.
- Ask how they charge: a service-call or diagnostic fee, hourly, or a flat rate per repair — and whether the call-out comes off the bill.
- Ask whether the fix needs a permit. Small like-for-like repairs often do not; new circuits and panel work usually do.
- Mention every problem at once. Several small faults are cheaper in one visit.
- Ask what they found, in writing, if they recommend bigger work such as rewiring or a panel replacement — and consider a second opinion before agreeing to it.
What affects the cost
- Service-call or diagnostic fee, and time of day — nights and weekends cost more.
- How long the fault takes to find. A loose connection three outlets down the chain is quick to fix and slow to locate.
- Parts: a standard outlet versus a GFCI or AFCI breaker.
- Access: finished walls, crawl spaces and attics add time.
- Age of the wiring. Older systems can turn a repair into an upgrade.
- Permits and inspection where the repair requires one.
DIY or a pro, and safety
Resetting breakers and GFCIs, changing bulbs and plugging into a different circuit are safe for anyone. Many homeowners also swap a like-for-like outlet or switch with the breaker off — but whether that is legal without a licence or permit depends on your state and city, and a wrong connection can stay hidden until it overheats.
Anything in the panel, new circuits, aluminium wiring, and any fault you cannot explain belong with a licensed electrician.
Common questions
- Why does my breaker keep tripping?
- Usually an overloaded circuit, a short or ground fault in a device or appliance, or a failing breaker. Reset it once; if it trips again, leave it off and call an electrician.
- Why is half my outlet dead?
- Often a tripped GFCI elsewhere on the circuit, a switch that controls that half, or a loose connection. Check GFCIs and switches before calling.
- Is a warm outlet dangerous?
- A warm, discoloured or buzzing outlet or switch can be a loose connection overheating. Stop using it and have it checked.
- Can I replace an outlet myself?
- It depends on your state and city rules. With the breaker off it is a common DIY job, but a GFCI, a new location or anything that does not match the old wiring is work for an electrician.
- Do electricians charge to come out?
- Many do, as a service-call or diagnostic fee. Ask when you book and whether it is credited against the repair.
- When is an electrical problem an emergency?
- Burning smells, smoke, sparks, or electrical equipment that has been in water. Cut the power at the main if safe, and call 911 if there is fire or smoke.
Related services
Sources
Safety and standards advice on this page comes from these publishers. Dates are the ones each page shows.
- Electrical Safety Foundation International, Home Electrical Fires (August 9, 2015)
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