Average Hourly Rates Typically, electricians charge between $50 and $100 per hour. But the first hour might cost more, about $150, due to initial setup and travel. In emergencies, expect to double the rate to $100–$200 per hour.
Hiring a qualified electrician costs $50 to $100 per hour. The first hour of an electrical job costs more than subsequent hours, about $150 on average. Hiring an electrician for an emergency visit tends to double the hourly rate, so you could pay between $100 and $200.
Electrician hourly rates are $50 to $130, with a $100 to $200 service call fee covering the first hour. The average cost to hire an electrician is $150 to $600 for small jobs or $2,000 to $10,000 for larger projects. The electrician's cost per hour depends on location and experience.
For a 3-bedroom, 1,500 square foot home, the average cost to rewire can range from $10 to $20 per square foot. This means a full rewiring project could cost between $15,000 and $30,000. Smaller homes, such as a 2-bedroom bungalow, will naturally be on the lower end of this spectrum.
Dwelling coverage in your homeowners insurance policy will likely cover issues with your electrical wiring if the issue was caused suddenly and accidentally by a covered peril. It will not cover electrical wiring issues due to lack of maintenance, general neglect or wiring that's out of date.
On average, homeowners will spend between $75 and $485 to install an outlet. The cost to install an outlet is $300 on average, or between $100 to $450 per outlet. The price of installing an outlet varies based on factors like the type of outlet, project size, your electrician's rate, and more.
To test the wiring in your home, set your multimeter to the AC voltage to the two hundred volts setting. Plug the probes into the multimeter and then place the other ends into the holes of one of your sockets. Give it a few seconds, and you should get a reading of what voltage is in the circuit.
Electricians are in the top five highest paid non-degree professions. For years, society has funneled high school students towards college. With fewer people entering the skilled trades, it has become increasing difficult for businesses to hire qualified workers. Lack of skilled labor has led to high wages.
The cost of running a new electrical service from the road to your house is $12,250 on average for a length of 500 feet. Installing overhead lines costs $4,000 to $20,000 on average. You could pay as little as $3,000 or as much as $25,000 if you need to run lines a long distance across rough or challenging terrain.
An electrical home inspection costs between $150 and $350. A typical electrical inspection costs between $125 and $200, with an average price of about $200. Most electricians charge a flat rate per inspection.
There are two main charges that make up the total cost of hiring an electrician. The first is their flat hourly rate, which is sometimes elevated in price for the first hour of service. The second charge is the rate they are billing you.
Master electricians can supervise journeymen and apprentices (see next section). They can make $50 per hour designing schematics for electrical systems.
Most handymen charge between $50 and $80 per hour, making an average of $150 to $600 per job. Rates depend on their specialty, experience, level of education, and whether the handyman is insured, requires specialized equipment, or services rural locations.
Circuit breaker replacement costs $100 to $260 on average. Installing or adding a new circuit breaker switch costs $150 to $300, depending on the type, amps, and circuit length and complexity. Replacing a main breaker switch costs $200 to $600, while replacing a circuit breaker panel costs $850 to $4,000.
Considering a career as an electrician can be a rewarding and fulfilling path to take. Not only is this field in high demand, but it also offers great pay, job security, and the opportunity to be your own boss.
Using an Electrical Circuit Tracer
This device consists of a transmitter and receiver unit that work together to locate and track wires behind walls. By connecting the transmitter to a live outlet or switch, you can send a signal through the wiring that the receiver can pick up.
For example, some of the common signs of a bad connection include wire nuts that are charred or melted. Other visible signs include discoloration on the face of the circuit, as well as any symptoms of melting or bubbling. Excessive heat can also be a sign of a poor connection in an electrical circuit.
Average Hourly Rates
Typically, electricians charge between $50 and $100 per hour. But the first hour might cost more, about $150, due to initial setup and travel. In emergencies, expect to double the rate to $100–$200 per hour.
An electrician will charge between $100 to $150 to install a new light switch. Whether you need to cut into the wall and repair drywall will determine your final project cost, as you can expect to pay $50 to $75 per square foot to repair drywall.
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.