Despite the recent climb in DIY articles and How-To tutorials, most electrical work is best left to the professionals. The last thing you want to do is cause a house fire or to get injured. Death is also a reality for people doing electrical work.
It's tempting to the work on your own, but some work needs to be done by an electrician by law. Such as connecting wires to the main power supply.
If you've weighed the pros and cons and decided to play it safe, then it's time to call an electrician. It's understandable that you'd be worried about the cost. But, hiring an electrician can save you money and time in the long run.
Ultimately, you'll be relieved to have the work done correctly and safely.
So, how much does an electrician cost?
Read on to find out!
Finding Out How Much Does an Electrician Cost
The short answer to this question is that it varies. But, before you call an electrician, you can get a pretty good idea of the base cost and cost breakdown. Explore the following ways to determine how much it will cost to have an electrician come out.
1. Service Charge
Electricians typically charge a service charge to come out to your home. The service charge simply covers their expenses for going to your home and checking out the electrical work needed to be done.
The service charge does not cover any further work that needs to be completed. Usually, the service charge and call will result in a free quote or estimate for the work that needs to be done.
As a homeowner, you can either choose to accept the quote or you can choose to continue shopping around for other electricians. You'll especially want to continue shopping if the quote seems too high.
If you choose to shop around for other electricians, be prepared to pay the service fee again. Paying another service fee, however, may be worth it if the new estimate is much more affordable.
2. Hourly Rate
When you've decided on an electrician to do the work, it's time to get a breakdown on how the electrician charges.
So, the next cost you want to take into account is an electrician's hourly rate. While some electricians charge on a per-project basis, it's not uncommon for an electrician to charge an hourly rate.
Electricians hourly rates depend on their experience and licensure. Some electricians may be Master Electricians whereas others may be Apprentices. The average range of hourly rates for electricians is between $50 and $100.
Before scheduling the work and signing the dotted line, ask the electrician how they charge. If they charge an hourly rate, then ask if you can get a fixed price based on how long the job will take. If the job takes longer, then you could end up paying more, however.
If they charge a fixed rate for the project, then this may be the better option. Ask if the electrician can also guarantee this rate or if there's a chance for additional charges.
3. Per Project
Every project is different. This is why it's especially important to have an electrician take a look at the work that needs to be done beforehand. This allows them to give more accurate estimates so you don't end up being surprised by the bill afterward.
Less intensive work such as adding in a standard outlet will cost less than rewiring your home.
On average small jobs like installing standard outlets and heavy-duty outlets cost around $100 each for a half hour amount of work. Installing new light switches costs about $70.
If you need to upgrade a panel for heavy-duty outlets, then expect to pay around $650. For every project completed, the electrician will also need to charge you for the materials they use. Such as electrical wires and outlet faceplates and covers.
These figures will vary depending on the company and electrician you're working with. Average costs provide you with a basis for comparison, however, so you can know if you're being overcharged or even getting a good deal.
When looking at the estimate, make sure to thoroughly read the breakdown of costs. This can help you to save money in the long run, especially, if the electrician seems to be charging more than usual for materials.
If this is the case, then ask if the electrician can use cheaper materials or if they can purchase the item in bulk to get a discount.
4. Scope of Project
It's best to have all electrical work needing to be completed done at the same time. This can reduce your overall costs and charges.
The scope of the project or projects should also affect the cost of hiring an electrician. If you need multiple outlets to be replaced, switches, and rewiring then this will significantly increase your bill.
If your home is large and requires additional hours to complete the work, then this could also affect the cost. The complexity of the job will also factor into the cost.
Not all houses are built the same. Older homes, for example, will be much different to work on then a newly built home. Sometimes the size, age, and structural components of your home can affect the cost of hiring an electrician.
Just remember, any costs you find online will simply be average estimates. The cost to complete the work on your home could be more or less.
How Much Does an Electrician Cost?
Answering the question, "how much does an electrician cost?" all depends on the job at hand, the electrician, and the complexity of the work needed. The best way to gauge how much the average cost for your specific project is by shopping around for electricians and getting multiple quotes.
Ultimately, knowing the breakdown of these costs and fees can help you to hire the best electrician to get the job done.
Ready to hire an electrician? Live in the Dallas Fort Worth area? Contact us today to get a free estimate.