There are quite a few unique factors that go into determining how much it will cost to hire an electrician for your latest electrical project.
It is commonplace for electricians to charge an average of between $50 and $100 per hour, however, these rates will vary dramatically. In addition, there are several other charges that will make up the bill you pay your electrician aside from their hourly charge. 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. This includes both the hourly rate for labor, as well as the cost of supplies, overhead, and travel.
One important factor that will contribute greatly to the cost of hiring an electrician is the size of your electrical project. For example, installing a ceiling fan only costs an average of $250, while replacing an electrical panel can cost up to $1,700! When it comes to large-scale electrical projects, your best bet is to collect a series of total bill bids from 3 or 4 licensed electricians. Getting even just a rough estimate of what the total bill for your project will eliminate surprises and enables you to find the right electrician for the right price.
Even small electrical projects can benefit greatly from the expertise of a knowledgeable electrician.
Hiring an electrician for these seemingly minor projects could save you thousands in medical bills and emergency electrical problems. Plus, in the event that something goes wrong while an electrician is in the middle of a project, they have insurance to cover the costs. Consulting and service calls are two small electrical visits that shouldn’t cost more than a couple hundred dollars. However, if you are in need of a top to bottom electrical inspection, be prepared. Thorough inspections done by qualified electricians that check for any and all code violations can run as much as $1,500!
Though costs for even the most common electrical project will vary greatly, here are some estimates for the most and least expensive projects. Two of the most expensive projects are installing a new generator and upgrading your entire electrical system to a smart home system. New generator install will cost around $3,500, but repairing an old one will only run you around $250. Making the switch to a smart home will only cost an average of $1,200. The two least expensive projects are replacing an electrical breaker ($160) and outlet/socket installation ($200).
The type of electrician you hire, where you live, and when exactly you need your project done can all inflate the cost of your project.
If you live in a big city, you will pay double the hourly rate compared to customers who live in a smaller, more rural area. In addition, you will pay substantially more per hour if you have an emergency and need to hire an electrician during “off” hours. Electricians charge anywhere from 1.5 to 2 times more per hour when they are called out to work on a project at night, on the weekend, and during certain holidays. There is also a possibility that you will be billed for a set number of hours during these inconvenienced times, no matter how long the job takes. These rates will, of course, vary from electrician to electrician.
There is a significant price difference in the cost to hire a master electrician versus an apprentice or journeyman. Master electrician hourly rates are nearly 2 times as much as a journeyman, and over double what an apprentice charges. However, master electricians do have several more years of experience and electrical knowledge. So, it might be worth the inflated cost if you have a large or complex project.