Currents, wires, and sparks – oh my! Those are a short list of things you don’t want to mess with unless you’re a trained professional. 

If an issue comes up in your home where you need to mess with electrical wires, stop and call an electrician. It’s worth paying the hourly fee so that you don’t hurt yourself or damage your home.

Want to learn more, like how much do electricians charge per hour, what they can do, and how to hire one?

Read below.

How Much do Electricians Charge Per Hour?

There are a few things that determine what you’ll end up paying. The first is how far you live from the general city center. If you live out on acres of land and the electrician is centered in town, you may pay a little travel fee.

They can also upcharge you for overtime- which is nights and weekends. Some electrician companies offer 24-hour service, which means you don’t have to pay the overtime fee.

If you live in a rich area or a place with a higher cost of living (Boulder, CO anyone?) you’ll pay more per hour. Why? It costs more for those electricians to make a living and pay their bills when costs are high.

Finally, you may end up paying for experience. Most electricians have some sort of intern or apprentice that comes with them and does the grunt work. They don’t have to pay them as much, because they’re still learning.

But if it’s something that a skilled electrician has to do themselves, you may pay more. But it’s worth it. Who do you want wiring your gas stove, 19-year-old Jimmy or an electrician with 32 years experience?

So – what’s the final answer? Somewhere between $50 to $100 in most places. Always ask for an estimate before you agree to a project – and get it in writing.

Why Hire an Electrician?

Though there’s a cost involved, we don’t need to tell you how worth hiring a professional is. The average home outlet has 20 amps of electricity.

That’s enough to not only hurt your hand, but you could burn your skin if you end up getting shocked. Nerve damage, skin discoloration, and a general feeling of discomfort are all possible side effects from a large shock.

Types of Projects Electricians Do

When you buy a home, it already has outlets and wiring installed, right? But what if you do a home inspection and it turns out the wiring isn’t up to code?

Not getting that fixed is a fire hazard and it puts the well-being of your family at risk. But it’s not a quick fix.

Bringing a home back up to electrical code involves taking old wiring out and putting new electrical aspects in – a lengthy and complex process.

What about smaller projects? Electricians can help with the following.

• Installing light fixtures
• Wiring kitchen appliances
• Helping you create a smart home
• Running electric outside
• Installing solar panels
• And more!

How to Choose the Right Electrician

When it comes to picking someone who’s going to permanently change your home, you want them to be high-quality and trustworthy.

You can’t always be home the whole time they’re working, so you want to make sure you feel safe with them in your house.

Here’s how you can make sure you’re getting someone worth your while.

1. Check Online Listings

Sites like Yelp and Google My Business can help you narrow down the choices in your area. The star ratings and reviews should give you an idea of two or three people to call first.

Obviously, you’re going to want to check their website and make sure they do the kind of services you need, in your area. Some electricians don’t workout outside a certain mileage radius.

2. Check Those Reviews

Now that you have two or three choices, look at the reviews. What do the five-star reviews say and what do the lowest-rated reviews say? Are the contradictory?

When you’re reading reviews for a business you need to understand your values and expectations. For example, you could value someone getting the job done quickly.

Someone else could believe that if it takes longer, it’s done better. Whether or not that’s true depends on the person doing the service.

Either way, read the reviews for keywords that match your values. You can even hit “control and F” on your computer and search for words like “affordable” or “family business”.

It’s your money – spend it well!

3. Ask for Quotes

We mentioned this before but it’s worth repeating. When you call an electrician and ask for their services, they’ll have you tell them a bit about the problem.

The person on the phone may not be an electrician themselves, so be patient while they take down details.

Be sure to ask them how much the initial visit will cost you. Some companies do free evaluations, others don’t. You don’t want to get caught thinking you’re getting a free service and end up paying for the workers time.

4. Be Picky

If you don’t like the quote someone gives you, feel free to call someone else. You’re the consumer and you have a right to get a second opinion.

But let the original company know you’re calling someone else, like High Ground Electric. It’s common courtesy and you’d expect the same if you were on their end.

Getting it Done

Now that you know how much do electricians charge per hour, why you should hire one, and how to go about it, what are you waiting for? Pull up that Yelp tab and start searching.

There’s no reason you should keep living in the dark.

Want to hire an electrician to help you modernize your TV or satellite system? Click here for tips.