Electrical repair costs: 2026 price guide
Most electrical repairs cost $150 to $600, but panel-level and rewiring work can run $1,500–$8,000+. Electrical work is one area where the cheapest quote is rarely the safest one.
Electrical repair cost swings more on risk and code compliance than on parts. A licensed electrician charges for liability and correctness, not just labor time — a $150 outlet swap and a $150 outlet swap done wrong can both look identical until something overheats.
This guide covers typical pricing across the most common electrical repairs. For a full breakdown of upgrading your service, see our dedicated Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost guide.
Why licensing matters
By repair type
Electrical repair cost by type
Nationwide averages across wiring, fixtures, and service equipment.
| Repair | Typical range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Outlet/switch replacement | $100 – $300 | $175 |
| Light fixture/ceiling fan wiring | $150 – $400 | $250 |
| Circuit breaker replacement | $150 – $450 | $275 |
| GFCI/AFCI outlet install | $150 – $350 | $225 |
| EV charger circuit install | $500 – $1,800 | $1,000 |
| Partial rewiring (single room) | $1,500 – $3,500 | $2,200 |
| Whole-house rewiring | $3,500 – $10,000+ | $6,500 |
| Panel upgrade (100→200A) | $1,500 – $4,000 | $2,500 |
| Diagnostic / service call | $75 – $200 | $125 |
Price factors
What drives the price up or down
Access & construction type
Running wire through finished walls, plaster, or brick takes far longer than open-frame or unfinished basement work.
Permit & inspection requirements
New circuits and panel work are almost always permitted, adding fees and scheduling time most homeowners don’t expect.
Age of the home’s wiring
Knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring often requires extra safety work before a simple repair can even proceed.
Emergency / after-hours calls
A dead panel or sparking outlet at night commonly costs 50–100% more than the same job scheduled during business hours.
Decision framework
Repair vs. upgrade: when a fix isn’t enough
A single failed outlet or breaker is a repair. Repeated trips, flickering lights home-wide, or a fuse box instead of a breaker panel are symptoms of a capacity problem that no single repair fixes — see our panel upgrade guide for that decision.
Repair is usually fine if:
- • The issue is isolated to one outlet, switch, or fixture.
- • The panel has open breaker slots and hasn’t tripped elsewhere.
- • Wiring is modern copper Romex, not knob-and-tube or aluminum.
A bigger fix is worth considering if:
- • Breakers trip repeatedly across multiple circuits.
- • You still have a fuse box instead of breakers.
- • An inspector or insurer has flagged the wiring type.
Go deeper
Explore specific electrical repairs
Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost
Pricing by amperage, what a fair invoice includes, and the signs your panel needs attention.
Repair vs. Replace
The $5,000 rule and decision matrix for when a fix stops making financial sense.
Cost to Rewire a House
Pricing by scope and wall access, and the signs your home needs it.
Outlet & Switch Repair Cost
GFCI/AFCI installs, and the safety signs that mean call a pro now.
EV Charger Installation Cost
When it triggers a panel upgrade, and the federal tax credit available.
Ceiling Fan & Light Fixture Cost
Why a fan-rated electrical box matters more than the fixture itself.
Generator Installation Cost
Portable transfer-switch setups vs. whole-house standby systems.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
In most areas, a simple like-for-like outlet or switch swap is legal for a homeowner to do themselves with the breaker off. Anything involving a new circuit, GFCI/AFCI requirements, or a panel is licensed-electrician territory.
Electrical work carries higher liability — a mistake risks fire, not just a leak or a draft. Licensing, insurance, and code compliance are baked into the rate even for a five-minute fix.
Homes built before 1950 (knob-and-tube) or in the 1960s–70s (aluminum branch wiring) are the most common candidates. An electrician can confirm by inspecting the panel and an accessible section of wiring, usually as part of a standard service call.
Need a repair estimate?
Connect with a licensed electrician to diagnose the issue and get a realistic, itemized price before you commit.