Get matched, free, with a licensed electrician near you

How VoltGuide works

VoltGuide is a free matching service for homeowners. We are not an electrician or electrical contractor, and we do not perform, design, permit, or inspect electrical work.

You tell us the basics of your job. For example:
- what is happening
- when you need help
- your ZIP code
- your name, phone, and email

Then we help connect you with electricians who serve your area. From there, you compare options, you choose who to hire, and you control the final payment.

If you want, you can start here: get matched.

For urgent warning signs like burning smell, smoke, sparks, hot outlets, or shocks, stop using that circuit and call a licensed electrician now. If there is smoke or fire, call 911.

What to put in the form so you get better matches

The more clear you are, the easier it is for an electrician to understand the job.

Helpful details to include:
1. What you need done: outlet not working, panel upgrade, EV charger, flickering lights, breaker trips, rewiring, or emergency issue.
2. Where the problem is: kitchen, garage, basement, outside, panel, one room, or whole house.
3. When it started: today, last week, after a storm, after renovation, or always been like this.
4. What you noticed: buzzing, warm cover plate, lights dim when AC starts, breaker trips when microwave runs, no power to one room.
5. Your home type: house, condo, townhouse, duplex, older home, finished basement, detached garage.

A few real examples:
- "Need to install a Level 2 EV charger in garage. Panel is in basement. Home built in 1998."
- "Two kitchen outlets stopped working. Breaker seems on. Need licensed electrician to diagnose."
- "Looking into 200A panel upgrade for central AC and future addition. Want estimate and permit handled per local code."

This helps the electrician price the visit more accurately, but remember: any price before seeing the job is only an estimate. The real cost depends on the panel, the wiring, the scope, the materials, permits, and your area.

You can also review typical price ranges here: electrical costs.

What to expect after you submit

Most homeowners want to know three things: Who will call me? How much will it cost? Am I locked in?

Short answer: you are not locked in.

Here is the usual process:
1. You send your job details.
2. Electricians who serve your area review the request.
3. You may get calls, texts, or emails to discuss the work.
4. You ask questions, compare timing, and request written pricing and scope.
5. You choose one electrician, or choose none.

Common electrical price ranges in the US:
- Service call: $120-$400
- Install or move an outlet: $150-$350
- Whole-house surge protector: $250-$500
- Panel upgrade to 200A: $1,800-$4,500
- Level 2 EV charger install: $600-$2,200
- Whole-house rewire: $8,000-$25,000+
- Hourly rate: often $50-$130/hr, though many jobs are flat-rate

These are typical ranges, not quotes or guarantees. Final price depends on access, existing wiring, panel capacity, code updates, permit requirements, materials, and labor in your city.

If your project is a bigger one, these guides may help: panel upgrades and EV charger installation.

How to protect yourself before you hire anyone

This is where many homeowners get burned. Slow down and check the basics.

Always hire electricians who are:
- Licensed
- Insured
- Bonded

And always verify the license yourself. Do not rely only on a business card, truck wrap, or text message. Use your state or local licensing system and match the company name and license status. This guide can help: how to check an electrician license.

Before you pay a deposit, get these items in writing:
- the exact scope of work
- materials included
- permit responsibility
- estimated start date and completion timing
- payment schedule
- warranty terms, if any

Also ask:
- Will this job need a permit?
- Will inspections be required?
- Are there possible code issues once the wall or panel is opened?

Local permit and code rules matter. If you are not sure how that works, read electrical permits explained.

You compare quotes. You choose who to hire. You hold the final payment until the agreed work is done.

Good fit for matching, and when to call right now

VoltGuide works well for planned jobs and problem-solving calls like:
- dead outlets
- tripping breakers
- flickering lights
- panel upgrades
- EV charger installs
- rewiring projects
- surge protection
- adding circuits for appliances

For dangerous symptoms, do not wait on a normal scheduling timeline.

Call a licensed electrician now if you have:
- burning smell from an outlet, panel, or switch
- smoke, sparks, or scorch marks
- repeated shocks from switches or appliances
- a buzzing panel or hot breaker
- partial power loss with signs of overheating

If there is smoke or fire, call 911.

If the issue is urgent, see emergency electrical help. For general hazard awareness, read electrical safety basics.