Common questions. Straight answers.
Most of what homeowners ask before they request a match. Don't see your question? Call us at the number in the header.
How much do panel upgrades and EV chargers cost?
How much does a 200-amp panel upgrade cost in San Diego?
Most 100A → 200A panel upgrades run $2,800 to $4,200 installed, including the permit, new meter socket, main breaker, grounding electrode, and SDG&E disconnect coordination. Long meter-to-panel runs, exterior weatherheads, or buried service feeders add cost. Ask for a written quote before work starts.
How much does it cost to install a Level 2 EV charger?
Most Level 2 home installs land between $850 and $1,800. Cost depends on distance from the panel, exterior vs. interior conduit, and whether the panel has capacity. Long runs through finished walls, exterior weather-rated installs, or panel upgrades add to the base. Ask the electrician for a written quote. Some will quote from photos. Bright Pro does not offer a free site visit.
Do I need a 200-amp panel for an EV charger?
Not always. Many homes on 125A or 150A service can add a Level 2 charger using a load calc plus a load-management EVSE that throttles based on the rest of the house. The electrician runs the numbers before quoting. If a panel upgrade is needed, that gets quoted too.
Should I replace my Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel?
Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels have a documented history of breakers that may not trip during a fault. That is a safety reason to have a licensed electrician inspect the panel, not a Bright Pro diagnosis from this page. Some insurers ask about these brands; ask your carrier what they need. Challenger is a different product line and is not grouped here as the same defect.
What does wiring, outlet, or lighting work cost?
How much does it cost to add an outlet in San Diego?
Adding an outlet to an existing circuit runs $185 to $325 for most locations. Adding a new dedicated circuit (kitchen appliance, garage tool, bathroom) runs $475 to $850 depending on panel-to-outlet distance and whether walls are accessible from above or below.
How much does whole-home rewiring cost?
Whole-home rewires for a typical 1,500–2,500 sq ft single-family home run $12,000 to $28,000, depending on access (slab vs. crawlspace), wall finish (lath-and-plaster is harder), and how much drywall patching is in scope. Partial rewires start around $3,500.
How much do recessed lights cost to install?
Canless LED recessed lights run $145 to $225 each installed, depending on attic access and quantity per visit. A typical 200 sq ft living room needs 6–8 cans for even light. Ask for a per-can price so it's easy to scope.
Why won't my smart switch work?
A missing neutral is one common cause in older switch boxes that only have hot and switched conductors. It is not the only cause. A dimmer, a load type, a pairing failure, or a bad device can do the same. A licensed electrician can test the box. Some models, including certain Lutron Caseta switches, can work without a neutral. Bright Pro does not diagnose a switch from this page.
Do I need a permit for electrical work?
Do you pull permits and stay through inspection?
Bright Pro does not pull permits or meet inspectors. Permit rules depend on the city or County and the scope. Ask the electrician who takes the job what that address requires, who pulls the permit, and who meets the inspector. Unpermitted work can create insurance and resale problems; it is not a universal void of coverage.
Are the electricians you match me with licensed and insured?
Bright Pro is a matching service, not the contractor on the job. Ask the electrician for their California C-10 license number and insurance before work starts, then verify the license at cslb.ca.gov. Bright Pro does not put a C-10 number on every invoice.
Will my insurance cover knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring?
Some carriers restrict new or renewal coverage on active knob-and-tube or aluminum branch wiring. That is a carrier decision, not a Bright Pro rule. If an electrician remediates the wiring, ask for inspection paperwork your agent can submit. Renewal is not guaranteed from this page.
How much does a generator or smart home install cost?
How much does a whole-home generator cost in San Diego?
A 14kW–22kW Generac or Kohler whole-home standby with automatic transfer switch runs $9,000 to $22,000+ installed, depending on size, gas/propane supply work, and permit complexity. Smaller systems for partial-home coverage start around $7,500.
Do you install Lutron Caseta or Control4 systems?
Lutron Caseta is usually done end-to-end in one visit: install, configure, and program scenes. For Control4, Crestron, Savant, and Josh.ai the electrician handles line-voltage and rough-in wiring, and certified integrators handle programming. We can refer an integrator.
Can you wire pool, spa, or water-feature equipment?
A matched licensed electrician can quote pool, spa, or water-feature wiring. Bonding, GFCI, and grounding rules are code items for that job. Ask who pulls any required permit. Bright Pro does not install the equipment.
What counts as an electrical emergency?
What counts as an electrical emergency?
Smoke, sparks, fire, or a burning smell at electrical equipment is a 911 situation first. Leave the house. Exposed wires, downed lines, or water at the panel are also reasons to stay away and call emergency services, then Bright Pro if you want a match. Power loss without those signs can wait for a scheduled visit. We do not triage faults on this page.
What happens if I call after hours?
Listed hours are Mon-Sat 7am-7pm. After that, leave a message. We do not promise a live dispatcher or a same-night arrival. If there is smoke, sparks, or fire, leave and call 911.
How much does after-hours service cost?
After-hours work usually costs more than a scheduled weekday visit. The electrician you are matched with sets their own rates, so ask what the after-hours charge is when you call.
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