Common questions. Straight answers.

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. Free in-home assessment with a flat-rate quote.

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. Quote after a free site visit or photo review.

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. We run the numbers before quoting. If a panel upgrade is needed, we quote that too.

Yes — both have a documented history of breakers that fail to trip during a fault, which is a fire risk. Many home insurance carriers now require replacement before issuing or renewing a policy. Replacement pays for itself in safety and insurability.

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.

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.

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. We give you a per-can flat rate so it's easy to scope.

Almost always because the box doesn't have a neutral wire — older homes wired switches with only the hot and switched conductors. Smart switches need power 24/7. We pull a neutral, swap to a smart bulb solution, or install a Lutron Caseta switch that works without a neutral.

Always. Panel upgrades, EV chargers, generator installs, and any new circuits get a permit from your city or county building department. We meet the inspector and stay on site through sign-off. Working without a permit voids homeowners insurance and creates resale problems.

Yes — California C-10 electrical contractor license, fully insured, all techs are licensed or registered apprentices working under direct supervision. License number on every invoice and quote.

Most carriers now refuse to write new policies (or renew existing ones) on homes with active knob-and-tube or aluminum branch wiring. Once we rewire or remediate and the inspector signs off, we provide documentation your insurance agent can submit. Renewal goes through.

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. Free in-home assessment.

Lutron Caseta we do end-to-end — install, configure, and program scenes during the visit. Control4, Crestron, Savant, and Josh.ai we handle the line-voltage and rough-in wiring; certified integrators handle programming. We coordinate with your integrator or refer one we trust.

Yes. Pool and spa wiring must be installed by a licensed electrician and meet specific NEC requirements for bonding, GFCI, and equipotential grounding. We follow code and pull the permit when one is required.

Anything with smoke, sparks, fire, burning smell, or hot electrical components. Anything with potential injury — exposed wires, downed lines, water at the panel. Total or partial power loss with no obvious cause. When in doubt, call. We'll triage on the phone.

Yes. After-hours calls go to a rotating on-call electrician who lives in San Diego County — not a national answering service. Typical response time is 60 to 120 minutes in the central service area.

A $189 after-hours trip fee on top of standard rates. The diagnostic is credited toward the repair when you proceed. No double-time upcharges on the actual repair.