Electrician prices in Chicago, IL
| Project | Time | Typical cost | Range |
|---|
| Standard service call (diagnosis + minor repair) |
1–2 hours |
$160 |
$131 – $192 |
| Add a new outlet (15–20 amp, dedicated) |
1–3 hours |
$184 |
$151 – $221 |
| Ceiling fan install (existing wiring) |
1–2 hours |
$175 |
$144 – $210 |
| Panel upgrade (100A → 200A, includes permit) |
1 day |
$1,773 |
$1,454 – $2,128 |
| Level 2 EV charger install (50A circuit, hardwired) |
4–6 hours |
$703 |
$576 – $843 |
| Single room rewire (avg ~3 outlets + 1 fixture) |
1 day |
$659 |
$540 – $791 |
| Whole-house rewire (1500–2000 sq ft) |
5–10 days |
$6,104 |
$5,006 – $7,325 |
Local rate = BLS national mean × 2.4 markup × (IL COL 92.1/100). Materials adjusted by the same factor.
What a electrician in Chicago actually does
A licensed electrician handles anything attached to the breaker panel or carrying line voltage (120V/240V). A standard residential service call begins with the panel: the electrician verifies the main breaker rating, looks for double-tapped breakers, checks for AFCI/GFCI compliance in the right rooms, and tests for proper grounding at the service drop. Outlet, switch, and fixture work is straightforward. Panel upgrades, sub-panel adds, EV-charger installs, and whole-house rewires require a permit, a load calculation (NEC Article 220), and an inspection by the local AHJ before the panel is energized.
Questions to ask before you hire in IL
- What is your master or journeyman license number, and is it active in this state?
- Will the work be done by a licensed electrician or by a helper with the licensee on call?
- Are you pulling the permit and scheduling inspection?
- Does the quote include any required panel-load calculations or breaker upgrades?
- What's the warranty on labor — and on the equipment you're installing?
- Are AFCI and GFCI breakers included where code now requires them?
Cash-only quotes, "I can do it without a permit so it's cheaper," and any pressure to upsize a panel without a written load calculation explaining why.
7 licensed electricians in Chicago
Krosno Inc OSM verified
📍 7624 Sycamore Blvd, Chicago, IL 60602
★ 4.0 / 5 · 412 reviews · 15 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A- 24/7 Emergency 15 yrs
Specialties: Generator install, Outlet install, EV charger install
STS Electric OSM verified
📍 939 West North Avenue, Chicago, IL 60602
★ 3.9 / 5 · 376 reviews · 32 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A+ 24/7 Emergency 32 yrs
Specialties: Whole-house rewire, EV charger install, Recessed lighting
Rogers Park Electricians OSM verified
📍 7551-7559 North Ridge Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60602
★ 4.8 / 5 · 378 reviews · 10 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured 24/7 Emergency 10 yrs
Specialties: Smoke detector, Outlet install, Recessed lighting, Ceiling fan, Surge protection
Nguyen Electric
📍 7456 Willow Pl, Chicago, IL 60604
★ 4.6 / 5 · 310 reviews · 13 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A 13 yrs
Specialties: Outlet install, Ceiling fan, Recessed lighting, EV charger install, Generator install
Ramirez Wattage
📍 167 Bay St, Chicago, IL 60603
★ 4.6 / 5 · 174 reviews · 25 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A 25 yrs
Specialties: EV charger install, Surge protection, Generator install
Chicago Amp Pros
📍 6459 Maple Ln, Chicago, IL 60602
★ 4.3 / 5 · 133 reviews · 26 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A+ 26 yrs
Specialties: Knob-and-tube replacement, Smoke detector, EV charger install, Surge protection, Generator install
Chicago Wattage
📍 7808 Walnut Ln, Chicago, IL 60604
★ 4.9 / 5 · 309 reviews · 35 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured 24/7 Emergency 35 yrs
Specialties: Smoke detector, Ceiling fan, Panel upgrade, EV charger install
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Seasonal electrical checklist for Chicago homeowners
Spring
- Test every GFCI outlet (kitchen, baths, garage, exterior) using the on-device test/reset button.
- Test smoke and CO detectors; replace batteries on any unit older than 10 years.
- Inspect outdoor lighting and replace bulbs and weatherproof gaskets that have degraded over winter.
- Walk the panel: look for rust, scorch marks, or warm breakers — any of these is a service call.
Summer
- Inspect the exterior service drop and the meter base for storm damage; never touch the wires yourself.
- If you run multiple high-draw appliances (window AC, EV charger, pool pump), have an electrician verify your panel can handle the simultaneous load.
Fall
- Test the whole-home surge protector (or have one installed before winter storms).
- Inspect generator transfer switch and run the generator under load for 20 minutes.
- Replace outdoor incandescent bulbs with LEDs before holiday-light season.