Sullivan Wattage
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A+ 24/7 Emergency 4 yrs
Specialties: Knob-and-tube replacement, Smoke detector, EV charger install
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⚡ Electrical · HaywardA electrician in Hayward charges roughly $114/hour — driven by the BLS OEWS national mean hourly wage of $34.40 for SOC 47-2111, the CA cost-of-living index of 137.6, and the standard 2.4× contractor markup. Below: project-by-project pricing, then 3 licensed local pros.
| Project | Time | Typical cost | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard service call (diagnosis + minor repair) | 1–2 hours | $239 | $196 – $287 |
| Add a new outlet (15–20 amp, dedicated) | 1–3 hours | $275 | $226 – $330 |
| Ceiling fan install (existing wiring) | 1–2 hours | $262 | $215 – $314 |
| Panel upgrade (100A → 200A, includes permit) | 1 day | $2,650 | $2,173 – $3,180 |
| Level 2 EV charger install (50A circuit, hardwired) | 4–6 hours | $1,050 | $861 – $1,260 |
| Single room rewire (avg ~3 outlets + 1 fixture) | 1 day | $984 | $807 – $1,181 |
| Whole-house rewire (1500–2000 sq ft) | 5–10 days | $9,120 | $7,479 – $10,944 |
Local rate = BLS national mean × 2.4 markup × (CA COL 137.6/100). Materials adjusted by the same factor.
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.
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.