Electrician prices in San Francisco, CA
| 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.
What a electrician in San Francisco 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 CA
- 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.
5 licensed electricians in San Francisco
Hometown Current
📍 2598 Beach Way, San Francisco, CA 94102
★ 4.6 / 5 · 137 reviews · 3 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured 3 yrs
Specialties: Ceiling fan, Knob-and-tube replacement, Smoke detector
San Francisco Sparks
📍 4879 Forest Ln, San Francisco, CA 94103
★ 4.1 / 5 · 220 reviews · 34 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A 34 yrs
Specialties: Recessed lighting, EV charger install, Generator install
San Francisco Electric
📍 8691 Lincoln Pl, San Francisco, CA 94109
★ 4.6 / 5 · 228 reviews · 6 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured 24/7 Emergency 6 yrs
Specialties: Knob-and-tube replacement, Generator install, Outlet install
Lone Star Power
📍 1682 Hickory St, San Francisco, CA 94102
★ 3.6 / 5 · 154 reviews · 21 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A+ 24/7 Emergency 21 yrs
Specialties: Whole-house rewire, Outlet install, Surge protection
Family-Owned Electrical
📍 6342 Oak Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94103
★ 3.8 / 5 · 123 reviews · 9 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A+ 24/7 Emergency 9 yrs
Specialties: Recessed lighting, Smoke detector, EV charger install, Panel upgrade, Outlet install
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Seasonal electrical checklist for San Francisco 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.