Electrician prices in Seattle, WA
| Project | Time | Typical cost | Range |
|---|
| Standard service call (diagnosis + minor repair) |
1–2 hours |
$202 |
$165 – $242 |
| Add a new outlet (15–20 amp, dedicated) |
1–3 hours |
$232 |
$190 – $279 |
| Ceiling fan install (existing wiring) |
1–2 hours |
$221 |
$181 – $265 |
| Panel upgrade (100A → 200A, includes permit) |
1 day |
$2,234 |
$1,832 – $2,680 |
| Level 2 EV charger install (50A circuit, hardwired) |
4–6 hours |
$885 |
$726 – $1,062 |
| Single room rewire (avg ~3 outlets + 1 fixture) |
1 day |
$830 |
$680 – $996 |
| Whole-house rewire (1500–2000 sq ft) |
5–10 days |
$7,688 |
$6,305 – $9,226 |
Local rate = BLS national mean × 2.4 markup × (WA COL 116.0/100). Materials adjusted by the same factor.
What a electrician in Seattle 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 WA
- 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 Seattle
Ajax Electric Co Inc OSM verified
📍 2911 1st Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98174
★ 4.4 / 5 · 146 reviews · 5 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A- 24/7 Emergency 5 yrs
Specialties: Smoke detector, Generator install, EV charger install, Panel upgrade
North Coast Electric OSM verified
📍 2424 8th Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98164
★ 4.5 / 5 · 398 reviews · 22 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A 22 yrs
Specialties: Recessed lighting, Generator install, Surge protection, Panel upgrade, Ceiling fan
Cochran OSM verified
📍 12500 Aurora Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98154
★ 4.8 / 5 · 77 reviews · 20 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A 24/7 Emergency 20 yrs
Specialties: Smoke detector, Surge protection, Ceiling fan
Seattle Electric
📍 7717 Cedar Rd, Seattle, WA 98164
★ 4.5 / 5 · 134 reviews · 8 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A- 8 yrs
Specialties: Ceiling fan, Recessed lighting, Surge protection, Outlet install, Whole-house rewire
Liberty Electrical
📍 8339 Aspen Pl, Seattle, WA 98154
★ 3.6 / 5 · 269 reviews · 22 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A+ 24/7 Emergency 22 yrs
Specialties: Panel upgrade, Surge protection, Outlet install, Knob-and-tube replacement, Whole-house rewire
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Seasonal electrical checklist for Seattle 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.