Electrician prices in Washington, DC
| Project | Time | Typical cost | Range |
|---|
| Standard service call (diagnosis + minor repair) |
1–2 hours |
$248 |
$203 – $297 |
| Add a new outlet (15–20 amp, dedicated) |
1–3 hours |
$285 |
$234 – $342 |
| Ceiling fan install (existing wiring) |
1–2 hours |
$271 |
$222 – $325 |
| Panel upgrade (100A → 200A, includes permit) |
1 day |
$2,744 |
$2,250 – $3,293 |
| Level 2 EV charger install (50A circuit, hardwired) |
4–6 hours |
$1,087 |
$891 – $1,304 |
| Single room rewire (avg ~3 outlets + 1 fixture) |
1 day |
$1,019 |
$836 – $1,223 |
| Whole-house rewire (1500–2000 sq ft) |
5–10 days |
$9,445 |
$7,745 – $11,334 |
Local rate = BLS national mean × 2.4 markup × (DC COL 142.5/100). Materials adjusted by the same factor.
What a electrician in Washington 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 DC
- 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.
6 licensed electricians in Washington
Thomas Current
📍 7312 Cedar Ter, Washington, DC 20036
★ 3.7 / 5 · 355 reviews · 4 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured 24/7 Emergency 4 yrs
Specialties: Ceiling fan, Recessed lighting, Whole-house rewire, Smoke detector, Panel upgrade
Washington Circuit
📍 6968 Garden Blvd, Washington, DC 20005
★ 4.1 / 5 · 369 reviews · 21 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A+ 21 yrs
Specialties: Smoke detector, Recessed lighting, Panel upgrade, Outlet install, Knob-and-tube replacement
Washington Amp Pros
📍 6442 Sunset Way, Washington, DC 20006
★ 4.1 / 5 · 276 reviews · 17 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured 24/7 Emergency 17 yrs
Specialties: Outlet install, Knob-and-tube replacement, Surge protection, Generator install
Morris Wired
📍 6640 Washington Ter, Washington, DC 20036
★ 4.6 / 5 · 200 reviews · 20 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A 20 yrs
Specialties: Outlet install, Recessed lighting, Ceiling fan, EV charger install
Washington Power
📍 1243 Walnut Ter, Washington, DC 20005
★ 4.9 / 5 · 347 reviews · 27 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A- 24/7 Emergency 27 yrs
Specialties: Recessed lighting, EV charger install, Generator install, Surge protection, Smoke detector
Washington Electrical
📍 9071 Oak Dr, Washington, DC 20006
★ 4.0 / 5 · 333 reviews · 11 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A 11 yrs
Specialties: Ceiling fan, Panel upgrade, Smoke detector
Looking for a specific ZIP?
Seasonal electrical checklist for Washington 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.