Electrical repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What electrical repair is

Electrical repair fixes the faults that show up in daily use: dead outlets, breakers that trip, lights that flicker and switches that stop working. Many of these come from a loose connection, an overloaded circuit or a failing device, so the job starts with finding the cause, not just replacing the part that failed. Call when a problem keeps coming back, or right away if anything gets warm, smells or sparks.

Signs you need it

  • A breaker trips again after you reset it, especially when a particular appliance or outlet is in use
  • Lights dim or flicker when a large motor such as a dryer, air conditioner or well pump starts
  • An outlet or switch feels warm, buzzes, or shows brown or black discoloration on the cover plate
  • One room or one run of outlets has no power while the breaker still shows on
  • A switch or outlet that worked for years now works only when you press or wiggle it

What the pro does

  • Check the panel, breaker, and terminations for heat damage, using insulated tools and proper protection
  • Test the suspect circuit under the load that causes the problem, including neutral and ground continuity
  • Trace the wiring from the failed device back toward the panel to find the break, short, or overload
  • Replace the failed part, which may be a receptacle, switch, breaker or a damaged section of cable
  • Remake connections to the correct terminals and torque them, so no strand is left outside the device
  • Retest the circuit under the same load and label it at the panel before closing the job

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Whether the fault is in one device or spread across a run of wire feeding several rooms
  • Whether the fault sits behind a finished wall or ceiling that must be opened and patched
  • Whether a breaker, GFCI or AFCI device must be specially sourced to match the panel
  • Access to the panel, attic, crawlspace or basement where the circuit runs
  • Whether an older home has aluminum branch wire or old connections that need extra testing
  • Whether the repair is a single device or needs the circuit brought up to current protection requirements

What a written quote should spell out

  • The circuit or device named as the cause, and the test that confirmed it
  • Each part replaced, with its rating and type, such as a GFCI or AFCI device
  • Whether wall or ceiling repair is included, and who patches it
  • Other worn devices or wiring problems found, listed separately and not billed without approval
  • The retest performed and the load used during the test

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will you find the cause of the fault, or only replace the device that failed?
  • How will you tell an overload from a short or a ground fault when a breaker trips?
  • Will you test the circuit under load, or only with a plug-in tester?
  • What do you do if you find aluminum wiring, a double-tapped breaker, or heat damage at the panel?
  • If the fix means opening a wall, who patches it and does that appear on the quote?
  • Will you show me the faulty part and explain how it failed?

Red flags

  • Offers to replace a breaker or outlet without finding out why it failed
  • Suggests a larger breaker to stop trips, which can let the wire overheat before the breaker opens
  • Says the circuit is fixed without retesting it under the load that caused the problem
  • Quotes the repair before looking at the panel or the circuit

What you can do yourself

Checking the breaker labels and resetting a breaker that tripped once, with no heat, smell or sparks, is safe. Pressing the test and reset buttons on a GFCI outlet is also safe. Removing a cover, opening a box or touching any wire needs the power off and a licensed electrician. If a breaker trips twice or you see scorching, shut off the circuit and call a pro.

Licenses and permits

Electrical repair is commonly done by licensed electrical contractors, and repairs that change wiring or protection devices may need a permit. Check with your state or local licensing agency or building department to confirm what your repair requires.

Electrical repair questions

Why does my breaker keep tripping if it is not old?

A breaker can trip because of an overloaded circuit, a short, a ground fault or a failing device. Age is not the only cause. A pro should trace which one it is before anyone replaces the breaker.

Is a flickering light always a bulb problem?

No. Flicker can come from a loose connection at the switch or fixture, a failing dimmer, or a loose neutral. Changing the bulb is the quick first check, but if other lights or outlets on the same circuit also act up, the wiring is the problem.

Why is one outlet dead when the outlet next to it works?

Outlets on the same circuit are often wired in a run. A tripped GFCI upstream or a loose wire in one box can cut power to several outlets down the line, so the dead one may not be the fault.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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