It is not an easy process to become a licensed electrician. If you want to go to a trade school, you’ll most likely require a high school diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). Following completion of the required curriculum, most states demand an apprenticeship, followed by a thorough study of the National Electrical Code and the successful completion of tests.
 
These trained craftspeople take on intricate and potentially dangerous work that homeowners may be unable to handle on their own. Today, we’ll take a deeper look at a few of the reasons why a homeowner might require the services of an electrician, explain how much an electrician charges to do those chores, and highlight some of the elements that may influence a homeowner’s final price.
 

Costs of electricians for common jobs

Installation of a ceiling fan or chandelier – The first item on our list may be the most frequently asked by homeowners. Ceiling fans and chandeliers have both functional and decorative purposes in a home, so they are frequently on the thoughts of homeowners whether they move into a new home or during a remodel. While some people find these installations simple, others prefer to leave it to a professional—and the electrician fees aren’t all that high. You may anticipate to pay between $50 and $200 for this type of project, depending on where you reside and the type of electrician you choose (more on that later).
 
Repairing or replacing an electrical outlet – Another short job for a professional, but one that a handy homeowner may be able to tackle. For those who aren’t, getting a professional to repair or replace a damaged or old outlet shouldn’t be too expensive. Because the electrician cost will most likely be whatever the company’s minimum hourly charge is, it may be a good idea to have the electrician you employ take care of a few other minor issues while they’re there.
 
Changing a regular outlet for a GFCI outlet — Those of you who are familiar with the work of an electrician may already be aware that GFCI stands for ground-fault circuit interrupter and that it is designed to break an electrical circuit to prevent harm from a continuous electric shock. In certain places, it is even referred to as a safety switch. Making the switch to one should only cost you a few hundred dollars or so in electrician fees.
 
Circuit breaker repair or replacement – The electrical switches that keep a breaker from being overloaded will eventually fail, and if this happens, you may need to call an electrician for assistance. Despite the fact that it appears to be a difficult task, this degree of wiring is really simple for a skilled professional electrician. A service call for this type of repair should only cost around $200.
 
Updating the electrical service in a residence – It is normal for older homes to be unable to meet the electrical demands of today’s modern users. When this happens, the only long-term option is to upgrade the home’s electrical supply to a higher amp level. The cost of an electrician for this type of job will vary substantially depending on how much you are improving the service. It will cost at least $1,000 for a 100-amp service, which is typically considered the minimum you should have. As you go to 200-amp and 400-amp service, the rate will grow proportionally. It’s not uncommon for a 400-amp service upgrade to cost $4,000 or more.
 
Rewiring a home – Old residences are prone to have antiquated wiring methods in addition to old power sources. Knob-and-tube wiring was used in new buildings until the 1930s, when it was shown to be unsuitable for dealing with quickly evolving consumer comforts. It will be costly to remove the old wiring and replace it with current NM cable. If your property is 2,000 square feet, you should budget at least $5,000 for electrician fees.
 

What factors influence the cost of an electrician?

Now that you know the answer to the question, “How much does an electrician cost?” let’s take a look at some of the factors that can cause those expenses to vary.
 
As you can see from several of the frequent job examples, the size of your home has a strong association with how much you pay the electrician—but it isn’t the only consideration. Most electricians have a standard hourly wage that decreases over time. For example, the first hour of work could be $200, but each successive hour would only be $100. Furthermore, the company may execute so many of one type of job (for example, ceiling fan installations) that they have a set rate in place. You should also be aware that calling an electrician after hours, including weekends and holidays, will result in an extra price.
 
Another major factor in electrician expenses is the electrician’s seniority or experience. Most states have three levels of certification: Apprentice Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, and Master Electrician.
 

1. An apprentice is someone who is not yet licensed but is working toward becoming one. As a result, their hourly cost may be lower than that of a Journeyman with greater experience. Nonetheless, they should be well-equipped to handle the essential jobs mentioned above.
2. After completing an apprenticeship, coursework, and the requisite tests, a Journeyman Electrician is the next grade up. They are more likely than an apprentice to be able to do more complex work, and their pay should reflect that.
3. Finally, a Master Electrician is the most experienced of the three, capable of running their own firm. A Master Electrician’s prices will, as you might expect, be the highest of the lot.

Skilled electricians are well worth the investment.

It should go without saying, but never take on a project that you aren’t comfortable or proficient at executing simply because you don’t want to pay the electrician’s fee. Electrical currents represent a major risk to homeowners, so err on the side of caution and hire an expert if you’re unsure. Please feel free to refer to this information the next time you want to call an electrician so that you may compare and contrast any quotations you receive.
 
This article is accurate and true to the best of SmartLiving’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.