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Best 5 Electricians in Berkeley, CA

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Written By Jessica Hurtault|Last Updated: April 18, 2024

A reliable and skilled electrician is vital for electrical problems in your Berkeley home. Electrical work is dangerous, so you shouldn't leave it to chance. Our guide on the best electricians in Berkeley can help you choose the one for you, whether you're experiencing an emergency or need a minor repair.

5 Best Electricians in Berkeley

Berkeley Electrician Guys Logo

Berkeley Electrician Guys

4.7/5
Based on 17 customer reviews.

Services Offered

Emergency Service

Highlights

  • Informative resources
  • Clear pricing policy
1824 Fifth St, Berkeley, CA 510-726-1756 berkeleyelectricianpros.com
Alley Electric Logo

Alley Electric

4.7/5
Based on 40 customer reviews.

Services Offered

Electrical RepairElectrical RewiringPanel Upgrade And Circuit Breaker

Highlights

  • Accessible customer support team
  • Clear pricing policy
  • Free quote
3883 Turquoise Way Unit 1808, Oakland, CA 510-573-0427 alleyelectric.com
Berkeley Electric Logo

Berkeley Electric

4.5/5
Based on 35 customer reviews.

Services Offered

Electrical RepairPanel Upgrade And Circuit BreakerElectrical RewiringEnergy EfficiencyPool And Hot Tub Electrical

Highlights

  • Clear pricing policy
  • Accessible customer support team
  • Free quote
909 Camelia St, Berkeley, CA 510-679-3803 berkeleyelectric.com
Max Electric Logo

Max Electric

4.7/5
Based on 120 customer reviews.

Services Offered

Outlet InstallationEmergency ServiceGenerator InstallationPanel Upgrade And Circuit BreakerExterior Lighting And SecurityElectrical RepairElectrical RewiringEv Charging Installation

Highlights

  • Accessible customer support team
  • Informative resources
  • Free quote
88 Garnett Terrace, San Francisco, CA 415-867-7006 maxelectric.us

More Local Electrical Companies

COIL

User Reviews: 4.6/5 

1307 Hayes St Suite 5
San Francisco, CA 94117

Frontline Electrical Services

User Reviews: 4.7/5 

1990 N California Blvd 8th floor floor
Walnut Creek, CA 94596

One & Only Electrical Service. inc

User Reviews: 4.5/5 

1661 Botelho Dr ste 296
Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Gill's Electric Co Inc

User Reviews: 3.8/5 

909 7th St
Oakland, CA 94607

Divine Electric And Plumbing

User Reviews: 5/5 

2935 Kerner Blvd suite e
San Rafael, CA 94901

Art Electrical Services And More

User Reviews: 4.7/5 

1588 20th Ave #2
San Francisco, CA 94122

Petre T Gueorguiev Electric

User Reviews: 4.5/5 

487 Sherwood Dr #206
Sausalito, CA 94965

BV Electric Inc.

User Reviews: 5/5 

2400 Taraval St
San Francisco, CA 94116

Hein Lighting & Electric Inc

User Reviews: 4.6/5 

5030 Blum Rd
Martinez, CA 94553

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.

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Facts about Berkeley
Est. Hourly Cost for Electrician:$84
Average Energy Cost:$0.24/kWh
Electricity Companies:Wapa-- Western Area Power Administration
Median Home Size:1515 sqft
Homeownership Rate:54%
Popular Energy Source:NaturalGas

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Types of Services Offered by Electricians

Electricians offer a variety of services to address electrical problems. These are some of the home services they provide.

Electrical System Installation

Electrical system installation involves careful planning, wiring, and linking various components to ensure safe and efficient electricity flow. First, the electrician conducts an assessment of your home's electricity usage and requirements. Then they will design and lay out the wiring system and choose appropriate cables, conduits, and light fixtures. Finally, they connect the main panel, distribute circuits to individual outlets and fixtures, ground the system, and integrate protective devices, such as circuit breakers.

Repairs

Electrical repairs shouldn't be brushed aside. It’s important to address malfunctioning fixtures, power outages, or faulty wiring promptly to avoid injury or electrical fires. A skilled electrician can detect the root cause and make the necessary repairs.

Whole-House Rewiring and Panel Upgrades

Whole-home electrical rewiring and panel upgrades involves replacing faulty wiring and panels in your whole house. This is often necessary for aging homes with outdated systems that could lead to potential hazards or fail to satisfy modern electrical standards. The process consists of assessing the wiring for potential risks, mapping out the project, and removing the old cables. Then, they put in new wires, fixtures, switches, panels, and outlets that comply with existing building codes and safety standards.

Surge Protection

Surge protection safeguards your electrical system and valuable devices from the damaging effects of power surges. After inspecting your system, electricians will put in surge protection devices that divert surplus energy away from delicate equipment when the power surges. Getting surge protectors professionally installed in strategic spots, like individual outlets or the main electrical panel, ensures electrical damage doesn't happen.

Emergency Electrical Services

Emergency electrical services provide vital assistance. These 24/7 services deliver a fast fix for the problems you have. Professional services for emergencies tackle electrical fires, faulty wiring, damage from weather, and power outages. Professional emergency contractors guarantee electrical matters are dealt with quickly.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Electrician in Berkeley

The following are some key factors to consider when choosing an electrician in Berkeley.

  • Cost: Choose an electrician who's transparent about their pricing. Consider quotes from multiple contractors to help find one that fits your budget.
  • References: Ask the electrician for references from past clients. Reach out to them for direct feedback about the electrician.
  • Reputation and reviews: Look at sites such as Google Reviews and the Better Business Bureau to learn about other customers’ experiences. Look for a licensed electrician with a reputation for good customer service.
  • Safety measures: Ask the electrician about their safety protocols and equipment. You may want to look for another electrician if yours is working too quickly or sloppily.
  • Qualifications: Electricians must undergo training and have a license in California. The California Contractors State License Board regulates licensing for electricians. Check their website to learn more about the requirements.

How Much Does an Electrician Cost?

The specific services required, project’s complexity, electrician’s experience and qualifications, and your location will influence the cost of an electrician/a>. Your project may cost anywhere from $210 to $420 for most small to medium projects. Most electricians charge $56–$84 an hour in Berkeley. Obtaining multiple quotes and discussing the project in detail with the electrician is important for the most accurate price.

Frequently Asked Questions About Electrical in Berkeley

What should I do in case of an electrical emergency?

In case of an electrical emergency, prioritize safety. The first thing you should do is shut off the power supply to the affected area if possible. Then, reach out to a professional electrician to assess the situation and have it repaired.

How can I tell if my home's electrical system needs an upgrade?

Warning signs your electrical system may need upgrading may include flickering or dimming lights, using fuse boxes instead of circuit breakers, outdated wiring, outlets not working, frequent tripped circuit breakers, or burning smells from outlets. If your home is over 30 years old—which many homes in Berkeley are—and hasn't been updated in that time, it likely needs system improvements to increase capacity to handle modern electrical demands, safety, and efficiency.

What causes circuit breakers to trip repeatedly?

Frequent tripping of circuit breakers is often caused by plugging in too many devices or appliances. It can also happen because of loose wiring connections, shorts in the electrical system, or outdated wiring that can’t handle modern power demands. If breakers trip repeatedly, you may need to call an electrician for an inspection.