Pricing guide
What it actually costs.
Most electrical companies hide their pricing behind a "schedule a consultation" button. We don't. Here is a working price guide for residential electrical work in the Cincinnati area, written by the people who do the work. Every range is what we'd quote a neighbor, before any markup for chasing the work down.
Cincinnati & Hamilton County
Residential up to 3-family
Materials at 2026 market
Crew of four
Written quote in 24 hours
The promise
The number we put in writing is the number you pay. If we open a wall and find a surprise, we stop, show you the photo, and quote the change before we touch it. No surprise line items at the end of the job.
If a job comes in under estimate because something was simpler than we thought, the bill comes in lower. We don't pocket the delta.
How to read the ranges:
Low end — accessible work, no surprises
High end — finished walls, old wiring, awkward access
Above range — we tell you before we start
What's on this page
- How we price (and why)
- Diagnostic & service calls
- Outlets & receptacles
- Switches, dimmers, smart controls
- Lighting & ceiling fans
- Adding new circuits
- Panels & service upgrades
- Sub-panels & feeders
- EV chargers
- Whole-home rewire
- Knob-and-tube remediation
- Generators & transfer switches
- Surge protection & grounding
- Smoke & CO detectors
- Kitchen & bathroom remodels
- Outdoor, hot tub, pool
- Troubleshooting flat-rates
- Permits, inspections, materials
- What moves a quote up or down
- How a written quote works
01How we price (and why)
Three modes, and we'll tell you which one you're in before we start.
What's always included in a flat job
- Permit fees (when a permit is required) — we pull it, we pay it, it's in the number.
- All standard materials, listed by line item on the quote.
- Travel inside the Cincinnati area.
- Cleanup. Drop cloths, vacuum, we leave the area cleaner than we found it.
- A walk-through at the end where we show you what we did and how to use it.
What's never included unless it's listed
- Drywall repair beyond the small holes we made — we'll do clean cuts, patch is a separate trade.
- Painting.
- Specialty fixtures or smart devices you want us to install — we'll install yours, or we'll quote ours.
- Removal of asbestos or known hazardous materials — separate, licensed trade.
02Diagnostic & service calls
| Service | Range | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard diagnostic visit | $95–$145 | First hour on site, basic testing, written findings. Credits toward repair if booked. |
| After-hours / weekend diagnostic | $165–$225 | Same scope, evenings, Saturdays, Sundays. |
| Emergency same-day (power out, burning smell) | $225–$350 | Priority dispatch, full diagnostic, temporary make-safe. |
| Each additional hour on site | $95–$125 | If the diagnostic extends. We tell you before the meter runs over. |
| Photo & phone consult (no truck roll) | free | Send us photos and a description. If we can answer without coming out, we do. |
Diagnostic credits toward the repair. If we come out, find the problem, and you book us to fix it, the diagnostic fee comes off the repair quote. You don't pay twice for the same hour.
03Outlets & receptacles
| Work | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Replace standard outlet (existing box) | $95–$165 | Per outlet. Tamper-resistant, spec-grade. Discount on quantity. |
| Replace GFCI outlet | $145–$215 | Per outlet. Includes proper labeling of downstream protected outlets. |
| Add new outlet, existing circuit, accessible | $175–$295 | Open basement, attic, or unfinished wall above. Cut, fish, patch hole. |
| Add new outlet, finished wall, fish from below | $275–$475 | Drywall stays mostly closed; we cut one or two access holes. |
| Add new outlet, plaster & lath wall | $325–$575 | Older homes. More time, more care, occasional surgery. |
| Convert 2-prong to 3-prong (with ground) | $185–$285 | Per outlet. Requires a real ground path, not a cheater plug. |
| Convert 2-prong to GFCI (no ground available) | $165–$235 | Per outlet. Code-acceptable on older homes where running a ground is impractical. |
| USB / USB-C combination outlet | $125–$185 | Add-on to any outlet replacement. |
| Dedicated 20A outlet (kitchen, office, fridge) | $285–$525 | New circuit, dedicated breaker, single outlet. See "new circuits" below. |
| 240V outlet for dryer / range (existing circuit) | $165–$275 | Receptacle swap on a circuit that already exists. |
| Exterior weatherproof outlet (in-use cover) | $285–$475 | Through-wall, GFCI-protected, code-compliant cover. |
Volume discount: When we're already on site, additional outlets in the same room come in well under the per-unit price. Three outlets in one bedroom is usually cheaper than three separate visits by a meaningful margin.
04Switches, dimmers, smart controls
| Work | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Replace standard switch | $85–$145 | Per switch. Spec-grade decora. |
| Replace with dimmer (LED-rated) | $135–$215 | Per switch. Includes verifying the load is dimmable. |
| Convert single-pole to 3-way | $285–$525 | Adds a second switch location. Wiring run pricing depends on access. |
| Smart switch install (your device) | $135–$235 | Per switch. Requires a neutral in the box; we'll tell you before quoting. |
| Smart switch install (we provide) | $185–$295 | Common-brand smart switches included. |
| Add a neutral wire to an old switch box | $165–$385 | Often required for smart switches in older homes. |
| Occupancy / vacancy sensor switch | $165–$245 | Per switch. Closets, bathrooms, laundry. |
| Whole-room smart-lighting commissioning | $185–$385 | Per room, after install. App setup, scene programming, hand-off. |
Older houses, the neutral problem: Most modern smart switches need a neutral wire in the switch box. Pre-1985 wiring often doesn't have one. We always check before quoting, and we'll tell you upfront if a smart switch is going to need extra work to land in your old switch box.
05Lighting & ceiling fans
| Work | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Swap light fixture (existing box, you supply) | $135–$235 | Per fixture. Standard ceiling height. Chandeliers and large fixtures see below. |
| Chandelier install (under 50 lbs, 9ft ceiling) | $235–$425 | Verifies fan-rated box, assembly, hang, level. |
| Chandelier, vaulted / 2-story foyer | $485–$985 | Lift or scaffold required. Ceiling height and access dictate the range. |
| Ceiling fan swap (existing fan-rated box) | $185–$295 | Per fan. Includes balance and remote pairing if applicable. |
| New ceiling fan, no existing box, attic access | $385–$685 | Cut ceiling, install fan-rated brace box, run wire, switch. |
| New ceiling fan, no attic access | $585–$985 | Working from below, more invasive cuts. |
| Recessed can light, attic access (each) | $165–$285 | 4" or 6" airtight LED can. Cuts ceiling, runs wire, trims. |
| Recessed can light, no attic access (each) | $285–$485 | Working blind from below. Includes minor drywall patch. |
| Run of 4–6 cans in one room (attic access) | $725–$1,485 | Per room, single dimmer, layout consult, balanced spacing. |
| Under-cabinet LED lighting | $385–$885 | Per kitchen run. Hardwired, dimmable, transformer hidden. |
| Closet light with door switch | $285–$485 | Per closet. LED panel, door-activated jamb switch. |
| Pendant lights over island (each, with wire run) | $235–$485 | Per pendant. Discount when multiple are run together. |
| Track lighting head replacement | $95–$165 | Per head. Full track install priced separately. |
Heavy chandeliers and fans need a fan-rated box. A standard plastic ceiling box is not rated to hang weight. We don't install a 35-pound chandelier on a box meant to hold a 4-pound fixture, even if the previous electrician did. The price includes verifying or upgrading the box.
06Adding new circuits
| Work | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 15A or 20A circuit, panel to nearest wall (basement) | $285–$485 | Short run, exposed conduit or NM cable, breaker, one outlet. |
| 20A dedicated circuit, panel to kitchen / room | $485–$985 | Mid-length run, breaker, one outlet, drywall patch. |
| 20A dedicated circuit, finished home, long run | $685–$1,485 | Cross-house run, fishing through walls, multiple access points. |
| AFCI/GFCI breaker for an existing circuit | $165–$285 | Per circuit. Often required when adding outlets to an old circuit. |
| 240V / 30A circuit for window AC, water heater | $585–$985 | Includes breaker, run, receptacle. |
| 240V / 50A circuit for range, EV, large load | $685–$1,485 | See EV section below for charger-specific pricing. |
| Sub-feed for a remote box (garage, ADU) | $985–$2,485 | Distance and trenching dependent. Underground priced separately. |
07Panels & service upgrades
This is the most-quoted, most-misunderstood job in residential electric. The honest range is wide because the work is wide.
| Work | Range | What's in the number |
|---|---|---|
| 100A panel replacement (same location) | $1,685–$2,685 | New panel, breakers, grounding, permit, inspection. |
| 150A panel replacement (same location) | $2,185–$3,185 | Same scope, larger panel, more breaker space. |
| 200A panel replacement (same location) | $2,485–$3,785 | Default modern upgrade. Includes whole-home surge protector option. |
| 200A full service upgrade (meter, mast, panel) | $3,285–$5,485 | Pole-to-panel: new service entrance cable, mast, weatherhead, meter base, panel, grounding rods, bonding. |
| 200A upgrade with overhead-to-underground conversion | $4,485–$7,985 | Coordinated with Duke Energy. Trench, conduit, riser changes. |
| 400A residential service (large home, ADU, dual EV) | $5,485–$9,985 | Rarely needed. We'll tell you honestly if 200A would do. |
| Panel relocation (move from old spot to new) | +$685–$2,485 | Adder on top of replacement cost. Distance and wall access drive the number. |
| Federal Pacific / Zinsco replacement | $2,185–$3,985 | Same as panel replacement, but we never just "rebalance" these. They get replaced. |
| Single breaker swap (any standard breaker) | $135–$235 | If we're not already on site, this becomes a service call rate. |
| AFCI/GFCI/combination breaker swap (each) | $185–$285 | Breakers themselves cost more; that's reflected. |
Why service upgrades cost more than panel swaps: A panel swap is the gray box inside. A service upgrade is everything from the utility pole to the gray box — the cable, the mast pipe, the meter, the grounding, the connection back to the utility. Different scope of work, different number of permits, different coordination with Duke Energy.
What's not in the panel-replacement number
- Bringing every existing circuit up to current code. If your home was wired in 1962 with no AFCI requirement, we don't quietly add AFCI breakers to every circuit unless you ask. Modern code only requires AFCI on new circuits.
- Fixing problems we find in existing circuits behind the panel. We'll show you, photograph, and quote the fix separately.
- Drywall patch in the wall behind the panel if we have to open it. We do clean cuts; patching is separate.
08Sub-panels & feeders
| Work | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 60A sub-panel, near main, short feeder | $885–$1,485 | Garage, basement, small addition. |
| 100A sub-panel, near main, short feeder | $1,185–$1,985 | Workshop, large garage, in-law unit. |
| 100A sub-panel, long feeder run (50–100 ft) | $1,685–$2,985 | Detached garage, ADU. Underground adds trenching cost. |
| Trenching for underground feeder (per ft) | $15–$35 | Per linear foot, depends on soil, hardscape, depth required. |
| Sub-panel for hot tub or pool only | $685–$1,285 | Smaller scope, dedicated to one load. See outdoor section. |
09EV chargers
Most quoted job in 2026. The price depends almost entirely on three things: distance from your panel, whether your panel has headroom, and finished-wall vs. exposed run.
| Work | Range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| NEMA 14-50 outlet, <10 ft from panel, exposed | $485–$785 | Garage with panel on adjacent wall. Conduit, breaker, outlet. |
| NEMA 14-50 outlet, 10–25 ft, exposed conduit | $685–$1,185 | Across the garage, surface-run conduit. |
| NEMA 14-50 outlet, finished wall, fishing required | $885–$1,485 | Drywall stays mostly closed; access holes patched. |
| Hardwired L2 charger, 40A circuit (you supply charger) | $785–$1,385 | Most popular spec. Includes installing your charger, not buying it. |
| Hardwired L2 charger, 48–60A circuit | $985–$1,685 | Future-proof. Pulls 4 gauge wire. Larger breaker. |
| Outdoor weatherproof EV charger install | $985–$1,985 | Driveway-mount or exterior wall. Weather-rated disconnect, conduit. |
| Load management device (no panel upgrade needed) | +$485–$885 | Adder. Lets you add a charger to a near-full panel by pausing it when the dryer or AC kicks on. |
| EV install requiring panel upgrade | $3,485–$5,985 | Combined: panel upgrade + EV circuit. Common in homes built before 2000. |
| Tesla wall connector commissioning | +$135–$235 | Wi-Fi setup, app pairing, power-sharing config if multiple. |
The math you should know: A 48-amp continuous load needs a 60-amp breaker (NEC requires 125% headroom on continuous loads). If someone quotes you a 50-amp circuit for a 48-amp charger, they're either using a 50A-rated charger or they're cutting a corner. We'll always tell you which.
10Whole-home rewire
The most expensive, most disruptive, most permanent job we do. Done right, it doesn't need to be done again in your lifetime.
| Scope | Range | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Vacant home, drywall open, easy access | $5–$8 / sqft | Best case. Mid-renovation timing. |
| Occupied home, finished walls, careful | $8–$12 / sqft | Typical. We work room by room, minimize patches. |
| Plaster & lath, decorative ceilings to preserve | $11–$16 / sqft | Older Cincinnati homes. Surgical work, higher access cost. |
| Whole-home rewire of 1,200 sqft typical home | $9,800–$14,500 | Worked example, single-story, finished walls. |
| Whole-home rewire of 2,000 sqft typical home | $16,000–$24,000 | Worked example, two-story, finished. |
What's in a full rewire
- Replacement of every branch circuit with modern NM-B cable.
- New outlets at code-required spacing in every room.
- GFCI in all wet locations, AFCI on all living-space circuits.
- New panel sized for the new load (usually 200A).
- Smoke and CO detectors hardwired and interconnected per current code.
- Removal of every accessible knob-and-tube run.
- Permit, inspection, final sign-off.
- Clean cuts in drywall; patching is separate (see below).
What's not in a full rewire
- Drywall patch and paint (separate trade, we'll recommend partners).
- Replacing fixtures — if you want new lights, that's add-on per fixture.
- Smart switches, smart panels, networked devices — quoted separately.
11Knob-and-tube remediation
Three tiers, cheapest to most thorough. See our knowledge page for the longer explanation of why this matters.
| Tier | Range | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Targeted attic abandonment | $1,485–$3,985 | Identify K&T circuits in the attic, kill them at the panel, run replacement circuits to the rooms they served. Single-story or attic-only K&T. |
| 2. Second-floor + attic rewire | $4,985–$9,985 | Most common Cincinnati scope. Removes K&T from the high-fire-risk zones, leaves first-floor circuits in modern wiring. |
| 3. Full K&T removal & rewire | $9,985–$22,000 | Every accessible run. Often combined with full panel upgrade. The durable answer for an insurance-difficult home. |
Insurance leverage: If your insurer is threatening non-renewal over K&T, get a written tier-2 or tier-3 quote from us. Most carriers will accept "rewire in progress" with a contract and a timeline. We've written letters for half a dozen Cincinnati homeowners; we know what the carriers want to see.
12Generators & transfer switches
| Work | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Generator interlock kit (portable generator) | $485–$885 | Cheapest legal way to back-feed your panel. Mechanical interlock prevents back-feed to grid. |
| Manual transfer switch (6–10 circuit) | $985–$1,685 | Pre-selected critical circuits. Switch them to generator manually. |
| Inlet box for portable generator (outdoor) | $385–$685 | Generator plugs into outdoor inlet, no extension cords through windows. |
| Standby whole-home generator install (electrical only) | $2,485–$4,985 | Generator and gas line separate trades. We do automatic transfer switch, sub-panel, controls. |
| Battery backup install (Tesla Powerwall, Enphase, etc.) | $1,985–$4,985 | Electrical install only. Solar integration priced separately. |
13Surge protection & grounding
| Work | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Whole-home surge protector (panel-mounted) | $285–$585 | Single biggest dollar-per-protection upgrade. Add to any panel job for cost+install. |
| Driven ground rod (per rod) | $185–$385 | When existing ground is missing or insufficient. Code requires two. |
| Bonding of metallic systems (gas, water) | $235–$485 | Required by code. Older homes often missing. |
| Re-grounding service entrance | $385–$885 | Full grounding electrode system: rods, bonding, conductor sized to service. |
14Smoke & CO detectors
| Work | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hardwired smoke detector replacement (each) | $135–$215 | Like-for-like swap. Interconnect verified. |
| Hardwired combination smoke / CO (each) | $165–$245 | Modern code default. 10-year sealed battery backup. |
| Add hardwired interconnected detector (no existing wire) | $235–$485 | Per device, when adding to bring older home to code. Wireless-interconnect units lower the cost. |
| Full home smoke/CO retrofit (typical 3-bedroom) | $685–$1,485 | Every required location, interconnected, code-current. |
15Kitchen & bathroom remodels
Remodel pricing is usually quoted as a package because the work overlaps. Numbers below assume drywall is open or coming out anyway.
| Scope | Range | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom remodel electrical (basic) | $985–$1,985 | GFCI outlets, vent fan circuit, vanity light, switch layout, code-current. |
| Bathroom remodel electrical (full, with heated floor) | $1,485–$3,485 | Adds dedicated heated-floor circuit, additional lighting, mirror lighting. |
| Kitchen remodel electrical (basic) | $2,485–$4,985 | Two small-appliance circuits, dishwasher, disposal, microwave, fridge, range, range hood, code outlet spacing, under-cabinet, ceiling lights. |
| Kitchen remodel electrical (full reconfigure) | $4,985–$9,985 | Island circuits, induction range upgrade, recessed lighting package, smart switches, pendant lights, USB outlets. |
| Adding a kitchen island with electrical | $685–$1,685 | Outlet(s) per code, optional pendant feed from above. |
16Outdoor, hot tub, pool
| Work | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior weatherproof outlet (each) | $285–$485 | Through-wall, GFCI, in-use cover. |
| Post light at end of driveway / walkway | $485–$1,185 | Includes trenching, conduit, switch from inside. |
| Landscape lighting transformer + 4–6 fixtures | $685–$1,485 | Low-voltage, photocell or timer. |
| Hot tub circuit (240V, GFCI, disconnect) | $885–$1,685 | Code-compliant disconnect within sight, bonding, GFCI breaker. |
| In-ground pool electrical (basic) | $2,485–$4,985 | Pump, light, equipment bonding, GFCI. Excludes pool-build trades. |
| Detached garage feeder + sub-panel + 4 circuits | $2,485–$4,985 | Trenching priced separately. Common ADU prep. |
| Security lighting (motion-activated, hardwired) | $285–$685 | Per fixture. Photocell optional. |
Pool and hot tub bonding is non-negotiable. Every conductive surface within 5 feet of the water must be bonded together. We've seen DIY hot tub installs in Cincinnati that skipped this. It's the kind of thing nothing happens with until one day something does, and then it's catastrophic.
17Troubleshooting flat-rates
Common problems with known fix paths. These are flat once we've confirmed the diagnosis — no hourly meter.
| Symptom | Typical fix | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Dead outlet, GFCI tripped upstream | Locate & reset | $95–$165 |
| Dead outlet, bad connection in box | Re-terminate or replace outlet | $135–$245 |
| Whole half of room dead | Trace backstabbed connection, replace device | $185–$385 |
| Flickering lights, single fixture | Bad bulb / fixture / dimmer mismatch | $95–$285 |
| Flickering lights, whole house, dims when fridge starts | Loose neutral at service. This is serious. | $385–$985 |
| Breaker trips immediately on reset | Hard short. Isolate circuit, repair fault. | $185–$485 |
| Breaker trips after running a while | Overload or thermal-failing breaker. Diagnose, replace breaker or re-allocate load. | $185–$485 |
| AFCI breaker trips randomly | Identify offending appliance or wire, swap to combo or address fault | $185–$485 |
| Outdoor outlet stopped working after storm | Replace GFCI, often the only damage | $185–$385 |
| Burning smell at panel or outlet | Emergency. We'll make safe first, repair second. | $285–$985+ |
Loose neutral is the most dangerous "small" problem. Lights brightening on one side of the house while dimming on the other, or appliances dying in batches, is the signature. It can destroy electronics and start fires. If we suspect a loose neutral, we treat it as same-day and we kill power until it's fixed.
18Permits, inspections, materials
Permits in Cincinnati
Most jobs requiring a permit run $45–$220 in fees through the City of Cincinnati Department of Buildings & Inspections, plus minor county fees for unincorporated Hamilton County. Permit cost is always included in our written quote — you don't write a separate check.
Inspections
Cincinnati inspectors typically schedule within 2–5 business days. We coordinate, we're on site, we walk through with the inspector. You don't have to take a day off work for it.
Materials
We pass through copper, conduit, and breakers at our cost on jobs over $1,500 — if the price of romex goes up 18% next month, that's an honest number that shows up on your line items. We don't mark up materials. We charge for labor and judgment. That's where the value is.
2026 material reality: Copper has been volatile. Romex pricing moved 15–30% in the last two years. Steel conduit is steadier. We'll always tell you on the quote which line items are material-cost-sensitive in case you want to wait a month, and which are stable.
19What moves a quote up or down
Moves a quote up
- Finished walls everywhere — no attic, no basement access.
- Plaster & lath construction.
- Knob-and-tube or aluminum branch wiring in the work area.
- Second floor with no straight path from the panel.
- Asbestos-era materials (we don't touch them; you'll need an abatement first).
- Decorative ceilings, custom millwork, or tile we have to avoid damaging.
- Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel (we replace, never just match a breaker).
- Insurance-driven timeline (rush coordination with carrier and inspector).
- Crawlspace access only, especially wet or low.
- Permit hassle from previously unpermitted prior work that has to be reconciled.
Moves a quote down
- Open basement or unfinished attic above the work area.
- Modern panel with empty slots and headroom.
- Multiple jobs in one visit (we're already there, materials are already on the truck).
- Vacant home or mid-remodel timing.
- Same-day decision — we hold the slot, you save the second mobilization.
- You supply the fixture, charger, or smart device.
- Flexible scheduling — we work cheaper on weeks where we have gaps.
- Neighbor or referral pricing on shared scope (running the same circuit to two units in a duplex).
- Repeat customer — we already know your panel.
- Combining with a panel upgrade we're already pulling permit for.
20How a written quote works
- You reach out. Call, text, email, or the contact form. Tell us what you want done in your own words and send photos if you can. Photos shorten the timeline by a day.
- We respond same day. Usually within a few hours during business days. We'll either quote from photos, ask a couple of clarifying questions, or schedule a free site visit if the scope warrants it.
- Written quote in 24 hours. PDF, line items, materials, labor, permit, total. Valid for 30 days. Sent to your email and a copy stays in our shop.
- You sign or you don't. No pressure, no follow-up calls beyond one polite check-in. If the answer is no, the answer is no.
- We book the work. Usually within 1–3 weeks for non-emergency jobs. Same-day or next-day for emergencies.
- We do the work. The number on the quote is the number on the bill. Changes only happen with your written approval first.
- Walk-through at the end. We show you what we did, how to use it, where the breakers are, what to call us about in the future.
- Final payment. Bank transfer, check, or card (3% card fee, we pass it through). 12-month warranty on labor, manufacturer warranty on materials.
Ready to get one of these in your inbox? Send a couple of photos and a sentence about what you want done. We'll have a real number to you within 24 hours. Start a quote →
One more thing
Most electricians don't publish prices because the answer is genuinely "it depends." That's true. But "it depends" doesn't have to mean "secret." We'd rather give you honest ranges that come in a little wide than make you call three companies before you can plan your weekend.
If a quote you get from someone else is way above or way below these numbers, that's a signal worth asking about. Sometimes there's a real reason. Sometimes there isn't. Either way, you deserve to know which.
Last updated 2026. Ranges reflect Cincinnati-area residential work with materials at current market. Your actual written quote is always the final number.