Electrical services in Los Angeles
Light fixtures, outlets, ceiling fans, smart switches, EV chargers, panel work. Licensed C-10 pros for permit jobs, handyman rates for fixture swaps.
What LA electrical work covers
LA electrical work covers a spectrum. Swapping a light fixture, an outlet, a switch, or a ceiling fan is handyman territory — $80–220, in-and-out. Adding a new circuit, a 240V EV charger, upgrading a panel, or rewiring a room is licensed-electrician territory: permits pulled, LADBS inspection scheduled, $800+ and up.
We route every electrical request based on scope. When in doubt, we err toward licensed — electrical mistakes in California are both dangerous and legally exposing.
Handyman vs. C-10 licensed — what we do
How it works
Fixture swap? New circuit? Panel work? Photos of existing setup help.
Handyman for sub-$500 fixture work; licensed C-10 for permits; on-call for outages.
Permit jobs include inspection coordination and final sign-off.
Los Angeles specifics
Pre-1960 knob-and-tube and aluminum wiring: common in parts of Silver Lake, Echo Park, Hollywood, and older Beverly Hills. Insurance carriers increasingly require replacement. If your home has either, a handyman cannot safely splice modern fixtures in — we route to a licensed electrician.
Panel upgrades: 100-amp panels are undersized for modern LA homes with EV chargers, heat pumps, and induction ranges. Upgrading to 200-amp requires a LADBS permit, a DWP coordination for meter swap, and typically a week of scheduling.
EV charger installs: a Level 2 (240V) charger run needs a dedicated 40–60 amp circuit. LADWP offers rebates — up to $1,500 for residential installs depending on the program window. Our licensed electricians know the paperwork.
Solar + battery backup: we don\'t install PV ourselves, but we coordinate with solar installers on the service-panel side (main breaker interlock, sub-panel, critical-loads panel).
Smoke & CO alarms: California requires interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms + CO detectors on every level and outside every sleeping area. On any electrical visit we\'ll check existing and replace out-of-date units.
Typical electrical pricing in LA
Handyman rates below for sub-$500 work. Licensed C-10 electrician work is quoted per job, permit cost separate.
Pricing is informational, not a binding quote. <!-- TODO: DENIS — confirm against recent job data -->
Frequently asked questions
When do I need a licensed electrician vs. a handyman?
California: jobs over $500 (labor + materials) require a licensed C-10 electrician. Any new circuit, panel work, or service upgrade also requires a license + LADBS permit regardless of cost. Simple fixture swaps are handyman-safe.
How long does a panel upgrade take in LA?
Total 7–14 days from quote to final sign-off. The physical install is 1 day, but LADBS permit approval takes 2–5 business days, and DWP meter swap/inspection takes another 2–5. Power is off for 4–8 hours on install day.
Can you install an EV charger for a Tesla / EV6 / Rivian?
Yes. Most home EVs use Level 2 (240V, 40–60 amp). We verify panel capacity first — if you're on a 100-amp panel with heavy existing load, you may need a panel upgrade first, or a load-management charger (Wallbox, Tesla Wall Connector with load sharing).
Is knob-and-tube wiring safe to leave alone?
K&T was code until the 1940s and can function safely if never disturbed. Problems: insurance carriers often refuse coverage, modern fixtures (ceiling fans, heavy lights) don't splice into K&T safely, and insulation contact (added attic insulation) creates fire risk. Most LA homeowners with K&T eventually rewire partially or fully.
Do you install smart home stuff?
Yes — Lutron Caseta, Leviton Decora Smart, Nest thermostats, Ring doorbells, smart locks. Most smart switches are handyman swap-ins; Nest with C-wire requirements sometimes needs a licensed touch.
Are LADWP rebates still available for EV and heat-pump work?
Rebate windows rotate. As of most-recent info: EV charger rebate up to $1,500 residential, heat-pump water heater rebate $500–1,200. Our licensed electricians provide the paperwork and meter details needed.
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