Electricians in Austin, TX
Licensed electricians serving Austin, Texas. Panel upgrades, EV chargers, rewires, and service calls. License data and local permit requirements.
Last updated: April 2026 · Cost data from RSMeans & BLS regional indices · Permit data from official city .gov sources
Local context for Austin
Austin permits are issued by Austin Development Services through the Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) portal and Austin Electronic Plan Review (EPR). Austin adopted the 2021 International Residential Code and 2021 Energy Conservation Code with local amendments, and updated the energy code to incorporate 2024 IECC provisions effective July 10, 2025. Austin Energy, as the municipal utility, runs its own green building program on top of city code.
Permits filed through City of Austin Development Services Department · official portal
Top Rated Electricians in Austin
Malco Electric
LicensedMaster ElectricianEV CertifiedFamily-owned Austin electrical contractor on W. US-290 serving the city and Texas Hill Country since 1983, led by Randy Mallory (licensed master electrician since 1972). A+ BBB with 40+ years in business and a full residential, commercial and industrial service menu.
Lyons Electric
Master ElectricianFamily-owned Austin electrical contractor founded in 2003 by native Austinites Steven and Donna Lyons, where Steven holds both Texas Electrical Contractor and Master Electrician licenses. Registered with the City of Austin, Pflugerville, Round Rock, Cedar Park and Georgetown.
Tejas Electric
LicensedMaster ElectricianEV CertifiedFamily-owned Austin-area electrical contractor founded in 2018 by owner Wade Hudson (Texas master electrician), based on Farrell Lane in Dripping Springs. Offers a 3-year labor warranty and $0 trip charges across Dripping Springs and neighboring Austin communities.
Texas Electric and Light
LicensedEV CertifiedAustin-area electrical contractor based on Trail Ridge Drive in Dripping Springs, in business since 2004 with a focus on EV charger installs (Tesla, Ford, Rivian) for Hill Country homeowners. Panel upgrades are commonly bundled with Level 2 charger jobs for older Clarksville, Bouldin Creek and Tarrytown homes.
Shipley Electric
EV CertifiedFamily-owned and operated Austin electrical shop founded in 1999, licensed, bonded and insured, with a 10% Hometown Hero discount for military, veterans, first responders and teachers. Serves Austin-area residential and commercial clients with repair, install and consultation work.
Magnify Electric
LicensedMaster ElectricianEV CertifiedFamily-owned Austin-area electrical contractor on State Highway 71 in Spicewood, operating since 2012. Specializes in Lutron smart home systems and EV chargers, offering a lifetime warranty through its Magnify Protection Plan and complimentary electrical safety inspections.
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Before you hire in Austin
A short checklist of things to verify before you sign a contract or hand over a deposit. These apply whether you find your contractor here, on Angi, or anywhere else.
- 1
Building permit on the contractor, not you
Most cities require a permit for any structural work. The contractor should pull the permit in their name so they carry the liability for code compliance. If a contractor offers to skip the permit or asks you to pull it as a homeowner, that is a warning sign. - 2
Licensed electrician (Texas)
Texas requires Master Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, Electrical Contractor (company license), Residential Wireman through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Ask for the license number and verify it on the state lookup before signing.Verify on Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) - 3
General liability + workers comp
Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) with you listed as a certificate holder. In Texas: Texas is one of the only states where workers' compensation is OPTIONAL for private employers (Texas Labor Code Chapter 406). For general liability, most contractors carry $500K–$1M in coverage. If an uninsured worker is hurt on your property, you can be liable. - 4
Written contract with clear terms
Get it in writing. The contract should cover: scope of work, total price (not hourly unless explicitly agreed), materials and brands, start and finish dates, payment schedule tied to milestones (not calendar dates), warranty period, and procedures for change orders. Never pay more than 1/3 up front, and never pay the final payment until the work passes inspection. - 5
References and public reputation
Ask for 3 references on recent similar projects and actually call them. Cross-check reviews across Google, the Better Business Bureau, and the state licensing board's complaint history. A contractor with zero online footprint is a risk, even if they come highly recommended.
Every contractor we list is verified against public records, but verification is not a quality guarantee. Run through this checklist on any contractor you are seriously considering.
How to Choose a Electrician in Austin
Follow these steps to find a reliable, licensed electrician in the Austin, Texas area.
Verify the master electrician license
Any permitted electrical work must be signed off by a licensed master electrician. Look up the license on your state electrical board before hiring.
Confirm liability insurance and bonding
Electricians should carry at least $1M general liability plus workers compensation. Bonded contractors give you recourse if work fails inspection.
Require permits on every job
Panel upgrades, new circuits, EV chargers, and rewires all need a permit. A licensed electrician pulls the permit — not you. Cash deals without permits void your insurance.
Get 3+ written bids for big work
Panel upgrades and rewires should have itemized bids. Watch for "too good to be true" pricing, which often signals unlicensed labor or corner-cutting on conductors.
Ask about EV charger certification
For Level 2 installs, ask if the electrician is familiar with your panel brand and local utility requirements. Some utilities require load management gear.
Demand a written warranty
Quality electrical work comes with a 1-year workmanship warranty at minimum. Equipment manufacturer warranties (panels, chargers) run 5-25 years separately.
Working with electricians in Austin
- Austin tree preservation rules under the Heritage Tree ordinance cover trees 19 inches diameter and up, and removal of a protected tree without approval can generate significant fines
- Many Austin lots carry the McMansion and subchapter F height, floor area, and setback rules that can constrain additions more than the base zoning suggests
- Texas does not license residential GCs statewide, but Austin verifies MEP licenses (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) through TDLR at permit issuance
Electrical Costs in Austin, TX
Typical prices for residential electrical work in Austin. Ranges reflect full-installation pricing with permit included where applicable — not service-call minimums. Hourly rates run $62-$128 per hour for troubleshooting and small repairs.
| Service | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service call / troubleshooting | $137 | $176 | $232 |
| New outlet install | $167 | $214 | $282 |
| Ceiling fan replacement | $222 | $285 | $376 |
| 200A panel upgrade | $2,075 | $2,660 | $3,511 |
| Level 2 EV charger install | $1,223 | $1,568 | $2,070 |
| Generator transfer switch | $1,001 | $1,283 | $1,694 |
| Whole-house rewire (1,800 sq ft) | $8,151 | $10,450 | $13,794 |
Cost data derived from RSMeans regional indices, BLS construction wage data, and NECA market surveys. Actual quotes will vary based on scope, panel condition, and utility coordination. Permit fees in Austin typically run $57-$333.
Get a Detailed Cost EstimateElectrical Permit Requirements in Austin
Nearly all electrical work in Austin requires a permit — panel upgrades, new circuits, outlet additions beyond simple fixture swaps, EV chargers, generator transfer switches, and whole-house rewires. Your licensed electrician pulls the permit, not you. Permit fees typically range $57-$333. Work without a permit is a code violation that can void homeowners insurance and block a future home sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electricians charge in Austin, Texas?
Electricians in Austin typically charge $62-$128 per hour, with a minimum service call fee around $137-$232. Job-based pricing is more common than hourly for installs: adding an outlet runs $167-$282, a ceiling fan swap runs $222-$376. Complex work like panel upgrades or whole-house rewires is quoted per project.
How much does a panel upgrade cost in Austin?
Upgrading from a 100-amp to a 200-amp service panel in Austin typically costs $2,075-$3,511, including the panel, meter socket, permit, and utility coordination. Older homes with aluminum or cloth-wrapped wiring, or panels requiring a meter relocation, can push the high end over $4,564. Most residential EV charger installs and solar tie-ins require a 200-amp panel.
How much does it cost to install a Level 2 EV charger in Austin?
Level 2 EV charger installation in Austin runs $1,223-$2,070 for a 40-amp circuit on a short cable run from the panel. Longer runs, trenching to a detached garage, panel upgrades, or load management gear push costs higher. The federal Section 30C credit (30% up to $1,000) is still available through June 30, 2026 for residential installs in qualifying census tracts — ask your electrician to confirm eligibility before the deadline.
Do I need a permit to hire an electrician in Austin?
Yes. Nearly all electrical work in Austin requires a permit — panel upgrades, new circuits, outlet additions, EV chargers, generator transfer switches, and whole-house rewires. Permit fees typically range $57-$333 and your licensed electrician should pull the permit (not you). Simple fixture swaps on existing circuits are the main exemption. Work without a permit is a code violation that can void your homeowners insurance and block a future home sale.
How do I verify an electrician is licensed in Texas?
Most states publish a searchable licensing roster you can use to confirm an electrician's license status, bond, and disciplinary history. In Texas, look up the state electrical board (or department of labor) online license lookup before hiring. Ask to see the license card, confirm the license number matches public records, and require proof of liability insurance and workers comp (never pay cash without these verified).
What is a master electrician vs a journeyman?
A master electrician has passed an advanced exam (typically requiring 7,000+ hours of field work plus written and practical tests) and can pull permits, sign off on work, and supervise journeymen and apprentices. A journeyman electrician has completed a 4-year apprenticeship and can do most wiring work under a master's license. For any job requiring a permit in Austin, a master electrician must be on the license — confirm this before signing a contract.
What is the Austin Heritage Tree ordinance?
Austin protects trees with a diameter of 19 inches or larger as Heritage Trees. Removal or significant impact to the critical root zone generally requires city approval and often mitigation planting or a fee.
Why are Austin additions so constrained?
The McMansion subchapter F rules in many central neighborhoods cap effective floor area, tent height, and setbacks more aggressively than the base zoning. Developers and owners often discover this late in design if they have not mapped the tent diagram early.