Electricians in Houston, TX
Licensed electricians serving Houston, 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 Houston
Houston permits are issued by the Houston Permitting Center through the Houston Permit Portal. Houston Chapter 19 floodplain regulations, updated after Hurricane Harvey, require new construction in the 100-year floodplain to be elevated 24 inches above the 500-year flood elevation (3 feet above for critical facilities), significantly stricter than federal NFIP minimums. Texas does not license general contractors statewide, but TDLR licenses trades.
Permits filed through City of Houston Permitting Center · official portal
Top Rated Electricians in Houston
L & E Electrical Services
LicensedEV CertifiedHouston electrical contractor based on McGowan Street in the southeast part of the city, operating since 2015 and specializing in panel upgrades with Square D, Eaton and Siemens equipment. Handles full panel replacements with pulled permits and final inspections for residential customers across Houston and League City.
Texas Electrical Residential Contractors, LLC
LicensedHouston electrical contractor with two offices (Reedcrest Street in southwest Houston and Humble Westfield Road in the north), serving Houston-area homeowners for over a decade. Offers 24-hour certified technicians for emergency residential calls along with panel upgrades, generators, and whole-house remodel wiring.
Right Touch Electrical
LicensedMaster ElectricianEV CertifiedHouston electrician with offices on San Felipe Street in the Galleria area and a Pasadena branch on Dupont Street, offering a financing option on panel upgrades as low as $45/month. Work spans meter can replacements, house rewires, smart home wiring, and lightning strike evaluations for residential clients.
Harmony Electric Co., Inc.
LicensedMaster ElectricianHeights-area electrical contractor on Yale Street in Houston's 77007, family-run and operating since 1985. Provides both residential and commercial electrical repair and installation across Houston and surrounding communities, with master electrician credentials on staff.
Wired Electrical & Generators
EV CertifiedFamily-owned electrical contractor based in Tomball on Alice Road, serving Greater Houston including Cypress, Katy, Spring, Sugar Land and The Woodlands since 2005. Certified Generac dealer carrying a BBB A+ rating with 38+ years of combined field experience on the team.
Unity Services
LicensedMaster ElectricianEV CertifiedFamily-owned electrical shop on Telge Road in Cypress with a master electrician leading the team since 1998 and more than 100 years of combined field experience. Carries Generac, ChargePoint, EVITP, Plugstar and Autel EV certifications and covers Houston, Cypress, The Woodlands, Tomball, Katy and Spring Branch.
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Before you hire in Houston
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 Houston
Follow these steps to find a reliable, licensed electrician in the Houston, 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 Houston
- Chapter 19 requires elevation 24 inches above the 500-year flood elevation for new residential construction in mapped floodplains, one of the strictest standards in the country
- Pier-and-beam foundations are required in 100-year floodplains under updated Harris County regulations, and slab-on-grade is no longer allowed in those zones
- Houston does not have citywide zoning, but deed restrictions and MUD regulations often control setbacks and use independently of permits
Electrical Costs in Houston, TX
Typical prices for residential electrical work in Houston. 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 Houston typically run $57-$333.
Get a Detailed Cost EstimateElectrical Permit Requirements in Houston
Nearly all electrical work in Houston 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 Houston, Texas?
Electricians in Houston 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 Houston?
Upgrading from a 100-amp to a 200-amp service panel in Houston 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 Houston?
Level 2 EV charger installation in Houston 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 Houston?
Yes. Nearly all electrical work in Houston 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 Houston, a master electrician must be on the license — confirm this before signing a contract.
Does the Houston flood elevation rule really require 2 feet above the 500-year flood?
Yes. Chapter 19, updated after Hurricane Harvey, requires new construction in the 100-year floodplain to sit 24 inches above the 500-year flood elevation. Critical facilities require 36 inches. This is stricter than the federal NFIP standard of 12 inches above 100-year BFE.
Do I need a Texas general contractor license for Houston work?
Texas does not license residential general contractors statewide. Houston does not require a city GC license either. Plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and related trades require TDLR licensing, and Houston verifies at permit issuance.