Electricians in Philadelphia, PA
Licensed electricians serving Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Philadelphia
Philadelphia permits are issued by the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) through the eCLIPSE portal, which is migrating to a new web UI rolled out from October 2025 forward. Philadelphia follows the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (based on the IBC/IRC) with Philadelphia-specific amendments. The city has roughly 30 certified historic districts overseen by the Philadelphia Historical Commission.
Permits filed through Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) · official portal
Top Rated Electricians in Philadelphia
GEN3 Electric & HVAC
LicensedFamily-owned Philadelphia shop running for 20+ years out of the Greater Philadelphia area, combining a full electrical trade with in-house HVAC and water heater crews. Known for residential panel upgrades, EV charger installs tailored to each home's service capacity, and rewires on the city's older row-home stock.
SG Electric LLC
BBB-accredited Philadelphia electrical contractor serving the city and nearby Lansdale, with all electricians state-licensed in Pennsylvania. NECA member carrying full general liability and workers' comp coverage, handling panel upgrades, code violations, and residential/commercial wiring.
EP Electric LLC
EV CertifiedPhiladelphia-based electrical contractor with 20+ years of service, covering the city plus Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester Counties and parts of New Jersey. Residential focus includes panel upgrades, EV chargers, home generators, and emergency repair for older Philly housing stock.
Alba Electric And Remodel Inc.
EV CertifiedPhiladelphia electrical and remodel contractor also serving Darby, Ardmore, and the surrounding suburbs. Runs a licensed and bonded team with EV charging certifications, and pairs traditional residential electrical work with automation, structured cabling, and hot tub wiring.
Golden Electrical Service
Ambler-based electrical contractor covering Philadelphia proper plus Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, and Delaware Counties, with more than 8 years in the field and 200+ five-star Google reviews. Residential focus on panel work, EV chargers, and standby generators for the western Philly suburbs.
AM Electric, Inc.
EV CertifiedLicensed Philadelphia electrical contracting firm operating from 2245 N. 27th Street in the 19132 ZIP with BBB accreditation and more than 600 completed projects. Certified Generac provider, with a heavy residential focus on panel upgrades, fuse-box replacements, and EV charger installs in North Philly row homes.
Linc Electric
LicensedFamily-run Philadelphia electrician with 25+ years operating across Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester Counties. Drug-tested, background-checked, uniformed crews and no extra charge for nights/weekends. Strong on panel and service upgrades, hot tub/pool wiring, and code violation fixes.
Are you an electrician in Philadelphia?
Free listing, no fees. Already here? Claim it. Not yet? Add your business.
Before you hire in Philadelphia
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 (Pennsylvania)
Pennsylvania requires a state electrical license through the No state competency license; HIC registration with PA OAG if residential >$5,000/yr. Ask for the license number and verify it on the state lookup before signing.Verify on No state competency license; HIC registration with PA OAG if residential >$5,000/yr - 3
General liability + workers comp
Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) with you listed as a certificate holder. In Pennsylvania: workers comp is required by state law. 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 Philadelphia
Follow these steps to find a reliable, licensed electrician in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Philadelphia
- Philadelphia requires a contractor to carry a current Business Income & Receipts Tax (BIRT) registration and L&I Contractor License for most residential work
- Row-house construction triggers firewall and fire-separation review plus party-wall notice to adjacent owners on structural work
- Sidewalks and curbs are regulated by the Philadelphia Streets Department separately from L&I, which matters for any work that affects the right-of-way
Electrical Costs in Philadelphia, PA
Typical prices for residential electrical work in Philadelphia. Ranges reflect full-installation pricing with permit included where applicable — not service-call minimums. Hourly rates run $70-$146 per hour for troubleshooting and small repairs.
| Service | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service call / troubleshooting | $156 | $200 | $264 |
| New outlet install | $190 | $243 | $321 |
| Ceiling fan replacement | $253 | $324 | $428 |
| 200A panel upgrade | $2,359 | $3,024 | $3,992 |
| Level 2 EV charger install | $1,390 | $1,782 | $2,352 |
| Generator transfer switch | $1,137 | $1,458 | $1,925 |
| Whole-house rewire (1,800 sq ft) | $9,266 | $11,880 | $15,682 |
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 Philadelphia typically run $65-$378.
Get a Detailed Cost EstimateElectrical Permit Requirements in Philadelphia
Nearly all electrical work in Philadelphia 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 $65-$378. 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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?
Electricians in Philadelphia typically charge $70-$146 per hour, with a minimum service call fee around $156-$264. Job-based pricing is more common than hourly for installs: adding an outlet runs $190-$321, a ceiling fan swap runs $253-$428. Complex work like panel upgrades or whole-house rewires is quoted per project.
How much does a panel upgrade cost in Philadelphia?
Upgrading from a 100-amp to a 200-amp service panel in Philadelphia typically costs $2,359-$3,992, 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 $5,190. 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 Philadelphia?
Level 2 EV charger installation in Philadelphia runs $1,390-$2,352 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 Philadelphia?
Yes. Nearly all electrical work in Philadelphia requires a permit — panel upgrades, new circuits, outlet additions, EV chargers, generator transfer switches, and whole-house rewires. Permit fees typically range $65-$378 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 Pennsylvania?
Most states publish a searchable licensing roster you can use to confirm an electrician's license status, bond, and disciplinary history. In Pennsylvania, 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 Philadelphia, a master electrician must be on the license — confirm this before signing a contract.
Why do Philadelphia row houses need party-wall notices?
When you alter a wall shared with a neighboring property, the Pennsylvania UCC and L&I require notice to the adjacent owner and engineered documentation showing the wall stays structurally sound during and after the work.
Does Philadelphia have a separate contractor license from the state?
Yes. Pennsylvania has a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration through the Attorney General, and Philadelphia requires its own L&I Contractor License for most construction work within city limits.