Electricians in Tampa, FL
Licensed electricians serving Tampa, Florida. 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 Tampa
Tampa permits are issued by Construction Services Division through the Tampa Accela Citizen Access portal. Starting November 3, 2025, Tampa consolidated the separate Site Permit Review application into a single permit for residential and commercial projects. Florida Building Code 8th Edition applies, and Tampa sits in the wind-borne debris region plus FEMA flood zones along the bay and river.
Permits filed through City of Tampa Construction Services Division · official portal
Top Rated Electricians in Tampa
Second Opinion Electric
LicensedEV CertifiedTampa Bay electrical contractor serving Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando counties including Brandon, Riverview, Plant City, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Spring Hill. Handles permits and inspections in-house and focuses on panel replacements, generators and Level 2 EV chargers.
ONYX Electric
LicensedEV CertifiedTampa Bay electrical contractor working across Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties including Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Largo, Palm Harbor, Trinity, Hudson and Tarpon Springs. Full residential scope from panel upgrades and generators to pool circuits and EV chargers.
Hoffman Electrical & AC
LicensedTampa electrical and HVAC contractor operating since 1989 with a 2-year warranty on work, serving the greater Tampa Bay region across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Sarasota, Manatee and Hernando counties. Dual-licensed electrical (EC13004496) and HVAC (CAC1819977) with upfront pricing on panel work, rewires and residential service calls.
Acree Plumbing, Air & Electric
LicensedEV CertifiedTampa Bay multi-trade home services company operating since 1967, covering Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota, Manatee and Pasco counties from Anna Maria to Wesley Chapel. Background-checked technicians handle panel replacements, generators and EV chargers alongside plumbing and HVAC.
Keentel Electrical Contractors
LicensedEV CertifiedTampa electrical contractor with 30+ years of field experience serving Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota counties. BBB A+ accredited with a focus on code-compliant panel upgrades, smart home integration and standby generators.
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Before you hire in Tampa
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 (Florida)
Florida requires Certified Electrical Contractor (statewide), Certified Alarm System Contractor I/II, Registered Electrical Contractor (local jurisdiction only) through the Florida DBPR, Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board (ECLB). Ask for the license number and verify it on the state lookup before signing.Verify on Florida DBPR, Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board (ECLB) - 3
General liability + workers comp
Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) with you listed as a certificate holder. In Florida: workers comp is required by state law. For general liability, it is required by law. 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 Tampa
Follow these steps to find a reliable, licensed electrician in the Tampa, Florida 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 Tampa
- Tampa coastal and riverine properties often sit in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas, which triggers elevation requirements on new construction and substantial improvements
- Florida DBPR state contractor licensing is required for most trades, and Tampa verifies at permit issuance
- Hillsborough County runs a separate permit path for unincorporated areas; check jurisdiction before assuming the City of Tampa handles a given address
Electrical Costs in Tampa, FL
Typical prices for residential electrical work in Tampa. Ranges reflect full-installation pricing with permit included where applicable — not service-call minimums. Hourly rates run $66-$138 per hour for troubleshooting and small repairs.
| Service | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service call / troubleshooting | $147 | $189 | $249 |
| New outlet install | $179 | $230 | $304 |
| Ceiling fan replacement | $239 | $306 | $404 |
| 200A panel upgrade | $2,228 | $2,856 | $3,770 |
| Level 2 EV charger install | $1,313 | $1,683 | $2,222 |
| Generator transfer switch | $1,074 | $1,377 | $1,818 |
| Whole-house rewire (1,800 sq ft) | $8,752 | $11,220 | $14,810 |
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 Tampa typically run $61-$357.
Get a Detailed Cost EstimateElectrical Permit Requirements in Tampa
Nearly all electrical work in Tampa 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 $61-$357. 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 Tampa, Florida?
Electricians in Tampa typically charge $66-$138 per hour, with a minimum service call fee around $147-$249. Job-based pricing is more common than hourly for installs: adding an outlet runs $179-$304, a ceiling fan swap runs $239-$404. Complex work like panel upgrades or whole-house rewires is quoted per project.
How much does a panel upgrade cost in Tampa?
Upgrading from a 100-amp to a 200-amp service panel in Tampa typically costs $2,228-$3,770, 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 $4,901. 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 Tampa?
Level 2 EV charger installation in Tampa runs $1,313-$2,222 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 Tampa?
Yes. Nearly all electrical work in Tampa requires a permit — panel upgrades, new circuits, outlet additions, EV chargers, generator transfer switches, and whole-house rewires. Permit fees typically range $61-$357 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 Florida?
Most states publish a searchable licensing roster you can use to confirm an electrician's license status, bond, and disciplinary history. In Florida, 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 Tampa, a master electrician must be on the license — confirm this before signing a contract.
Did Tampa really combine multiple permits into one?
Yes. As of November 3, 2025, Construction Services consolidated the separate Site Permit Review and building permit application into one, so residential and commercial projects now file a single permit application rather than two.
Do Tampa flood zones require the home to sit on stilts?
Structures in VE zones (high-velocity coastal) require elevation on pilings with no enclosed space below the Base Flood Elevation. Structures in AE zones require the lowest floor at or above BFE and can be on slab, pier, or crawlspace designed accordingly.