Frequently Asked Electrical Questions
Elect Electric provides residential and light commercial electrical services throughout San Luis Obispo County, Santa Maria, and surrounding Central Coast communities. Find answers to common questions about electrical repairs, Service Visits, project planning, pricing, EV chargers, electrical panels, lighting, backup power, and more.
Getting Started With Elect Electric
What is the best way to get started with Elect Electric?
There are two ways to get started.
1) If you’re ready for an electrician to come to your property and get started, schedule an Electrical Service Visit.
2) If you’re planning a project and want pricing first, start with our complimentary Project Planning Consultation.
What is an Electrical Service Visit?
An Electrical Service Visit gets your electrical repair or project started onsite. Your electrician will evaluate your primary electrical concern or project, perform a Level 1 diagnosis or project investigation, and determine what’s needed to move forward.
If additional work is needed, we’ll explain what we found and provide upfront flat-rate options before proceeding.
How much is an Electrical Service Visit?
An Electrical Service Visit is $350.
If you approve recommended repair or installation work during the visit, the Service Visit charge is credited toward the approved work.
Can you complete the electrical work during the same visit?
Often, yes. Once we determine what’s needed and you approve the flat-rate price, we’ll get started during the same visit whenever possible.
Some projects require permits, special-order equipment, utility coordination, additional planning, or a return visit.
Project Planning & Electrical Estimates
What is a Project Planning Consultation?
Our complimentary Project Planning Consultation is for customers who are planning electrical work and want pricing before scheduling an onsite Service Visit.
We’ll gather information about your project, review photos or video when helpful, and determine what we need to prepare preliminary pricing.
Is Project Planning only for large electrical projects?
No. Project Planning can be used for something as simple as adding an outlet or ceiling fan or for larger projects such as an EV charger, panel replacement, lighting remodel, or backup power system.
It’s based on where you are in the process, not the size of the project.
Can I get an electrical estimate from photos?
For many planned projects, yes. Photos, video, measurements, and project information can often give us enough information to prepare preliminary pricing.
If we need additional information or an onsite evaluation, we’ll let you know.
Do you provide free onsite electrical estimates?
Our complimentary Project Planning Consultation allows us to begin planning and pricing many projects without an onsite visit.
If you’re ready for an electrician to come to the property, investigate the project, and get started onsite, schedule an Electrical Service Visit.
Electrical Pricing
Does Elect Electric charge by the hour?
No. Elect Electric uses flat-rate pricing for electrical repairs and installations. Once we understand the scope of the work, you’ll know the price before additional work begins.
Will I know the price before electrical work begins?
Yes. We provide upfront flat-rate pricing for work beyond the Service Visit. You’ll have an opportunity to review your options before deciding how you’d like to proceed.
What happens if you discover another electrical problem?
We’ll explain what we found and discuss your options before performing additional work. We don’t simply add unexpected work without discussing it with you first.
Can you give me an electrical price over the phone?
Sometimes we can provide preliminary pricing when we have enough information.
Final pricing can depend on existing wiring, electrical capacity, accessibility, routing, code requirements, permitting, and site conditions. Our Project Planning Consultation is usually the best place to start when you’re gathering pricing.
Electrical Repair & Troubleshooting
Does Elect Electric troubleshoot electrical problems?
Yes. Electrical troubleshooting and repair are a core part of our service. We diagnose problems involving outlets, switches, breakers, lighting, circuits, electrical panels, loss of power, and other electrical systems.
Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?
A breaker can trip because of an overloaded circuit, short circuit, ground fault, failing equipment, wiring problem, or another electrical condition.
If a breaker repeatedly trips, schedule a Service Visit so we can determine what’s causing the problem.
Why did some of my electrical outlets stop working?
Possible causes include a tripped breaker, tripped GFCI, loose connection, damaged receptacle, failed device, or another circuit problem.
If resetting the breaker or GFCI doesn’t restore power, we can troubleshoot the problem.
Do you repair electrical problems in older homes?
Yes. We troubleshoot older electrical systems, replace outdated equipment, correct electrical safety concerns, add circuits, and help homeowners plan electrical upgrades.
Electrical Panels & Service Upgrades
Does Elect Electric replace electrical panels?
Yes. We replace and upgrade electrical panels throughout San Luis Obispo County and the Santa Maria area.
Panel work may include replacing damaged or obsolete equipment, increasing capacity, correcting safety concerns, adding circuit space, or preparing a home for additional electrical loads.
How do I know if my electrical panel needs to be replaced?
A panel evaluation may be appropriate if you have damaged or obsolete equipment, limited breaker space, corrosion, overheating, recurring electrical problems, or you’re planning to add significant electrical loads.
An older panel doesn’t automatically need replacement. We evaluate its condition and your electrical needs before recommending options.
Do I need a 200-amp electrical panel?
Not necessarily. The electrical service your home needs depends on its existing and planned electrical loads.
EV charging, electric appliances, HVAC equipment, solar, battery storage, and other equipment can affect electrical capacity. In some situations, load management may provide an alternative to upgrading the electrical service.
Do you replace Zinsco and other older electrical panels?
Yes. Elect Electric evaluates and replaces Zinsco and other older electrical panels when replacement is appropriate.
EV Charger Installation
Does Elect Electric install home EV chargers?
Yes. Elect Electric installs Level 2 EV chargers throughout San Luis Obispo County and the Santa Maria area.
We can evaluate your electrical capacity, install the required electrical circuit and charger, and handle electrical permitting when required.
Do I need an electrical panel upgrade for an EV charger?
Not necessarily. We evaluate your existing electrical service, panel capacity, electrical loads, charger requirements, and charging goals before recommending a solution.
Options may include using the existing electrical service, load-management equipment, adjusting the charging rate, or upgrading the electrical system.
What size circuit do I need for an EV charger?
It depends on your charger, vehicle, desired charging speed, and available electrical capacity. We evaluate those factors before recommending the appropriate circuit and charging configuration.
Does Elect Electric install Tesla chargers?
Yes. Elect Electric installs Tesla home charging equipment as well as other compatible Level 2 EV chargers.
Lighting, Outlets & Electrical Upgrades
Does Elect Electric install recessed lighting?
Yes. We install and upgrade recessed lighting, including new lighting layouts, replacement fixtures, switching, and dimming.
Does Elect Electric install ceiling fans?
Yes. We install and replace ceiling fans, including wiring, switches, controls, and fan-rated ceiling boxes when needed.
Can you add new electrical outlets?
Yes. We install new receptacles and dedicated circuits for homes, offices, garages, workshops, appliances, entertainment equipment, outdoor areas, and other electrical needs.
Does Elect Electric install whole-home surge protection?
Yes. We install whole-home surge protection at the electrical panel to provide an additional layer of protection for electrical and electronic equipment throughout your home.
Can you install dedicated electrical circuits?
Yes. We install dedicated circuits for EV chargers, appliances, HVAC equipment, workshops, garages, and other electrical loads.
Backup Power & Home Energy
Does Elect Electric install home battery backup systems?
Yes. We work with modern home battery and backup-power systems and the electrical upgrades needed to support them.
Battery projects typically begin with Project Planning so we can understand your existing electrical system and backup-power goals.
Does Elect Electric install Tesla Powerwall 3?
Yes. Elect Electric is a Tesla Powerwall 3 Certified Installer and can help plan and install a Powerwall system for your home.
Can you help prepare my home for future electrical upgrades?
Yes. We can evaluate electrical capacity, panels, circuits, EV charging, backup power, surge protection, and anticipated future electrical loads so improvements can be planned together.
Electrical Permits, Licensing & Code
Do electrical projects require permits?
Some do. Permit requirements depend on the type and location of the electrical work.
Panel replacements, service upgrades, EV charger installations, and other significant electrical projects may require permits. We’ll identify permitting requirements as part of your project.
Is Elect Electric a licensed electrical contractor?
Yes. Elect Electric is a licensed California electrical contractor, License #976453, and is insured.
Does Elect Electric perform electrical work to current code?
Yes. Our electrical work is performed in accordance with applicable electrical codes and local requirements.
Elect Electric Service Area
What areas does Elect Electric serve?
Elect Electric is based in Atascadero, California, and serves communities throughout San Luis Obispo County, Santa Maria, and surrounding areas.
Our service area includes Atascadero, Paso Robles, Templeton, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Los Osos, Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Pismo Beach, Nipomo, Cambria, Cayucos, San Simeon, Santa Margarita, San Miguel, Creston, Avila Beach, Oceano, Lake Nacimiento, and surrounding communities.
Contact us if you’re unsure whether your property is within our service area.
Does Elect Electric provide residential and commercial electrical services?
Yes. We specialize in residential electrical service and repair and also provide select light commercial electrical services.
Scheduling an Electrician
How do I schedule an electrician with Elect Electric?
Call or text Elect Electric at 805-438-4357 or schedule through our website.
If you’re ready for an electrician to come out and get started, schedule an Electrical Service Visit.
If you’re planning a project and want pricing first, start with a complimentary Project Planning Consultation.
I’m not sure whether I need a Service Visit or Project Planning Consultation. What should I do?
Just contact us and tell us what you’re trying to accomplish.
If you’re ready to get started, we’ll help you schedule a Service Visit. If you’re still planning and want pricing first, we’ll help you begin a Project Planning Consultation.
Ready to Get Started?
Ready for an electrician to come out and get started?
Schedule an Electrical Service Visit.
Planning a project and want pricing first?
Start a complimentary Project Planning Consultation.
Call or text Elect Electric: 805-438-4357