Electricians in Richmond, VA
Licensed electricians serving Richmond, Virginia. 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
Top Rated Electricians in Richmond
Lauterbach Electric Co., Inc.
Master ElectricianEV CertifiedRichmond electrical contractor on MacArthur Avenue incorporated in 1973 by Linwood Lewis Lauterbach, with more than 40 years serving the RVA area. Member of NFIB and the Central Virginia Electrical Contractors Association handling residential and commercial service plus EV charging installs.
Beckstoffer-Welsh, Inc.
LicensedMaster ElectricianRichmond electrical and communications contractor on Sledd Street serving the area since 1977 with a Board for Contractors license (#2701031981). Central Virginia Electrical Contractors Association and BBB member offering full-service residential and commercial work with emergency coverage.
CR Phillips Electrical Contractors
Master ElectricianAshland-based Richmond-area electrical contractor operating since 1998 with more than 20 years in business. Covers Richmond plus Fredericksburg, Petersburg, Charlottesville and Williamsburg, specializing in new home wiring and working with residential home builders.
RK Newman Electric Services, Inc.
Master ElectricianRichmond electrical contractor at 819 Research Road operating 24/7 with industry-certified electricians. Covers residential, commercial and industrial work including generators and electrical inspections across the central Virginia region.
Craven Electrical Services
Master ElectricianRichmond electrical contractor on Bethlehem Road operating since 1989 with more than 33 years in Central Virginia. Family-run shop delivering residential and commercial electrical contracting services across the metro area.
Woodfin - Your Home Team
LicensedMaster ElectricianEV CertifiedRichmond home-services company operating since 1977 with a 4.9 rating across more than 10,000 customer reviews. Covers Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover Counties for residential electrical repairs, panel upgrades and EV charger installs.
Volta Electric
Master ElectricianEV CertifiedVeteran-owned Richmond Class A electrical contractor founded in 2011 by owner and master electrician Mason North, a former US Coast Guard electrician's mate with more than 20 years in the trade. Focus on EV charger installs, panel upgrades and residential service across the Richmond metro.
Family Electric, Inc.
Master ElectricianMidlothian-based Class A electrical contractor serving the Richmond metro plus Williamsburg, Charlottesville and Fredericksburg with more than 15 years of experience. Focuses on residential panel upgrades, rewires and lighting for homeowners across central Virginia.
Smartwire
Master ElectricianEV CertifiedAshland Class A electrical contractor serving greater Richmond and Central Virginia for nearly 40 years, with more than 1,400 custom and production homes wired since 1986. BBB A+ rated and voted Best Home Electrical Contractor by Richmond Magazine.
Above The Code Electrical
EV CertifiedHenrico County family-owned Richmond-area electrical contractor serving Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, Powhatan, Colonial Heights, Prince George and Petersburg. 24-hour emergency coverage with a focus on residential diagnosis, panel work, EV chargers and lighting.
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Before you hire in Richmond
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
Most states require a state-issued electrical license. Always ask for the license number, confirm it matches the person doing the work (not just the business owner), and check it against the issuing board's online lookup. - 3
General liability + workers comp
Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) with you listed as a certificate holder. In Virginia: 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 Richmond
Follow these steps to find a reliable, licensed electrician in the Richmond, Virginia 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.
Electrical Costs in Richmond, VA
Typical prices for residential electrical work in Richmond. 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 Richmond typically run $65-$378.
Get a Detailed Cost EstimateElectrical Permit Requirements in Richmond
Nearly all electrical work in Richmond 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 Richmond, Virginia?
Electricians in Richmond 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 Richmond?
Upgrading from a 100-amp to a 200-amp service panel in Richmond 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 Richmond?
Level 2 EV charger installation in Richmond 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 Richmond?
Yes. Nearly all electrical work in Richmond 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 Virginia?
Most states publish a searchable licensing roster you can use to confirm an electrician's license status, bond, and disciplinary history. In Virginia, 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 Richmond, a master electrician must be on the license — confirm this before signing a contract.