Los Angeles, CA
Electricians in Los Angeles
Licensed electrical contractors for panel work, wiring, troubleshooting and code corrections. Local labor in Los Angeles runs about 22 percent above the national median, which is the adjustment to apply before you use any national price.
- Metro population
- 3,820,914
- Labor cost index
- 1.22×
- State
- California
Emergency and utility numbers in California
For gas odor, downed power lines, or flooding, call 911 or your utility emergency line first — not a contractor. After the immediate hazard is controlled, hire licensed pros for permanent repair.
- 911 — fire, medical, immediate life safety
- Gas odor — leave the building, do not switch lights, call your gas utility emergency number from outside
- Power outage / lines down — utility emergency line; stay away from downed conductors
Trade owners in Los Angeles
Claiming your profile is free — correct licence, service area, and contact. No lead fees and no paid placement.
Claim your businessElectricians listed in Los Angeles
No listings here yet
We publish a listing only where the organization asked to be listed, or where every field came from a public licence register. Neither has happened for electricians in Los Angeles yet, so there is nothing to show — rather than a page of names scraped from somewhere and presented as vetted.
The costs, licensing and verification steps below apply regardless. If you run a business here, listing is free and always will be.
What the work costs here
National ranges adjusted by the Los Angeles labor index. Materials move far less by region than labor does, so treat these as directional — the range narrows once someone has actually seen the job.
- Electrician median pay here
- $75,000
- National median $61,590
- Labor cost vs. national
- +22%
- Applied to the estimates below
- Metro population
- 3,820,914
- California
| Job | National typical | Los Angeles typical | Range here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Panel Upgrade | $3,500 | $4,300 | $2,200–$11,000 |
| EV Charger Installation | $1,600 | $2,000 | $975–$5,500 |
| Whole-House Generator Installation | $12,000 | $14,500 | $6,100–$27,000 |
| Whole-House Rewiring | $15,000 | $18,500 | $9,800–$36,500 |
| Adding an Electrical Circuit | $400 | $500 | $250–$1,100 |
| Ceiling Fan Installation | $275 | $325 | $175–$725 |
| Recessed Lighting Installation | $350 | $425 | $175–$975 |
| Hot Tub Electrical Wiring | $1,500 | $1,800 | $975–$3,700 |
| Subpanel Installation | $1,800 | $2,200 | $1,100–$4,300 |
| Outlet Installation | $275 | $325 | $175–$600 |
| GFCI Installation | $325 | $400 | $225–$675 |
| Switch Replacement | $225 | $275 | $150–$550 |
| Light Fixture Installation | $300 | $375 | $175–$725 |
| Smoke Detector Installation | $200 | $250 | $125–$550 |
| Doorbell Camera Installation | $350 | $425 | $225–$850 |
| Smart Thermostat Wiring | $300 | $375 | $175–$675 |
| Whole-House Surge Protector Installation | $450 | $550 | $300–$925 |
| Generator Transfer Switch | $1,800 | $2,200 | $975–$4,300 |
| Meter Base Replacement | $2,200 | $2,700 | $1,500–$5,500 |
| Service Mast Replacement | $1,600 | $2,000 | $1,100–$3,900 |
| Knob and Tube Replacement | $15,000 | $18,500 | $9,800–$34,000 |
| Aluminum Wiring Remediation | $5,500 | $6,700 | $3,100–$14,500 |
| Electrical Inspection | $350 | $425 | $250–$725 |
| Pool Equipment Wiring | $1,800 | $2,200 | $975–$4,900 |
| Landscape Lighting Installation | $1,800 | $2,200 | $975–$5,500 |
| Solar Panel Installation | $22,000 | $27,000 | $14,500–$49,000 |
| Home Battery Backup Installation | $14,000 | $17,000 | $9,800–$30,500 |
| Under-Cabinet Lighting Installation | $650 | $800 | $375–$1,700 |
| Chandelier Installation | $450 | $550 | $250–$1,500 |
| Attic Wiring | $900 | $1,100 | $500–$2,700 |
| Garage Subpanel | $1,800 | $2,200 | $1,100–$4,300 |
| Low-Voltage Wiring | $1,200 | $1,500 | $600–$3,400 |
| EV Charger Panel Upgrade | $3,200 | $3,900 | $2,200–$6,700 |
| Hardscape Lighting | $2,000 | $2,400 | $1,100–$7,900 |
| Range Hood Installation | $700 | $850 | $425–$2,600 |
| Bathroom Exhaust Fan Installation | $500 | $600 | $325–$1,600 |
How these numbers are derived
Permits and code in Los Angeles
Checked against the issuing authority on 2026-10-07. Fees and thresholds change — the link below is the authority, this page is not.
Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS)
Online via LADBS e-Permit / Accela or at Metro, Van Nuys, and West LA district offices. CSLB-licensed contractors pull most trade permits; Title 24 energy compliance documents required on HVAC and envelope work.
What needs a permit here
- Electrical panel upgrade, service change, or solar PV interconnection
- Water heater replacement (including tankless) and gas line alterations
- HVAC system replacement, duct modification, or mini-split installation
- Roof replacement, re-roof, or structural decking repair
- Soft-story or seismic retrofit work on qualifying multi-family buildings
- ADU construction, garage conversion, or major remodel altering egress or structure
| Permit | Published fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Plan Check / Issuance | $200.00+ by valuation | LADBS fee schedule uses valuation tables; simple trade permits have lower minimums. |
| Electrical Permit (Residential Service) | $150.00 - $300.00 | Scales with amperage, subpanels, and number of circuits. |
| Plumbing Water Heater Permit | $100.00 - $175.00 | Includes seismic strapping and relief valve inspection per local amendments. |
| Mechanical HVAC Permit | $120.00 - $250.00 | Title 24 HERS or compliance forms often required at final. |
Local amendments worth knowing
Cities adopt the model codes then amend them. The amendments are what catch people out, because a national guide will not mention them.
2022 California Building Standards Code (Title 24)
State energy, green, and accessibility standards apply to HVAC replacements, windows, and major remodels.
Read the amendmentLos Angeles Municipal Code — Seismic Retrofit
Mandatory soft-story retrofit program for qualifying wood-frame apartment buildings.
Read the amendmentLADBS Green Building / EV Ready
Some projects require EV-capable panel space or solar-ready provisions on new work.
Read the amendment
Verify a licence
California Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
Class B general, C-10 electrical, C-36 plumbing, C-20 HVAC contractors
Public licence lookupCalifornia DIR — Electrician Certification
Certified electricians working under C-10 contractors
Public licence lookupCalifornia Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists
Professional Engineers (PE) for structural and seismic design
Public licence lookup
Conditions that change the job here
- Seismic design and hillside grading add engineering cost on slopes and canyon parcels.
- Wildfire WUI zones in adjacent hills require ember-resistant vents and defensible-space coordination.
- Smog, heat islands, and mild winters favor heat pumps but Title 24 documentation is strict.
- Older housing with galvanized or cast-iron sewer laterals fails under tree roots and seismic movement.
- High permit volume and plan-check queues extend timelines on complex remodels.
Local context for Los Angeles, CA
Permit rules, fees, and housing-stock conditions change by city even within the same state. These facts come from the researched metro profile — not from a template with the city name swapped in.
Permit office
Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) · Filing information · (213) 482-0000
Common permit triggers here
- Electrical panel upgrade, service change, or solar PV interconnection
- Water heater replacement (including tankless) and gas line alterations
- HVAC system replacement, duct modification, or mini-split installation
- Roof replacement, re-roof, or structural decking repair
- Soft-story or seismic retrofit work on qualifying multi-family buildings
- ADU construction, garage conversion, or major remodel altering egress or structure
Local conditions that change the work
- Seismic design and hillside grading add engineering cost on slopes and canyon parcels.
- Wildfire WUI zones in adjacent hills require ember-resistant vents and defensible-space coordination.
- Smog, heat islands, and mild winters favor heat pumps but Title 24 documentation is strict.
- Older housing with galvanized or cast-iron sewer laterals fails under tree roots and seismic movement.
- High permit volume and plan-check queues extend timelines on complex remodels.
Verify before you hire in California
Check the licence with the California board
Journeyman and master licenses are issued by states or municipalities; most require documented hours plus an exam. Search the number in the state's public lookup, confirm it is active, and confirm the classification covers your job rather than something adjacent to it.
Have the insurer send the certificate
Ask for general liability and workers' compensation to be sent to you directly by the insurance agent. A PDF forwarded by the contractor proves the document existed once, not that the policy is current.
Get the scope in writing, with exclusions
What is included matters less than what is excluded. Permits, disposal, patching, and code upgrades triggered by the work are the four line items that most often turn into change orders.
Confirm who pulls the permit
Permit thresholds are municipal in California. The licence holder should pull it. If you are asked to pull it as a homeowner on licensed work, you are absorbing their liability.
Never pay the full amount up front
A deposit for materials on a large job is normal. Paying in full before work begins is not, and several states cap what a contractor may take as a deposit.
Work out the problem before you call
- ElectricalBreaker Keeps TrippingUnderstand why a circuit breaker trips repeatedly and which causes are safe to investigate yourself.
- ElectricalOutlet Not WorkingA dead outlet or one that stopped working — check these causes before calling an electrician for a simple fix.
- ElectricalGFCI Won't ResetA GFCI outlet or breaker that will not stay reset — there is a ground fault somewhere on the circuit that must be found.
- ElectricalLights FlickeringLights that flicker or dim — determine whether it is a loose bulb, an overloaded circuit, or a problem at the panel.
- ElectricalBreaker Won't ResetA circuit breaker that trips and will not stay on — the circuit has a fault that must be found before you reset again.
- VentilationBathroom Fan Not VentingA bathroom exhaust fan that runs but does not move air — moisture stays in the room and mold follows within weeks.
- ElectricalHalf of Outlets Not WorkingWhen some outlets work and others do not, look for a tripped GFCI, tripped breaker, or a failed outlet feeding the chain.
- ElectricalBurning Smell From OutletA burning or fishy smell at an outlet means overheating — shut the circuit off until the device is replaced or inspected.
- ElectricalWarm Light SwitchA warm switch is drawing excessive current or has a bad connection — common with dimmers on heavy or incompatible loads.
- ElectricalBuzzing Breaker PanelBuzzing from the panel suggests a loose breaker, failing AFCI/GFCI, or arcing at lugs — treat as urgent.
- ElectricalLights Dim When Appliance RunsVoltage dip when a large load starts usually means shared circuit overload or a loose neutral.
- ElectricalBulbs Burning Out FastPremature bulb failure points to high voltage, vibration, poor contacts, or wrong dimmer.
- ElectricalFlickering Whole HouseWhole-house flicker suggests utility supply issues, loose main neutral, or large motor loads on the service.
- ElectricalSmoke Alarm ChirpingPeriodic chirps usually mean low battery, end of life, or dust — pattern matters on hardwired units.
- ElectricalOutdoor Outlet DeadDead exterior outlets are often a tripped GFCI indoors, moisture in the box, or a tripped breaker.
- ElectricalTwo-Prong OutletsUngrounded two-prong outlets limit safe grounding for modern electronics — understand options before upgrading.
- ElectricalElectrical Panel Is FullNo open breaker spaces blocks EV chargers, heat pumps, and subpanels — plan a tandem audit or upgrade.
- ElectricalGarage Outlet Keeps TrippingGarage GFCI trips from moisture, freezer faults, or garage door opener leakage.
- ElectricalPool Light Not WorkingPool lights combine water, electricity, and sealed niches — leaks and tripped GFCIs are common.
- ElectricalDoorbell Not WorkingSilent doorbells trace to button, transformer, chime, or smart doorbell wiring.
- ElectricalCeiling Fan WobblingFan wobble comes from blade balance, loose mounting, or a bent blade — fix before it loosens the box.
- ElectricalDimmer Switch BuzzingBuzzing dimmers often mean incompatible LEDs, overloaded dimmer, or loose wire.
- AppliancesDryer Not HeatingAn electric dryer that tumbles but stays cold usually means a tripped breaker, blown thermal fuse, or failed heating element.
- AppliancesDryer Takes Too LongLong dry times are almost always restricted vent airflow or overloaded drum before heater failure.
- AppliancesOven Not HeatingOven not reaching temperature traces to breaker, igniter, bake element, or temperature sensor.
- AppliancesFridge Not CoolingWarm fridge with running compressor often means dirty coils, failed fan, or sealed system leak.
- AppliancesMicrowave Not HeatingMicrowave runs but does not heat usually means failed magnetron, diode, or door switch — rarely DIY.
- SafetyScorched BreakerDiscoloration or melt on a breaker means arcing — replace breaker and investigate circuit immediately.
- SafetySparking OutletVisible sparks from an outlet mean damaged contacts or short — stop using and shut breaker.
- SafetyHot Ceiling FixtureA hot ceiling fixture or globe means wrong bulb wattage or buried insulation on IC rating violation.
Questions about hiring in Los Angeles
How much do electricians charge in Los Angeles?
Do I need a licensed professional in California?
Is a permit required in Los Angeles?
How do I verify a contractor's licence?
Other trades in Los Angeles
- Plumbers in Los AngelesLicensed plumbing contractors for water heaters, leaks, drains, fixtures and repiping.
- HVAC Contractors in Los AngelesHeating, cooling and refrigeration contractors for service, replacement and duct work.
- Roofers in Los AngelesRoofing contractors for leak repair, replacement, storm damage and inspections.
- Carpenters in Los AngelesFraming, finish carpentry, decks, stairs and structural repair contractors.
- Trade Schools in Los AngelesAccredited trade and technical schools offering programs in the skilled trades.
- Apprenticeship Programs in Los AngelesRegistered apprenticeship programs through union locals, contractor associations and employers.