

You’ve probably called a few electrical companies already. Maybe they didn’t call back. Maybe they showed up late, gave you a vague estimate, or worse—started the job and disappeared halfway through.
That’s not how we work. When you call ESP, you get a licensed electrical contractor who’s been doing this since 1989. You get flat-rate pricing before any work starts, so there’s no bill shock at the end. And you get a fully stocked truck, which means we’re not running to the supply house in the middle of your job.
The lights work. The panel doesn’t hum. Your generator kicks on when the power goes out. That’s what you’re paying for—and that’s what you’ll get.
ESP Electrical Service Providers has been serving Oak Ridge since 2002. We’re not a franchise. We’re not a call center. Andy Helton, our owner and Master Electrician, still runs jobs and answers the phone.
Oak Ridge has some of the nicest homes in the Triad—Riverside, Pemberly Estates, and newer builds with smart systems, outdoor lighting, and backup generators. Those systems need someone who knows what they’re doing. We’ve wired new construction, upgraded panels in older homes, and installed EV chargers for families going electric.
You’re not getting a sales pitch. You’re getting straight answers from someone who’s been in the trade for over 35 years.

First, you call or text. We answer—usually the same day. If it’s an emergency, we move faster.
Then we schedule a time that works for you. Our technician shows up in uniform, in a marked truck, with the tools and parts already on board. Before we touch anything, we diagnose the issue and give you a flat-rate price. No hourly guessing. No “we’ll see when we get in there” nonsense.
Once you approve, we do the work. We test everything. We clean up. And we don’t leave until you’re clear on what we did and why it matters.
If it’s a bigger job—like a panel upgrade, generator install, or rewiring—we walk you through the timeline, pull the permits, and coordinate inspections. You’ll know what’s happening at every step.

We handle residential electrical repair—outlets that don’t work, breakers that trip, lights that flicker. We also do full panel upgrades, which a lot of older homes in Oak Ridge need if you’re adding a heat pump, EV charger, or whole-house generator.
Speaking of generators—Oak Ridge sits in an area that sees storm damage from time to time. A Generac standby generator keeps your fridge, HVAC, and essentials running when the grid goes down. We size it, install it, and make sure it’s permitted and code-compliant.
We also install EV chargers for Teslas, Rivians, and everything else. Most homes need a 240V circuit and a dedicated breaker. We handle that, plus the wiring and wall mount. Same goes for landscape lighting, smart home wiring, and commercial electrical work for local businesses.
If it involves electricity and it needs to be done safely, we do it.

It depends on what you need done. A simple outlet repair might run $150 to $300. A panel upgrade typically falls between $2,000 and $4,000, depending on the size and whether we’re adding circuits or relocating the panel.
Generator installations vary based on the unit size and fuel type. A whole-house Generac system usually starts around $6,000 to $8,000 installed, including the transfer switch and permits. EV charger installs run $800 to $1,500 depending on distance from the panel and whether we need to run new wire.
We use flat-rate pricing, so you’ll know the cost before we start. No hourly rates. No surprise charges. If the scope changes, we tell you before we do anything extra.
In North Carolina, anyone doing electrical work for hire needs to be licensed by the state. That’s not just a formality—it means they’ve passed exams, proven their experience, and carry insurance.
Unlicensed work won’t pass inspection. It also won’t be covered by your homeowner’s insurance if something goes wrong. And if you ever sell your home, unpermitted electrical work can kill a deal or force you to redo it at your own expense.
We hold a North Carolina Electrical Contractor License. We pull permits when required, and our work is backed by a satisfaction guarantee. You’re not just paying for the labor—you’re paying for accountability and code-compliant work that protects your home and your family.
Most panel upgrades take one full day, sometimes two if we’re relocating the panel or adding a subpanel. The work itself—swapping the panel, reconnecting circuits, installing new breakers—usually takes six to eight hours.
But there’s also the inspection. In Guilford County, we schedule that after the install. The inspector checks our work, signs off, and then the power company reconnects your meter. If everything goes smoothly, you’re back online the same day or the next morning.
We coordinate all of that. You don’t have to call the county or the utility. We handle permits, inspections, and scheduling so you’re not stuck in the middle of it.
That usually means the problem is inside your home, not on the street. Check your main breaker first—it’s the big switch at the top of your panel. If it’s tripped, try resetting it. If it trips again immediately, don’t keep flipping it. That’s a sign of a bigger issue, like a short circuit or overloaded system.
If the main breaker is on and you still don’t have power, the problem could be between the meter and the panel, or with the service connection itself. That’s not a DIY fix. Call us, and we’ll come out to diagnose it.
In some cases, the issue is with the utility’s equipment—like a damaged meter base or service drop. We can identify that and coordinate with Duke Energy if needed. Either way, we’ll figure out what’s wrong and get your power back on safely.
Yes. Most EV chargers need a 240-volt circuit, similar to what powers your dryer or oven. If your panel has space and capacity, the install is straightforward. We run the wire, mount the charger, install a dedicated breaker, and test the system.
If your panel is full or undersized, we might need to upgrade it first. A lot of older homes in Oak Ridge have 100-amp or 150-amp panels, and adding an EV charger plus other modern loads can push that to the limit. We’ll assess your system and let you know if an upgrade makes sense.
We work with all the major charger brands—Tesla Wall Connector, ChargePoint, JuiceBox, Grizzl-E. You pick the unit, we handle the rest. The whole process usually takes half a day once the charger arrives.
That’s usually a sign that your electrical panel is undersized or your AC unit is pulling too much power on startup. Air conditioners draw a surge of current when the compressor kicks in. If your panel or wiring can’t handle that load smoothly, you’ll see lights dim or flicker for a second or two.
It could also mean you have a loose connection at the panel, a weak breaker, or an issue with your main service wire. Sometimes it’s a problem on the utility side—like a loose connection at the meter or transformer. We can test the voltage and load to pinpoint the cause.
If it’s happening regularly, it’s worth getting checked. It’s not just annoying—it can shorten the life of your appliances and electronics. We’ll diagnose it, explain what’s going on, and give you options to fix it for good.
Other Services we provide in Oak Ridge

Electrical Service Providers (ESP) has been in business since 2002. ESP started out performing wiring services to new construction, remodeling projects and residential homes. Our company’s president identified a market for electrical services to be performed in homes and businesses independent of new construction. Read More about Electrical Service Providers>>
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Electrical Service Providers (ESP) has been in business since 2002. ESP started out performing wiring services to new construction, remodeling projects and residential homes. Our company’s president identified a market for electrical services to be performed in homes and businesses independent of new construction. Read More about Electrical Service Providers>>