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Call: 336-228-3300

Electrical Service Providers FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

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How much does it typically cost to hire an electrician in North Carolina?

Electrical service costs in North Carolina vary based on the job complexity and what’s actually needed. Most licensed electricians charge between $35 and $100 per hour depending on experience level. For standard service calls, expect the first hour to run higher than subsequent hours because it covers travel time, diagnostics, and overhead. Emergency calls during off-hours or weekends typically cost more than scheduled appointments. The real cost driver isn’t the hourly rate though—it’s whether the work gets done right the first time so you’re not paying someone else to fix it later.

A circuit breaker that keeps tripping is trying to tell you something. The three main causes are overloaded circuits, short circuits, or ground faults. Start by unplugging everything on that circuit and resetting the breaker. If it trips immediately with nothing plugged in, you’ve got a wiring problem—not an overload. If it holds, plug devices back in one at a time to find the culprit. Breakers trip when more electricity flows through than the circuit can handle. A 20-amp breaker trips at anything over 20 amps. If you’re constantly redistributing loads or the breaker won’t stay reset, call a licensed electrician to diagnose the actual problem before it becomes a fire hazard.

A GFCI outlet—Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter—monitors the electrical current flowing through the circuit and shuts off power instantly if it detects an imbalance. Regular outlets don’t have this protection. You’ll recognize GFCIs by the test and reset buttons in the center. They’re required in areas where water and electricity might meet: bathrooms, kitchens, garages, basements, and outdoor locations. If your GFCI keeps tripping, it’s doing its job by detecting a ground fault. Repeated trips mean there’s moisture getting into the outlet, a wiring issue, or the GFCI itself is failing and needs replacement.

Annual professional maintenance is the standard recommendation for standby generators, but there’s more to it than that. Between professional visits, run your generator for 20 minutes monthly to keep parts lubricated and the battery charged. Check oil and coolant levels monthly. Replace air filters, spark plugs, and oil every 100 hours of use or annually—whichever comes first. Keep the area around the unit clear of debris, leaves, and vegetation. The most common reason generators fail when you need them is a dead battery, followed by stale fuel and low oil. Regular maintenance isn’t optional if you expect the thing to work during an outage.

Generac dominates the market with the widest dealer network, competitive pricing, and solid remote monitoring technology. They’re the go-to for most residential applications and offer a 10-year warranty. Kohler positions itself as the premium option with commercial-grade components, quieter operation, and superior power quality—ideal if you have sensitive electronics or medical equipment. They cost more upfront but are built to last. Briggs & Stratton offers budget-friendly options with reliable performance, though they may lack some advanced features. The “best” generator depends on your priorities: Generac for value and support, Kohler for quality and longevity, Briggs & Stratton for basic backup power on a tighter budget.

Call a licensed electrician for anything beyond resetting a breaker or changing a light bulb. If you smell burning, see sparks, notice warm outlets or switches, hear buzzing sounds, or have a breaker that trips immediately after resetting—stop and call a professional. Electrical work isn’t like plumbing where a mistake means a wet floor. A mistake with electricity means fire, electrocution, or both. Even if you’re handy, electrical code requirements change and improper work can void your homeowner’s insurance if something goes wrong. The real question isn’t whether you can do it yourself—it’s whether you should risk your family’s safety to save a service call.

Your electrical panel needs upgrading if you’re experiencing frequent breaker trips, the panel is over 25 years old, you’re using multiple extension cords and power strips throughout the house, lights dim when major appliances kick on, or you’re adding new high-draw equipment like EV chargers or central air conditioning. Most older homes have 100-amp panels that can’t handle modern electrical demands. Upgrading to a 200-amp panel prevents constant tripping, reduces fire risk, and gives you capacity for future needs. If your panel has a fuse box instead of circuit breakers, or if it’s a Federal Pacific or Zinsco brand, replacement isn’t just recommended—it’s a safety priority.

For electrical emergencies—burning smells, visible smoke, sparks, or outlets that are hot to the touch—shut off power at the main breaker if it’s safe to do so, evacuate if there’s smoke or fire, and call 911 if needed. Don’t touch electrical components if you’re standing on a wet surface or if they appear damaged. For urgent issues that aren’t life-threatening but can’t wait until business hours—like complete power loss, a breaker that won’t reset, or a failed generator during an outage—call an emergency electrical service. Emergency rates run higher than scheduled appointments, typically $100 to $200 per hour, because you’re paying for immediate response during off-hours. But some problems can’t wait.

Occasional flickering when a major appliance kicks on—like your AC compressor or well pump—is usually normal. The appliance draws a surge of power and causes a brief voltage drop. If lights flicker constantly, dim without explanation, or if multiple lights flicker at once, you’ve got a problem. Loose wiring connections, overloaded circuits, or issues with your electrical panel are the usual suspects. Flickering can also indicate a loose connection at the fixture itself, which is an easy fix. But if tightening the bulb doesn’t solve it, have a licensed electrician inspect the circuit. Loose wiring generates heat, and heat causes fires.

A typical residential generator installation takes one to three days depending on the size of the unit, whether you’re using natural gas or propane, how far the generator sits from your gas line and electrical panel, and whether you need a concrete pad poured. We install the generator, run a gas line if needed, install a transfer switch, connect everything to your electrical panel, and coordinate inspections. Permitting adds time before work begins. Larger generators or installations requiring extensive electrical work take longer. The installation itself is just part of it—you also need to factor in the site assessment, permitting, any required gas line work, and final inspection before the system goes live.

Dead outlets with a breaker that’s still on usually point to a tripped GFCI outlet upstream, a loose wire connection, or a failed outlet. Start by checking if the outlet is controlled by a wall switch—some outlets are switched and only work when the switch is on. Next, look for GFCI outlets in the same room or nearby. Press the reset button on any GFCIs you find. One tripped GFCI can kill power to multiple downstream outlets. If that doesn’t work, you likely have a loose wire connection at the outlet itself or somewhere along that circuit. This requires an electrician to trace the circuit, identify where the connection failed, and repair it properly.