Best Electrical in Dallas, TX — 90 Vetted Contractors

Yes, in almost all cases. Panel replacements and service upgrades in Dallas require an electrical permit from the City of Dallas Development Services, followed by an inspection. Your licensed contractor normally pulls the permit and builds the fee into the quote. Skipping it can cause problems at resale and with insurance claims. Ask for the permit number and confirm the inspection was passed before making your final payment.

Use the free license search on the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) website. Search by company name, person or license number and confirm the Electrical Contractor license is active and a master electrician is attached. Check the expiration date and any disciplinary history. The license must be issued to the company or person actually doing the work, so match names. Texas licenses at the state level, so Dallas does not issue a separate electrician license.

Expect roughly $2,000 to $4,500 for a typical Dallas home, though complicated jobs can run higher. The range depends on whether the meter base and service mast need replacing, how far the panel is from the meter, the permit fee and whether Oncor must disconnect power. Homes with old Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels, or with aluminum wiring, may need extra work. Get at least two written quotes that list the equipment and permit.

Some homes built from about 1965 to 1973 used aluminum branch circuit wiring. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has warned that connections at outlets and switches can overheat if they are not made with approved methods. Signs include warm cover plates, flickering lights and a burning smell. It is not automatically a reason to rewire. A licensed electrician can inspect and offer fixes such as approved connectors or copper pigtails.

Many Dallas electricians recommend it, given how frequently North Texas has lightning-heavy thunderstorms and grid disturbances. A panel-mounted surge protector typically costs $300 to $800 installed and protects appliances, HVAC controls and electronics. It will not stop a direct lightning strike, and you may still want point-of-use protectors for sensitive electronics. The device should be installed by a licensed electrician and matched to your panel.

A plug-in charger on an existing 240-volt outlet is one thing. Adding a new 240-volt circuit is another, and in Dallas that usually requires a permit and a licensed electrician. Costs often run about $500 to $2,000, depending on available panel capacity and wire length. If your panel is full or undersized, the cost may include a panel upgrade. Ask your contractor to run a load calculation before quoting.

Call Oncor first if the outage affects your street or if the problem is at the pole, the wires to your house or the utility side of the meter. Oncor handles those. If neighbors have power and you don't, check your breakers, then call a licensed electrician for problems on your side of the meter, including the meter base, the panel and house wiring. Your retail electricity provider handles billing only, not repairs.