Working with electricity is definitely not a DIY project. Not only is there the danger of electrocution, but improperly-installed wiring is the leading cause of house fires in the United States. For anything electrical, from changing an outlet to hanging a light fixture to wiring a new room or circuit in your home, you need to call an electrician.

Knowing the average electrician prices for the most common jobs can give you an idea of what to expect when you do need to make this call. This knowledge can prevent you from getting ripped off by unscrupulous contractors or hiring an extra cheap, yet extremely under qualified, electrical company.

Most electricians and electrical contractors charge an hourly fee plus the cost of parts and materials, if needed. Many electrician prices also include a set fee, usually between $60 and $100, for an on-site estimate. However, that amount is virtually always applied to the cost of the first hour of labor if you decide to have them complete the job.

To give you an idea of what electrician costs typically look like for a few common electrical jobs, we’ve compiled the following list:

Larger or more complex projects, such as whole house re-wiring or any electrical project requiring a building permit, will usually be quoted on a per job basis rather than hourly.

At Kolb Electric, we want your home to be both efficient and safe. That’s why we employ only the most qualified licensed electricians, including a master electrician as a supervisor, for every electrical job in the DC area. However, we also understand that you may have a limited budget for your electrical repairs and maintenance and that often, such things come up unexpectedly. That’s why we always try to provide the best value on top-quality work.

To learn more about electrician costs for your Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC project, call us at 877 287-1179. We’ve been helping area Mid-Atlantic home and commercial building owners with their electrical needs since 1925.

Although the beautiful spring weather is giving you a nice break on your electric bill, it is always important you learn more ways to cut down your energy usage. This summer is going to be a hot one. You need to get ahead of the game by learning some useful tips and tricks for staying cool this summer without turning your thermostat down and running up your electric bill. An electrician in Los Angeles has those tips for you. If you need any more questions answered, the team at The Electric Connection can certainly help you.

Check out the following 5 ways you can reduce your electric bill and stay cool this summer.

1-If you haven’t done so already, switch out your old incandescent bulbs to the more energy efficient LEDs or CFLs. Your lighting needs account for about 20 percent of your electric bill. By changing out those old bulbs, you could save quite a bit of money. If you have an old light fixture, considering having it changed out by an electrician. Los Angeles residents will soon see it was worth the investment.

2-Invest in some heavy curtains or consider having your south-facing windows tinted. This can cut down on the heat produced by the sun hitting the glass.

3-Have a ceiling fan installed by a Los Angeles electrician to help reduce cooling costs. A fan in the main living area and in each bedroom can help keep you cool without running up your electric bill.

4-Use a crockpot to cook meals on really hot days. This will reduce the heat generated by the oven or stove.

5-Do not use your dryer during the day. Consider drying clothes outside or run the dryer in the early mornings and late evenings.

If you need a new ceiling fan installed or have any additional questions, give the team at The Electric Connection a call today.

By Lindsay Mirick

When lightning strikes and thunder rolls, will you be prepared for the power surges that follow? When you think about storm proofing your home, power surge protection may not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, getting caught in a power surge during a storm without protection could leave you with some very expensive, very useless electronics. Mr. Electric has reasons why...

Many homeowners have the idea that surge protection is simply a matter of plugging their devices into a low-cost, multi-outlet surge suppressor. However, we all know that the cheapest option isn’t always the best option, and making exceptions can lead to more expensive consequences in the long run.

If you think about it, adding surge protection to your home costs very little in comparison to the replacement of your electronics. A single surge can follow any wire into a house and threaten televisions, computers, appliances, satellite systems, phone and cable lines, and any other electrical devices you can think of.

The cost of replacing a single large home appliance such as a washer or dryer will likely cost you double the investment of a whole house surge protector. According to the Insurance Information Institute, insurers paid over $673 million in lightning claims in 2013 alone. In the three years prior, approximately $1 billion was paid annually to policyholders.

Most people associate power surges with lighting strikes. However, many things both outside and inside the home can cause them. Outside the home, events such as power outages and power transitions in large equipment on the same power line can introduce damaging power surges on your electric lines. Inside the home reengaging trip circuit breakers or switching of pool pumps, AC units, and other devices with large motors can also introduce power surges onto your electric wiring. To effectively protect your home from these damaging surges, you need to implement whole house surge protection .

Ask yourself if can you afford to live without surge protection. A few hundred dollars isn’t much when you compare it to the cost of replacing some of your most cherished possessions, not to mention the inconvenience of living without them until they can be replaced.

Trust us to keep your valuables safe and let us power your tomorrow. Call Mr. Electric today!