West Houston Electric · Since 1991
What Electrical Work Really Costs in Houston — A Straight-Answer Guide
★★★★★4.9· 2,568 Google reviewsMost electricians make you call for a price. We don't. Below is an honest breakdown of what residential electrical work costs in the greater Houston area, what makes the price go up or down, and exactly where West Houston Electric fits. When you're ready for your actual price — not a range — our online tool gives it to you in about 60 seconds.
What electrical work costs (typical ranges)
These are honest ballpark ranges for the greater Houston area. Your exact, flat price depends on your home — our online tool gives it to you in about a minute.
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
EV Charging Charge your electric car safely at home — you provide the charger, we install it. | $767–$1,257 |
Electrical Panel Square D Homeline — panel-only up to a full inside replacement with main disconnect + meter base; includes whole-home surge; ground rods + permit as required | $5,635–$9,038 |
Underground Service Replace the underground electrical line that runs from the power company's transformer to your house — often after wear, tear, or damage from digging (fence, irrigation, or pool work). POWER OUT? Call CenterPoint Energy FIRST and ask for a Temporary Bypass — they charge about $531 and usually restore power the same day. WHE credits that $531 toward your replacement, so it's not money lost. Then we inspect, pick the right conductor, and price the permanent fix on site. | $4,064–$4,570 |
Surge Protection Shield your home's electronics from power surges. The price depends on where your electrical panel is: an indoor panel needs a flush-mount kit for the surge device; an outdoor panel doesn't, so it costs less. One device protects one panel — most homes have a single main panel; add one per sub-panel if you have more than one. | $845–$1,080 |
GFCI Safety Outlets GFCI shock-protection outlets — required by code in wet or outdoor areas: bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and outside. | $248–$432 |
Outlets & Switches Replace or add outlets, switches, dimmers & USB. Outlets in a kitchen, bath, garage or outdoors must be GFCI by code — pick the safety-outlet option. | $125–$520 |
Ceiling Fans Replace or add a ceiling fan, safely braced. | $300–$907 |
Lighting Replace or add fixtures and recessed lights. | $242–$693 |
Smoke & CO Detectors Replace old or chirping detectors with sealed 10-year units — or we'll install a smoke detector you supply. | $88–$296 |
Doorbell Replace, repair, or upgrade a doorbell — standard or smart (Ring, Nest, Google). You supply the unit. We don't run new low-voltage communication wiring. | $300–$400 |
TV Mounting We mount your TV and can hide the cables in the wall for a clean, finished look. (We mount and power it — we don't do TV setup or configuration.) | $428–$703 |
Backup Generator whole-home automatic (natural gas/propane), sized to the house (22 kW through 48 kW) — or a portable-generator hookup (inlet + interlock) starting around $1,900 | $22,500–$49,500 |
Hot Tub & Spa 50A GFCI circuit + disconnect; distance & trenching drive it | $1,500–$3,500 |
Diagnose & Repair (something not working) One flat price — check or ACH ($399 by card; VIP $361/$379). Diagnosis plus the repair included when it only needs one small part; larger fixes are quoted on site. No separate dispatch or service-call fee. | $380 |
New install / project estimate Adding or installing something new (circuit, panel, EV charger, fixtures) — a licensed electrician gives a written estimate on site | Free |
How our pricing works — three simple ways to get a price
- ▲Running new wire a long distance, or through finished walls, attics, or under a slab
- ▲Older homes — outdated panels, aluminum wiring, no ground, or work that has to be brought up to current code
- ▲Permits and inspections (required inside many city limits)
- ▲Higher-amperage service (a 400A panel costs more than a 200A) and heavier-duty equipment
- ▲Trenching, concrete, or outdoor/underground work
- ▲Premium fixtures or equipment you choose
- ▼The circuit or wiring you need is already there — we just connect to it
- ▼Short, accessible runs in an unfinished garage, attic, or basement
- ▼Standard equipment instead of premium models
- ▼Bundling several small jobs into one visit instead of separate trips
- ▼Work outside city permit limits, when code allows
- ▲Not licensed or not insured — if something goes wrong, it's on you
- ▲No permit pulled, so the work is never inspected (and can fail at resale)
- ▲Cheaper parts and breakers that don't last
- ▲No warranty — once they're paid, you're on your own
- ▲The low number on the phone becomes a much bigger one once they're in your home
- ▼Licensed master/journeyman electricians, fully insured
- ▼Permits pulled and work inspected where required
- ▼Quality breakers, wire, and devices that last decades
- ▼A real workmanship warranty that's actually honored
- ▼A free safety check on every visit, and a price you approve before any work starts
Where West Houston Electric fits
West Houston Electric is a fair, mid-to-premium price — not the cheapest, and not trying to be. We're a licensed, insured, family-run company that has served west Houston since 1991 (30+ years). You get upfront flat-rate pricing you approve before we start, code-compliant work, and a warranty. We'd rather earn your trust with an honest price than win you with a lowball number that balloons later.
Cheapest now vs. cheapest over time
The cheapest electrical work is almost always the most expensive over time. A bargain panel or breaker that fails, a non-permitted circuit that won't pass inspection when you sell, or unlicensed work that has to be torn out and redone — those cost far more than doing it right once. Quality electrical work is a 20-to-40-year investment in your home's safety and value.
You can spread it out
Most homeowners finance larger jobs into low monthly payments (GreenSky, around 10% APR, up to 120 months). A few examples:
Pricing questions, answered
Is it worth it?
If the work involves your panel, your wiring, or anything behind a wall, doing it right — licensed, permitted, warrantied — is absolutely worth it. It protects your family from fire and shock, it passes inspection when you sell, and it lasts decades. For small, simple jobs, the honest answer is sometimes 'this one's minor' — and we'll tell you that too.
West Houston Electric · Licensed & insured · Serving greater Houston since 1991. Ranges are guides; your exact flat price is confirmed before any work.