Calling an electrician doesn't have to be stressful, and with Gaithersburg Electrical Company, it won't be. Whether you're a homeowner dealing with a dead outlet, a property manager tracking down a wiring fault, or a business that needs new circuits run for an expansion, we handle the full range of residential and commercial electrical work. Repairs, panel upgrades, rewiring, new circuits, lighting, EV chargers, and generator hookups are all work we take on. Local coverage. Safe wiring. Costs explained before we start.
Call (240) 982-9789 for a quote.
No matter what's going wrong with your wiring, the symptoms usually point to something specific. A dead outlet, flickering lights, a breaker that trips every time you run the microwave, a burning smell near a receptacle, or power out in one room while the rest of the house is fine - each of these has a cause, and finding it is the first part of the job.
When you call, we ask about what you're seeing so we can scope the visit before anyone arrives. On site, we trace the fault: a tripped GFCI that needs resetting, an overloaded circuit drawing more than the breaker can handle, a failing arc-fault breaker, a loose connection working its way toward a hazard. We give you a plain answer on repair versus upgrade before any work starts.
This area's panels, permits, and utility rules are familiar ground. That matters when a repair touches the service entrance or requires a permit pull, because the process moves faster when nothing needs to be figured out from scratch. A breaker that keeps tripping is a warning worth heeding.
Before a small wiring issue turns into a hazard, it helps to know whether the panel itself is the problem. Older panels - especially those with known issues like Federal Pacific or Zinsco equipment - can fail to trip when they should, which is a fire risk, not just an inconvenience. We handle panel repair, full panel replacement, and 200-amp service upgrades for homes and commercial buildings that have outgrown their original capacity.
Load calculations tell us whether the existing service can carry what you're adding: a new HVAC circuit, an EV charger, a finished basement, a second-floor addition. When the numbers don't work, a service-entrance upgrade or a subpanel for a garage or detached structure is often the right path. We also repair code violations and failed electrical inspection items, which come up frequently during real estate transactions and renovation permits.
We tell you if a permit is needed. We name the fault plainly. You decide the fix.
Outlet and switch work covers a wide range of jobs, from a single GFCI outlet replacement in a bathroom to a full round of AFCI outlet installation across an older home's bedroom circuits. Dimmer switch installation, light switch replacement, and adding receptacles to a room that never had enough of them are all straightforward jobs that make a real difference day to day.
Dedicated circuits matter more than most homeowners realize. A refrigerator, dryer, washer, oven, dishwasher, and microwave each draw enough current to warrant their own circuit. Running appliances on shared circuits causes nuisance trips and, over time, wiring wear. We run dedicated appliance circuits for new installations and for existing appliances that have been sharing a circuit they shouldn't.
For landlords and rental property owners, we also handle hard-wired smoke detector installation, carbon monoxide detector wiring, and exhaust fan wiring - the items that show up on inspection reports and need to be right before a unit turns over. We'll get your lights back on fast.
No matter what's going wrong with your wiring, lighting problems are among the most common calls we get. Fixture replacement, recessed lighting installation, under-cabinet lighting for kitchens, and LED retrofit work all fall within a standard visit. We assess the existing wiring before we cut anything, so the job goes in clean and up to code.
Ceiling fan installation and ceiling fan replacement are jobs that look simple but involve wiring that needs to be done correctly - especially when the existing box wasn't rated for a fan's weight and movement. We swap the box when needed and make sure the wiring is matched to the load.
Outdoor lighting serves both safety and appearance. Security light installation, motion sensor lights, and exterior fixture replacement are common requests from homeowners and commercial property managers alike. A well-lit parking area or building entrance is a practical investment, and we wire it to hold up through Maryland's weather.
Montgomery County's housing stock runs from pre-World War II bungalows to mid-century colonials to new construction, and the electrical demands here reflect that range. Older neighborhoods carry wiring that was installed under different codes and different expectations. At the same time, EV adoption in the DC metro corridor is among the highest in the country, and storm outages are a regular part of life. These three services come up constantly in this area.
Knob-and-tube wiring was standard in homes built before the 1950s, and a significant portion of Gaithersburg's older housing still has it, sometimes hidden behind finished walls that were never opened during past renovations. The problem is not just age: knob-and-tube lacks a ground wire, cannot safely support modern electrical loads, and is incompatible with current insulation standards. Aluminum branch wiring from the 1960s and 1970s presents a different issue - connection points loosen over time and create heat and arcing at outlets and fixtures.
We handle knob-and-tube replacement, aluminum wiring remediation, and whole-home rewiring. An electrical safety inspection is often the starting point, giving us a clear picture of what's there before we scope the work.
A Level 2 home EV charger runs on a 240-volt dedicated circuit, and getting it installed correctly starts with a panel assessment. If the panel doesn't have the capacity to add the circuit, we address that first - whether that means a panel upgrade or load management. From there, we run the dedicated circuit to the garage or driveway location, install the outlet or hardwired unit, and confirm the installation is ready for use.
Maryland's EV adoption numbers are high, and the DC metro area leads the state. We've handled these installations across a range of panel ages and garage configurations. The visit is straightforward when the panel has room. When it doesn't, we explain the options on the call.
When a nor'easter or ice storm knocks out power in Montgomery County, the outage can last days. A backup generator is only useful if the electrical connection is done right. We handle the electrical side of generator hookups: transfer switch installation, the dedicated circuit from the panel to the generator connection point, and the wiring that allows the transfer switch to isolate your home from the utility line before the generator comes on.
We do not sell or service the generator units themselves. What we do is make sure the connection is safe, code-compliant, and ready to work when you need it.
Before a small wiring issue turns into a hazard, an inspection can catch it. We perform electrical safety inspections for homeowners, buyers, landlords, and commercial property owners. A pre-purchase inspection tells a buyer what they're inheriting. A rental property inspection confirms that the wiring meets the code the jurisdiction enforces. A post-renovation inspection closes out the permit.
Whole-home surge protection is a separate job that pairs well with an inspection. A whole-home surge protector installs at the panel and shields every circuit in the building from voltage spikes - the kind that come in from the utility line during a storm or a grid event. It protects appliances and electronics that a power strip can't reach.
Wiring work is checked against code before sign-off, and we walk you through what was found and what was corrected. Call now and we'll set the appointment.
If you've never hired an electrician before, a renovation or addition is often the first time the question comes up. Electrical rough-in for a new room, wiring for a kitchen remodel, circuits for a finished basement, sump-pump circuits for below-grade spaces - these are all jobs that need to be coordinated with the construction schedule and inspected before walls close.
Commercial clients have their own set of needs: circuits for office equipment, lighting for retail or warehouse space, panel capacity for a building expansion, or code-correction wiring after a failed inspection. We work with property managers, general contractors, and business owners directly, and we scope commercial jobs the same way we scope residential ones - on the call, before anything is scheduled.
Rental property and apartment electrical work sits in between. Landlords often need a reliable point of contact for the electrical items that come up between tenants or during a unit renovation. We handle that work across Gaithersburg and the surrounding county.
The cost of electrical work depends on what the job involves, and the only way to give you an accurate number is to talk through what you're seeing. When you call, we ask the right questions - what the symptom is, how old the panel is, what you're trying to add - and give you the rate on the phone before anything is scheduled. Ask what it covers and you get a straight answer.
We're available every day from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM. That includes weekends, and we take short-notice calls within those hours when the schedule allows. Urgent work can often be fit in, so ask what the schedule has open when you call.
Call in the morning. Talk it through. Know the options by the end of the call.
We cover Gaithersburg and the towns around it throughout Montgomery County. If you're in Rockville, Germantown, North Potomac, Potomac, Derwood, Montgomery Village, Clarksburg, or Darnestown, we're available for the same range of work. The service area runs across the county, and coverage questions are easy to answer on the call.
The clearest signs are breakers that trip regularly under normal household loads, lights that dim when a large appliance starts, a panel that runs warm to the touch, or a fuse box that still has the original fuses rather than circuit breakers. If you are planning to add an EV charger, a new HVAC circuit, or a finished basement, a load calculation is the right starting point. We go through that on the call before any visit is scheduled.
That depends on the panel's current capacity and what is already running on it. A Level 2 charger requires a dedicated 240-volt circuit, and if the panel is already near its capacity, adding that circuit safely means upgrading the panel first. We assess the panel situation on the call and explain the options before anything is scheduled. Many older homes in Gaithersburg and the surrounding area need panel work before the charger circuit can be added.
The starting point is an inspection to document what is there and where it runs. From that assessment, we scope the work: whether targeted circuit replacement is enough or whether a more complete rewiring project is the right path. Knob-and-tube replacement addresses the lack of a ground conductor and the incompatibility with modern insulation. Aluminum wiring remediation focuses on connection points where the wiring meets devices rated for copper only. We explain the full scope and the cost before anything is opened up.
The electrical side of a generator hookup involves installing a transfer switch, running the circuit from the panel to the generator connection point, and wiring the transfer switch so it isolates the home from the utility line before the generator comes on. That isolation step is a safety requirement, not optional. We handle the transfer switch installation and all associated panel work. We do not sell or service the generator units themselves.
GFCI protection is required by code in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, outdoor locations, crawl spaces, and unfinished basements. AFCI protection is required on bedroom circuits and, in more recent code editions, on most living-area circuits as well. Older homes in Gaithersburg often lack one or both where they are now required. We check for them during a safety inspection and can add them as a standalone job if needed.
A panel that buzzes, runs warm, smells faintly of burning, or has breakers that trip under normal loads is showing signs of stress. Breakers that trip and will not reset, or that feel loose when you reset them, are a more immediate concern. Visible corrosion, scorch marks around breaker slots, or a panel that still uses fuses in a home with modern electrical demands are all reasons to have the panel assessed rather than waited on.
For jobs that require a permit in Montgomery County, we confirm that on the call and handle the permit process as part of the project. The inspection is scheduled through the jurisdiction and takes place after the work is complete. We walk you through what the inspector will look at and what the timeline involves. Not every job requires a permit, and we tell you which category your job falls into before anything is scheduled.
The visit starts with a look at the symptom or the installation area, followed by a diagnosis or a review of the existing wiring to confirm the scope matches what was described on the call. We explain what we found before any work starts and confirm the price if anything has changed from the original scope. The work is done, tested, and reviewed with you before we leave.
Every circuit, outlet, fixture, or panel connection involved in the job is tested before we close up. That means outlets are checked with a tester, breakers are cycled, and lighting or fan installations are confirmed to be running correctly. For panel work, we verify that the load is distributed correctly and that nothing is drawing more than the breaker is rated for.
A ceiling fan is heavier than most light fixtures and produces movement that a standard ceiling box is not designed to handle. If the existing box is not fan-rated, it needs to be replaced before the fan goes up. The wiring also needs to match the fan's configuration, especially if a separate wall switch for the light and the fan motor is part of the plan. We assess the box and the wiring before the fan is installed, not after.
Swapping a light fixture for another of the same type, replacing a standard outlet with a GFCI outlet of the same voltage, or resetting a tripped breaker are tasks many homeowners handle without issue. Work that involves opening the panel, running new wiring, adding circuits, or diagnosing a fault that is not obviously at the outlet or fixture level is where the risk of an error with real consequences goes up.
If you are not certain what you are looking at inside the wall or the panel, a call to (240) 982-9789 is the faster path to a safe answer.
From a single tripped breaker to a full home rewire, from a new EV charger circuit to a generator transfer switch, Gaithersburg Electrical Company handles the electrical work that homes and businesses in this area actually need. No pressure and no gimmicks, just safe, solid wiring.
We're open every day from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
Call (240) 982-9789 to get a quote, talk through what you're seeing, and find out what it takes to get the job done right.
Below is a plain-language look at the electrical services we handle in Gaithersburg and across Montgomery County. Each row covers what the job involves, who it fits best, and one practical detail worth knowing before you call. If you have questions about a specific situation, the fastest answer is a phone call.
| Type of Work | What It Covers | Common Situations | What to Keep in Mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outlet & Switch Installation | GFCI and AFCI outlet installationDimmer and standard switch replacementAdding receptacles to under-served roomsDedicated outlet runs for appliances | Homeowners updating older wiring or adding outlets to rooms that never had enough | GFCI outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor areas are a code requirement in most jurisdictions, including Montgomery County. |
| Code-Correction Wiring | Failed inspection item repairReal estate transaction correctionsPermit close-out wiringGrounding and bonding updates | Homeowners or sellers with open permit issues or failed inspection reports that need to be resolved | Code corrections come up frequently during real estate transactions and renovation permits. We scope the specific items and explain the cost before anything is touched. |
| Electrical Safety Inspections | Pre-purchase buyer inspectionsRental property compliance reviewsPost-renovation permit inspectionsWhole-home wiring assessments | Buyers, landlords, and homeowners who want a clear picture of the wiring before a transaction or renovation closes | An inspection often surfaces knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring issues in Gaithersburg's older housing stock before they become larger problems. |
| Whole-Home Surge Protection | Panel-mounted surge protector installationProtection for all circuits in the buildingDefense against utility-line voltage spikesPairing with a safety inspection | Homeowners with sensitive electronics, home offices, or areas prone to storm-related grid events | A whole-home surge protector covers circuits that a power strip cannot reach, including appliances, HVAC feeds, and hardwired lighting. |
| Electrical Repairs & Troubleshooting | Dead outlets and switchesFlickering or dim lightsBurning smells near receptaclesTracing faults to the source | Any homeowner or business dealing with an unexplained electrical symptom | Describing the symptom clearly before we arrive helps us bring the right tools and shorten the visit. |
| Electrical Panel & Service UpgradesMost Popular | 100-amp to 200-amp service upgradesFull panel replacementSubpanel installationLoad calculations before work starts | Homes adding an EV charger, a finished basement, or a new HVAC circuit that exceeds current panel capacity | Panel upgrades typically require a permit and a utility coordination step. We confirm what applies to your address before the visit is scheduled. |
| Knob-and-Tube & Aluminum Rewiring | Knob-and-tube circuit replacementAluminum wiring connection remediationWhole-home rewiring assessmentGrounding conductor addition | Owners of pre-1970s Gaithersburg homes where original wiring is still in place behind finished walls | Knob-and-tube wiring lacks a ground conductor and is incompatible with modern insulation standards. An inspection scopes the work before anything is opened up. |
| Dedicated Appliance Circuits | Refrigerator, dryer, and oven circuitsWasher and dishwasher circuit runsMicrowave and workshop circuitsSump-pump circuit installation | Homeowners adding a major appliance or dealing with nuisance trips caused by shared circuits | Running a high-draw appliance on a shared circuit causes wiring wear over time, not just tripped breakers. A dedicated circuit is the right fix. |
| Ceiling Fan Installation | Fan-rated box installation or replacementWiring for separate fan and light controlsCeiling fan replacementConfirming load compatibility | Homeowners replacing a light fixture with a ceiling fan or upgrading an older fan | A standard ceiling box is not rated for the weight and movement of a fan. If the existing box is not fan-rated, we replace it before the fan goes up. |
| Backup Generator Installation | Transfer switch installationPanel-to-generator circuit runUtility line isolation wiringCode-compliant hookup | Montgomery County homeowners preparing for nor'easters and multi-day outages | The transfer switch that isolates your home from the utility line before the generator starts is a safety requirement, not an optional add-on. We handle that wiring and all associated panel work. |
| Breaker & Fuse Repair | Breakers that trip under normal loadsBreakers that will not resetFuse replacement in older panelsArc-fault and ground-fault breaker work | Homeowners with recurring breaker trips or a panel that uses fuses instead of breakers | A breaker that keeps tripping is signaling an underlying load or wiring issue, not just a nuisance. We find the cause before we replace anything. |
| Wiring & Circuit Installation | New circuit runs for renovationsElectrical rough-in for additionsKitchen and basement wiringCommercial circuit installation | Homeowners mid-renovation and commercial clients adding capacity for equipment or expanded space | New wiring in a renovation needs to be inspected before walls close. We coordinate the timing with your construction schedule. |
| EV Charger Installation | Level 2 charger circuit installation240-volt dedicated circuit runPanel capacity assessmentGarage and driveway location wiring | EV owners in Gaithersburg and the DC metro corridor ready to move from a standard outlet to a Level 2 home charger | If the panel does not have capacity for the new circuit, we address that first and explain the options before the charger installation is scheduled. |
| Lighting Installation | Recessed and fixture installationUnder-cabinet and LED retrofit workExterior and security lightingMotion sensor light wiring | Homeowners remodeling a kitchen or bathroom, or property owners improving building exterior lighting | We assess the existing wiring and box rating before any fixture goes in, so the installation meets code from the start. |
What causes a breaker to trip repeatedly, and when does it point to a wiring problem rather than just a heavy load?
A breaker trips when a circuit draws more current than it is rated to carry. That can happen because too many appliances share one circuit, because a single appliance is drawing more than expected, or because there is a fault in the wiring itself. A breaker that trips once under a clearly heavy load is doing its job. A breaker that trips regularly under normal use, or that trips and will not reset, is telling you something is wrong with the circuit or the breaker itself. We ask about the pattern on the call so we can scope the visit correctly before anyone arrives.
How do I know if the wiring in an older Gaithersburg home is safe, and what are the main risks?
Homes built before the 1960s in this area often have knob-and-tube wiring, which lacks a ground conductor and cannot safely support modern electrical loads. Homes from the 1960s and 1970s may have aluminum branch wiring, which loosens at connection points over time and creates heat and arcing at outlets and fixtures. Neither type is immediately dangerous in every case, but both carry risks that standard copper wiring does not. An electrical safety inspection is the right starting point. It documents what is there and gives you a clear picture of what, if anything, needs to be addressed.
How does pricing work, and when do I find out what the job will cost?
We go through the scope on the call before anything is scheduled. That means asking what the symptom is, how old the panel is, what you are trying to add, and anything else that affects the job. From that conversation, we give you the rate before a visit is booked. If the scope changes once we are on site because the situation is different from what was described, we explain the difference and confirm the updated cost before any additional work starts. You are not handed a number at the end of a visit you did not agree to.
Faults Traced Before Anything Is Replaced
We find the cause of the problem before we recommend a fix. Replacing parts without diagnosing the underlying fault costs money and leaves the real issue in place.
Do I need to be home when the electrical work is done?
For most jobs, yes. The visit involves assessing what is there, explaining what we found, confirming the scope, and reviewing the work with you before we leave. That process works best when someone who knows the property and can make decisions is on site. If the situation is unusual, ask about it on the call and we will tell you what that particular job requires.
What does it mean when lights flicker or dim, and is it always a wiring problem?
Flickering or dimming lights can point to a loose connection at the fixture, a failing bulb or driver, a circuit that is drawing more than it should, or a problem at the panel. Lights that dim when a large appliance starts up are often a sign that the circuit or the panel is near its capacity limit. Lights that flicker without any obvious cause, especially in more than one room, are worth having checked. We ask about the pattern and the location on the call to narrow down where the fault is likely to be.
What does adding a circuit for a workshop, garage, or home office involve?
A new circuit starts at the panel. We check whether the panel has an open slot and enough remaining capacity to carry the load the new circuit will draw. If it does, we run the circuit to the location, install the appropriate outlets, and test the installation. If the panel is already near capacity, we talk through the options, which may include a subpanel for the garage or workshop space. The scope and the cost are settled on the call before any work is scheduled.
Permits and Inspection Handled Where Required
For jobs that need a permit in Montgomery County, we confirm that on the call and manage the permit process as part of the project. You are told what to expect before the work starts.
How does surge protection at the panel differ from a standard power strip?
A power strip surge protector covers only the devices plugged into it. A whole-home surge protector installs at the panel and protects every circuit in the building, including hardwired appliances, lighting, and any equipment that cannot be plugged into a strip. Voltage spikes from the utility line during a storm or a grid event reach every circuit in the house, not just the ones with a strip plugged in. A panel-mounted unit is the only way to cover all of them at once.
How long does a panel upgrade or whole-home rewire typically take?
A panel upgrade is usually a one-day job, though permit scheduling and the utility coordination step can add time to the overall timeline. A whole-home rewire depends on the size of the house, how the wiring is routed, and whether walls need to be opened. We scope that kind of project carefully on the front end so you have a realistic picture of the timeline before anything starts. We go through both on the call before a visit is scheduled.
Older and Newer Wiring Both Handled
From knob-and-tube systems in pre-war Gaithersburg homes to modern panel work in new construction, we handle the full range of what shows up in this area's housing stock.
What is grounding and bonding, and why does it matter in older homes?
Grounding gives fault current a safe path back to the panel and then to the earth, rather than through a person or a piece of equipment. Bonding connects metal components, pipes, and panels so they all sit at the same electrical potential and cannot create a shock hazard between them. Knob-and-tube wiring has no ground conductor, which means the outlets it feeds cannot be properly grounded without new wiring. In older homes, grounding and bonding updates are often part of a broader rewiring or code-correction project. We explain exactly what is needed and why before any work begins.
How are emergency electrical calls handled within your service hours?
We take short-notice calls every day from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
If you are dealing with something urgent, sparking, a burning smell, or a fault that is affecting the whole panel, call us directly at (240) 982-9789 and describe what you are seeing.
We scope the situation on the call and tell you what the next step is. For anything that poses an immediate safety risk, the right first step is to turn off the circuit or the main breaker if you can do so safely, and then call.
Is a home ready for added electrical load after a panel upgrade, or are there other steps?
A panel upgrade increases the capacity available at the service entrance, but whether the rest of the wiring can carry the added load depends on the age and condition of the branch circuits. An older home with a new 200-amp panel still has the same branch wiring it had before the upgrade. If you are planning to add significant load, such as an EV charger, a finished basement, or multiple new appliances, we do a load calculation as part of the scoping process to confirm that the branch circuits can handle what you are adding, not just the panel.
Call (240) 982-9789 to talk through your situation, get a price, and find out what it takes to get the work done right.
(240) 982-9789