Electrician services in Charlottesville, VA

Best Electricians in Charlottesville, VA

20 verified electricians serving Charlottesville. Compare ratings, read reviews, and get free estimates.

Ranked Pros

20

scored & compared

Average Cost

$150–$400

per visit

Top Score

70/100

HomeProx rating

Service Area

Charlottesville

Independent City / Albemarle County

How we rank electricians

Every business gets a HomeProx Score (0-100) based on multiple trust signals. Here is how the score breaks down:

30

Google Rating

20

Review Volume

15

VA License

15

Yelp Rating

Additional points for BBB accreditation (10), free estimates (5), and web presence (5). Rankings are updated hourly.

The short version

Hiring a electrician in Charlottesville

We tracked 20 electricians working in Charlottesville, VA and scored each one on the signals that actually matter when a contractor is walking into your home: Google and Yelp reviews at scale, verified Virginia DPOR licensing, BBB standing, and whether they publish pricing or offer free estimates. Typical electrician pricing in the Independent City area runs $150–$400 per visit, though the ends of that range reflect very different jobs.

If you're hiring for electrical work in Charlottesville, focus on three things: check the license at dpor.virginia.gov, get at least three written estimates (pricing spreads are wider than homeowners expect), and read the 1-star reviews — they tell you more about the operation than the 5-stars do. Below is the ranked list; each profile has the review themes, pricing range, and credential check for that specific business.

The Ranking

20 Electricians, ranked

HomeProx Top Pick
70#1
Top
4.9
(1,572)
3.6
(17)
Free Estimates

Why #1: 4.9-star Google rating from 1,572 reviews. offers free estimates.

68#2
Good
4.8
(3,083)
3.0
(100)
Free Estimates

Why #2: 4.8-star Google rating from 3,083 reviews. offers free estimates.

68#3
Good
4.8
(1,213)
3.0
(34)
Free Estimates

Why #3: 4.8-star Google rating from 1,213 reviews. offers free estimates.

59#4
Good
4.8
(540)
Free Estimates

Why #4: 4.8-star Google rating from 540 reviews. offers free estimates.

58#5
Good
4.8
(356)
Free Estimates

Why #5: 4.8-star Google rating from 356 reviews. offers free estimates.

53#6
Good
5.0
(50)
Free Estimates

Why #6: 5.0-star Google rating (50 reviews). offers free estimates.

53#7
Good
5.0
(49)
Free Estimates

Why #7: 5.0-star Google rating (49 reviews). offers free estimates.

52#8
Good
4.9
(63)
Free Estimates

Why #8: 4.9-star Google rating from 63 reviews. offers free estimates.

50#9
Good
4.9
(32)
Free Estimates

Why #9: 4.9-star Google rating (32 reviews). offers free estimates.

50#10
Good
5.0
(21)
Free Estimates

Why #10: 5.0-star Google rating (21 reviews). offers free estimates.

49#11
Good
4.8
(24)
Free Estimates

Why #11: 4.8-star Google rating (24 reviews). offers free estimates.

48#12
Good
4.9
(46)
Free Estimates

Why #12: 4.9-star Google rating (46 reviews). offers free estimates.

48#13
Good
4.8
(15)
Free Estimates

Why #13: 4.8-star Google rating (15 reviews). offers free estimates.

46#14
Good
4.5
(14)
Free Estimates

Why #14: 4.5-star Google rating (14 reviews). offers free estimates.

46#15
Good
4.6
(10)
Free Estimates

Why #15: 4.6-star Google rating (10 reviews). offers free estimates.

45#16
Good
4.4
(16)
Free Estimates

Why #16: 4.4-star Google rating (16 reviews). offers free estimates.

44#17
Fair
4.5
(8)
Free Estimates

Why #17: 4.5-star Google rating (8 reviews). offers free estimates.

38#18
Fair
4.5
(2)
Free Estimates

Why #18: 4.5-star Google rating (2 reviews). offers free estimates.

33#19
Fair
3.4
(5)
Free Estimates

Why #19: 3.4-star Google rating (5 reviews). offers free estimates.

33#20
Fair

Why #20: 3.7-star Google rating (3 reviews). offers free estimates.

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Related Services

How to Hire a Electrician in Charlottesville

Finding a reliable electrician in Charlottesville, VA starts with understanding what drives costs and quality in the Independent City / Albemarle County area. We've compiled 20 verified professionals to help you compare.

Key Cost Factors

  • Type of work: Installing an outlet costs $150-$300, while a full panel upgrade runs $1,500-$3,000. EV charger installations, increasingly common in Charlottesville's eco-conscious neighborhoods, typically cost $500-$1,200 for a Level 2 setup.
  • Permit requirements: Albemarle County and Charlottesville require permits for most electrical work beyond simple fixture swaps, adding $75-$200 in fees. Permit jobs also require inspection scheduling, which can add 1-2 weeks to the timeline.
  • Wire runs needed: Each new circuit requires running wire from the panel to the destination. A 20-foot run through an unfinished basement is $200-$400, but fishing wire through finished walls in a two-story colonial can cost $500-$1,000 per run.
  • Panel capacity: If your panel is maxed out (common in pre-1980 Charlottesville homes with 100-amp service), adding circuits requires a panel upgrade first. Going from 100 to 200 amps costs $1,500-$3,000 and is now essentially required for homes adding EV chargers or heat pumps.

Tips for Hiring

  • Get at least 3 written estimates before deciding
  • Verify licensing through Virginia DPOR (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation)
  • Ask for proof of insurance and bonding
  • Check online reviews on multiple platforms
  • Ask for references from recent jobs in the Charlottesville area

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an electrician charge per hour?
Electricians in the Charlottesville area typically charge $75-$125 per hour, with a minimum service call fee of $75-$150.
Do I need a permit for electrical work?
In Albemarle County and Charlottesville, permits are required for most electrical work beyond simple fixture replacements. Your licensed electrician should handle the permit process.
How do I know if my electrical panel needs an upgrade?
Signs include frequent breaker trips, flickering lights, warm outlets, or a panel rated under 200 amps. Homes built before 1980 especially benefit from panel upgrades.