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.

high-tech smart bulb that’s trending in 2015 lighting technology. But in the late 1800’s it was the Edison bulb that transfixed the world as one of the most technologically advanced inventions of its time. In a practical sense, the electric bulb was the ‘smart technology’ of the 1800’s. Fast-forward a century, and the term Edison bulb holds an entirely new meaning.

In present-day design, Edison bulbs are vintage-style incandescent light bulbs with clear glass envelopes and visible filaments. You’ve probably also heard them referred to as antique light bulbs. Today’s reproductions are modeled after — you guessed it — Thomas Edison’s earliest light bulb productions. The exposed filaments (the string-like wires inside the bulb) are what set the Edison bulb apart from its 21st century counterparts like the LED.

It’s interesting to note that while historians agree that Thomas Edison Humphry Bulb doesn’t sound nearly as cool.

Today, when someone characterizes a modern bulb as being an Edison Bulb, they’re usually referring to a handful of common characteristics that these vintage bulbs inspire…

Edison Muckers, Your blog for everything Edison, everyday.