Residential service
Outlet and switch repair and installation in Houston
We replace outlets and switches that are dead, loose, warm or ungrounded, and add new ones where your home needs them.
What this service covers
This is the everyday electrical work in a home: replacing worn outlets and switches, adding ground-fault (GFCI) protection in kitchens, bathrooms, garages and outdoors, installing dimmers and USB outlets, and adding outlets where there are not enough.
It also covers dedicated circuits: a separate circuit and outlet for an appliance that should not share one, such as a microwave, a freezer, a window unit or equipment in a home office or garage.
Signs an outlet or switch needs work
- An outlet does not work, or works only sometimes.
- Plugs fall out or feel loose in the outlet.
- The cover plate is warm, discolored or cracked.
- You see a spark or hear a crackle when plugging something in.
- A switch buzzes, or the light flickers when you touch it.
- Outlets near water have no test and reset buttons.
- Outlets have two slots and no ground.
- You depend on power strips and extension cords every day.
How the work goes
Tell us what you need
A list or a few photos is enough for most outlet and switch jobs.
Estimate
You get a written price before we start.
Repair or install
We turn off the circuit, replace or add the devices, and check the wiring behind each one.
Test
Every outlet is tested for power, correct wiring and ground-fault protection where it applies.
How long it takes
Replacing an outlet or switch typically takes a few minutes each once we are on site. Adding a new outlet or a dedicated circuit usually takes one to a few hours, depending on how far it is from the panel.
Permits and inspections
Replacing existing outlets and switches is repair work. Adding new circuits can require a permit. We tell you which applies to your job.
What affects the price
Most of these jobs are small. The price depends on:
- The number of outlets or switches.
- Standard devices versus GFCI, AFCI, USB, dimmers or smart switches.
- Replacement on existing wiring versus a new outlet or circuit.
- The distance from the panel and access through the attic or walls.
- Any wiring problems found behind the device.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my outlet not working?
The common causes are a tripped GFCI outlet elsewhere on the circuit, a tripped breaker, a loose connection or a worn-out outlet. Press the reset button on nearby GFCI outlets first. If it still does not work, it should be checked.
Is a warm outlet dangerous?
Yes. Heat means a loose or overloaded connection. Unplug what is in it, stop using it and have it checked.
Where do I need GFCI outlets?
Current code requires ground-fault protection in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, laundry areas, outdoors and other locations near water.
Can you ground my two-prong outlets?
Yes. Depending on the wiring, we either run a ground or protect the circuit with GFCI, which the code allows where no ground wire exists.
What is a dedicated circuit?
A circuit that serves one appliance only, so it does not share power with other outlets. Large or sensitive appliances often need one.
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