Roanoke Electrical Company handles the full range of residential and commercial electrical work across Roanoke and the surrounding valley. Whether you are dealing with a tripped breaker at midnight or planning a whole-home rewire before a renovation, we are available every day from 6 AM to 9 PM. Troubleshooting and diagnostics, code-compliant wiring, and electrical safety inspections are all part of the work, from a single outlet swap to a full service upgrade. Call for a quote and we will walk through the job and the price before anything gets scheduled.
Electrical problems don't wait, and neither do we, so when something goes wrong in your home or building, the faster you get it looked at, the better. Flickering lights, dead outlets, tripping breakers, a burning smell from a wall or outlet, sparks when you plug something in, blown fuses, or half the house losing power - these are all symptoms that point to something specific, and finding that something is where the job starts.
We run through a proper diagnostic before any repair work begins. That means checking GFCI and AFCI protection where it applies, testing arc-fault and ground-fault breakers, and verifying grounding and bonding throughout the affected circuit. Clear communication from the first call to the final test is how we work - you will know what we found, what it means, and what the fix involves before we pick up a tool.
Property managers and landlords dealing with tenant complaints about electrical issues can call us the same way a homeowner would. We scope the problem on the call and confirm what a visit covers before we schedule it.
Older fuse boxes and worn-out breaker panels are a common source of problems in Roanoke's housing stock. If your panel is running hot, breakers are failing to hold, or you are still working around a fuse box, replacement is the right call. We pull the old panel, install a properly sized breaker panel, and make sure every circuit is correctly landed and labeled before we close it up.
A panel replacement also gives us the chance to identify any wiring issues that have been hiding behind the old equipment. What the visit covers is confirmed on the call, so you know what to expect before we arrive.
Homes in this area were wired in different decades, and it shows in the panels. A 100-amp service that made sense for a house in the 1960s does not hold up against a modern load - multiple HVAC circuits, a home office, an electric vehicle charger, and a kitchen full of appliances all pulling at once. We handle the load calculation, coordinate the service-entrance and meter upgrades, and bring the panel up to a capacity that matches how the home actually runs.
A service upgrade is also the right time to address any subpanel needs, especially in larger homes or commercial buildings where the main panel is at its limit.
A flickering light and a full rewire start the same way - with a look at what is actually happening in the circuit. Sometimes the fix is a single connection. Other times, especially in older Roanoke homes, the investigation turns up knob-and-tube wiring that has been patched over for decades, or aluminum wiring that needs remediation before it becomes a hazard.
Whole-home rewiring is a bigger project, but it is a straightforward one when it is planned properly. We work through the house systematically, replacing old wiring with modern copper, protecting circuits with the right breakers, and leaving every outlet, switch, and fixture properly connected. Knob-and-tube replacement and aluminum-wiring remediation follow the same approach - methodical, circuit by circuit, with electrical work done to the standard the next inspection expects.
Wiring for additions and remodels falls into this category too. If you are finishing a basement, adding a room, or converting a garage, the new space needs circuits that are sized and protected correctly from the start.
Standard outlet installation is one of the most common calls we get, and it covers more ground than it sounds. Kitchens and bathrooms need GFCI outlets anywhere water is nearby. Bedrooms and living areas in newer builds or after a panel upgrade may need AFCI protection. Outdoor and weatherproof outlets require the right covers and the right circuit. USB outlets in bedrooms, home offices, and commercial spaces are a practical upgrade that takes about the same amount of time to install as a standard replacement.
We confirm the right outlet type for the location on the call, so the job is scoped correctly before we show up.
Switch replacement and dimmer installation are quick jobs that make a real difference in how a room works. We handle standard switch replacement, three-way switch wiring, and dimmer switch installation for LED and incandescent fixtures alike. If a switch has stopped responding or a dimmer is buzzing, that is a repair call. If you are adding a switch to a room that does not have one, that involves running a circuit, and we will tell you what that looks like on the call.
Recessed lighting installation is one of the most requested upgrades we handle, both in new construction and in existing homes where the original fixtures are outdated. LED recessed lights, under-cabinet lighting in kitchens, and general fixture swaps all fall into this category. On the exterior, we install security lighting, motion sensor lights, and landscape lighting - anything that needs a proper circuit and a weatherproof connection.
Exterior lighting on a dedicated circuit, with motion sensors positioned correctly, does more for a property than most people expect. It is a practical upgrade for homeowners and rental property owners alike.
Ceiling fan installation involves more than swapping a fixture. If the existing box is not rated for a fan, it needs to be replaced before anything goes up. We handle the box, the wiring, the fan-and-light combination, and any switch or dimmer work that goes with it. New installations in rooms that have never had a fan require running a circuit, and we confirm what that involves before the visit.
Don't let a small wiring issue turn into a fire risk, especially when a high-draw appliance is involved. Dryers, electric ovens, refrigerators, and dishwashers all need dedicated circuits sized for their load. Pulling a 30-amp or 50-amp circuit to the right location, with the correct breaker and the correct wire gauge, is the job - and it is one we do regularly for homeowners upgrading appliances, adding a second refrigerator in a garage, or wiring a hot tub or spa.
Subpanel installation comes into play when the main panel does not have the capacity to add circuits without overloading it. We assess the load on the call and tell you whether the main panel can handle it or whether a subpanel is the cleaner answer. We handle subpanel work for homeowners and property managers who want a clear scope, a straight answer, and no drawn-out back-and-forth before anything starts.
Roanoke's four-season climate puts real demand on residential and commercial electrical systems. Severe thunderstorms, ice storms, and the occasional tornado make power reliability a genuine concern, not a hypothetical one. The three services below come up regularly in this area, and each one is worth understanding before you need it.
Roanoke's housing stock spans a wide range of decades, and the panels reflect that. A home wired in the 1950s and updated piecemeal in the 1980s is often working around a panel that was never designed for the load a modern household puts on it. Storm season stresses panels that are already at their limit. We assess the current load, identify any breakers or connections that are showing wear, and give you a clear picture of what an upgrade involves and what it costs before we schedule anything.
Virginia storm season brings extended outages, and a backup generator is the practical answer for homes and businesses that cannot afford to be without power. We handle the electrical side of generator installation: the transfer switch, the dedicated generator circuit, and the connection to the panel. A properly installed transfer switch keeps the generator isolated from the utility line, which protects both the equipment and the people working on the line outside. We confirm what the hookup involves based on your panel and your generator before the visit.
Lightning and grid fluctuations are common in the Roanoke Valley, and a single surge can damage electronics, appliances, and HVAC equipment throughout a home. A whole-home surge protector installs at the panel and catches surges before they reach the circuits. It works alongside proper grounding and bonding, which we check as part of the installation. Point-of-use surge strips do not provide the same level of protection - panel-level protection is the right answer for a home with a modern load.
The sooner you call, the sooner the power is back on, and that applies to EV charger installation the same way it applies to any electrical job. A Level 2 home charger requires a dedicated 240-volt circuit sized for the charger's output - typically 40 to 50 amps. We assess the panel capacity, run the circuit to the right location in your garage or driveway, and install the charger correctly whether it is a Tesla Wall Connector, a third-party Level 2 unit, or a hardwired commercial-grade charger. If the panel needs capacity added before the circuit can be run, we tell you that on the call. We'll get the job wired and finished.
An electrical inspection covers the panel, the wiring, the outlets, and the grounding throughout the property. Home buyers use pre-purchase inspections to understand what they are taking on before closing. Landlords and property managers use rental property inspections to confirm that units meet code before a new tenant moves in. Homeowners in older houses use them to get a clear picture of what has been updated and what has not.
We go through the system methodically, document what we find, and explain every item before we leave. If something needs attention, you know what it is and what fixing it involves. We'll find the fault and fix it right.
We work throughout Roanoke and the communities around it - Salem, Vinton, Cave Spring, Hollins, and properties into the Botetourt County and Bedford County areas. Residential customers, commercial tenants, landlords managing rental portfolios, and property managers overseeing larger buildings all call us for the same reason: they need the electrical work handled correctly and on a schedule that works.
We are available every day from 6 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week. We answer the phone. We show up ready to work. We test before we leave.
Electrical pricing depends on the job, and the job is scoped on the call. Panel replacement, EV charger installation, whole-home rewiring, outlet installation - each of these has a different scope, and the price reflects what is actually involved at your property. We do not quote a number before we understand the job, but we do give you the rate before anything is scheduled.
When you call, tell us what you are dealing with or what you are planning. We will ask the right questions, give you a price that reflects the actual scope, and confirm what the visit covers. One call gets the problem looked at properly.
Flickering lights, outlets that are warm to the touch or discolored, breakers that trip repeatedly under normal loads, and a burning smell near an outlet or panel are all signs that something in the wiring or protection needs attention. Homes with original knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum branch-circuit wiring, or panels that have never been upgraded are also worth having inspected, particularly before a renovation or a sale. These are not situations to wait on.
A burning smell is a sign of heat building up somewhere in the circuit, which can come from a loose connection, an overloaded circuit, a failing breaker, or damaged wiring. It is not a symptom to monitor over time. Call us and we will diagnose the source before it develops into something more serious.
It depends on how much capacity the panel has remaining after the existing circuits are accounted for. A Level 2 charger typically requires a dedicated 40- to 50-amp, 240-volt circuit, and if the panel does not have the headroom for it, a service upgrade is part of the same project. We assess the panel load on the call and tell you what the installation actually involves before we schedule anything.
A Level 2 EV charger installation means running a dedicated 240-volt circuit from the panel to the garage or exterior location where the charger will sit, installing the correct breaker, and mounting and wiring the charging station. We confirm the panel has the capacity before we start, and if it does not, we scope the panel work alongside the charger circuit so both are handled in one visit.
The electrical work for a generator hookup includes installing a transfer switch that safely isolates the home from the utility line, running the wiring between the generator connection and the panel, and verifying that the switch-over functions correctly. A properly installed transfer switch protects both the equipment and utility workers on the line outside. We handle the electrical side for both portable and standby generators and confirm what the hookup involves based on your panel before the visit.
Lightning-related surges and grid fluctuations are common in the Roanoke Valley, and a single event can damage appliances, electronics, and wiring across the entire home. A panel-mounted surge protector catches voltage spikes at the service entrance before they reach any circuit, which is a level of protection that point-of-use power strips cannot provide. Installation is straightforward and works alongside proper grounding and bonding, which we check as part of the process.
A full rewire is appropriate when the existing wiring is no longer safe or capable of handling today's electrical loads, which is common in homes with knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum branch-circuit wiring, or systems that have been modified over the decades without a consistent standard. A partial rewire addresses specific circuits or areas of the home where the wiring is the most problematic. We assess what is there and explain what the right scope of work looks like before quoting anything.
Knob-and-tube wiring was not designed for the loads a modern home runs, and it lacks a ground conductor, which affects how modern outlets and devices can be protected. Aluminum branch-circuit wiring expands and contracts with heat in a way that can loosen connections over time, which is a fire risk if it is not properly maintained or remediated. Both are situations we address through targeted remediation or rewiring, depending on the extent of the problem.
Electric dryers, ovens and ranges, refrigerators, dishwashers, and sump pumps all require dedicated circuits sized for their specific load. Workshop equipment running at 240 volts, hot tubs, and EV chargers also need their own circuits. Running a shared circuit for any of these puts the circuit under more load than it was designed to handle, which leads to tripped breakers and, over time, wiring wear.
Clear access to the electrical panel is the most important thing. If the work involves outlets or switches in a specific room, move furniture or stored items that block the wall. For attic or basement wiring work, make sure those areas are accessible before the visit. We will tell you on the call if there is anything specific to prepare based on the job.
When you need electrical work done in Roanoke - repairs, panel upgrades, wiring, EV chargers, generators, or anything else on the list - Roanoke Electrical Company is available every day from 6 AM to 9 PM.
Call (540) 324-2664 for a quote and we will walk through the job, the scope, and the price before anything is scheduled.
We test every circuit. We label every breaker. We leave it safe.
Every electrical job we handle starts the same way: a call, a clear scope, and a price confirmed before anything is scheduled. The table below covers the full range of work we do across Roanoke and the surrounding area, from a single outlet replacement to a full service upgrade. Use it to find what fits your situation, then call and we will walk through the details with you.
| Electrical Service | Scope of Work | Common Situations | Things to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceiling Fan Installation |
| Rooms getting a first ceiling fan or replacing an existing fixture with a heavier unit | If the existing ceiling box is not rated for a fan, it needs to be replaced before the fan goes up. |
| Outlet & Switch Installation |
| Kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, home offices, and rental units needing updated or additional outlets | GFCI protection is required by code anywhere water is nearby, and we confirm the right outlet type for each location before the visit. |
| Breaker & Fuse Repair |
| Homes where breakers trip under normal load or fail to reset | A breaker that keeps tripping is usually telling you something about the circuit load or the wiring, not just the breaker itself. |
| Wiring & Circuit Installation |
| Older homes with outdated wiring or any property adding new circuits for expanded use | Homes in this area were wired in different decades, and it shows in the panels. We work circuit by circuit to bring the system up to the standard the next inspection expects. |
| EV Charger Installation |
| Homeowners adding a home EV charger in a garage or at an exterior location | If the panel does not have the headroom for a 40- to 50-amp circuit, a service upgrade is part of the same project and we scope both on the call. |
| Whole-Home Surge Protection |
| Roanoke Valley homes exposed to frequent thunderstorms and grid fluctuations | Point-of-use surge strips do not provide the same level of protection as a panel-mounted unit, which catches voltage spikes before they reach any circuit. |
| Electrical Panel & Service Upgrades |
| Homes with aging panels, added load from appliances or EV chargers, or frequent breaker trips | Roanoke's housing stock spans many decades, and a panel sized for a 1960s home often cannot carry a modern load without an upgrade. |
| Dedicated Appliance Circuits |
| Homeowners adding or upgrading high-draw appliances that need their own circuit | Running a high-draw appliance on a shared circuit puts the wiring under more stress than it was designed for, which leads to tripped breakers and wear over time. |
| Electrical Safety Inspections |
| Home buyers, landlords, and owners of older properties wanting a clear picture of the system | We document what we find and explain every item before we leave, so you know exactly what needs attention and what the fix involves. |
| Lighting Installation |
| Homeowners updating interior lighting or adding exterior security lighting | Exterior lighting on a dedicated circuit with correctly positioned motion sensors adds practical security value beyond aesthetics. |
| Electrical Repairs & Troubleshooting |
| Homeowners and property managers dealing with an active electrical problem | A proper diagnostic runs before any repair work begins, so the fix addresses the actual cause rather than the symptom. |
| Backup Generator Installation |
| Homes and businesses that cannot afford extended outages during Virginia storm season | A properly installed transfer switch keeps the generator isolated from the utility line, which protects both the equipment and utility workers on the line outside. |
What signs tell me my panel needs an upgrade rather than just a breaker replacement?
A single failed breaker is usually a straightforward replacement. When multiple breakers are tripping under normal loads, the panel runs warm to the touch, you hear buzzing from the box, or you are adding load the panel was never sized for, those are signs the panel itself is at its limit. We assess the full load on the call and tell you whether a breaker swap handles it or whether an upgrade is the right answer.
Do electrical repairs and panel work require permits, and how does that process work?
Many electrical jobs in Virginia require a permit and an inspection, particularly panel replacements, service upgrades, and new circuit work. We handle the permit coordination as part of the job and make sure the work is done to the standard the inspection expects. What that involves for your specific project is something we confirm on the call before scheduling.
How do I know if the wiring in my older Roanoke home is still safe?
Homes built before the 1970s may have knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum branch-circuit wiring, or systems that have been modified over the decades without a consistent standard. These are not automatic emergencies, but they do carry risks that modern wiring does not. An electrical safety inspection is the clearest way to get a picture of what is there, what has been updated, and what needs attention.
Faults Traced Before Anything Is Replaced
We run a proper diagnostic before any repair work begins. That means you know what the fault actually is before a part gets ordered or a circuit gets touched.
What causes outlets or switches to stop working entirely?
A dead outlet is often a tripped GFCI somewhere upstream on the same circuit, a failed breaker, or a loose connection at the outlet itself. A switch that stops responding may have a broken internal contact or a wiring issue at the box. We trace the fault from the outlet or switch back through the circuit before replacing anything, so the fix addresses the actual cause.
What does flickering or dimming lights usually mean?
Occasional flickering when a large appliance starts up is common and usually reflects a load demand the circuit handles briefly. Persistent flickering, lights that dim across multiple rooms, or flickering that happens without an obvious trigger can point to a loose connection, an overloaded circuit, or a problem at the panel. These are worth getting looked at rather than watching over time.
Is it safe to have a warm or buzzing outlet in my home?
Neither is normal. A warm outlet suggests heat building up at the connection, which can come from a loose wire, an overloaded circuit, or a failing device. A buzzing outlet often points to arcing at a loose connection or a failing outlet itself. Both are situations to call about right away rather than watch and wait.
Code-Compliant Work on Every Job
Every job is done to the standard the next inspection expects. Permit coordination is part of the process on work that requires it, and we confirm what applies to your project before we schedule.
How does surge protection at the panel differ from a power strip?
A point-of-use surge strip protects only the devices plugged into it, and its capacity to absorb a large surge is limited. A whole-home surge protector installs at the panel and intercepts voltage spikes at the service entrance before they reach any circuit in the house. For a home with modern appliances, electronics, and HVAC equipment, panel-level protection covers everything at once in a way that strips cannot.
Can I add circuits for a workshop or garage without a subpanel?
It depends on how much capacity the main panel has remaining. If the panel has open slots and enough headroom after the existing load is accounted for, running new circuits directly from the main panel is straightforward. When the main panel is at or near its limit, a subpanel in the garage or workshop is the cleaner answer. We assess the load on the call and tell you which approach fits your situation.
Scope Agreed Before the Panel Is Opened
Clear communication from the first call to the final test is how we work. The scope and the price are confirmed before anything is scheduled, so there are no conversations you were not expecting.
When should I call an electrician instead of trying to fix something myself?
Swapping a burned-out bulb or resetting a tripped GFCI are reasonable things to handle yourself. Anything that involves opening a panel, running new wiring, replacing a breaker, or diagnosing a fault that is not obviously a tripped reset button is work that carries real risk if the circuit is not properly isolated and the repair is not done to code. A call to scope the job first costs nothing and tells you what you are actually dealing with.
How are emergency or urgent electrical calls handled?
We are available every day from 6 AM to 9 PM. If you have a burning smell, sparking, or a sudden loss of power that is not a utility outage, call us and describe what you are seeing. We will scope the situation on the call and confirm what the visit covers before we schedule it.
How is the price for electrical work determined, and when do I find out what it costs?
Pricing depends on the scope of the job, and the scope is worked out on the call. We ask the right questions about what you are dealing with or planning, and you get the rate before anything is scheduled. The price reflects what is actually involved at your property, not a flat number applied to every job.
Call (540) 324-2664 and we will walk through your situation, scope the job, and give you a price before anything gets scheduled.
(540) 324-2664