RESIDENTIAL SERVICE
Find Your Forever Electrician
At Smartwire, we believe every homeowner deserves an electrician they can count on for life — someone who shows up on time, treats your home with respect, and gets the job done right the first time. Our licensed electricians in Greater Richmond are background-checked, OSHA 10-Construction certified, and bring years of experience to every job. Whether you need a quick repair, expert troubleshooting, or a full service upgrade, we’re here to make sure your electrical system is safe, reliable, and built to last.
How Our Residential Service Appointments Work
Every home is unique — and so is every electrical job. To give you an accurate estimate up front that won’t change later, we start by seeing your setup in person.
Here’s what to expect when you call Smartwire:
Talk or Text with a Real Local Person
When you reach out, you’ll connect directly with someone from our Richmond-based team — no call centers or robots.We Send a Professional Electrician to Your Home
Your electrician will review your concerns, explain what’s happening, and outline your options clearly before any work begins.Upfront, Honest Pricing
Once we’ve seen the space — where wires run, what access points exist, and the root cause of the issue — we’ll prepare a detailed estimate before any work is completed.Expert Work, Done Right
We complete your repair or installation safely and efficiently, test everything to ensure it’s working perfectly, and clean up before we leave.Peace of Mind, Guaranteed
We stand by the quality of our work, and every Smartwire residential service is backed by our 12-month warranty on workmanship.
Professional, Safe, and Respectful Service
Since 1986, homeowners across the Richmond area have trusted Smartwire because we always:
Respect Your Time: We show up when we say we will — and keep you informed every step of the way.
Respect Your Home: We protect your space and leave it cleaner than we found it.
Deliver Safe, Code-Compliant Work: Every job meets or exceeds all applicable building code requirements
From lighting upgrades and troublshooting to panel replacements, EV chargers, and whole-home safety inspections, Smartwire is here to help with all your electrical needs.
Your Partner for a Safe, Reliable Home
We don’t just fix problems — we help you understand your electrical system and make informed decisions about it. Our goal is simple: to be the forever electrician you trust to keep your home safe, efficient, and comfortable year after year.
Ready to schedule your service?
Contact Us to request an appointment online and talk with a real person today.
Award Winning Team
Smartwire is a licensed, bonded, and insured Class A Electrical Contractor serving Hanover, Henrico, Chesterfield, King William, New Kent, Goochland, Louisa, Richmond, and surrounding areas since 1986. We are proud to hold an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, and are consistently voted one of the top electricians in Richmond including being voted “Best Home Electrical Contractor” in Richmond by Richmond Magazine (R Home). We are proud to provide subsidized health insurance and a 401k program to ensure we attract and retain the highest quality electricians
Residential Electrical Services
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Electrical Safety Inspections
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Electrical Panels & Breakers
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EV Charger Installation
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Generators
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Lighting & Fans
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Outlets & Switches
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Home Automation
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Urgent Calls & Troubleshooting
Frequently Asked Questions
Electrical Panels & Breakers
How do I know if my electrical panel needs to be upgraded?
The common signs: breakers that trip frequently, a panel that's warm or buzzing, flickering lights when appliances start, a 100-amp panel in a home adding EV charging or a heat pump, or an obsolete brand such as Federal Pacific or Zinsco. If you're seeing any of these in your Richmond-area home, an electrical safety inspection will tell you definitively whether the panel needs replacement or a simpler repair.
What's the difference between a panel replacement and a service upgrade?
A panel replacement swaps your existing panel for a new one at the same amperage — the incoming utility service is untouched. It's the right fix for a failing, obsolete, or unsafe panel when your existing service capacity is adequate. A service upgrade — for example, moving from 100-amp to 200-amp service — is a larger project: it includes a new panel, but also requires upsizing the incoming service equipment, often including the meter base and service entrance conductors, plus coordination with Dominion Energy and additional permitting and inspection. Smartwire handles both, and our assessment tells you which one your home actually needs — many homeowners who think they need a full upgrade only need a replacement, which costs less.
How much does a panel replacement or service upgrade cost in Richmond?
A like-for-like panel replacement (same amperage, no changes to the incoming service) typically runs $2,800 - $3,500 in the Richmond area. A full 200-amp service upgrade typically runs $4,000 - $7,000, because it adds work on the incoming service equipment, Dominion Energy coordination, and additional permitting beyond the panel itself. Smartwire quotes a fixed, upfront price after inspecting your panel — the price you approve is the price you pay.
Is a Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel really dangerous?
These panel brands have documented histories of breakers failing to trip during overloads, which is a fire risk, and many insurance companies now require their replacement as a condition of coverage. If your home has a Federal Pacific (often labeled Stab-Lok) or Zinsco panel, we recommend an inspection promptly. Smartwire has replaced these panels throughout Richmond, Hanover, Henrico, and Chesterfield in homes of every age.
How long is the power off during a panel replacement?
Most panel replacements are completed in a single day, with power off for roughly four to eight hours while we swap the equipment. If Dominion Energy needs to disconnect and reconnect the service, we coordinate that scheduling for you so the outage window stays as short as possible.
Should I upgrade from 100-amp to 200-amp service?
If you're adding high-demand loads — an EV charger, heat pump, hot tub, or major addition — 200-amp service is usually the right long-term move, and doing it once is cheaper than piecemeal fixes. If your loads are modest, a load calculation may show your 100-amp service is fine. We run that calculation as part of every panel assessment and give you a straight answer either way.
EV Charger Installation
How much does it cost to install a Level 2 EV charger at home in Richmond?
Most home Level 2 charger installations in the Richmond area run $700 - $1,800, depending on three factors: the distance from your electrical panel to the charger location, whether your panel has capacity for a new 240-volt circuit, and the charger model. After a quick assessment, Smartwire provides a fixed upfront quote that includes the wiring, breaker, permit, and inspection.
Will I need an electrical panel upgrade to charge my EV?
Not always. We perform a load calculation on your existing panel first — many homes can support a Level 2 charger on their current service. If your panel is full or your home is on 100-amp service, options include a panel upgrade or a load-management device that shares capacity intelligently. We'll show you the math and the options before any work is quoted.
What EV charger brands does Smartwire install?
We install all major residential chargers, including the Tesla Wall Connector, and universal Level 2 chargers compatible with both NACS and J1772 vehicles. We'll help you choose between a hardwired unit and a plug-in unit on a dedicated 240-volt outlet, based on your vehicle, charging speed needs, and future flexibility.
How long does an EV charger installation take?
Most installations are completed in a few hours to one day. Installations requiring a panel upgrade or a long wiring run can take longer, which we identify in the upfront assessment so the schedule never surprises you.
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