Question 1

Are you licensed and insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes. AMY Electric holds a California C-10 Electrical Contractor license (#981578), which you can verify on the California Contractors State License Board website at cslb.ca.gov. We carry full general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance — we're happy to provide our certificate of insurance before any work begins. We're also EVITP-certified (#4051604) for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, which is required by LADWP for their EV charger rebate program. Every electrician on our team works under Amy's C-10 license, ensuring that all work meets California Electrical Code standards. According to CSLB data, unlicensed contracting is one of the top consumer complaints in California — always verify your contractor's license before signing a contract.

Question 2

Do you pull permits for electrical work in Los Angeles?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we handle all permitting and inspections with the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) and LADWP as part of every project. Under the Los Angeles Municipal Code, most electrical work — including panel upgrades, EV charger installations, new circuits, and whole-home rewiring — requires a permit and final inspection. We submit all paperwork electronically through the LADBS e-permit system, schedule the inspections on your behalf, and attend the inspection to make sure everything passes. This means you get a permanent record of compliant work, which matters when you sell your home. According to California Civil Code, unpermitted electrical work must be disclosed during a home sale and can reduce your property value. We make sure every job is fully permitted and inspected so you're protected.

Question 3

Do you offer same-day electrical service in Los Angeles?

Accepted Answer

When availability allows, yes — we can dispatch a licensed electrician the same day for urgent electrical issues like power outages, sparking outlets, or breakers that won't reset. For less urgent work like EV charger installations or panel upgrades, we typically schedule within 3-7 business days. The best way to find out about same-day availability is to call us at (818) 302-5614 — we'll let you know immediately if we have a crew nearby that can stop by. For emergencies like exposed wires, burning smells from your panel, or complete power loss, we prioritize same-day service. If we cannot reach you the same day, we'll schedule the earliest available slot and keep you informed every step of the way.

Question 4

How much does an EV charger installation cost in LA?

Accepted Answer

Most Level 2 EV charger installations in Los Angeles run $350-$900 for a straightforward garage installation where your panel has available space and the run distance is under 50 feet. This includes a dedicated 40A or 50A circuit breaker, appropriate gauge wiring, conduit, a NEMA 14-50 outlet or hardwired connection, and a permit. If your panel needs an upgrade to accommodate the charger (common in older LA homes with 100A service), expect $2,500-$4,500 additional for the service upgrade. LADWP offers up to $500 in rebates for qualifying Level 2 charger installations, and the federal tax credit covers 30% of equipment and installation costs up to $1,000. We provide a detailed written estimate before any work begins — no surprises.

Question 5

Do you serve the entire Los Angeles area?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we serve the full Greater Los Angeles area including downtown LA, all neighborhoods in the San Fernando Valley, the Westside, and the South Bay. Our primary service area covers Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Encino, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Los Angeles, Woodland Hills, Calabasas, and Culver City. We also serve surrounding areas including Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Bel Air, Hancock Park, Silver Lake, Echo Park, Los Feliz, and Universal City. With over 62 ZIP codes in our service area, we're never more than 30-45 minutes from any job. We're based in Winnetka (91306) and cover all of LA County. If you're not sure whether we serve your specific neighborhood, give us a call.

Question 6

How much does an electrical panel upgrade cost in Los Angeles?

Accepted Answer

Upgrading from 100A to 200A electrical service in Los Angeles typically costs $2,500-$4,500. Several factors affect the final price: the distance from your meter to the main panel, whether LADWP requires a service mast upgrade when increasing amperage, the condition of your existing wiring, and whether we need to upgrade your underground or overhead service entrance. For a 200A upgrade, you get a new main breaker panel (or a main-lug panel with a separate main disconnect), new branch circuit breakers, and all necessary conduit and wiring. This does not include the cost of the LADWP service upgrade (connection fee, typically $300-$600), which is billed separately by the utility. We provide a firm, itemized quote after an on-site evaluation — never a ballpark over the phone.

Question 7

How long does a panel upgrade take to complete?

Accepted Answer

Most residential electrical panel upgrades in Los Angeles are completed in 4-8 hours. Your power will be off for the duration of the installation, so we recommend planning accordingly — charge devices beforehand and refrigerate sensitive items. After installation, we schedule a LADBS inspection, which typically happens within 48 hours. If LADWP needs to upgrade your service connection (for example, increasing from 100A to 200A), that adds 1-3 weeks to the overall timeline because the utility handles that separately. We handle all coordination with LADBS for the building permit, LADWP for the service upgrade, and the final inspection scheduling. Most homeowners are back to normal within a week — we keep the process moving.

Question 8

What size EV charger do I need for my home?

Accepted Answer

Most Los Angeles homeowners install a 40A or 48A Level 2 EV charger. A 40A charger delivers about 30 miles of range per hour of charging — enough to fully recharge a Tesla Model 3 Long Range (353-mile range) in about 12 hours. A 48A charger delivers about 35 miles per hour. We recommend starting with a load calculation to determine your available capacity, not just picking an amperage. Many older LA homes with 100A service can handle a 40A charger if no other major loads are running simultaneously, but we need to verify this with actual math. If you're planning for two EVs, a 200A panel upgrade is usually recommended. We perform the load calculation for free during your estimate — it's the only way to know for sure what your home can handle.

Question 9

Do I need a permit for electrical work in Los Angeles?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the City of Los Angeles requires permits for most residential electrical work. Under the Los Angeles Municipal Code, permits are required for: panel upgrades, EV charger installations, new circuits, whole-home rewiring, electric water heater circuits, and most new construction electrical work. Minor repairs like replacing an existing light fixture or outlet may not require a permit, but running new wiring or upgrading equipment does. The permit ensures your work is inspected by LADBS for compliance with the California Electrical Code (2022 edition, based on NEC 2020). Unpermitted electrical work can create safety hazards (faulty wiring causes 67,000 home fires annually per the NFPA), void your homeowners insurance, and must be disclosed when selling your home. We pull all required permits as part of every project — never cut corners.

Question 10

What is the difference between hardwired and plug-in EV chargers?

Accepted Answer

Hardwired EV chargers are connected directly to your electrical panel through dedicated conduit and wiring, with no outlet in between. They can deliver higher amperage (up to 60A) because there's no NEMA 14-50 outlet bottleneck, making them ideal for high-powered chargers like the Tesla Wall Connector or ChargePoint Home Flex hardwired version. Hardwired installations are considered permanent by the NEC and are generally more reliable since there are fewer connection points that could loosen over time. Plug-in chargers connect to a NEMA 14-50 outlet (the same type used for electric ranges) and max out at 40A of continuous charging. The advantage of plug-in is portability — you can disconnect the charger and take it with you if you move. Both types require a dedicated 240V circuit and must be installed by a licensed electrician with a permit. We can help you choose based on your vehicle, driving habits, and panel capacity.

Question 11

How much does a Tesla Wall Connector installation cost?

Accepted Answer

Tesla Wall Connector installation in Los Angeles runs $500-$1,200, depending on the mounting location, distance from the electrical panel, and whether a panel upgrade is needed. This price includes: a dedicated 60A double-pole circuit breaker, properly sized THHN wiring, conduit (EMT or liquid-tight flexible), the mounting bracket installation, wiring the connector to the breaker, commissioning the unit with the Tesla app, and obtaining the required LADBS permit and inspection. The Tesla Wall Connector unit itself (purchased separately from Tesla) costs $475. If the run from your panel exceeds 50 feet, expect an additional $200-$500 for longer wiring and conduit. If a panel upgrade is required (common in pre-1990 LA homes), budget $2,500-$4,500 extra. Combined LADWP and federal incentives can offset up to $1,500 of the total cost.

Question 12

Should I upgrade from 100A to 200A electrical service?

Accepted Answer

If you plan to add an EV charger, electric water heater, heat pump, induction range, or hot tub, upgrading from 100A to 200A service is strongly recommended. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average California home uses about 30-40 amps for baseline loads (lighting, appliances, HVAC). Adding a 40A EV charger and a 30A heat pump can push a 100A panel past its safe capacity. You should also upgrade if your breakers frequently trip when running multiple appliances, if your lights dim when the AC kicks on, or if your panel is a Federal Pacific or Zinsco brand (known fire hazards). Many Los Angeles homes built before 1990 — especially in the San Fernando Valley — still have original 100A fuse or breaker panels. A 200A panel gives you room for all modern electrical needs plus future expansion.

Question 13

Do you offer commercial electrical services in Los Angeles?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we provide full commercial electrical services for LA businesses, property managers, and commercial landlords. Our commercial offerings include: tenant improvement electrical work (new circuits, lighting, power distribution), LED lighting retrofits for energy savings, electrical system design and installation for new construction, sub-metering for multi-tenant buildings, EV fleet charging infrastructure for commercial parking lots, electrical troubleshooting and repairs, emergency generator connections, and panel schedule creation for facilities management. We work with property management companies across Los Angeles handling electrical maintenance for multi-family buildings and commercial spaces. Our C-10 license covers commercial work up to any size, and we carry the insurance required for commercial job sites. We can provide commercial references upon request.

Question 14

How much does ceiling fan installation cost in Los Angeles?

Accepted Answer

Ceiling fan installation in Los Angeles typically costs $150-$350 per fan if wiring is already in place at the ceiling box. This covers mounting the fan bracket, assembling the fan, wiring the connections (typically black/white/ground plus a blue wire for the light kit), balancing the blades, and testing. If new wiring needs to be run from an existing wall switch to the ceiling, expect $250-$500 per fan, which includes fishing wire through the wall and ceiling, installing a new or upgraded wall switch, and patching any access holes. Most standard ceiling fans weigh 15-25 pounds and require a ceiling box rated for fan support (per NEC 314.27(C)). If your existing box is a standard light fixture box (not fan-rated), we'll need to replace it with a fan-rated box — and that's an additional $50-$100. We install all major brands including Hunter, Minka Aire, and Hampton Bay.

Question 15

Do you offer surge protection for my home?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we install whole-home surge protection devices (SPDs) at your electrical panel that protect every appliance, electronic device, and system in your home from power surges, voltage spikes, and lightning-induced transients. A whole-home surge protector installed at the panel (typically a Type 1 or Type 2 SPD per NEC Article 242) provides far better protection than a plug-in power strip alone, which only protects devices plugged into it. According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, power surges cause an estimated $1 billion in electronics damage annually in the U.S. We install brands like Eaton CHSPT2ULTRA and Leviton 51110-SPT rated for 108-120kA of surge current capacity. Cost ranges from $250-$600 depending on your panel type, brand preference, and whether additional wiring is needed. This is a small investment compared to replacing a refrigerator, HVAC system, or home theater.

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