Electrical · Philadelphia, PA
Electricians in Philadelphia, PA
Tell us what you need once. Up to 4 electricians whose registration, insurance and license we’ve checked by hand can contact you, and you choose how many.
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We’re still adding checked electricians in Philadelphia. Send your request and we’ll tell you if no one is available.
Electrical work in Philadelphia includes panel upgrades, new circuits, lighting, EV chargers and standby generators. Wolfpack Home Services matches homeowners across Philadelphia with contractors whose business registration and insurance our team has reviewed. You choose how many may contact you — one, or up to four to compare — and we never share your details with more than that. Requests are free for homeowners; participating contractors may pay Wolfpack for leads, placement, or membership.
Hiring a electrician in Philadelphia: local notes
Philadelphia is one municipality — the city and the county are the same — so every permit for electrical comes from one office, the Department of Licenses and Inspections, and the city licenses contractors itself. Most homes here are rowhomes and twins built before 1940, with post-war construction concentrated in the Northeast, and each brings different electrical questions. Choose your neighborhood below for notes specific to it.
Older homes here may still have knob-and-tube or cloth-insulated wiring and fuse panels, which limit what can be added safely and can affect insurance. Post-war homes often have 100-amp service and ungrounded two-prong outlets, and some homes from the 1960s and 1970s have aluminum branch wiring that needs approved connectors.
Checked electricians serving Philadelphia
No pack member covers Philadelphia for electrical yet — we turn contractors away rather than list just anyone. You can still send a request: with your OK we’ll offer it to checked contractors elsewhere in Philadelphia, and if we can’t match it we’ll tell you and share nothing.
Are you a electrician who works in Philadelphia? See what joining the pack involves.
Rules and paperwork in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania’s Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act requires most contractors who perform home improvements to register with the Attorney General’s office and to give you a written contract for any job over $500. The registration number belongs on the estimate and the contract — ask for it.
- Building permits in Pennsylvania are issued under the Uniform Construction Code by each municipality or the inspection agency it appoints, so the local building or codes office decides what needs a permit and an inspection.
- Permitted electrical work is inspected by the municipality or an approved third-party electrical inspection agency before it is covered up or energized.
- Pennsylvania does not issue a statewide license for this trade. Some municipalities register or license it locally, which is one reason to confirm requirements with your own municipality.
Sources: Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General — Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act; Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry — Uniform Construction Code; Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry — Uniform Construction Code; Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry. Rules change — confirm current requirements with the agency and with your municipality.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Will you pull the permit and arrange the inspection?
- Does my service have capacity for this load?
- Is the work covered by a written warranty?
- What is your Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor registration number?
For how the work is done and what drives the price, read our full electrical guide.
Frequently asked questions
Are electricians licensed in Philadelphia?
Pennsylvania does not license electricians statewide; many municipalities do. Permitted electrical work is inspected by the municipality or an approved inspection agency.
Do I need a permit for an EV charger?
A new 240-volt circuit generally needs an electrical permit and inspection. Your municipality confirms.
Is a 100-amp panel enough?
For a modest home with gas heat and no EV, often yes. Adding electric heat, a charger or a large appliance usually prompts an upgrade.
Which towns in Philadelphia do you cover for electrical?
We list 31 communities in Philadelphia, including Center City, Old City, Fairmount, Northern Liberties, Fishtown and Port Richmond. Enter your ZIP code on the request form to confirm coverage.