Locally-owned since 1977 • Licensed, bonded and insured in Washington (WA Contractor Reg. #HOMECCA785BD) • WA Electrical Contractor Lic. #HOMECCA782DC • NATE-certified technicians • Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer
Electrician in Olympia, WA
Home Comfort Alliance’s licensed electricians handle panel upgrades, new circuits, EV chargers, standby generators, lighting and troubleshooting for Olympia homes. Work is scheduled from our Sumner branch, and because the same company installs heat pumps, water heaters and air conditioning, the electrical side of those projects is planned together instead of by a second contractor.
One thing sets Olympia apart: the city issues its own electrical permits and does its own inspections, rather than leaving that to the state as most Washington cities do (L&I, cities that do their own electrical permits). Lacey does the same. Tumwater and unincorporated Thurston County addresses go through Washington L&I. We know which office covers your address and pull the permit for you.
In short: residential electrical repair and upgrades in Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater, priced in writing before we start and permitted with the right office.
What electrical work costs
Electrical pricing varies more by the job than by the city, so these are national estimates; your quote will be specific to your home.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Electrician service visit | $163 to $538 (about $351 typical) |
| Hourly rate | $50 to $130 |
| New outlet | $200 to $300 |
| Light switch | $85 to $200 |
| Ceiling fan installation | $140 to $350 |
| Breaker box replacement | $500 to $1,800 |
| Whole-house rewiring | $1,500 to $10,000 |
Source: Angi, electrician costs, updated August 2026. National estimate, not a quote.
Get an estimateA comfort advisor will call you to set up your visit.
Panel upgrades and service capacity
A lot of Olympia electrical work starts with the panel. Adding a heat pump, an EV charger, an induction range or a heat pump water heater all add load, and an older 100-amp panel may not have the room. Before recommending an upgrade, we run a load calculation on your actual appliances. Sometimes the answer is a 200-amp service upgrade; sometimes a load management device or a smarter circuit plan avoids it. We also replace panels that show warning signs such as breakers that won’t reset, scorching, corrosion or a brand known for problems. Details on our panel upgrade page.
A service upgrade involves PSE, which supplies electricity in Olympia (Olympia Comprehensive Plan, utilities chapter), because the meter and service drop may need changing. We coordinate the disconnect and reconnect with PSE and the City of Olympia inspection so your power is off for as little time as possible.
EV chargers, heat pump circuits and standby generators
- EV chargers: a Level 2 charger on a dedicated 240-volt circuit, placed where the cable reaches without a trip hazard. We check panel capacity first. See EV charger installation.
- Heat pump and AC circuits: the outdoor unit needs its own circuit and a disconnect within sight of the unit. When our HVAC team installs the system, our electricians wire it on the same schedule.
- Standby generators: a whole-home or essential-circuit generator with an automatic transfer switch, sized to what you need to keep running during an outage. See backup generators.
- Heat pump water heaters: most need a 240-volt circuit; PSE offers a rebate on qualifying models (PSE heat pump water heater rebate).
Lighting, outlets and troubleshooting
Smaller jobs matter too. We add outlets where you actually need them, replace two-prong outlets with grounded ones where the wiring allows, install GFCI protection in kitchens, baths, garages and outdoors, swap failing switches, and hang ceiling fans and new fixtures. When lights flicker, a breaker keeps tripping or half a room goes dead, our electricians trace the cause instead of just resetting the breaker, because a recurring trip is a symptom, not the problem.
Hot tubs, shops, garages and ADUs
Detached buildings and big appliances need their own planning. A hot tub needs a dedicated circuit with a GFCI disconnect placed within sight of the tub but at a safe distance from it. A shop or detached garage may need a subpanel fed by a buried circuit sized for the tools you run. An accessory dwelling unit usually needs its own subpanel and sometimes a separate service. For each, we size the wire and breakers to the load, plan the trench or route, and handle the permit with the City of Olympia or L&I. If a panel upgrade is needed to make room, we price it on the same quote so you see the full cost up front.
Warning signs to act on now
- A burning smell, scorch marks or heat at an outlet, switch or the panel.
- Buzzing or crackling from the panel.
- Breakers that trip repeatedly or won’t reset.
- Outlets or cords that feel warm.
- Lights that dim sharply when a large appliance starts.
- Any sign of water in or near the panel.
If you smell burning or see smoke, turn off the main breaker if it is safe to reach and call 911, then call us.
Older homes and remodels
Olympia’s housing ranges from older homes near downtown to newer subdivisions further out. In older houses we often find ungrounded circuits, overloaded shared circuits in kitchens, and past additions wired without permits. We can evaluate the wiring before a remodel or sale, add circuits for new kitchens and baths, and bring outdated wiring up to current code in stages so you don’t have to do everything at once.
Outage and earthquake readiness
Olympia has been shaken by strong earthquakes before, and winter storms can knock power out for hours. A few electrical upgrades make a home more resilient: a generator inlet and interlock so a portable generator can safely run selected circuits, a standby generator with an automatic transfer switch for homes that can’t go without power, surge protection at the panel, and properly secured equipment so nothing shifts in a quake. Never backfeed a generator through a dryer outlet; it can energize the utility lines and injure line workers.
How an electrical visit works
- Book by phone or with the form at the top of this page.
- A coordinator confirms a window and any trip fee before the visit.
- The electrician diagnoses the issue or scopes the project and gives you a written price.
- We pull the City of Olympia, Lacey or L&I permit as needed and do the work.
- We schedule and meet the inspection.
Why Olympia homeowners choose Home Comfort Alliance
- Serving Puget Sound homeowners since 1977, rated 4.8 stars from 5,000+ reviews.
- Licensed electrical contractor (WA Electrical Contractor Lic. #HOMECCA782DC), bonded and insured.
- Written prices before work begins.
- Electrical, HVAC and plumbing under one roof, so combined projects run on one schedule.
- Financing on approved credit for larger projects; see financing options.
Warranty and Home Comfort Club
We support the manufacturer’s warranty on covered equipment parts, and we stand behind our electrical installations with a 1-year labor warranty from installation.
Join our Home Comfort Club, a monthly membership starting at $15 a month, and the labor warranty on repairs is extended for as long as your prepaid membership runs, up to 5 years from installation. Ask your technician or comfort advisor for the current plan details.
Olympia electrician FAQ
Who issues electrical permits in Olympia?
The City of Olympia issues its own electrical permits and does its own inspections. Lacey does the same, while Tumwater and unincorporated Thurston County use Washington L&I. We pull the correct permit for your address.
How much does an electrician cost in Olympia?
National data puts a typical electrician visit between $163 and $538, around $351 on average, with hourly rates of $50 to $130 (Angi, August 2026). Your written quote is specific to the job.
Do I need a panel upgrade for a heat pump or EV charger?
Not always. We run a load calculation first. Many homes can add a heat pump or charger on the existing panel, sometimes with a load management device; others need a 200-amp upgrade.
Can you wire the heat pump your HVAC team installs?
Yes. Our electricians and HVAC technicians work for the same company, so the circuit, disconnect and permit are handled on the same schedule.
Do you install standby generators in Olympia?
Yes. We size, install and wire standby generators with automatic transfer switches and handle the permit and inspection.
Is it safe to plug a generator into a dryer outlet?
No. Backfeeding through an outlet can send power onto utility lines and injure line workers, and it can damage your home’s wiring. A generator inlet with an interlock or a transfer switch is the safe way to connect one.
Do you replace ungrounded two-prong outlets?
Yes. Where a ground is available we install grounded outlets; where it isn’t, code allows GFCI protection as a safer alternative, and we explain both options.
What warranty comes with your work?
We support the manufacturer’s warranty on covered equipment parts, and our labor warranty covers installations for 1 year from installation. Home Comfort Club members (monthly membership starting at $15 a month) get the labor warranty on repairs extended for as long as their prepaid membership runs, up to 5 years from installation.
Why Choose Home Comfort Alliance in Olympia?
Your Comfort is Our Promise
We promise...
Reliable heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical service, all from one trusted company.
To educate and guide you through your options so you’ll find the right solution at the right price.
Knowledgeable and respectful workers who ensure both your own comfort during the installation process, and lasting comfort from your home systems.
Outstanding service, communication, and follow-up, so your home is comfortable now and for years to come.
Get an electrical estimate in Olympia
A Sumner-based coordinator will book a licensed electrician, and you get a written price and permit plan before work begins.
Get an estimate
A Sumner-based comfort advisor will call you to set up your visit.