Electrical Questions from Hampton Roads Homeowners
These are the electrical questions people across Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake ask us most, answered plainly. If yours isn’t here, call or send the form and we’ll answer it.
The questions
How do I know if my panel needs upgrading?
Breakers that trip when two big appliances run together, a panel with no room for a new circuit, a warm or buzzing panel door, or plans for an EV charger, a heat pump or an addition all point to a panel near its limit. A load calculation tells you for sure.
Do I need a permit, and who pulls it?
Most work beyond swapping a fixture or an outlet needs one, such as a panel upgrade, a new circuit, an EV charger or a generator. Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake each issue their own permits. We pull the permit, book the inspection and include both in the written price.
What does an EV charger install need?
A Level 2 charger needs a dedicated circuit and room in the panel for it. The cost depends on the distance from the panel to the parking spot and whether the panel needs an upgrade first. We check both and price them in writing.
Why does my breaker keep tripping?
Too many things on one circuit, a worn appliance or a fault in the wiring. If a breaker trips again right after you reset it, leave it off and call us, because the fault is still there.
What is the difference between a generator hookup and a standby generator?
A hookup is an inlet and a transfer switch that let a portable generator run the circuits you pick. A standby generator sits beside the house and starts on its own when the power goes out. Both need a transfer switch so power never feeds back into the street lines.
Is old aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring dangerous, and do you rewire?
Both turn up in older Norfolk houses, and both can run hot at worn connections or when the circuit carries more than it was built for. We check the wiring and tell you whether repairs will do or a rewire is the better spend, and yes, we rewire.
Water got into an outlet or the panel during a flood. What do I do?
Keep away from the wet outlet or panel and don't switch anything back on. If you can reach the main breaker without standing in water, turn it off. Outlets, breakers and wiring that have been under water need to be checked, and usually replaced, before the power goes back on.
Should I get ready for hurricane season?
A few things help. Know where your main breaker is, keep a portable generator outside and away from windows, and have a transfer switch fitted before the first storm rather than after. A whole-house surge protector guards appliances from the spikes that come when the power is restored.
Do you take emergency calls, and what do they cost?
Yes. A burning smell, sparks, a panel that is hot to the touch or part of the house without power all go to the front of the list. After-hours calls have a call-out rate, and we tell you what it is before you book.
What should I do if I smell burning or see sparks?
If it is safe to reach the panel, switch off the breaker for that circuit, or the main breaker if you can't tell which one. Don't touch the outlet or the panel if it is hot. If there is smoke or flame, leave the house and call 911 first.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. Ask about monthly payment options when we give you your written quote for a panel upgrade, a generator or a rewire.