Top Emergency Electricians in San Francisco, CA, 94101 | Compare & Call
A Wire Guy is a trusted low voltage cabling specialist in San Francisco, CA. Paul Lee and his team solve cable and wiring crises for homes and businesses, offering installation and repair for data networks, security cameras, and phone systems. With a background in emergency services, they bring a reliable, customer-focused approach to every job in the Bay Area.
RB Electric
RB Electric is a trusted electrical contractor serving San Francisco, CA. They handle circuit breaker repair, light fixture installation, and EV charging station setup for homes and businesses. With a focus on reliable service, their skilled technicians are available for both scheduled projects and urgent electrical needs. The company is committed to building a strong local reputation through quality workmanship and customer satisfaction.
Ace Electrical Service provides reliable electrical work in San Francisco, CA. With a contractor license since 2006 and deep roots in the community, they offer trusted installation, repair, and inspection. Their skilled technicians handle everything from outlets to panels, focusing on residential service. They are known for professional, code-compliant work.
Reliable Home Repair is a trusted San Francisco, CA handyman and plumbing service. With over 25 years of experience, their skilled technicians handle electrical work, appliance repair, and emergency installations. Available 24/7, they provide dependable fixes for homes across the Bay Area.
Brendan Molony Electric provides expert electrical services for San Francisco, CA. With over 19 years of local experience, this licensed electrician handles panel upgrades, home rewires, and kitchen remodels. Known for reliable work and using efficient lighting, they are a trusted choice for residential and commercial projects.
Woo Electric Company provides reliable electrical inspections for homes and businesses in San Francisco, CA. Their skilled electricians are known for trustworthy service and quick response times. For dependable electrical work in the Bay Area, this local team offers the expertise needed.
Pagco Construction
Pagco Construction provides trusted electrical and plumbing inspections in San Francisco, CA. This established contractor offers reliable service for residential and commercial needs. Their skilled team brings years of hands-on experience to every project, ensuring quality workmanship and dependable results for the local community.
Cyrus Technology is a trusted electrician in San Francisco, CA, founded in 2016. Their skilled technicians handle circuit breaker repair, outlet installation, and TV mounting. They offer reliable service for electrical issues and installations, providing dependable solutions for homes and businesses.
Enetworking510 is a trusted electrical contractor in San Francisco, CA, holding a C-10 license. Their skilled technicians handle everything from circuit breaker repair and EV charger installation to lighting and panel work. They also provide carpentry and landscaping services for complete property care. For reliable electrical solutions and more, this local business brings professional expertise to every job.
Since 1981, Metropolitan Electrical Construction has been a trusted electrician in San Francisco, CA. They handle electrical inspections and construction projects for homes and businesses. Their long history and work with major clients like Stanford University Medical Center reflect their reliable service.
When Sparks Fly in the Bay: Your Guide to Emergency Electrician Services in San Francisco
Picture this: you're relaxing in your Noe Valley home on a foggy Tuesday evening when, without warning, the lights in half your house go dark, and a faint smell of burning plastic fills the air. In a city as historic and fast-paced as San Francisco, electrical issues are more than an inconvenience—they’re a genuine safety risk. That’s why having the number for a trusted emergency electrician in San Francisco, CA is as essential as knowing your favorite burrito spot in the Mission. This guide is your local expert on everything from recognizing a true emergency to understanding the costs, so you’re never left in the dark.
What Is an Emergency Electrician?
Think of an emergency electrician as the firefighter of your home’s electrical system. Unlike a scheduled electrician who handles upgrades and installations, an emergency specialist is available 24/7, 365 days a year, to tackle urgent problems that pose immediate danger to your home, family, or property. They carry specialized tools and parts in their trucks, are experts in rapid diagnostics, and understand the unique pressure of a late-night crisis. They’re the ones you call when you can’t wait until morning.
What Counts as an Electrical Emergency in San Francisco?
Not every flicker requires a midnight call. Here’s how to tell the difference. A true emergency involves immediate danger or a complete loss of essential function. This includes:
- Smoke, Sparks, or Burning Smells from outlets, switches, or your electrical panel.
- Power Outages Isolated to Your Home when your neighbors have lights (especially if accompanied by a tripped main breaker that won’t reset).
- Exposed or Frayed Wiring that you can see, often after DIY work or rodent damage common in older SF homes.
- Water Contact with Electricity, like a flooded basement (rare here) or a leak soaking a light fixture from the apartment above in a downtown high-rise.
- A Buzzing or Humming Electrical Panel—this is a serious warning sign.
- Downed Power Lines near your property. For this, call PG&E immediately at 1-800-743-5000 first, then call an electrician.
During summer storms in San Francisco, it’s not uncommon to see service drops (the lines from the pole to your house) damaged by falling Monterey pines or eucalyptus branches in neighborhoods like St. Francis Wood. When that happens, it’s a clear emergency requiring a professional to safely restore your connection.
San Francisco's Unique Electrical Landscape
Our city’s charm creates specific electrical challenges. The salty, moist air from the bay accelerates corrosion on outdoor fixtures and service connections, especially in homes near Ocean Beach or Marina. Furthermore, in older neighborhoods near Alamo Square, homes built before 1970 often still have aging 60-amp panels, outdated knob-and-tube wiring, or aluminum branch wiring—all of which are more prone to overheating and failure under today’s high electrical loads.
Our housing stock is a mix: Victorian wood-frame houses, downtown concrete high-rises, and Sunset District homes on slab foundations. Each type presents different access challenges for electricians, affecting response time and repair strategy. Seasonal problems are real too; while we don’t get ice storms, winter rains can infiltrate old exterior conduit, and the rare heatwave can push overloaded attic AC circuits in Noe Valley and Bernal Heights homes past their limit.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Electrical Help
Let’s talk about what you can expect to pay. Emergency services cost more than a scheduled appointment, and for good reason. You’re paying for immediate availability, expedited dispatch, and the skill to solve a high-pressure problem quickly. Based on current local industry data, here’s a transparent breakdown for San Francisco:
- Emergency Call-Out/Dispatch Fee: This is a flat fee to get the truck to your door, covering travel and priority scheduling. In SF, this typically ranges from $150 to $300.
- After-Hours Premium: Work performed on nights, weekends, or major holidays often incurs a labor multiplier. Expect rates to be 1.5 to 2.5 times the standard hourly rate.
- Hourly Labor Rates: Standard hourly rates for electricians in San Francisco are among the highest in the nation, ranging from $120 to $200 per hour. Emergency rates fall on the higher end of this scale.
- Parts & Materials: You pay for any breakers, wiring, fixtures, or panels used. The truck will have common items, but specialty parts may add cost.
- Permit/Inspection Fees: For any permanent repair that alters your system (like a panel repair), a city permit is required. Your electrician typically pulls this, and the cost (often $100-$400) is passed to you. This is a crucial step for safety and insurance in a regulated city like SF.
What Might This Look Like?
Scenario 1: A Saturday night breaker panel repair in the Castro for a failed main breaker. Estimated Total: $300 (call-out) + 2 hours of labor at $180/hr ($360) + $250 (part) + $150 (permit) = Approximately $1,060.
Scenario 2: A Tuesday afternoon visit to rewire a sparking outlet in a Pacific Heights home. Estimated Total: $175 (call-out) + 1 hour at $150/hr + $30 (parts) + $0 (if simple repair doesn’t require permit) = Approximately $355.
Always ask for an estimate before work begins. A reputable company like San Francisco Emergency Electrician will provide transparent pricing.
When to Call vs. When to Wait
Use this simple triage guide:
CALL NOW (Day or Night): Any sign of fire (smoke, smell, sparks), total loss of power in your home alone, or water mixing with electricity.
Schedule for Tomorrow: A single non-working outlet, a flickering light you can’t trace, or a planned upgrade. If your lights flicker after a storm in the Richmond District but power returns, monitor it. If it persists, call.
How to Pick Your Emergency Electrician in San Francisco
Don’t just Google "emergency electricians in my area" and pick the first ad. Look for:
- 24/7 Availability: Clearly stated on their website.
- Local Licensure & Insurance: They must be licensed by the State of California (Contractors State License Board) and carry liability insurance.
- Local Knowledge: Familiarity with SF’s diverse housing and specific codes.
- Transparent Pricing: Willing to discuss call-out fees and rates upfront.
When you need urgent help, the electrician emergency number for San Francisco Emergency Electrician is (888) 903-2131. We’re based in the city and understand local response logistics, aiming to be on-site within 60-90 minutes for most neighborhoods, depending on traffic and weather.
What to Do Until Help Arrives: A Safety Checklist
- Prioritize Safety: Move everyone, especially children and pets, away from the affected area.
- Kill Power if Safe: If you know how and it’s safe to access your panel, turn off the breaker for the affected circuit. If the problem is at the main panel or you smell strong burning, shut off the main breaker.
- Call the Utility if Needed: For downed lines or if you lose power and your neighbors do too, contact PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.
- Document: Take photos of any visible damage (charred outlets, etc.) for your insurance claim.
- Do NOT Experiment: Never attempt live electrical work. Leave diagnostics and repairs to the professionals.
Local Regulations & Final Safety Tips
San Francisco has strict electrical codes. Most substantial emergency repairs will require a permit from the SF Department of Building Inspection. A legitimate electrician will handle this, ensuring the work is inspected and signed off—this protects you and is non-negotiable for insurance. Remember, for any work on the service mast (where lines attach to your house) or the meter, coordination with PG&E is required.
Don't Face an Electrical Crisis Alone
Electrical emergencies are stressful, dangerous, and time-sensitive. Knowing what to do and who to call ahead of time is the best preparation. If you’re experiencing an electrical emergency right now, or want to save our number for peace of mind, your local experts are ready.
Call San Francisco Emergency Electrician at (888) 903-2131. We provide 24/7 same-day emergency service for every neighborhood, from the Presidio to Bayview. Let us bring the light back—safely and swiftly.
