Top Emergency Electricians in Winston Salem, NC, 27010 | Compare & Call
Ogburn Electric
For reliable electrical services in Winston Salem, NC, choose Ogburn Electric. Established in 1956, this A+ rated electrical contractor handles installations, repairs, and generator services for homes and businesses. With over six decades of trusted work, they provide expert electrical panel, wiring, and lighting fixture solutions across the Triad area.
For Winston Salem, NC electrical needs, Bretco Electric has been a trusted local provider since 1990. Their skilled electricians handle installations, repairs, panel upgrades, and lighting for both homes and businesses. Licensed and insured, they offer reliable service for projects from outlet fixes to generator installation across the Piedmont Triad.
Tru Electric
Tru Electric provides trusted electrical services in Winston Salem, NC. This veteran-owned company specializes in panel upgrades, wiring, and generator installation. Their skilled technicians offer 24/7 emergency electrical repair and installation. Tru Electric reliably serves the Piedmont Triad area with a problem-solving approach honed from technical experience.
Gwyn Services
Since 1972, Gwyn Services has provided trusted electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work to Winston Salem, NC. This veteran-owned company offers 24/7 emergency repairs, installations, and maintenance for your home's essential systems. They focus on reliable, affordable service for the Piedmont Triad area.
Kenco Electric
Since 1988, Kenco Electric has been a trusted electrical contractor in Winston Salem, NC. They provide electrical installation, repair, and water heater services with 24/7 emergency availability. This fully licensed and bonded company, known for its A+ BBB rating, serves the Triad area with reliable expertise.
C B Atkins Electric
C B Atkins Electric is a trusted Winston Salem electrical contractor with over four decades of experience. Serving the Triad area since 1975, they offer skilled electrical repair, installation, and generator services for homes and businesses, providing reliable solutions and free estimates.
H Acosta - Electrician serves Winston Salem, NC with reliable electrical solutions. With 30 years of expertise from a military background, they provide emergency service seven days a week. Locals trust them for inspections, repairs, installations, and wire work. Available for any job size across the Triad area.
South Fork Electric has provided Winston Salem, NC with reliable electrical services since 1986. Their skilled electricians handle installations, repairs, and lighting upgrades for homes and businesses. With over 40 years of industry experience, this trusted local company serves the entire Winston Salem area, offering dependable workmanship for all your electrical needs.
Salem Electric provides reliable electrical services in Winston Salem, NC. Since 1945, this locally trusted company handles installations, inspections, and emergency generator work for residential and commercial clients. Serving the greater Winston Salem area, their skilled technicians bring dependable solutions to every project.
Bullseye Electrical
Bullseye Electrical provides trusted electrical services in Winston Salem, NC. This family-run company handles everything from circuit breaker and panel repair to generator installation and EV charger setup. They offer reliable solutions for repairs, installations, and inspections, treating each home with care. Known for honest, quality work, they are a dependable choice for your electrical needs across the Piedmont Triad area.
When Sparks Fly in Winston Salem: Your Lifeline for Electrical Emergencies
If your lights just went out in Ardmore, or you smell burning wires in an old home near Salem Lake, you’re not alone. Power problems can hit any home in Winston Salem, NC, at any time. Our local climate, with its intense summer thunderstorms and occasional winter ice storms, can push our electrical systems to the limit. When you’re facing a dangerous situation, you need a local expert who understands Winston Salem’s unique homes and wiring. This guide explains everything about getting an emergency electrician in Winston Salem, NC, so you know what to do, what to expect, and who to call.
What Is an Emergency Electrician, Anyway?
An emergency electrician isn't just a regular electrician working late. They are a dedicated, 24/7 response team for situations where your safety, property, or essential power is at immediate risk. Think of them as the first responders for your home's electrical system. They carry specialized tools and parts in their trucks to handle urgent repairs on the spot, day or night. Their job is to secure your home from danger and restore basic functionality until a more permanent fix can be scheduled. For families in West End or homeowners in Pfafftown, having this number saved can mean the difference between a scary night and a safe, quick resolution.
Is This a Real Electrical Emergency? What to Look For
Not every electrical hiccup requires a midnight call. Knowing the difference can keep you safe and save you from an unnecessary after-hours fee. A true electrical emergency is any situation that poses an immediate threat of fire, electrocution, or major property damage.
These are emergencies. Call an electrician immediately:
- Smelling burning plastic or seeing smoke from an outlet, switch, or appliance.
- Seeing sparks, flashes, or arcing from your electrical panel or wiring.
- Hearing a loud pop or buzz from your electrical system.
- An outlet or switch that is hot to the touch or has discolored/burned marks.
- Complete power loss in your home (but only after checking if your neighbors are out too, which points to a utility issue).
- Water coming into contact with live wiring, like from a burst pipe or storm leak.
- A downed power line on or near your property.
These issues are urgent but may be safe to wait for regular hours if you can isolate the problem:
- A single dead outlet or circuit.
- Frequent but not constant breaker tripping.
- Minor flickering lights isolated to one fixture.
- A non-essential outdoor light or GFCI outlet that isn’t working.
In older neighborhoods like Waughtown, homes built before the 1970s often have smaller 60-amp panels or outdated aluminum branch wiring, which can overheat more easily under today’s electrical loads. If your lights dim when the AC kicks in during a Winston Salem summer, that’s a sign your system is straining—and could be closer to an emergency than you think.
Winston Salem’s Climate and Homes: A Recipe for Electrical Stress
Our city faces specific challenges that electricians see every week. Our humid summers lead to corrosion on outdoor connections and meter bases. The fierce afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August bring lightning strikes and power surges that can fry electronics and damage panels. During these storms, it’s not uncommon for service drops—the wires from the pole to your house—to be damaged by falling limbs in tree-lined areas like Buena Vista or Reynolda.
In winter, while we avoid deep freezes, ice storms can still bring down tree limbs onto power lines, causing widespread outages and damage to mastheads (the pipe where wires enter your attic). The mix of historic homes with knob-and-tube wiring, mid-century ranches with aluminum wiring, and newer subdivisions means a local emergency electrician must be ready for anything. A quick, knowledgeable response is critical here because a delay can mean water damage from a failed sump pump during a storm or a frozen pipe from a lost furnace blower in a cold snap.
Understanding the Cost of an Emergency Electrician in Winston Salem
Let’s talk frankly about cost. Yes, emergency electricians cost more than scheduling a routine appointment. This covers their 24/7 availability, immediate dispatch, and the premium for working in hazardous conditions at night or in bad weather. You’re paying for safety and speed.
Based on current local market data, here’s a breakdown of what to expect for an emergency electrician call-out fee in our area:
- Emergency Service Fee / Trip Charge: This flat fee covers the dispatch and initial diagnostics. In Winston Salem, this typically ranges from $100 to $250, even before any work begins.
- After-Hours Premium: Labor rates are multiplied for nights, weekends, and holidays. Standard hourly rates for electricians in the region are $80-$120/hour. Emergency rates are often 1.5x to 2.5x that, so you might see $150-$300 per hour.
- Parts & Materials: These are at retail cost plus a markup for having them on the truck. A new circuit breaker might be $50-$150, while a whole new meter socket could be $300-$600.
- Permit/Inspection Fees: For certain repairs, like replacing a main panel or service mast, the city of Winston Salem requires a permit and inspection. Your electrician will handle this, but the fee (often $50-$150) will be part of your bill.
What does a real emergency cost? Here are two common Winston Salem scenarios:
- Burning Smell from an Outlet: The electrician arrives, diagnoses a failed outlet and damaged wiring in the wall. They replace the outlet, repair a short section of wire, and ensure the circuit is safe. Total Cost Example: $350 - $600.
- Storm-Damaged Service Mast: A tree limb breaks the pipe bringing power into your home. The electrician coordinates a temporary disconnect with Duke Energy, replaces the mast and weatherhead, and gets your power restored. Total Cost Example: $1,200 - $2,500+ (depending on materials and roof complexity).
Always ask for an estimate before work begins and get a detailed invoice. This is crucial for insurance claims, especially after storm damage.
Your Safety Checklist: What to Do Until Help Arrives
Your actions in the first few minutes are vital. Never attempt to work on live electricity yourself. Follow these steps:
- Assess and Evacuate: If you see smoke or flames, get everyone out of the house and call 911 first.
- Shut Off Power: If it’s safe to do so and you know where your main breaker is, turn it off. This is the large switch at the top of your electrical panel.
- Unplug Appliances: If the issue is with a specific appliance (like a smoking oven), unplug it from the outlet.
- Call the Utility for Downed Lines: If a power line is down, stay at least 30 feet away and call Duke Energy immediately at 1-800-POWERON (1-800-769-3766).
- Document the Problem: If safe, take clear photos of the issue (a sparking panel, a burned outlet) for your electrician and insurance.
- Call Your Emergency Electrician: Once the immediate danger is managed, call for professional help. Have your address and a brief description of the problem ready.
Who to Call: Choosing Your Winston Salem Emergency Electrician
Not all electricians offer true 24/7 emergency service. When picking a provider, look for:
- Licensed & Insured: They must hold a valid North Carolina electrical license and carry liability insurance.
- Local Knowledge: They should understand Winston Salem’s codes, common housing types, and the local utility (Duke Energy) protocols.
- Transparent Pricing: They should be willing to explain their emergency call-out fee and hourly rates upfront.
- Rapid Response: They should give you a realistic arrival window. In the Winston Salem area, a good emergency service aims for a 60- to 90-minute response time, though severe weather or high call volume can extend this.
That’s where we come in. Winston Salem Emergency Electrician is a local, dedicated 24/7 service. We know the quirks of wiring in West Salem condos and the challenges of updating panels in Ardmore historic homes. When you need help now, your electrician emergency number is (888) 903-2131.
Local Rules and Working with Duke Energy
In North Carolina, significant electrical work requires a permit from the City/County Inspections Department and a follow-up inspection to ensure it’s to code. A reputable emergency electrician will know when a permit is needed (e.g., for panel replacements, new circuits) and will include pulling that permit as part of the job. For issues involving the service drop or meter, your electrician will coordinate the necessary temporary power shut-off with Duke Energy. Remember, only the utility can work on the lines up to and including the meter.
Don’t Risk It—Call Your Local Experts Today
Electrical emergencies are stressful, scary, and dangerous. You don’t have to figure it out alone. If you’re in Winston Salem, Kernersville, or any surrounding Forsyth County community and you’re facing sparks, smoke, or sudden darkness, trust the local team that’s on call for you every hour of the year.
For immediate, safe, and professional help, call Winston Salem Emergency Electrician right now at (888) 903-2131. We offer same-day, 24/7 emergency service with transparent pricing and the local expertise you need to get your home safe and your power back on.
