West Allis Electrical Company handles electrical work for homeowners, landlords, property managers, and businesses across West Allis and the surrounding Milwaukee County area. Whether you are dealing with a tripped breaker at midnight or planning a full panel upgrade before a kitchen remodel, we are available around the clock, any day of the week, including nights, weekends, and holidays. One number. One call. One electrician at your door.
Call (414) 361-9789 for a quote.
Dealing with a tripping breaker or a dead outlet? These are the calls we get most often, and they are almost never minor inconveniences. A wiring fault that goes undiagnosed can become a fire risk. We start with a clear look at what is actually happening before any work begins.
A breaker that keeps tripping usually points to one of three things: an overloaded circuit, a short somewhere in the wiring, or a breaker that has worn out and needs replacement. A dead outlet is often a tripped GFCI upstream that needs to be reset, but it can also mean a loose connection or a wiring fault further back in the circuit.
If you are smelling something burning near an outlet or panel, or if you see sparks when plugging something in, that is a reason to call now rather than wait. We diagnose the fault first and give you a plain answer on repair versus upgrade before anything else happens.
GFCI and AFCI protection is part of what we check and install during repair visits. Arc-fault and ground-fault breakers protect circuits in bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms where the risk of electrical fire or shock is higher. If your home is missing that protection, we can add it as part of the repair work.
Flickering lights in a single room usually point to a loose connection at the fixture or the switch. Flickering that affects the whole house is a different problem. That pattern often points to an issue at the service entrance or a loose connection at the main panel, and it warrants a closer look.
An electrical safety inspection is one of the most useful diagnostic tools we have for a home with recurring or unexplained electrical problems. We go through the panel, the wiring, the outlets, and the grounding to find what is causing the symptom rather than just replacing parts. Reach out and we will get it diagnosed.
Older panels wear out, and panels that were sized for a smaller electrical load eventually run out of room. A 100-amp service that handled a home in the 1970s may not carry the load of a modern kitchen, an EV charger, and an added bedroom circuit at the same time.
When a panel upgrade becomes necessary, we handle the full scope: load calculations, service-entrance work, meter coordination, and the new panel installation. Subpanel installation is available when the main panel is in good shape but a garage, workshop, or addition needs its own distribution point.
For landlords and property managers in Milwaukee County, panel work often comes up in the context of inspection readiness and code compliance. We scope that work the same way: confirm what is required, give you the price on the call, and schedule from there. We keep your home powered and safe.
Before a small wiring issue turns into a hazard, getting the right outlet or switch in place is worth doing properly. We handle outlet replacement, new outlet installation, and GFCI outlet installation in kitchens, bathrooms, and garages where code requires it. AFCI outlets go in bedrooms and other living areas where arc-fault protection is part of the standard.
Dimmer switches, smart switches, and standard replacements are all work we do on a single visit. If you are remodeling a kitchen or finishing a basement, we can wire the new switches and outlets as part of the rough-in work.
For lighting, we install recessed and LED can lights, motion sensor lights, exterior and security lighting, and any fixture replacement where the existing wiring needs updating. Outdoor lighting along driveways, entries, and garages is a common request, and we run the circuit and install the fixtures in one visit where the panel has the capacity.
Ceiling fan installation covers both replacement of an existing fan and new installation where no ceiling box currently exists. Running the wiring for a new fan location is part of the job when needed.
Whether this is your first repair or your tenth, older wiring is one of those things worth addressing before it becomes an emergency. Knob-and-tube wiring, which shows up in a lot of West Allis homes built before the 1950s, was not designed to carry modern electrical loads. Aluminum wiring from the 1960s and 1970s presents its own concerns at connections and terminations. We assess what is in place, explain what the replacement involves, and give you a clear picture of the scope before work starts.
Whole-home rewiring is the right answer when a safety inspection finds widespread problems or when a renovation uncovers wiring that cannot safely support the updated layout. Partial rewiring is also an option when the issue is limited to specific circuits or areas.
Dedicated circuits are a separate but related job. A range, dryer, refrigerator, or dishwasher each needs its own circuit to run safely and without tripping other loads. We install dedicated appliance circuits as standalone work or as part of a larger remodel. If you are adding a hot tub, we handle the electrical supply side: the dedicated circuit, the disconnect, and confirming the panel has the capacity to carry the load.
A point-of-use surge strip protects one outlet. A panel-level surge protector covers the whole house, including appliances, HVAC equipment, and electronics that are not plugged into a strip at all. We install whole-home surge protection at the panel, which is where it does the most good.
EV charger installation starts with a panel capacity check. A Level 2 charger requires a dedicated 240-volt circuit, and the panel needs room to carry it. We run the circuit, install the outlet or hardwired charger connection, and confirm the panel is sized for the added load. Call now and we will get the power back where it belongs.
Milwaukee County winters are hard on homes and harder on electrical systems. Multi-day outages from ice and wind storms are a real possibility. Frozen pipes and roof ice dams are routine seasonal risks. The three services below come up every winter in West Allis, and we handle all of them on the electrical side.
When a winter storm takes out power for two or three days, a generator hookup is the difference between staying home and leaving. We handle the electrical side of the installation: the transfer switch, the dedicated circuit from the panel, and the connection that lets the generator carry the load safely without backfeeding the grid. The transfer switch is what makes the system safe for the household and for anyone working on the lines outside. We scope the installation on the call and confirm what the panel needs before scheduling.
A lot of West Allis housing stock is running on 60- or 100-amp service that was installed decades ago. That capacity works until you add an electric range, a dryer on a new circuit, or a garage heater, and then the panel is simply out of room. A 200-amp upgrade opens up the panel for the circuits a modern home actually needs, including EV chargers and the added loads that come with a renovation. Permit requirements are confirmed before work starts, and we coordinate that as part of the job.
Roof edge heating cables and pipe heat tape prevent two of the most common winter problems in this area: ice dams that back water under shingles and frozen pipes in unheated spaces. The electrical side of heat tape installation involves a dedicated circuit, GFCI protection at the outlet or connection point, and a load calculation to make sure the circuit is sized for the cable length. Scheduling before the first hard freeze is the right call. Dead outlets usually have a simple cause worth finding, and so does a frozen pipe that could have been prevented with a properly wired heat cable.
We work across all property types in West Allis and the surrounding area. For homeowners, that means repairs, remodels, additions, and upgrades to older homes that need their wiring brought up to current standards. For small businesses, offices, and retail spaces, we handle outlet and lighting work, panel upgrades, and the dedicated circuits that commercial equipment requires.
Landlords and property managers have a specific set of needs: code compliance, inspection readiness, and work that holds up across tenants. We handle multi-unit electrical work and can scope a full property inspection to identify what needs attention before a city inspection or a lease renewal.
For new construction and renovation projects, we do rough-in wiring, panel sizing, and permit coordination from the start of the job. The person who answers the phone can tell you what the visit involves. We treat your home and its wiring the way we would our own.
When you call, we scope the job on the phone. You find out what the visit covers, what the work involves, and what the price is before anything is scheduled. Pricing is explained up front and confirmed before we start.
Electrical safety inspections are available as standalone work for homeowners who want to know the condition of their wiring, for buyers doing due diligence before a purchase, and for landlords preparing for a rental inspection. We go through the panel, outlets, grounding, and visible wiring and give you a written summary of what we found.
Permit work is handled as part of the job. When a project requires a permit, we confirm that at the time of scheduling and coordinate it as part of the scope. You do not have to track that down separately.
Not the biggest name in town. Just the one that answers. No runaround.
An inspection makes sense before buying a home, before listing a property for sale, after a renovation, or when a home has older wiring that has not been reviewed in years. We go through the panel, breaker operation, grounding, GFCI and AFCI protection, and visible wiring condition. The result is a clear picture of what is in good shape and what needs attention.
Sparking outlets, a burning smell near a panel or fixture, a breaker that will not reset, or any situation where part of the home has lost power without a clear cause. These are reasons to call immediately rather than wait for a scheduled appointment. We are available at any hour, any day, so you can reach us when the problem happens.
A transfer switch disconnects the home from the utility line before the generator supplies power to the circuits. Without one, a generator running into the grid can create a serious hazard for anyone working on the lines outside. We install the transfer switch as part of every generator hookup, and we confirm the panel has the capacity to carry the generator load before the installation is scheduled.
Yes. When a project requires a permit, we confirm that at the time of scheduling and coordinate it as part of the scope. You do not have to track down the permit separately. Permit requirements depend on the type of work and where the property is located, and we confirm what applies at your address before the job starts.
Breakers that trip under normal load, breakers that feel warm or will not reset cleanly, a burning smell near the panel, or visible discoloration on the bus bar or breaker faces. An older panel that has had circuits added without a load calculation is also a common source of problems in Milwaukee County homes. Any of those signs are worth a call.
Flickering lights that affect more than one room, outlets that are warm to the touch, a burning plastic smell with no obvious source, and outlets or switches that have discolored faceplates. In older West Allis homes, knob-and-tube or aluminum branch circuit wiring may be present without any visible symptom until a connection fails or a load increases. An electrical safety inspection is the clearest way to find out what is actually in the walls.
An undersized or worn panel limits what circuits the home can carry safely. A fuse box that has been modified or overloaded may allow more current through a circuit than the wiring can handle, which is a fire risk. A panel that cannot accommodate additional circuits also limits what appliances, chargers, or heating loads you can add without overloading what is already there.
We start on the phone by asking about the symptoms, the affected area, and the age of the panel and wiring. On the visit, we trace the circuit from the panel to the affected outlet, fixture, or device. That process identifies whether the fault is at the connection, in the wiring, or at the breaker itself before any repair work begins.
A panel-mounted surge protector intercepts voltage spikes before they travel through the home's wiring to your appliances and electronics. Point-of-use strips protect only what is plugged into them. A panel-level device covers every circuit in the home, including hardwired appliances that are never connected to a strip. In an area where winter storms can cause grid instability, that coverage matters.
Heat tape installation on the electrical side means running a dedicated circuit to the tape or cable, installing GFCI protection at the connection point, and sizing the circuit for the cable length and load. Roof edge heating cables and pipe heat tape both require that circuit work to operate safely. Scheduling before the first hard freeze gives us time to scope and complete the job without rushing.
We handle the transfer switch installation, the dedicated circuit from the panel to the generator connection point, and a load calculation to confirm the panel can carry the generator output. The transfer switch is the part that makes the system safe. We scope the full installation on the call and confirm what the panel needs before scheduling.
When wiring runs through finished walls, attics, or crawl spaces, accessing it takes more time than working in an open space. Older wiring may also require additional work to bring the affected circuit up to current standards before the repair or installation can be completed. We identify those factors during the diagnostic step and include them in the scope and price before work begins.
We answer calls around the clock, any day of the year. Nights, weekends, and holidays included.
If the power is out, a breaker will not reset, or you need to schedule an upgrade before the next Wisconsin winter hits, call (414) 361-9789 for a quote.
We will tell you what the job involves and what it costs before anything is scheduled.
One number. One call. One electrician at your door.
Below is a plain-language look at the electrical work we handle most often in West Allis and the surrounding Milwaukee County area. Each row covers what the service includes, who it fits best, and a practical note worth knowing before you call. If a job does not fit neatly into one row, call us and we will scope it on the phone.
| Electrical Service | Scope of Work | When You Need It | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wiring & Rewiring | Whole-home rewiring, Partial circuit rewiring, Knob-and-tube replacement, Aluminum wiring remediation | Older West Allis homes with pre-1960s or aluminum branch wiring | Knob-and-tube wiring was not designed to carry modern electrical loads. We assess what is in place and explain the scope before any work begins. |
| Outlet & Switch Installation | GFCI outlet installation, AFCI outlet installation, Dimmer and smart switch wiring, New outlet rough-in | Remodels, kitchen and bath updates, and code-compliance work | GFCI protection is required by code in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor areas. We confirm what applies at your address before work starts. |
| Dedicated Appliance Circuits | Range and dryer circuits, Refrigerator and dishwasher circuits, Hot tub electrical supply, Workshop and garage circuits | Homeowners adding major appliances or finishing a basement or garage | Each large appliance needs its own circuit to run without tripping other loads. We size the circuit for the appliance and confirm the panel has room before scheduling. |
| Whole-Home Surge Protection | Panel-mounted surge device installation, Load calculation for the panel, Coverage for hardwired appliances | Homes with sensitive electronics or areas prone to grid instability during storms | A panel-level device covers every circuit in the home, including appliances that are never plugged into a point-of-use strip. |
| Backup Generator Installation | Transfer switch installation, Dedicated generator circuit, Panel capacity check, Load calculation for generator output | West Allis homeowners preparing for multi-day winter outages | The transfer switch disconnects the home from the utility line before the generator supplies power. It is the part that makes the system safe for the household and for anyone working on lines outside. |
| Ceiling Fan Installation | Replacement of existing fans, New fan location wiring, Ceiling box installation, Switch and control wiring | Rooms without an existing fan box or homes replacing older units | Running new wiring for a fan location where no box exists is part of the job, not an add-on scoped separately. |
| Electrical Repairs & Troubleshooting | Fault diagnosis at the source, Breaker and outlet testing, GFCI and AFCI checks, Written summary of findings | Any home with recurring or unexplained electrical problems | We trace the fault before replacing anything, so the repair addresses the actual cause rather than the symptom. |
| Electrical Panel & Service Upgrades | Load calculations, 200-amp service upgrade, Subpanel installation, Permit coordination | Older homes adding EV chargers, new appliances, or renovation circuits | A lot of West Allis housing stock is still running on 60- or 100-amp service. Upgrading opens room for the circuits a modern home actually needs. |
| Lighting Installation | Recessed and LED can lights, Exterior and security lighting, Motion sensor lights, Fixture replacement and circuit updates | Homeowners updating interior lighting or adding outdoor coverage | Outdoor lighting along driveways and entries typically runs off a dedicated circuit. We install the circuit and the fixtures in one visit where the panel has the capacity. |
| Breaker & Panel Service | Breaker replacement, Panel inspection, Load testing, Worn or overloaded circuit repair | Homes with breakers that trip under normal load or will not reset cleanly | A warm breaker face or a burning smell near the panel is a reason to call right away rather than wait to schedule. |
| Heat Tape Installation | Dedicated circuit for heat cable, GFCI protection at connection point, Circuit sizing for cable length, Roof edge and pipe applications | West Allis homes with roof ice dam risk or unheated spaces with exposed pipes | Scheduling before the first hard freeze gives us time to scope and complete the job without rushing. Heat tape requires a properly sized dedicated circuit to operate safely. |
| Electrical Safety Inspections | Panel and breaker review, Outlet and grounding check, GFCI and AFCI coverage audit, Written findings summary | Home buyers, sellers, landlords, and owners of homes with older wiring | An inspection is the clearest way to find out what is actually in the walls before a problem shows up on its own. |
What causes breakers to trip repeatedly?
A breaker that trips under normal load usually points to one of three things: an overloaded circuit carrying more than it was designed to handle, a short somewhere in the wiring, or a breaker that has worn out and no longer holds its rated current. We start by identifying which of those is the cause before recommending a repair or replacement.
How do I know if my home needs a rewire?
Common signs include outlets or switches that are warm to the touch, flickering that affects more than one room, a burning plastic smell without an obvious source, and discolored outlet or switch faceplates. In older West Allis homes, knob-and-tube or aluminum branch circuit wiring may be present without any visible symptom until a connection fails or the load on a circuit increases. An electrical safety inspection is the most reliable way to find out what is actually in the walls.
What are the electrical requirements for an EV charger?
A Level 2 home charger requires a dedicated 240-volt circuit. Before we run that circuit, we check the panel to confirm it has the capacity to carry the added load. If the panel is at or near its limit, a service upgrade may be part of the same project. We scope both the circuit and the panel situation on the call so you know what the full job involves before anything is scheduled.
Faults Traced Before Anything Is Replaced
We diagnose the source of the problem before recommending a repair. That means the fix addresses what is actually wrong, not just the symptom that showed up first.
Is GFCI protection required in kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor areas?
Current electrical code requires GFCI protection at outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, unfinished basements, and outdoor locations. Homes built before those requirements took effect may not have that protection in place. We check coverage during repair and inspection visits and can add GFCI outlets or breakers as part of the same visit when they are missing.
What is the difference between GFCI and AFCI protection?
A GFCI device detects ground faults, which are the kind of shock risk that occurs near water. An AFCI device detects arc faults, which are the kind of wiring fault that can start a fire inside a wall before any visible symptom appears. Code requires GFCI in wet locations and AFCI in bedrooms and most living areas. We check both during inspection visits and install whichever protection is missing.
Do I need to be home for the electrical work?
For most interior work, yes. An adult who can grant access to the panel, the affected rooms, and any crawl space or attic access points needs to be present. For exterior-only work like outdoor lighting or a generator connection at the meter, we confirm what access is needed when we scope the job on the call.
Permits and Inspection Handled Where Required
When a project requires a permit, we confirm that at the time of scheduling and coordinate it as part of the scope. You do not have to track it down separately.
How does pricing work for electrical jobs?
We scope the job on the phone and give you a price before anything is scheduled. The price reflects what the visit covers and what the work involves. If the on-site inspection turns up something that changes the scope, we explain what we found and confirm the updated price before proceeding. You get a plain answer on repair versus upgrade, and nothing starts without your agreement on the cost.
When should I call an electrician instead of handling it myself?
Replacing a light bulb or resetting a tripped GFCI outlet is straightforward. Anything that involves opening a panel, running new wiring, replacing a breaker, or working inside a wall is a different matter. Wiring faults that are not diagnosed correctly can create fire or shock hazards that are not visible until something goes wrong. If you are uncertain about what a symptom means, a call to describe it costs nothing and gives you a clear answer.
Older and Newer Wiring Both Handled
West Allis homes span a wide range of construction eras. We work with knob-and-tube, aluminum branch circuits, and modern wiring alike, and we explain what we find before any work begins.
How are emergency electrical calls handled?
We answer calls at any hour, any day of the week, including nights, weekends, and holidays. If you are smelling something burning near an outlet or panel, seeing sparks, or have lost power to part of the home without a clear cause, those are reasons to call immediately. We scope the situation on the phone and get the work scheduled as quickly as the situation warrants.
How long does a panel upgrade typically take?
A standard 200-amp panel upgrade is usually completed in a single day. The timeline depends on the condition of the existing service entrance, whether meter coordination with the utility is required, and whether any additional circuit work is part of the same project. We give you a realistic timeframe when we scope the job, so you know what to plan for before work begins.
What should I know about aluminum wiring in older homes?
Aluminum branch circuit wiring, which was common in homes built during the 1960s and 1970s, can develop problems at connections and terminations over time as the metal expands and contracts with temperature changes. Those loose connections are a fire risk. If your home has aluminum branch wiring, an inspection can identify which connections need attention and what remediation involves. Partial rewiring of affected circuits is often the right answer.
Call (414) 361-9789 and we will scope your job on the phone, give you a clear price, and get it scheduled at a time that works for you.
(414) 361-9789