Pricing

Electrical project costs in Northern Virginia

Honest 2026 pricing ranges for the work we do most often. These are typical numbers for Fairfax County, Loudoun, Arlington, Alexandria, and the surrounding DMV area. Every quote we issue is upfront and complete — we never start work without a written number you've agreed to.

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Service	Typical Range	What drives variance
Panel upgrade (200A)Includes permit, fireman's disconnect, basic surge protection, and Dominion coordination. 400A service or panels in tight basements run higher.	$2,500 – $7,500	Includes permit, fireman's disconnect, basic surge protection, and Dominion coordination. 400A service or panels in tight basements run higher.
EV charger installation (Level 2)Hardwired or NEMA 14-50 receptacle, depending on run length and difficulty. Run length, panel capacity, and conduit/drywall work drive the variance. Tesla Wall Connector and ChargePoint priced similarly.	$600 – $4,500	Hardwired or NEMA 14-50 receptacle, depending on run length and difficulty. Run length, panel capacity, and conduit/drywall work drive the variance. Tesla Wall Connector and ChargePoint priced similarly.
Recessed lighting (per fixture)Cost varies with ceiling type (open-joist basement vs. drywall vs. cathedral), bulb type (LED disc vs. can-and-trim), and whether a new circuit is required.	$150 – $300 each	Cost varies with ceiling type (open-joist basement vs. drywall vs. cathedral), bulb type (LED disc vs. can-and-trim), and whether a new circuit is required.
New outlet or switchSingle new outlet or switch. Cost depends on fishing wire vs. surface conduit, distance from the panel, and whether the circuit can be tapped or needs a new home run.	$150 – $400	Single new outlet or switch. Cost depends on fishing wire vs. surface conduit, distance from the panel, and whether the circuit can be tapped or needs a new home run.
Dedicated 20A or 30A circuitFor high-draw appliances (microwave, sump pump, washer, hot tub). Includes the breaker, the wire run, the receptacle, and the panel space.	$400 – $900	For high-draw appliances (microwave, sump pump, washer, hot tub). Includes the breaker, the wire run, the receptacle, and the panel space.
Ceiling fan installationIncludes pulling a switched circuit if needed, installing a fan-rated box, and mounting + balancing the fan. Existing wiring keeps the cost lower.	$300 – $600	Includes pulling a switched circuit if needed, installing a fan-rated box, and mounting + balancing the fan. Existing wiring keeps the cost lower.
Whole-house surge protectionType 2 surge protective device installed at the main panel. Protects HVAC boards, appliances, EV chargers, and electronics from utility-side surges.	$500 – $900	Type 2 surge protective device installed at the main panel. Protects HVAC boards, appliances, EV chargers, and electronics from utility-side surges.
Diagnostic visitFor non-emergency troubleshooting. Includes the visit, the diagnosis, and a written quote for repair. Applied to the repair cost if you proceed.	$185 – $295	For non-emergency troubleshooting. Includes the visit, the diagnosis, and a written quote for repair. Applied to the repair cost if you proceed.

What drives the variance in any electrical quote

Permit jurisdiction

Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, Loudoun, and Prince William all have different permit fees and inspection timelines. Maryland (Bowie, Bethesda, Rockville) and DC add another layer.

Run length and access

Wire runs from panel to fixture, plus how much drywall or finished space the wire has to cross, drive most of the labor cost on a job. Open-basement runs are far cheaper than fishing inside finished walls.

Panel capacity

If your panel is full or undersized for the new load (common with EV chargers and dedicated kitchen circuits), you may need a subpanel or a service upgrade before the target work can be done.

Hardware brand

A Tesla Wall Connector + hardwired install costs more than a NEMA 14-50 + mobile-connector setup. A whole-home battery power station runs more than a transfer switch for a portable generator. We'll walk you through the trade-offs.

Notes on pricing by service area

Pricing in the DMV doesn't vary dramatically by city, but a few patterns are real:

Older housing stock (1950s–1970s homes in Arlington, Mantua, Mosby Woods, Burke) often needs adjacent fixes — aluminum-wiring remediation, AFCI/GFCI updates, fuse-box replacement — that bump the total. We always flag these before starting.
Maryland permits (Prince George's County, Anne Arundel) and DC DCRA add a few hundred dollars and a few days to the timeline vs. Fairfax County's published permit fee schedule and digital permit portal.
High-rise condos and townhomes (parts of Tysons, Reston, Old Town Alexandria) add HOA coordination and sometimes require electrician-of-record approval that adds 1–2 weeks before work can begin.

For city-specific pricing on the most-requested service (panel upgrades), see our handcrafted city pages: Burke · Springfield (more cities coming soon).

Detailed cost guides

For deeper-dive cost discussion with breakdowns by load size, hardware brand, and house age:

Electrical cost questions, answered

How much does a 200-amp panel upgrade cost in Northern Virginia?

A standard 200-amp panel upgrade in Northern Virginia typically costs $2,500 to $7,500 in 2026. That range includes the permit, a fireman's disconnect, basic surge protection, and Dominion Energy coordination. A 400-amp service, or a panel in a tight or finished basement, runs higher.

How much does it cost to install a Level 2 EV charger?

Level 2 EV charger installation in the DMV usually runs $600 to $4,500, depending on run length and difficulty. The price depends on the run length from your panel, available panel capacity, and how much conduit or drywall work is involved. Hardwired Tesla Wall Connectors and NEMA 14-50 receptacles are priced similarly.

What does an electrician charge for a service call or diagnostic visit?

AJ Long Electric charges $185 to $295 for a non-emergency diagnostic visit. That covers the trip, the troubleshooting, and a written repair quote — and the diagnostic fee is applied to the repair cost if you decide to move forward.

Why are electrical quotes a range instead of one flat price?

Electrical costs vary with permit jurisdiction, wire-run length, panel capacity, and hardware brand. A run through an open basement is far cheaper than fishing wire inside finished walls, and a full panel may need a subpanel before new work can begin. We give you one firm written number after seeing your specific setup.

Are AJ Long Electric's quotes free, and is the price you give the price I pay?

Yes. We provide free written quotes for routine work, and the number we put in writing — after looking at your panel, the run, and the scope — is the number you pay. We never start work without a quote you have agreed to.

Get a real quote on your project

These are typical ranges, not your quote. The number we give you in writing — after looking at your panel, the run, and the scope — is the number you pay. Same-day quotes for routine work; emergency response within 1–2 hours in Fairfax.