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 is quoted per project.	$3,500–$7,500	Includes permit, fireman's disconnect, basic surge protection, and Dominion coordination. 400A service is quoted per project.
Residential solar installationTypical 8–12 kW rooftop cash planning band at $2.40–$2.85/W. Modules, racking, inverter, and interconnection. Panel, battery, EV, and roofing extras are itemized. Written proposal is project-specific.	$19,000–$34,000 typical 8–12 kW rooftop; $2.40–$2.85/W	Typical 8–12 kW rooftop cash planning band at $2.40–$2.85/W. Modules, racking, inverter, and interconnection. Panel, battery, EV, and roofing extras are itemized. Written proposal is project-specific.Full 2026 solar cost breakdown →
EV charger installation (Level 2)Typical garage runs land in $1,200–$3,500. Long, outdoor, or detached-garage runs can reach $4,500. Hardware is extra unless quoted in. Any listed Level 2 EVSE.	$1,200–$4,500	Typical garage runs land in $1,200–$3,500. Long, outdoor, or detached-garage runs can reach $4,500. Hardware is extra unless quoted in. Any listed Level 2 EVSE.
Portable battery setup / whole-home battery integrationListed portable equipment and electrical setup use the bounded portable range. Whole-home integration is open-ended above the published band when capacity, transfer equipment, selected circuits, panel work, or routing expands. Equipment is itemized when AJLE supplies it.	$2,500–$6,000 portable; $6,000–$15,000+ whole-home	Listed portable equipment and electrical setup use the bounded portable range. Whole-home integration is open-ended above the published band when capacity, transfer equipment, selected circuits, panel work, or routing expands. Equipment is itemized when AJLE supplies it.
SPAN-class / Leviton-class smart panelThe written scope confirms whole-panel replacement versus compatible load-center or smart-breaker work, circuit migration, permit responsibilities, and equipment compatibility.	$7,500–$9,500 SPAN-class; $3,000–$5,000 Leviton-class	The written scope confirms whole-panel replacement versus compatible load-center or smart-breaker work, circuit migration, permit responsibilities, and equipment compatibility.
Portable generator hookupInlet box, listed interlock, or manual transfer switch. Generator equipment is customer-supplied. Fuel work is not included.	$900–$2,500	Inlet box, listed interlock, or manual transfer switch. Generator equipment is customer-supplied. Fuel work is not included.
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.	Quoted per project	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.	Quoted per project	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.	Quoted per project	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.	Quoted per project	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.	Quoted per project	Type 2 surge protective device installed at the main panel. Protects HVAC boards, appliances, EV chargers, and electronics from utility-side surges.
Diagnostics & repairsMany common issues can be diagnosed and resolved within 30–60 minutes. Timing depends on the issue; more complex problems can take longer.	Diagnostics and repairs cost $195 for the first 30 minutes, then $60 for each additional 15 minutes.	Many common issues can be diagnosed and resolved within 30–60 minutes. Timing depends on the issue; more complex problems can take longer.
Electrical membership (annual)Essentials, Complete, and Priority plans. See membership terms for visit, diagnostic, and savings details.	$199 / $299 / $499	Essentials, Complete, and Priority plans. See membership terms for visit, diagnostic, and savings details.
Dispatch feeThe $99 dispatch fee applies only when we arrive prepared to complete a project, provide the price on site, and you decline the work. It covers travel and preparation. It is waived when you accept the on-site quote and for active members. It is not charged for a scheduled estimate visit.	$99	The $99 dispatch fee applies only when we arrive prepared to complete a project, provide the price on site, and you decline the work. It covers travel and preparation. It is waived when you accept the on-site quote and for active members. It is not charged for a scheduled estimate visit.

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.
Permit fees and review steps depend on the jurisdiction and project scope. Check Fairfax County's published permit fee schedule (PDF) for county projects; confirm the applicable authority for work in Maryland or DC.
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 $3,500–$7,500. 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, is quoted per project.

How much does residential solar cost in Northern Virginia?

A typical 8–12 kW rooftop array plans in the $19,000–$34,000 cash band ($2.40–$2.85/W). That covers modules, racking, inverter, and interconnection. Panel upgrades, batteries, EV circuits, and roofing are extra. The written proposal is project-specific. Section 25D does not apply to systems installed after December 31, 2025; AJ Long Electric does not provide tax advice.

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

Level 2 EV charger installation in the DMV usually runs $1,200–$3,500 for a typical garage run, or up to $4,500 for a long, outdoor, or detached-garage circuit. The vehicle, listed EVSE, panel capacity, and route decide the final number. Hardware is extra unless it is on the written proposal.

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

Diagnostics and repairs cost $195 for the first 30 minutes, then $60 for each additional 15 minutes. Many common issues can be diagnosed and resolved within 30–60 minutes. Timing depends on the issue; more complex problems can take longer.

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.

What does an AJ Long Electric on-site estimate cost?

Estimates are free for every service. Scheduled estimate visits and written project prices are free. Diagnostic and repair work is a separately priced service.

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. Written estimates for routine work; emergency response within 1–2 hours in Fairfax.

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