✓ Verified Google reviews·✓ Reviewed regularly·✓ Updated June 6, 2026
Written by Mark Reid,
Home Services Editor ·Verified June 6, 2026
Cleveland's housing stock is a real mixed bag, and that matters when you're hiring an electrician. The city has tens of thousands of older homes, particularly in neighborhoods like Ohio City, Tremont, and Slavic Village, where knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring is still fairly common. Upgrading or working around that kind of wiring takes a different skill set than servicing a newer build in Westlake or Strongsville. On the other side of the coin, Cleveland's industrial heritage means plenty of commercial and light-industrial properties with three-phase service, older panel gear, and conduit runs that need someone who knows what they're doing. Whether you need a panel upgrade, EV charger installation, a full rewire of a 1920s craftsman, or simply a handful of outlets added to a finished basement, the local demand for licensed electrical work here is high year-round.
The businesses listed on this page were drawn from third-party business listings and ranked by public review rating and review count, with a small lift given to those that show a working website and a live phone number. From there, we check each business's homepage to confirm that electrical work is what they primarily offer, which is how unrelated or mismatched trades get filtered out. Any listing flagged as permanently closed is removed automatically, so you're not wasting time on a business that's no longer operating. Where you see a Trust Verified badge on a listing, that business has gone further and passed our full verification process, covering trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history, and registered company information. You can find the complete list of what that involves on our How We Verify page. Businesses without that badge have not been independently verified by us, so those additional checks are on you before you book.
Before you call anyone, it's worth knowing what to ask for up front. In Ohio, electricians are required to hold a valid state electrical contractor license, so ask to see it and cross-reference it with the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board's online lookup. For any significant job, get at least two or three written quotes that itemize labor and materials separately so you can compare them properly. If the work involves a panel upgrade, a new circuit, or any structural wiring, the contractor is responsible for pulling the permit and arranging an inspection through Cleveland's Department of Building and Housing. Don't skip that step, because uninspected electrical work can create problems with homeowner's insurance and future property sales. Ask specifically who pulls the permit and confirm it before work starts.
How We Select & Rate The Best Electricians in Cleveland, OH
Rankings on this page are driven by public review rating and review count from third-party business listings, with a small boost applied to businesses that have a working website and a reachable phone number. We check each business's homepage to confirm that electrical contracting is what they primarily offer, which keeps unrelated trades off the page. Permanently closed listings are removed automatically. Businesses carrying a Trust Verified badge have additionally passed our full verification, covering trade qualifications, insurance, trading history, customer review history, and registered company information. See our How We Verify page for the complete criteria. All other businesses on this page have not been independently verified by us, and inclusion is not an endorsement. Always do your own checks before hiring.
Recommended and Featured listings are paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears. Every other listing is ranked on rating and review count from third-party business listings. How we rank & verify →
Residential and commercial property owners across Cleveland rely on AC Electric for electrical work backed by a 4.8-star rating from nearly 300 customers. Based in the 44127 area, the company serves the broader metro with a track record that reflects consistent results for local homeowners and businesses alike.
Rated 4.8 stars across 66 reviews, Cleveland Electrical has built a consistent track record among homeowners and businesses in Cleveland. The company handles residential and commercial electrical work in the 44111 area, covering installations, repairs, and upgrades. That rating, sustained over a meaningful volume of reviews, points to reliable workmanship rather than a one-time result.
Mr. Megawatts LLC is an electrical contractor serving the Cleveland area with a Google rating of 4.4 across 57 reviews, reflecting consistent, reliable work in the community. The company handles residential and commercial electrical needs, from wiring and panel upgrades to fixture installation. Its steady review volume points to a contractor neighbors return to and refer.
Jarus Electric LLC is a licensed electrical contractor serving the Cleveland area. With a 4.9-star Google rating across 20 reviews, the company handles residential and commercial electrical work, from panel upgrades to new installations. Its consistent track record in the Cleveland market makes it a reliable option for homeowners and businesses looking for straightforward, professional electrical service.
Ferricci Electric Inc. is a Cleveland-based electrical contractor serving residential and commercial clients across the area. With a 4.5-star Google rating, the company has built steady local recognition for its reliability. Ferricci handles installations, repairs, and electrical upgrades for homeowners and businesses looking for straightforward, professional service.
Residential and commercial customers in Cleveland rely on Ullman Electric for electrical work across the 44114 area and surrounding neighborhoods. The company holds a 4.3-star Google rating across 17 reviews, reflecting consistent work for local property owners. Services cover the range of electrical needs typical for homes and businesses in the region.
Rated 4.4 out of 5, Allied Electric Co Inc. brings a consistent track record to residential and commercial electrical work in Cleveland. The company serves the 44127 area and surrounding neighborhoods, handling everything from wiring and panel upgrades to fault diagnosis. Its review score reflects steady, reliable output across a range of job types rather than volume alone.
Transparency notice: Recommended and Featured listings are paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears. All other listings are ranked by a combined score drawn from ratings and review counts published on third-party business listings, plus basic completeness signals such as a working website and phone. A Trust Verified badge means we have independently checked that business's documents; businesses without it have not been independently verified by us. How we verify →
Is your business missing?
Get listed and reach customers actively searching for your services in this area.
For straightforward jobs like replacing an outlet, adding a circuit, or installing a ceiling fan, most Cleveland electricians charge somewhere in the range of $75 to $150 per hour for labor. A standard service call alone, just to diagnose a problem, typically runs $80 to $120. Bigger projects cost more in total but often work out cheaper per hour. A 200-amp panel upgrade in a typical Cleveland home runs roughly $1,500 to $3,000 depending on the age of the wiring and how accessible the service entry is. A full rewire of an older two-story home, the kind of job common in Cleveland Heights or Lakewood, can range from $8,000 to $20,000 or more depending on square footage and existing conditions. Getting two or three written quotes is completely normal and worth the time, particularly for anything over a few hundred dollars.
Do I need a permit for electrical work in Cleveland?
Yes, for most work beyond simple like-for-like fixture swaps. In Cleveland, adding a new circuit, upgrading a panel, installing a subpanel, running new wiring through walls, or adding outlets in a finished space all require a permit from the City of Cleveland Department of Building and Housing. A licensed electrical contractor handles the permit application and is also responsible for scheduling the inspection once the work is done. Never let an electrician talk you out of pulling a permit to save time or money. Unpermitted work can void your homeowner's insurance coverage for related claims, complicate a home sale, and create liability if something goes wrong down the line. Always confirm before work starts that your contractor will be pulling the permit in their name.
How do I know if my Cleveland home needs a rewire?
A few warning signs are pretty reliable. If your home still has knob-and-tube wiring, which is common in pre-1950s properties across Cleveland's older east-side and west-side neighborhoods, most insurers will flag it and some won't cover it at all without an upgrade. Aluminum wiring, used in many homes built during the 1960s and early 1970s, also raises issues because it expands and contracts differently than copper, which can loosen connections over time. Circuit breakers that trip regularly, flickering lights that aren't related to a bulb, scorch marks around outlets, or a faint burning smell are all reasons to call an electrician promptly rather than wait. A licensed electrician can do a full inspection and give you a clear picture of what needs attention and in what order.
Can a Cleveland electrician install an EV charger at my home?
Yes, and demand for this has gone up significantly across the Cleveland area. A Level 2 home charger, the kind that runs on a dedicated 240-volt circuit, is the standard residential setup. Installation typically costs $300 to $800 for the electrical work, not counting the cost of the charger unit itself, though that figure rises if your panel needs upgrading to handle the additional load or if the garage or charging location is far from your main panel. A permit is required in Cleveland for this type of circuit installation, so make sure your electrician includes that in the scope. Some utility companies and state programs also offer rebates for EV charger installation, so ask your electrician if they're familiar with what's currently available in your area.
What's the difference between a licensed electrician and a handyman for electrical work in Ohio?
In Ohio, anyone performing electrical contracting work for hire is required to hold a valid state electrical contractor license issued by the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board. This covers both the individual journeyman or master electrician and the contracting company. A handyman, unless they hold that specific license, is not legally permitted to do most electrical work for pay beyond very minor tasks, and even that varies by municipality. The practical risk of using an unlicensed person for electrical work is significant: the work may not meet code, it can't be properly inspected, and any damage or fire caused by faulty wiring may not be covered by your homeowner's insurance. Always verify an electrician's license through the OCILB website before booking.
How do I choose between electricians in Cleveland and know I'm picking a reliable one?
Start with the basics. Look up their Ohio electrical contractor license on the OCILB's online database and make sure it's current and in good standing. Check that they carry general liability insurance and ask for a certificate of insurance before work begins. Read through their public reviews carefully, not just the star rating, paying attention to comments about punctuality, cleanliness, communication, and whether the final bill matched the quote. Ask specifically if they'll pull the required permits for your job. Get at least two written quotes that break out labor and materials so you can compare them line by line rather than just totaling them. If a business carries a Trust Verified badge on this page, they've already passed an independent check of their credentials, insurance, and trading history. For anyone without that badge, those checks fall to you, and they're worth doing.
Related Guides
More independently researched rankings you might find useful
