Urgent electrical help

Emergency Electrician

Call an emergency electrician for burning smells, sparking, hot outlets, water on electrical equipment, or a breaker that will not stay on. If there is smoke or flame, leave and call 911 first.

Call for Emergency Electrical Help: (855) 679-2483

Free to call · Independent licensed electricians

Free to call
Price before work starts
Permits handled when required

Emergency Electrician at a glance

Typical response: Depends on local electrician availability
First step: Make the circuit safe
Permit: Often needed for the permanent repair

Independent licensed electricians in all 50 states + DC

Overview

What emergency electrician involves

Some electrical problems cannot wait until Monday. A burning smell, a hot or discolored outlet, sparking, or a partial outage that the utility says is not on their side all point to a fault inside the home that can start a fire. An emergency electrician isolates the problem, makes the system safe, and then plans the permanent repair.

See the types of work What affects the price

Safety first

If you see flames or smoke, leave the building and call 911. Never touch electrical equipment that is wet, and do not stand in water near outlets or the panel.

Warning signs

Signs you need emergency electrician

If any of these sound familiar, it is time to have a licensed electrician take a look.

1
Burning plastic or fishy smell near outlets, switches or the panel
2
Visible sparking, arcing sounds or scorch marks
3
Part of the home lost power but neighbors still have it
4
A breaker trips immediately every time it is reset
5
Water has reached outlets, fixtures or the electrical panel

How it works

How the electrician handles it

What to expect from the licensed electrician you are connected with, from first visit to final inspection.

101
Phone triage: we tell you what to switch off and whether to call 911 first
202
On-site isolation of the faulty circuit to make the home safe
303
Diagnosis with proper test equipment
404
Temporary make-safe or same-visit repair where possible
505
Written explanation of the permanent fix and any permit needed

Pricing

What affects the cost

Prices are set by the electrician after seeing the job. These are the factors that move the number.

Get a real number

A short visit lets the electrician see your panel, wiring and access, so the quote reflects your actual job.

Call to discuss your job

01
After-hours or holiday call-out
02
Time needed to locate the fault
03
Parts available on the truck vs. ordered
04
Whether utility coordination is needed
05
Permanent repair vs. temporary make-safe

DIY vs. pro

What you can do, and when to stop

Safe for homeowners

Switch off the affected breaker if you can reach the panel safely
Unplug devices on the circuit
Keep people and pets away from the area

Stop and call a pro

Never touch wet electrical equipment
Do not reset a breaker that trips instantly
Do not open the panel cover

Safety: If you see flames or smoke, leave the building and call 911. Never touch electrical equipment that is wet, and do not stand in water near outlets or the panel.

Questions

Emergency Electrician questions

When should I call an emergency electrician instead of waiting?

Call right away for burning smells, heat at outlets or switches, sparking, water contact with electrical equipment, or a breaker that will not stay on. These can indicate an active fire risk.

Should I call the utility or an electrician during an outage?

If the whole street is dark, it is usually the utility. If only your home, or only part of your home, has lost power, the problem is often on your side of the meter and needs an electrician.

Is a hot outlet an emergency?

Yes. An outlet that is hot to the touch is overheating and can ignite surrounding materials. Switch off its breaker and get it checked the same day.

What if my power is out and neighbors have power?

Check for a tripped main or branch breaker first. If nothing is tripped, the problem may be your service connection or panel, which needs an electrician or the utility.

Can a storm-damaged service mast be fixed by the utility?

Utilities usually reconnect the line, but the mast, meter base and weatherhead on the house are typically the owner’s responsibility and need an electrician first.

Same-day help often available

Call for emergency electrical help

Call (855) 679-2483

Free to call
Explain the problem in plain words
Connect with an independent licensed electrician near you

Smoke, flames or sparking? Leave the building and call 911 first.

Pronto Electrician is a free referral service. Calls are answered by independent licensed electricians in your area. Pronto Electrician does not perform electrical work, and the electrician you choose sets the price, schedule, permits and warranty.

Same-day help often available

Prefer to talk it through?

Your call is answered by an independent licensed electrician who serves your area.

(855) 679-2483

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