Herndon Electrical Company handles residential and commercial electrical work for homeowners, landlords, property managers, and business owners throughout Herndon and the broader Fairfax County area. If you've never hired an electrician before, the process is straightforward: you call, we scope the job on the phone, and we get it scheduled at a time that works for you. From a single dead outlet to a full panel replacement, we handle the work with the wiring done properly, start to finish. Flickering lights fixed. Dead outlets revived. Power back on.
We're ready to get your circuits working again.
Wiring a home right takes the right tools and a careful hand, and diagnosing what went wrong takes the same care. When a breaker keeps tripping, lights flicker without explanation, or an outlet stops responding, the symptom is rarely the whole story. A tripping breaker might point to an overloaded circuit, a failing breaker, or a wiring fault deeper in the system. A dead outlet in one room can trace back to a tripped GFCI outlet in another, or to a loose connection inside the box.
When we come out, we trace the symptom back to the source before any work starts. The fault gets explained before the work begins, so you understand what you're approving and why. We also check GFCI and AFCI protection as part of the diagnostic scope. Arc-fault and ground-fault breakers are required in specific areas of the home under current code, and older wiring that predates those requirements can be a liability. Electrical work done to the code inspectors here enforce keeps the home safe and keeps it from failing a future inspection.
Dead outlets usually have a simple cause worth finding.
We know schedules shift, so we keep booking flexible, and that flexibility extends to the bigger jobs too. A panel upgrade is one of the more involved electrical projects a home or business will need, but it's also one of the clearest: the existing panel can't carry the load, and it needs to be replaced or expanded.
What prompts the call varies. Older panels running on 100-amp service were not sized for the appliance loads a modern household puts on them. A home addition, a kitchen remodel, or a new EV charger can push a panel past what it was sized to handle. Breakers that trip repeatedly under normal use are often a sign the panel is at capacity. We run a load calculation before any panel work begins, which tells us exactly what the new panel needs to handle. That covers the panel replacement itself, service-entrance work if the meter and weatherhead need updating, and subpanel installation where a detached garage or addition needs its own feed.
The price is confirmed before we schedule, so you know what the job costs before anyone shows up.
We'll get the job wired and finished.
When the job is done, we leave your home clean and powered, and that holds for the smaller installs just as much as the larger ones. Outlet and switch work covers a wide range: GFCI outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor locations, USB outlets where charging stations make more sense than adapters, dimmer switches, and standard replacements when a switch or outlet fails.
Lighting installation runs the same range. Recessed LED lighting in a living room or kitchen, under-cabinet lighting in a remodel, ceiling fans in bedrooms and common areas, security lights at entry points, and landscape lighting along a walkway or driveway all involve weatherproof circuits and proper grounding where the wiring runs outside. Outdoor and landscape wiring requires attention to moisture protection that indoor work doesn't, and we wire it accordingly.
All outlet, switch, and lighting work is wiring work checked against code before sign-off.
Scheduling an electrician shouldn't be complicated. Neither should understanding why a major appliance needs its own circuit. A refrigerator, washer and dryer, electric range, or dishwasher draws more current than a standard shared circuit is built to handle. Running one of those appliances on a shared circuit causes nuisance tripping and, over time, creates a real risk. A dedicated circuit gives the appliance a direct line from the panel with nothing else competing for the load.
We run dedicated circuits for kitchen and laundry appliances, for basement and sump-pump circuits, and for garages and outdoor spaces where a workshop or EV charger needs reliable power. Remodel and renovation wiring falls into this category too: a kitchen or bathroom gut-and-redo, a basement finish, or a home addition all require new circuits routed from the panel to the new space.
Hot tub and spa hookups are part of this scope as well. That wiring involves a dedicated 240V circuit, a disconnect, and weatherproof connections rated for outdoor use.
We show up, and we keep you posted until the job is done.
Fairfax County's four-season climate brings real electrical demands. Heating and cooling loads run hard through both summer and winter. Severe thunderstorms and the occasional ice storm knock out power and send voltage spikes through the grid. Older Herndon housing stock was built long before modern electrical loads were imagined. These three services come up regularly here for good reason.
Many Herndon homes were built on 100-amp service at a time when that was plenty. Now, with EV chargers, modern appliances, and added square footage, that original capacity runs short fast. A panel upgrade involves a load calculation to size the new panel correctly, the panel replacement itself, and service-entrance work if the meter or weatherhead needs updating alongside it. We scope the job on the call so you know what it involves before anything is scheduled.
Fairfax County sees enough seasonal storms that power outages aren't rare events. A properly wired generator hookup with a transfer switch keeps essential circuits running when the grid goes down. The transfer switch isolates the home from the utility line before the generator comes online, which matters for safety. We wire the generator connection and the transfer switch. The generator powers the electrical load of the home, including lights, outlets, and the circuits that feed your heating or cooling equipment.
Summer thunderstorms in the DC metro area are frequent and can be severe. A voltage spike from a nearby strike or a grid fluctuation can damage appliances, electronics, and the panel equipment itself. A whole-home surge protector wired at the panel intercepts that spike before it reaches the circuits in your home. It works differently from a power strip: it protects every circuit in the house, not just the outlets within reach of a cord. We install the device at the panel and confirm the wiring is correct before the job is closed out.
We know schedules shift, so we keep booking flexible, and rewiring calls often come with some urgency behind them. Older homes in Herndon and across Fairfax County sometimes still have knob-and-tube wiring or aluminum branch-circuit wiring, both of which present risks that modern wiring doesn't. A failed inspection, a code violation flagged during a sale, or a home addition that requires bringing existing wiring up to current standards can all prompt a rewiring call.
An electrical safety inspection covers the panel, the visible wiring, grounding and bonding, outlet and switch condition, and GFCI and AFCI protection throughout the home. We document what we find and walk you through it. Permit work is a normal part of any rewiring project, and we handle the process as part of the job rather than leaving it to you.
Wiring a home right takes the right tools and a careful hand, and EV charger installation is a good example of why. A Level 2 home charging station runs on a dedicated 240V circuit, which means new wiring from the panel to the garage or driveway location where the charger mounts. Before the circuit goes in, we check panel capacity and run a load calculation. If the panel is already near its limit, the charger installation starts with a panel upgrade.
Ask about the rate on the call. EV charger work is straightforward to scope on the phone once we know the panel size and the charger location.
We're ready to get your circuits working again.
If you've never hired an electrician before for a rental or commercial property, the scope of the work is the same as residential, but the scheduling considerations are different. Landlords and property managers often need work done around tenant availability. Business owners need work scheduled outside operating hours or in phases that keep the space usable.
We handle panel work, outlet and lighting upgrades, code-compliance repairs, and failed-inspection fixes for rental units and commercial spaces throughout the area. Electrical work done to the code inspectors here enforce matters especially for rental properties, where a failed inspection can delay occupancy. We confirm the scope and the price on the call before anything is scheduled.
Pick up the phone and we'll get rolling.
Scheduling an electrician shouldn't be complicated. Call in, describe what you're seeing or what you need, and we scope the job on the phone. You get the rate before anything is scheduled, and the scope is confirmed before the visit starts. No guesswork about what the job covers.
We're available every day from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM. You schedule it. We power it. Simple as that.
We work throughout Herndon and the surrounding communities in Fairfax County and Northern Virginia. Nearby towns we serve regularly include Reston, Sterling, Chantilly, Ashburn, Great Falls, Vienna, McLean, and the Dulles corridor. If you're close to Herndon, call and we'll confirm coverage for your address.
Stop using the affected outlet or circuit immediately and do not reset any breakers. A burning smell near electrical equipment is a sign of overheating at a connection, a failing component, or a wiring fault that needs to be found before the circuit is used again.
Call (571) 619-9356 within our hours of 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM and describe what you are noticing.
Flickering or dimming lights usually point to a loose connection at the fixture, the switch, or further back in the circuit, a failing breaker, or a load issue when a large appliance starts up on the same circuit. In some cases it can indicate a problem at the service entrance or panel. We trace the symptom to its source before recommending any repair.
A GFCI outlet monitors the current flowing through a circuit and trips instantly if it detects an imbalance, which protects against shock in areas where water is present. Current code requires GFCI protection in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, outdoor locations, unfinished basements, and near pools or spas. Older homes in Herndon and Fairfax County often lack GFCI protection in some or all of these areas, and we install it as part of repair or upgrade work.
An AFCI breaker detects the type of electrical arc that can start a fire inside a wall, which a standard breaker does not catch. Code requires AFCI protection in bedrooms, living rooms, and most other habitable rooms in newer construction and in renovated circuits. We install AFCI breakers and AFCI outlets as part of panel work, rewiring projects, and targeted upgrades.
A whole-home surge protector is installed at the main panel and intercepts voltage spikes before they reach the circuits in the home. Unlike a power strip, it protects every circuit in the house, including appliances and equipment that are not plugged into a surge-protected strip. Northern Virginia's storm activity and the grid fluctuations that come with high-demand seasons make panel-level protection a practical addition for most homes.
A transfer switch isolates the home's circuits from the utility line before generator power is connected. Without it, generator power can back-feed into the utility line, which creates a hazard for utility workers and can damage the generator when grid power returns. We wire the transfer switch and the generator connection as a complete installation, sized to match the circuits it needs to carry.
An outlet that is warm or hot to the touch, discolored around the face, producing a buzzing or crackling sound, or failing to hold a plug firmly is showing signs of a problem at the connection or the receptacle itself. Stop using it and call us to have it looked at. Dead outlets usually have a simple cause worth finding, but a warm or discolored one needs attention before it is used again.
Every circuit we work on is tested before the visit ends. Outlets are checked for correct wiring and proper function. Breakers are confirmed to be seating and holding correctly. GFCI and AFCI devices are tested to verify they trip and reset as designed. If the job involved a panel upgrade or new circuit, the load is confirmed against the panel's capacity before we close out.
A straightforward repair, like tracing a dead outlet or replacing a failed GFCI, usually takes an hour or less once the fault is located. Larger jobs, like a panel upgrade, a ceiling lighting run, or an EV charger installation, take longer and the time is estimated on the call when the scope is confirmed. We do not leave a job half-finished.
Clear a path to the main panel and to any outlets, switches, or fixtures being worked on. If the job involves attic or crawlspace access, make sure those entry points are reachable. Moving stored items away from the panel before the visit is especially helpful for panel work, where the door needs to open fully and stay open during the job.
Herndon Electrical Company is available every day from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM. Whether you need a single outlet replaced or a full panel upgrade, the process starts with a phone call.
Call (571) 619-9356 for a quote and we'll get the job scoped and on the schedule.
Pick up the phone and we'll get rolling.
Below is a quick look at the electrical work we handle for homes and businesses throughout Herndon and Fairfax County. Each row covers what the service includes, who it fits best, and a practical note worth knowing before you call. If you have questions about a specific job, the scope and price are confirmed on the phone before anything is scheduled.
| Type of Work | Scope of Work | Best For | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breaker & Fuse Repair | Failed or weak breaker replacementFuse panel assessmentBreaker seating and load check | Homes where a breaker trips under normal use or fails to hold | A breaker that trips repeatedly under normal load is often a sign the circuit is undersized or the panel is at capacity, not just a bad breaker. |
| Whole-Home Surge Protection | Panel-level surge device installationProtection for all home circuitsPost-installation wiring verification | Homes with sensitive electronics or frequent storm activity in the DC metro area | A panel-level surge protector intercepts voltage spikes before they reach any circuit in the house, unlike a power strip that only covers what is plugged into it. |
| Wiring & Circuit Installation | New circuit runs from the panelRemodel and renovation wiringGrounding and bonding updates | Additions, remodels, and homes needing circuits that were never roughed in | Permit work is a normal part of new circuit installation. We handle it as part of the job rather than leaving it to you. |
| Electrical Panel & Service Upgrades | Load calculation before panel workPanel replacement and service-entrance updateSubpanel installationMeter and weatherhead work where needed | Homes on 100-amp service adding EV chargers, appliances, or square footage | Many Herndon homes were built on 100-amp service. A load calculation tells us exactly what the new panel needs to handle before any work starts. |
| Electrical Repairs & Troubleshooting | Tracing dead outlets and failed circuitsDiagnosing tripping breakersGFCI and AFCI fault checksLoose connection repairs | Homeowners and tenants dealing with a sudden electrical fault | The symptom and the source are often in different places. We trace the fault before recommending any repair. |
| Outlet & Switch Installation | GFCI outlets in kitchens, baths, garages, and outdoor areasUSB and tamper-resistant outletsDimmer and standard switch replacement | Homeowners updating older outlets or adding protection where code now requires it | Older Herndon homes often lack GFCI protection in areas where current code requires it. We install it as part of repair or targeted upgrade work. |
| Ceiling Fan Installation | Fan mounting and wiringSwitch and remote control wiringReplacing existing fixtures | Bedrooms and common areas adding or replacing ceiling fans | Boxes rated for ceiling fans differ from standard light fixture boxes. We confirm the box and the wiring before the fan goes up. |
| Backup Generator Installation | Transfer switch wiringGenerator hookup and circuit connectionEssential circuit load sizing | Fairfax County homeowners preparing for seasonal storm outages | The transfer switch isolates the home from the utility line before generator power comes on. That step matters for safety and is part of every installation we do. |
| Dedicated Appliance Circuits | Kitchen and laundry appliance circuitsElectric range and dishwasher wiring240V circuits for dryers and ranges | Homeowners adding or replacing high-draw appliances on shared circuits | Running a major appliance on a shared circuit causes nuisance tripping and creates risk over time. A dedicated circuit gives it a direct line from the panel. |
| Older-Home Rewiring | Knob-and-tube and aluminum wiring assessmentPartial or full rewiringCode-compliance updates for sales or inspections | Owners of older Herndon homes with wiring that predates current code | Aluminum branch-circuit wiring and knob-and-tube both present risks that modern wiring does not. A safety inspection tells you what you are working with before rewiring decisions are made. |
| Lighting Installation | Recessed LED and under-cabinet lightingSecurity and exterior lightingLandscape and pathway lightingWeatherproof outdoor circuits | Homeowners remodeling, adding security lighting, or updating to LED | Outdoor and landscape wiring requires moisture-rated connections and proper grounding that indoor work does not. We wire it accordingly. |
| Electrical Safety Inspections | Panel and visible wiring reviewGFCI and AFCI protection checkGrounding and bonding assessmentWritten findings walkthrough | Home buyers, sellers, landlords, and owners of older properties | An inspection documents what is there and what needs attention. For rental properties, it can head off a failed occupancy inspection before it delays a tenant move-in. |
What are the signs that a home needs a panel or service upgrade?
The clearest signs are breakers that trip under normal loads, a panel that has no open slots for new circuits, lights that dim noticeably when a large appliance starts, and a home still running on 100-amp service. If you are adding an EV charger, a major appliance, or square footage, we run a load calculation first to confirm whether the existing panel can carry the added demand or needs to be replaced.
How do I know if the wiring in my older Herndon home is safe?
The two wiring types that come up most often in older Fairfax County homes are knob-and-tube and aluminum branch-circuit wiring. Both were standard when they were installed, but neither meets current code and both carry risks that modern wiring does not. An electrical safety inspection tells you what type of wiring is in the home, where it runs, and what it would take to bring it up to current standards.
What does an EV charger installation actually involve?
A Level 2 home charging station runs on a dedicated 240V circuit, which means new wiring from the panel to wherever the charger mounts in the garage or driveway area. Before the circuit goes in, we check panel capacity and run a load calculation. If the panel is already near its limit, the charger installation starts with a panel upgrade. The scope and the price are confirmed on the call once we know the panel size and the charger location.
Faults Traced Before Anything Is Replaced
We find the source of the problem before recommending a repair. That keeps the scope accurate and keeps the job from growing beyond what it needs to be.
How is a backup generator hookup different from just plugging a generator into an outlet?
A properly wired generator hookup uses a transfer switch that isolates the home's circuits from the utility line before generator power comes on. Without that isolation, generator power can back-feed into the utility line, which creates a hazard for utility workers restoring service and can damage the generator when grid power returns. We wire the transfer switch and the generator connection together as a complete installation, sized to match the circuits it needs to carry.
When should I call an electrician instead of handling something myself?
Replacing a light bulb or a cover plate is straightforward. Anything that involves opening a box, touching wiring, or working inside the panel is a different matter. Wiring faults that are not found correctly can stay hidden and create a fire risk later. If you are unsure what is causing a problem, a call to describe what you are seeing costs nothing and we can tell you on the phone whether it is something we need to come out for.
Does electrical work require a permit, and who handles that?
Most new circuit work, panel replacements, and rewiring projects require a permit and a code inspection before the work is closed out. We handle the permit process as part of the job rather than leaving it to the homeowner. Work done to the code inspectors here enforce is what protects the home from failing a future inspection or sale.
Code-Compliant Work on Every Job
Electrical work done to the code inspectors here enforce protects the home from failing a future inspection. Permit work is handled as part of the job where it is required.
How long does a panel upgrade typically take?
A straightforward panel replacement on a residential service usually takes most of a workday. The power to the home is off during the swap, so we confirm the scope and the schedule in advance so you can plan around it. If the service entrance, meter, or weatherhead also needs updating, the job takes longer and we cover that on the call when the scope is confirmed.
Why would outlets or switches stop working even when the breaker has not tripped?
A dead outlet with a breaker that looks fine is one of the more common calls we get. The most frequent cause is a tripped GFCI outlet elsewhere on the same circuit, since one GFCI can protect several outlets downstream. A loose connection inside the box is another common cause, as is a wiring fault at a junction point. We trace the circuit before replacing anything, because the fault and the symptom are often in different locations.
Scope Agreed Before the Panel Is Opened
The price and the scope are confirmed on the call before anyone shows up. You know what the job covers and what it costs before the work begins.
What is the risk of leaving aluminum branch-circuit wiring in place?
Aluminum wiring expands and contracts differently than copper under load, which can loosen connections at outlets, switches, and fixtures over time. Loose connections generate heat, and that heat is the fire risk. Homes with aluminum branch-circuit wiring are not automatically unsafe, but the connections need to be checked and treated with the right materials. We assess what is there and explain the options before any work is recommended.
Can I add circuits for a workshop or garage without upgrading the whole panel?
It depends on how much capacity the existing panel has. We run a load calculation to see what is available before recommending anything. If the panel has open slots and enough headroom, adding a circuit or two for a workshop or garage is straightforward. If the panel is already near capacity, the circuit addition and a panel upgrade get scoped together so you understand the full picture before anything is scheduled.
How does grounding and bonding work, and why does it matter in older homes?
Grounding gives fault current a safe path back to the source so a breaker can trip and clear the fault. Bonding ties metal components together so they stay at the same electrical potential, which prevents a shock hazard when someone touches two metal surfaces at once. Older homes in Herndon and across Fairfax County sometimes have two-prong outlets with no ground wire, or grounding that was added later and not done correctly. A safety inspection covers both.
Call (571) 619-9356 between 6:30 AM and 10:00 PM any day of the week and we will scope the job on the phone so you know exactly what it involves before anything is scheduled.
(571) 619-9356