Cost guide · Updated Aug 14, 2026
Electrician cost in Washington, DC in 2026
DC electricians run $105 to $190 per hour in 2026 — median around $140. A 200A service upgrade lands $2,600 to $6,000. Most rowhouses are fed from a pole in the rear alley, and the trees in that alley are the leading cause of service damage in the city.
Typical range
$105 – $190 / hr
~$140/hr · 200A service upgrade $2,600 – $6,000 all-in
By scope
| Scope | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Service call / diagnostic | $95 – $215 | Often credited toward the work |
| Outlet, switch, or fixture replacement | $135 – $285 per device | |
| New dedicated circuit | $480 – $1,250 | |
| 200A service upgrade | $2,600 – $6,000 | Includes permit and utility coordination |
| Service mast and weatherhead repair | $800 – $2,800 |
What swings the price
- Alley-fed overhead services, where tree contact damages the drop and the mast.
- Historic district restrictions on visible exterior conduit and equipment.
- Rowhouse construction with plaster and party walls, which constrains new runs.
- Older 60A and 100A services in houses now carrying central air and modern loads.
Washington specifics
Most DC rowhouses take their power from a pole in the rear alley, and those alleys are full of mature trees nobody prunes systematically. Limbs rub the service drop, wear through the insulation, and eventually pull on the mast where it penetrates the roof — which is where water then gets in. The critical detail most owners do not know is that the mast, the weatherhead, and the attachment are the property owner's equipment, not the utility's. The utility restores the wire to your mast; if the mast itself is bent or rotted, that repair is yours and it has to happen before they reconnect.
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FAQs
How much does an electrician cost per hour in Washington, DC?
$105–$190/hr, median around $140, with a service-call fee of $95–$215 typically credited toward the work.
Who owns the service mast on my rowhouse?
You do. The utility owns the wire up to the attachment point; the mast, weatherhead, and riser are the property owner's equipment. If a storm or tree damages the mast, that repair is on you and must be done before service is restored.
What does a service mast repair cost?
$800–$2,800 depending on damage and whether the roof penetration needs repair too. It usually requires utility coordination for a disconnect, which can be the longer part of the timeline.
Do historic districts affect electrical work?
For anything visible from the street — exterior conduit, meters, and fixtures — yes, review can apply. Interior work does not. Rear alley-facing equipment is generally treated less strictly than the street elevation.
Does DC require licensed electricians?
Yes. Electrical work requires a licensed contractor to pull the permit, and the work is inspected. Unpermitted electrical work in a rowhouse routinely surfaces at sale inspection and is expensive to legalize afterward.
Sources
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Prices refresh quarterly. Last review: Aug 14, 2026.