Hickory Electric is Waukesha's locally owned electrical contractor, handling residential and commercial electrical work for homeowners, landlords, property managers, and businesses across the area. We offer same-day availability on most calls and give you pricing up front before any work begins. Whether you need a quick repair or a full panel upgrade, we show up ready to work.
Affordable rates. Flexible timing. Safe wiring.
Call (262) 955-2659 for a quote.
Most homeowners can't tell a minor wiring issue from a serious one, and that uncertainty is exactly why a fast, honest diagnosis matters. We handle the full range of everyday electrical problems: outlets that stopped working, circuit breakers that trip repeatedly, lights that flicker or dim without explanation, and general wiring faults that are hard to pin down without the right tools.
GFCI and AFCI protection are part of how we bring repairs up to current code. If an outlet near water isn't protected, or if an older circuit lacks arc-fault coverage, we flag it and fix it as part of the job. All work is performed by licensed electricians, so you can trust that what goes back together is done right.
We'll handle the wiring so you don't have to.
Wisconsin homes put a real load on electrical panels. Modern appliances, electric ranges, EV chargers, backup generators, and dedicated circuits for large equipment all draw more power than older panels were built to handle. If your breakers trip often, your panel feels warm, or you're adding capacity for new equipment, a service upgrade is likely overdue.
We handle the full scope: load calculations, service-entrance work, main panel replacement, and subpanel installation. Grounding and bonding are part of every panel upgrade we do, not an afterthought. We also bring the installation into compliance with current code so the work holds up to inspection.
Give us a call and we'll get the power sorted.
Your home deserves wiring that's safe and up to code, and the small jobs matter just as much as the big ones. Homeowners and property managers call us regularly for outlet additions, GFCI outlet installation, switch replacements, and dimmer installs. These are quick, practical upgrades that make a real difference in how a space functions.
On the lighting side, we install recessed lighting, LED fixtures, under-cabinet lighting, and ceiling fans. Whether you're updating a kitchen, finishing a basement, or refreshing a rental unit before a new tenant moves in, we can wire it cleanly and efficiently. Ceiling fan installation includes all the wiring and box support work, not just hanging the fan.
Pick up the phone and we'll handle the wiring.
Good exterior lighting is a year-round need in Wisconsin. Shorter winter days, long stretches of darkness, and icy walkways all make reliable outdoor lighting more than a convenience. We install flood lights, motion-sensor lights, and security lighting for homes and commercial properties that need dependable coverage after dark.
Landscape lighting circuits, exterior outlet installation, and pathway lighting are also part of what we do. Whether the goal is safety, security, or curb appeal, we run the circuits properly and make sure everything is weatherproofed for the climate here. A well-lit exterior is one of the simplest ways to protect a property.
Waukesha County winters are hard on homes and harder on electrical systems. Sub-freezing temperatures, ice storms, and heavy wind events are routine, and they create electrical demands that homeowners in milder climates never deal with. The three services below come up constantly in this area, and we handle all of them with the attention they deserve.
When an ice storm knocks out power for two or three days, a backup generator is not a luxury. It keeps the heat running, the refrigerator on, and the sump pump working when you need it most. We handle the electrical side of every generator installation: the transfer switch, the dedicated circuit, and the wiring that connects the generator to your home's panel safely and correctly.
A properly installed transfer switch prevents backfeed onto the utility line, which protects both your home and the crews working to restore power in your neighborhood. We work with portable generator hookups and standby generator systems, and we size the circuit to match the load. These are no-pressure estimates, priced up front, so you know what the job costs before we start.
We'll handle the wiring so you don't have to.
Older housing stock across Waukesha and the surrounding county often carries panels that were never sized for today's electrical loads. Add electric heat tape circuits, a generator hookup, and a couple of dedicated appliance circuits, and an undersized panel becomes a real problem. We handle residential and commercial panel upgrades, including full main panel replacements and subpanel additions for shops, garages, and outbuildings.
Every panel upgrade includes a code compliance review and a safety inspection of the existing service. If there are issues with the wiring feeding the panel or with grounding and bonding, we catch them before they become bigger problems. This is the kind of electrical work neighbors pass along by word of mouth, and we take that seriously.
Heat tape on exposed pipes and roof edges is a common and practical defense against Wisconsin's freeze-thaw cycle. But heat tape needs a dedicated circuit, and running it off a shared circuit is a code issue and a fire risk. We handle the electrical supply side: running the dedicated circuit, installing the correct outlet or connection point, and making sure the wiring is sized for the load.
We do not install the heat tape itself, which is a separate product installation. What we do is make sure the power feeding it is safe, properly protected, and up to code. If you're adding heat tape to a roof edge or to pipes in a crawl space, call us first so the wiring is done right before anything gets plugged in.
Level 2 EV charger installation starts with a panel capacity check. Before we run a 240-volt circuit for a home charger, we verify that the panel can carry the added load without compromising other circuits. If it can't, we discuss a panel upgrade as part of the project. We handle the full installation: the dedicated circuit, the outlet or hardwired connection, and the mounting of the charging equipment.
We do this work for homeowners adding a charger to a garage and for commercial properties setting up charging stations for employees or customers. The work performed by licensed electricians on every install, and we make sure the circuit is properly protected and permitted where required.
Give us a call and we'll get the power sorted.
A single lightning strike or utility surge can damage appliances, electronics, and wiring throughout a home. Whole-home surge protection devices install at the panel and catch voltage spikes before they reach your circuits. It is one of the most cost-effective upgrades available, and we install them as a standalone job or as part of a panel upgrade.
Electrical safety inspections cover the full picture: outlets, panel condition, wiring age and type, GFCI and AFCI coverage, and overall code compliance. We also do pre-purchase inspections for home buyers who want to know what they're getting into before closing. If there are code violations or safety concerns, we document them clearly and give you a straightforward path to fixing them.
We protect your floors and finishes while we work, and we leave the space clean when we're done.
Calling an electrician doesn't have to be stressful, whether you're a homeowner dealing with a tripped breaker or a property manager coordinating work across multiple units. We serve both sides of the market. On the residential side, that means single-family homes, rental properties, and multi-unit buildings where the work needs to get done on schedule. On the commercial side, we handle offices, retail spaces, tenant improvement projects, and commercial panel and lighting work.
Local ownership means we're accountable to our own community. When you call, you reach someone who knows Waukesha and cares about the work we put our name on here.
Not the biggest crew in town. Just the most reliable. Always on time.
Pick up the phone and we'll handle the wiring.
We serve Waukesha and the surrounding communities throughout Waukesha County, including Brookfield, Pewaukee, Oconomowoc, Menomonee Falls, New Berlin, Mukwonago, Hartland, and Delafield. If you're in the area and need an electrician, we can likely get to you the same day or schedule quickly around your availability.
The county covers a wide range of housing types and property ages, and we're familiar with the electrical systems common to homes and commercial buildings across the region.
We serve Waukesha and the surrounding communities throughout Waukesha County, including Brookfield, Pewaukee, Oconomowoc, Menomonee Falls, New Berlin, Mukwonago, Hartland, and Delafield. If you're in the county and need an electrician, call us at (262) 955-2659 and we'll let you know how quickly we can get to you.
Same-day availability is offered on most calls, and we also take after-hours calls for urgent electrical issues that can't wait until morning. When you call, you reach someone who can talk through the job and get you on the schedule. If the situation is urgent, tell us when you call and we'll prioritize accordingly.
For most calls in the Waukesha area, we can get someone out the same day. Urgent situations, like a breaker that won't reset or a burning smell near an outlet, move to the front of the schedule. Call (262) 955-2659 and we'll give you a realistic arrival window based on what's going on and where you're located.
Outlets that feel warm to the touch, a burning smell near a receptacle, breakers that trip repeatedly and won't stay reset, and lights that flicker or dim without explanation are all signs that something in the wiring needs attention now. These are not situations to monitor and revisit later. Call us and we'll assess the problem before it gets worse.
A breaker that keeps tripping is doing its job by protecting the circuit from an overload or a fault. Resetting it repeatedly without finding the cause does not fix the underlying problem and can create a safety risk over time. We trace the issue to its source so the repair actually holds rather than patching over a symptom.
We serve both residential and commercial customers throughout Waukesha County. On the commercial side, we handle offices, retail spaces, restaurants, tenant improvement projects, and commercial panel and lighting work. If you manage a commercial property or a mix of residential and commercial units, call us to talk through what the job involves.
When you call, we talk through what you're seeing and give you an estimate of what the job is likely to involve. When we arrive, we assess the situation, confirm the scope, and give you a clear price before any work begins. Once you approve it, we do the work, test everything, and clean up before we leave.
The price we quote covers the labor and materials for the work we've agreed to do. We walk you through what the job involves so you understand what you're paying for before we start. There are no surprise fees added at the end, and we don't pressure you to approve additional work on the spot.
For most jobs, yes, having someone home makes the visit go more smoothly because we may need access to multiple areas of the house, including the panel, the affected rooms, and sometimes the exterior. If you can't be there, call us and we'll work out a plan for access. Property managers with multiple units often set up access arrangements in advance, and we're familiar with how that works.
We give you pricing before we start. No surprises at the end of the job, no pressure to approve work on the spot. Our estimates are straightforward, and we walk you through what the job involves so you understand what you're paying for. Same-day scheduling is available for most calls, and we take after-hours calls for urgent electrical issues that can't wait.
Whether it's a breaker that won't reset, a panel that needs immediate attention, or a new circuit you've been putting off, we're ready to schedule it.
Schedule it. We wire it. You're powered.
Call (262) 955-2659 to get a quote or schedule service with Hickory Electric.
Below is a quick look at the electrical services we offer across Waukesha and the surrounding county. Whether you need a straightforward repair or a full panel upgrade, we show up with the right tools, give you pricing before we start, and get the work done correctly the first time. Every job is handled by licensed electricians who know the demands Wisconsin homes put on electrical systems.
| Service Type | What's Included | Best For | Things to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backup Generator Installation | Transfer switch installation, Dedicated generator circuit, Panel connection and wiring, Portable and standby hookups | Waukesha homeowners who need reliable power through winter ice storms and outages | A proper transfer switch prevents dangerous backfeed onto the utility line, protecting both your home and utility crews restoring power in your neighborhood. |
| Snow-Melt System Wiring | Dedicated circuit for snow-melt systems, Load calculation and panel capacity check, Weatherproof wiring and connections | Waukesha properties with heated driveways, walkways, or entry areas | Snow-melt systems draw a sustained load. We verify panel capacity and run a properly sized dedicated circuit before the system is connected. |
| Outlet & Switch Installation | Outlet additions, GFCI outlet installation, Switch and dimmer replacement, USB and specialty outlets | Homeowners, landlords, and property managers updating or expanding a space | Outlets near water require GFCI protection by code. We flag and correct any that are missing it as part of the visit. |
| Breaker & Fuse Repair | Breaker replacement, Fuse panel assessment, Overload diagnosis, Circuit fault tracing | Any home where breakers trip repeatedly or a fuse blows without a clear cause | A breaker that keeps tripping is protecting the circuit from something. We find that something rather than just resetting the breaker and moving on. |
| Electrical Safety Inspections | Panel and wiring condition review, GFCI and AFCI coverage check, Code compliance assessment, Pre-purchase inspections | Home buyers, landlords, and owners of older properties wanting a clear picture of their electrical system | If we find code violations or safety concerns, we document them clearly and give you a straightforward path to fixing them, with no pressure to approve anything on the spot. |
| Wiring & Circuit Installation | New circuit runs, Rewiring older homes, Aluminum and knob-and-tube evaluation, Code-compliant wiring upgrades | Older homes with aging wiring or any property adding new circuits | Aluminum wiring and knob-and-tube systems require specific handling. We assess what is there before recommending the right approach. |
| Ceiling Fan Installation | Fan mounting and wiring, Electrical box support work, Switch and control wiring | Homeowners adding or replacing ceiling fans in any room | Ceiling fan installation includes verifying that the existing box can carry the weight and motion load, not just hanging the fan. |
| Electrical Panel & Service Upgrades | Main panel replacement, Subpanel installation, Load calculations, Grounding and bonding | Homes adding major appliances, EV chargers, generators, or running older undersized panels | Every upgrade includes a code compliance review. Grounding and bonding are part of the job, not an add-on. |
| Electrical Repairs & Troubleshooting | Dead or flickering outlets, Tripping breakers, Wiring faults and shorts, GFCI and AFCI issues | Homeowners dealing with an unexplained electrical problem | A fast, accurate diagnosis prevents small wiring issues from becoming costly ones. We identify the root cause before recommending any repair. |
| Dedicated Appliance Circuits | Electric range and dryer circuits, Refrigerator and dishwasher circuits, Workshop and garage circuits, 240-volt appliance wiring | Homeowners adding a new major appliance or setting up a workshop or garage | Dedicated circuits prevent the overloads that cause nuisance tripping and protect expensive appliances from voltage fluctuations. |
| Well-Pump Circuits | Dedicated well-pump circuit, 240-volt pump wiring, Disconnect and protection devices | Rural and suburban properties with private wells that need a reliable power supply to the pump | Well pumps draw significant current at startup. A properly sized dedicated circuit protects both the pump motor and the panel. |
| Lighting Installation | Recessed and LED fixtures, Under-cabinet lighting, Outdoor and security lighting, Landscape and pathway circuits | Kitchen updates, basement finishes, rental turnovers, and exterior safety improvements | Exterior lighting circuits are weatherproofed for Wisconsin conditions. Indoor fixtures are wired cleanly with no exposed junction work left behind. |
| Whole-Home Surge Protection | Panel-mounted surge device, Voltage spike protection, Appliance and electronics coverage | Any home with sensitive electronics or a history of utility surges and lightning activity | Whole-home surge protection installs at the panel and catches spikes before they reach individual circuits. It pairs well with a panel upgrade. |
| Garage & Block-Heater Circuits | Dedicated garage outlet circuits, Block heater outlet installation, 240-volt garage wiring | Wisconsin vehicle owners who need reliable power for block heaters and garage equipment | A dedicated circuit for a block heater prevents the overloads that come from plugging into a shared household outlet on a cold morning. |
| Heat Tape Installation | Dedicated circuit for heat tape, Correct outlet or connection point, Load-sized wiring, Code-compliant installation | Wisconsin homes protecting pipes and roof edges from freeze-thaw damage | Heat tape run off a shared circuit is a code violation and a fire risk. We handle the electrical supply side so the power feeding it is safe before anything gets plugged in. |
What are the signs that my electrical panel needs to be upgraded?
Breakers that trip frequently, a panel that feels warm to the touch, visible rust or corrosion inside the box, and a panel that is already full with no room to add circuits are all signs that an upgrade is worth looking into. Older panels that were sized for fewer appliances than a modern home runs are especially common in Waukesha County housing stock. We do a load calculation to confirm whether the panel is the issue before recommending any work.
Why do my breakers keep tripping?
A breaker trips when the circuit is drawing more current than it is rated for, or when there is a fault somewhere in the wiring. That can mean the circuit is overloaded by too many devices, that an appliance is pulling more power than expected, or that there is a wiring problem the breaker is protecting you from. Resetting it repeatedly without finding the cause does not fix anything and can create a safety risk over time. We trace the issue to its source.
Is the electrical work you do permitted and inspected?
Where permits are required, we pull them and make sure the work is inspected to code. That protects you at resale and confirms that the installation was done correctly. We walk you through what is required for your specific job before we start so there are no surprises about the process.
Upfront Quotes With No Surprise Fees
We give you a clear price before any work begins and walk you through what the job involves so you know exactly what you are paying for. There are no fees added at the end and no pressure to approve additional work on the spot.
How do I know if the wiring in my older home is still safe?
Older homes in the Waukesha area can carry aluminum wiring, knob-and-tube systems, or wiring that has simply aged past its useful life. An electrical safety inspection gives you a clear picture of what is there, what condition it is in, and whether anything needs attention. We document what we find and explain the options without pressure.
What do flickering or dimming lights usually mean?
Occasional flickering when a large appliance starts up is common and usually not a concern. Persistent flickering, lights that dim unexpectedly, or flickering that happens across multiple rooms can point to a loose connection, a failing circuit, or a panel that is struggling under load. These are worth having looked at rather than waiting to see if they get worse.
Are warm or buzzing outlets something to worry about?
Yes. An outlet that feels warm to the touch or makes a buzzing sound is a sign that something is wrong with the connection or the wiring behind it. These are not situations to monitor and revisit later. We recommend calling us promptly so we can assess the outlet before it becomes a more serious problem.
Work Performed by Licensed Electricians
Every job we take on is handled by licensed electricians who know Wisconsin code requirements and the electrical demands that come with this climate. You get work done right the first time.
What does backup generator installation actually involve?
The electrical side of a generator installation includes the transfer switch, the dedicated circuit, and the wiring that connects the generator to your home's panel. The transfer switch is the critical piece. It isolates your home from the utility line when the generator is running, which prevents backfeed that could injure utility crews working to restore power. We handle the full electrical scope for both portable hookups and standby systems.
How do your estimates and pricing work?
We give you a clear price before any work begins. We walk you through what the job involves so you understand what you are paying for, and we do not add fees at the end or pressure you to approve additional work on the spot. If the scope changes once we are into the job, we talk to you before proceeding.
Same-Day and Emergency Availability
Most calls in the Waukesha area can be scheduled the same day, and we take after-hours calls for urgent electrical issues that cannot wait until morning.
Do I need to be home when the electrician arrives?
For most jobs, having someone home makes the visit go more smoothly. We may need access to the panel, the affected rooms, and sometimes the exterior, and decisions sometimes come up mid-job that are easier to handle with the homeowner present. Property managers who coordinate work across multiple units often set up access arrangements in advance, and we are familiar with how that works.
Do you offer same-day or emergency electrical service?
Same-day availability is offered on most calls in the Waukesha area. We also take after-hours calls for urgent situations that cannot wait, such as a breaker that will not reset, a burning smell near an outlet, or a complete loss of power to part of the home. When you call, let us know what is going on and we will prioritize accordingly.
What do I need to know before adding a circuit for a new appliance or workshop?
The first step is confirming that your panel has the capacity to carry the added load. If it does, we run a dedicated circuit sized for the appliance or equipment. If the panel is already at or near capacity, we discuss whether a subpanel or a full upgrade makes more sense for your situation. We do the load calculation before recommending anything.
Call (262) 955-2659 and we will talk through what your home or property needs and get you on the schedule.
(262) 955-2659