Hickory Electric has been serving Waukesha and the surrounding communities since 2022, handling residential and commercial electrical work for homeowners, landlords, and business owners across the county. Whether you need a quick repair, a full panel upgrade, or a new circuit installed, our team shows up ready to do the job right. We work on everything from single-family homes to commercial properties, and we keep the process straightforward from the first call to the final inspection. Safe wiring, code-compliant work, and honest service are what we bring to every job.
Most homeowners can't tell a minor wiring issue from a serious one, and that uncertainty is exactly why a prompt, professional inspection matters. When an outlet stops working, lights flicker for no clear reason, or a breaker keeps tripping, something in the circuit needs attention. Our electricians trace the problem to its source rather than guessing, so the fix actually holds.
A typical troubleshooting visit starts with a walk-through of the affected area, a check of the panel, and a look at the wiring and devices involved. We test for faults, check ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection in kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor areas, and assess whether arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) breakers are in place where current code requires them. If a repair is needed, we explain what it involves and what it will cost before we start. We'll handle the wiring so you don't have to.
Your home deserves wiring that's safe and up to code, and that starts with a panel that can carry the load your household actually puts on it. Many older homes in Waukesha still have fuse boxes or undersized breaker panels that were never designed for today's appliances, EV chargers, or home office setups. An overloaded or aging panel is not just an inconvenience. It's a safety concern.
We handle the full range of panel work: fuse-to-breaker conversions, 200-amp panel upgrades, service entrance replacements, and subpanel installation for additions, garages, or outbuildings. Before any panel work begins, we run a load calculation to confirm the new service size is right for your home. The work is performed by licensed electricians who know Wisconsin electrical code and pull the permits the job requires.
Waukesha County has a lot of character in its older housing stock, and that character sometimes comes with wiring that has outlived its safe working life. Knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum branch circuit wiring, and ungrounded two-prong outlets are common in homes built before the 1970s. Each of these conditions can create problems ranging from nuisance tripping to real fire risk.
We rewire homes fully or in sections depending on what the structure needs. That includes replacing knob-and-tube runs, addressing aluminum wiring with proper connections or replacement, and updating grounding and bonding throughout. We also install dedicated circuits for high-draw appliances: 240-volt outlets for dryers and ranges, circuits for refrigerators, dishwashers, and chest freezers, and anything else that needs its own protected line. Give us a call and we'll get the power sorted.
Calling an electrician doesn't have to be stressful, and the smaller installation jobs are often the most satisfying to get done. A dimmer switch that actually works with your fixtures, a USB outlet in the right spot, or recessed lighting that makes a room feel larger are all straightforward upgrades that make a real difference day to day.
We install and replace:
Every installation is done to code, with proper boxes, correct wire gauge, and solid connections. We protect your floors and finishes while we work, and we clean up before we leave.
Electric vehicle ownership in the Waukesha area has grown steadily, and a Level 2 home charger makes the difference between a car that's ready in the morning and one that barely recovered overnight. A Level 2 charger runs on a dedicated 240-volt circuit and can fully charge most EVs in a few hours rather than overnight on a standard outlet.
We assess your panel capacity, size the dedicated circuit correctly for your charger and vehicle, and handle the installation from the panel to the garage or driveway. Whether you drive a Tesla, a Chevy, a Ford, or anything else with a plug, we install the right circuit for the job.
Wisconsin winters can knock out power for hours or days, and a backup generator connected through a proper transfer switch keeps your home or business running when the grid goes down. A transfer switch is the critical piece. It isolates your home's wiring from the utility line, which protects utility workers and keeps your generator from being damaged when power is restored.
We install manual and automatic transfer switches, run the generator wiring, and size the connection to match your standby or portable generator. If you already have a generator sitting in the garage, we can hook it up safely. If you're starting from scratch, we'll help you figure out what capacity makes sense for your household.
Every job we take follows Wisconsin electrical code, and we pull permits when the work requires them. That is not a formality. Permitted work is inspected by the local authority, which means a third party confirms the installation is safe. It also protects you when you sell the home or file an insurance claim.
We install whole-home surge protection to guard appliances, electronics, and HVAC equipment from voltage spikes caused by lightning, utility switching, or large motors cycling on and off in the home. We also install hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace aging detectors that no longer meet current code placement requirements. Electrical safety inspections are available for homeowners who want a full picture of their home's wiring condition, whether they're buying, selling, or just haven't had the panel looked at in years.
No matter what's going wrong with your wiring, a commercial property has its own set of demands, and we work with business owners and property managers throughout Waukesha County. Office build-outs, retail fit-ups, restaurant electrical work, and light commercial new construction are all within our scope.
We handle:
Property managers appreciate straightforward scheduling and clear communication. We show up when we say we will, explain the work before we start, and invoice clearly when we're done. Pick up the phone and we'll handle the wiring.
No-pressure estimates, priced up front, are how we start every job. Before any work begins, we tell you what the job involves, what it will cost, and whether any conditions we find along the way could change that number. There are no surprise fees added after the fact.
Same-day scheduling is available for repairs and urgent work. We also offer after-hours and weekend availability for situations that can't wait. Electrical emergencies don't follow business hours, and neither do we. If something goes wrong at night or on a Saturday, you can reach a real person who can help.
Local ownership means we're accountable to our own community. When you call, you're reaching someone who works and lives in this area and has a stake in doing the job right.
We started in 2022 with a straightforward goal: bring dependable, honest electrical work to Waukesha and the surrounding communities. The founders grew up in this area, saw how hard it was to find an electrician who showed up on time and explained the bill clearly, and decided to build something better from the ground up.
Four years in, we've worked on homes ranging from postwar bungalows to new construction, and on commercial properties ranging from small offices to full restaurant fit-outs. The work is performed by licensed electricians who take code compliance seriously and treat every home and business with care.
We've built our reputation on the kind of electrical work neighbors pass along by word of mouth. That reputation matters more to us than any advertising, and we protect it by doing the job right every time.
Not the biggest crew in town. Just the most reliable. Always on time.
We started in 2022 with a focus on bringing dependable, honest electrical work to Waukesha and the surrounding communities. Four years in, we've worked on homes ranging from postwar bungalows to new construction, and on commercial properties ranging from small offices to full restaurant fit-outs. The work has grown entirely through referrals and repeat customers.
The founders grew up in this area and saw how hard it was to find an electrician who showed up on time and explained the bill clearly. We built this business to fill that gap. Local ownership means we're accountable to our own community, and that shapes every job we take.
Waukesha County has a lot of older housing stock, and we've worked on a wide range of it. Knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum branch circuit wiring, undersized panels, and ungrounded two-prong outlets are all conditions we see regularly and know how to address correctly. That familiarity with the wiring common to older homes here makes a real difference in how efficiently we can diagnose and fix problems.
We work regularly throughout Waukesha and across Waukesha County, including Brookfield, Pewaukee, Oconomowoc, Menomonee Falls, New Berlin, Mukwonago, Hartland, and Delafield. Knowing the roads, the housing types, and the typical wiring conditions in different parts of the county helps us plan jobs and get to customers without wasted time.
We start every job with a thorough diagnosis rather than a guess, and we explain what we find before recommending any work. If there's a secondary issue we notice while we're on-site, we'll point it out and let you decide whether to address it now or later. We don't pressure customers to approve additional work on the spot.
We're a focused local crew, not a large regional operation, which means every job gets real attention rather than being handed off to whoever is available. We schedule carefully to make sure we're not overcommitting, and we show up when we say we will. If you need to coordinate multiple visits or have a larger project, call us and we'll work out a realistic schedule.
We take care of the properties we work in. That means arriving with the right tools and materials for the job, protecting floors and finishes while we work, and cleaning up before we leave. How we show up at your home or business reflects on us, and we treat it that way.
Hickory Electric is ready to help with electrical repairs, panel upgrades, new installations, EV charger hookups, generator wiring, and everything in between. Residential or commercial, small repair or full rewire, we handle it.
Schedule it. We wire it. You're powered.
Call (262) 955-2659 to request an estimate or schedule a service visit. We serve Waukesha and the communities throughout Waukesha County, including Brookfield, Pewaukee, Oconomowoc, Menomonee Falls, New Berlin, and Mukwonago. Whatever your electrical needs, we're ready to get to work.
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