Hickory Electric serves homeowners, landlords, property managers, and businesses across Waukesha and the surrounding area. Whether you have a dead outlet, a panel that can't keep up with modern loads, or a commercial buildout that needs wiring from scratch, we show up, we assess the situation honestly, and we get the work done right. We offer same-day availability for urgent calls and after-hours scheduling when the job can't wait until morning. Our estimates are no-pressure estimates, priced up front, so you know exactly what you're looking at before any work begins. Local ownership means we're accountable to our own community, and that shapes how we treat every job we take.
Affordable rates. Flexible timing. Safe wiring.
Most homeowners can't tell a minor wiring issue from a serious one, and that uncertainty is exactly why calling sooner rather than later matters. A flickering light might be a loose connection. A tripping breaker might be a sign of a circuit that's been carrying more load than it was designed for. A burning smell near an outlet is never something to wait on.
We handle the full range of everyday electrical problems: dead outlets, sparking receptacles, loss of power to a room, breakers that won't reset, and lights that dim or flicker without explanation. Our diagnostic process is thorough. We trace the issue back to its source rather than patching over symptoms.
GFCI and AFCI protection are part of what we check and install during any outlet or circuit work. These devices exist to prevent shock and arc-related fires, and older homes in the area often lack them in the locations current code requires. If we spot a gap during a repair call, we'll tell you plainly what it would take to address it.
Electrical safety inspections are available as a standalone service for homeowners who want a full picture of where their wiring stands. We also handle code-compliant wiring corrections for properties that failed an inspection or need to meet updated requirements. Give us a call and we'll get the power sorted.
Your home deserves wiring that's safe and up to code, and a lot of the housing stock in Waukesha was built in an era when 100-amp service was considered plenty. Today, that same panel is being asked to power EV chargers, high-draw appliances, home offices, and more. When the math stops working, a panel upgrade is the right answer.
We handle 100-amp to 200-amp service upgrades, service-entrance and meter upgrades, and subpanel installation for detached garages, workshops, or additions. Load calculations are part of the process so we size the upgrade correctly for what you're actually running.
Older homes sometimes come with knob-and-tube wiring or aluminum branch-circuit wiring. Both create real risks when left in place, and both are jobs we handle with care. If you're buying a fixer-upper or planning a renovation, a pre-purchase electrical inspection can tell you what you're walking into before you close. We also install dedicated circuits for major appliances and high-draw equipment so each load has the capacity it needs.
This is the kind of electrical work neighbors pass along by word of mouth, and we've built our reputation on doing it without shortcuts. We'll handle the wiring so you don't have to.
No matter what's going wrong with your wiring, there's usually a straightforward solution once you get someone on-site who knows what to look for. That applies to smaller jobs just as much as big panel work.
We install GFCI outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor locations. We run weatherproof and outdoor outlets, USB outlets, dimmer switches, and smart switches. If a switch is broken, a receptacle is cracked, or you just need more outlets in a room that was never wired for how you use it today, we can take care of it.
Lighting is a big part of what we do. Recessed and LED lighting, under-cabinet lighting, exterior and security lighting, motion sensor lights, and landscape lighting are all in our wheelhouse. We also install and wire ceiling fans, including in rooms that don't currently have a switched circuit for one.
Hard-wired smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are another area where we get called regularly. Battery-only units are fine as a backup, but hard-wired detectors with battery backup are the more reliable setup, especially in a home with multiple floors.
Home additions, basement finishing, garages, sheds, and workshops all create new wiring needs. We handle those projects from rough-in through final inspection. Pick up the phone and we'll handle the wiring.
Calling an electrician doesn't have to be stressful, and it shouldn't matter whether you own a single-family home or a 12-unit rental building. We work with all of them.
Residential homeowners make up a large part of our work, but we also serve landlords and property managers who need reliable electrical service across multiple units. We pull permits, handle rental inspections, and repair code violations that came up during a city inspection. If you manage properties in Waukesha County and need an electrician who can work around tenant schedules, we understand how that works.
On the commercial side, we wire retail spaces, restaurants, offices, warehouses, and small business buildouts. Commercial panel upgrades, dedicated circuits for equipment, and permit-compliant wiring are all part of what we do. We also handle specialty residential installs like home theater wiring, home office circuits, and dedicated workshop power.
Local ownership means we're invested in the outcome. When something comes up after the job is done, you're reaching someone who knows your property and stands behind the work.
Wisconsin winters are hard on homes and harder on electrical systems. Multi-day outages from ice storms, sub-freezing temperatures that strain every circuit in the house, and freeze-thaw cycles that damage pipes and rooflines are all part of life here. The following services come up constantly in this area for good reason.
When a winter storm knocks out power for two or three days, having a standby generator isn't a luxury. It's a practical decision. We handle the electrical side of generator hookups: the transfer switch installation, the connection to your panel, and the dedicated wiring that makes the whole system work safely. A proper transfer switch ensures your generator never back-feeds the utility line, protecting both your home and the crews working to restore power in your neighborhood. We assess your panel capacity and make sure the installation is sized and wired to code.
Older homes in the area frequently have panels that were never designed for today's electrical loads. Add in the demands of electric heating equipment, a new EV charger, or a whole-home generator hookup, and an undersized panel becomes a real problem fast. We upgrade panels to 200-amp service and handle service-entrance upgrades when the meter and main need to come along with it. Cold-weather demand puts extra strain on electrical systems here, and a properly sized panel is the foundation everything else depends on.
Frozen pipes and roof ice dams are routine winter risks in Wisconsin, and heat tape is one of the most effective ways to manage them. The wiring behind a heat tape system matters as much as the tape itself. Work performed by licensed electricians ensures the circuit is properly sized and protected, reducing the risk of overloads or fire hazards that can come from DIY heat tape hookups. We install dedicated circuits for heat tape systems and make sure everything is wired to handle the continuous draw these systems require.
Grid fluctuations and lightning events are a real concern in this part of Wisconsin, and a single surge can damage appliances, electronics, and wiring throughout a home. Whole-home surge protection installs at the panel and catches spikes before they reach your devices. It's a straightforward upgrade that protects everything downstream.
EV charger installation is something we're doing more of every year. A Level 2 home charger needs a dedicated circuit and, in many cases, a panel capacity check before installation. We handle the full electrical scope: the circuit, the wiring run, and the panel work if the existing service needs to be upgraded to support the load.
We protect your floors and finishes while we work, and we clean up before we leave. We'll handle the wiring so you don't have to.
No matter what's going wrong with your wiring, knowing what it's going to cost before anyone picks up a tool makes the whole process easier. We give you a clear quote before work begins. No surprises, no pressure to approve additional work on the spot without time to think it over.
We offer same-day availability for urgent calls and flexible scheduling for projects that can be planned in advance. When you call, you reach someone who can talk through the job, give you a realistic estimate, and get you on the schedule.
Not the biggest crew in town. Just the most reliable. Always on time.
We pull permits when the job requires them, which includes panel upgrades, service entrance work, new circuit installation, and other work that local code requires to be inspected. Permit fees are part of the project cost and are included in the quote we give you before work begins. Permitted work is inspected by the local authority, which protects you when you sell the home or file an insurance claim.
Once the work is done, we test everything we installed or repaired before we leave. If the job required a permit and inspection, we coordinate that process and make sure the installation passes. We clean up the work area and walk you through what was done so you understand what changed and why.
We run dedicated circuits and install subpanels for detached garages, workshops, and outbuildings throughout the area. The scope depends on what the structure needs: a single circuit for a garage door and lights is a different job than wiring a full workshop with 240-volt equipment. We assess the existing service and let you know if the main panel needs to be upgraded to support the added load.
Breakers that trip repeatedly, a panel that feels warm to the touch, visible corrosion or burn marks inside the panel, and a service size that can't support the loads you're running are all signs that an upgrade is overdue. Older homes in Waukesha County frequently have 100-amp panels that were never designed for today's appliances, EV chargers, or generator hookups. We run a load calculation as part of every panel upgrade to make sure the new service is sized correctly.
We handle the electrical side of every generator installation: the transfer switch, the dedicated circuit, and the wiring that connects the generator to the home's panel. A properly installed transfer switch prevents backfeed onto the utility line, which protects both the home and utility crews working to restore power. We work with portable generator hookups and standby systems, and we size the circuit to match the load.
A transfer switch isolates your home's wiring from the utility line when the generator is running. Without one, power from the generator can feed back onto the utility line, creating a serious hazard for utility workers and a risk of damage to the generator when grid power is restored. A transfer switch is required for any permanent or semi-permanent generator hookup, and we install both manual and automatic versions.
Heat tape draws continuous power and needs a dedicated circuit sized for that load. Running it off a shared circuit is a code issue and a fire risk, especially in Wisconsin where heat tape systems run for extended periods during cold weather. We install the dedicated circuit and connection point so the wiring is safe, properly protected, and up to code before anything gets plugged in.
We install Level 2 home EV chargers, which run on a dedicated 240-volt circuit. Before installation, we check your panel capacity to confirm it can carry the added load without compromising other circuits. If the panel needs to be upgraded first, we'll discuss that as part of the project and give you a combined quote.
A repair addresses a specific fault or failed device, like a dead outlet, a tripped breaker with an identifiable cause, or a damaged switch. A rewire replaces the wiring itself, either in a section of the home or throughout, and is typically needed when the existing wiring is too old, the wrong type, or too deteriorated to repair safely. We'll tell you plainly which situation you're in after we've assessed the wiring.
Homes with knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum branch circuit wiring, or wiring that has been damaged by pests, moisture, or age are common candidates for a full or partial rewire. If a home has had multiple electrical problems in different areas over a short period, that's also a sign the wiring itself may be the issue rather than individual devices. We assess the condition of the existing wiring and give you a clear picture of what needs to be replaced and why.
Start by checking whether the outlet is a GFCI type with a reset button, which can trip and cut power to nearby outlets. If resetting it doesn't restore power, check the panel for a tripped breaker. If neither of those is the issue, the outlet itself may be damaged or the wiring behind it may have a fault. A warm, discolored, or sparking outlet should not be used and should be looked at by a licensed electrician promptly.
For most jobs, having someone present is helpful so we can ask questions, confirm scope as we go, and walk you through the finished work before we leave. If you can't be there for the full visit, we can often arrange access and check in by phone at key points. Talk to us when you schedule and we'll work out what makes sense for your situation.
Hickory Electric handles electrical repair and installation for homes and businesses throughout Waukesha and Waukesha County. Whether it's a tripped breaker, a full panel upgrade, or a generator hookup before the next winter storm, we're ready to help.
Schedule it. We wire it. You're powered.
Call us at (262) 955-2659 for a quote. Give us a call and we'll get the power sorted.
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