Electrical work on the Treasure Coast
Electrical problems are the ones you should not guess at. Tell us what is going on and we pass your request to one independent local electrician.
Treasure Coast homes span a wide range of ages, from 1920s houses near the old downtowns to homes built last year. The age of the house is the biggest clue to what an electrician will find. Add lightning, salt air and long hurricane outages, and you get a set of problems that are a little different from other parts of the country.
What electricians see here
- Older panels. Some panel brands installed decades ago have a poor reputation, and many Florida insurers ask about the panel on a four point inspection. A panel that is full, warm, buzzing or has breakers that will not stay set is worth a look either way.
- Aluminum branch wiring. Some homes built roughly in the mid 1960s to mid 1970s used aluminum wire for outlets and lights. It is not automatically dangerous, but the connections can loosen and overheat if they were not done with the right parts.
- Lightning and surges. Florida gets a lot of lightning. A surge can damage AC boards, pool equipment, garage door openers and electronics. A whole house surge protector at the panel adds a layer of protection, alongside plug in protectors.
- Salt air and moisture. Outdoor panels, meter bases, disconnects for the AC and pool equipment, and exterior outlets corrode faster near the water. Outdoor outlets should be GFCI protected and have covers that close.
- New loads on old service. EV chargers, pool heat pumps, a bigger AC or a standby generator can push an older service past what it was designed for.
Repair, upgrade or replace?
A dead outlet or a tripping breaker is often a simple repair. A panel that is old, damaged, flagged by an insurer, or too small for what you want to add usually points to a panel replacement or a service upgrade. Ask the electrician to explain what they found in plain terms and to price the options separately. If they recommend a service upgrade, ask whether a load calculation supports it.
What drives the cost
Small repairs are often a service call plus parts. Panel replacements and service upgrades cost more, and the price depends on the panel size, whether the meter base or service wires need to change, how far the panel is from where the work happens, and permit fees. Rewiring a house depends heavily on attic access and how much drywall has to be opened. Get written quotes that say what is included.
Licenses, permits and the utility
Florida licenses electrical contractors, either as certified (statewide) or registered (local). Most work beyond simple like for like swaps needs an electrical permit from your city or county building department, including panel replacements, new circuits, EV chargers and generator hookups. The utility owns the meter and the line to the house. Depending on where you live that is FPL or, in parts of Fort Pierce, Fort Pierce Utilities Authority. A panel or service change usually means your electrician coordinates a disconnect and reconnect with them. Confirm local permit rules with the building department.
Before the electrician comes
- Write down which outlets, lights or breakers are affected and when it happens.
- Clear access to the panel, inside and outside.
- If you smell burning, see scorch marks or feel a warm outlet or panel, shut off that breaker and say so when you call.
- If an insurer flagged something, have the inspection report handy.
Related pages: AC repair when the problem is the outdoor unit disconnect, and hurricane shutters and impact windows if you are getting the whole house ready for storm season.
Common questions
Why does my insurance company care about my electrical panel?
Insurers look at the panel on four point inspections because some older panel types have a history of breakers that may not trip when they should, and old or overloaded panels are a fire risk. If your panel is flagged, the insurer may require replacement before writing or renewing a policy. Ask your agent exactly what they need, then have an electrician quote it.
Is a whole house surge protector worth it in Florida?
Many homeowners here think so, because lightning is so common and the equipment at risk is expensive, like AC control boards, pool pumps and appliances. A whole house protector installed at the panel handles surges coming in on the power line. It does not stop a direct strike, and it works with plug in protectors rather than replacing them. An electrician can tell you what fits your panel.
Do I need a permit to replace my electrical panel?
Yes, in most cases. Panel replacements and service upgrades usually require an electrical permit and an inspection, and the utility often has to disconnect and reconnect power. The licensed electrician normally handles the permit and the coordination. Confirm the details with your city or county building department, since each jurisdiction on the Treasure Coast runs its own permit process.
Can I add an EV charger to my house?
Usually, but it depends on your panel and service size. A Level 2 charger needs its own circuit, and an older or full panel may need a load calculation, a panel upgrade or a load management device first. The job typically needs an electrical permit. Tell the electrician what car you have, where you park, and what other big loads you run, like a pool heat pump.
What should I do if an outlet feels warm or smells like burning?
Stop using it and turn off the breaker for that circuit. A warm outlet or a burning smell can mean a loose or failing connection, which can start a fire inside the wall. Do not keep resetting a breaker that trips. If you see smoke or flames, call 911. Otherwise, have an electrician inspect it as soon as you can.