What to know before you start
Electrical quotes are hard to compare because so much depends on what's already in the wall. Is the panel full? Is there room for a new breaker? Does the run to the garage cross a finished basement ceiling? Those answers move the price more than the fixture you pick.
Our estimator looks at the panel with you, notes its size and open spaces, and maps where new wire has to go. Every electrician bids on that written scope. If a panel upgrade is likely, it shows up in the scope, not as a change order halfway through.
What the job includes
- Panel replacement or service upgrade, including coordination with the electric utility
- New dedicated circuits for kitchens, shops, hot tubs and appliances
- Level 2 EV charger circuits in the garage or driveway
- Recessed, pendant, under-cabinet and exterior lighting
- Added outlets and switches, with GFCI and AFCI protection where code calls for it
- Whole-home surge protection
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm updates tied to the permitted work
What we scope
Panels and service upgrades
Replacing an old or full panel, or increasing service size to handle new loads.
EV chargers
A dedicated 240-volt circuit and a charger mounted where you park, sized to your vehicle and your panel.
Lighting
Recessed lights, pendants, under-cabinet strips, exterior fixtures and outdoor lighting.
Remodel and addition wiring
Rough-in for kitchens, baths, basements and additions, coordinated with the other trades.
Updates in older homes
Replacing outdated wiring, ungrounded outlets and panels with known problems.
What drives the cost
Every project is different, so your True Bid prices yours line by line after the site visit. These are the things that move the price most.
- Panel capacity
- If the panel is full or undersized, a new circuit can turn into a panel or service upgrade.
- Wire run length and route
- Long runs, or runs through finished walls and ceilings, take more wire and more labor.
- Wall and ceiling access
- An unfinished basement or open attic is easier to work through than finished drywall.
- Utility coordination
- Service upgrades need the electric utility to disconnect and reconnect power, which adds scheduling.
- Fixture and device choice
- Smart switches, specialty fixtures and premium chargers cost more than standard devices.
- Code updates
- Opening up a circuit can mean bringing it up to current requirements, like GFCI or AFCI protection.
Permits and HOAs in Douglas County
Colorado licenses electricians through the State Electrical Board, and most electrical work beyond replacing a fixture or a device needs a permit and inspection. New circuits, panel changes, service upgrades and EV chargers almost always do.
In Castle Rock, Parker, Lone Tree, Castle Pines and Larkspur, the town issues the permit. Highlands Ranch and other unincorporated areas go through Douglas County's Building Division. A service upgrade also involves your electric utility, generally IREA or Xcel Energy depending on where you live. The electrician you hire usually handles both.
Built for Douglas County
Many Douglas County homes are now old enough that the panel and wiring deserve a look before you add new loads. An older panel may be full, too small for an EV charger or a hot tub, or from a brand with a history of problems.
Weather plays a part too. Summer thunderstorms bring lightning, which makes surge protection worth asking about. Outdoor outlets, lighting and hot tub disconnects have to hold up to snow, sun and freeze-thaw. Rural properties often add shop, barn and well pump circuits to the list.
How DougCO Builds runs your project
- Tell us about itSend the basics through the project form. We call to set up a site visit.
- One site visitOur estimator measures, photographs what's there and talks through what you want.
- Your True BidYou get a written, line-by-line scope and a budget before any contractor sees the job.
- Contractors bid on the same scopeVetted local contractors bid without your contact details. You compare the bids side by side.
- We manage it with youWe check insurance and licensing before work starts, then walk the job at milestones and at the finish.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Does my panel have room for this, or am I looking at a panel or service upgrade?
- Who coordinates the disconnect and reconnect with the electric utility?
- Are the permit and inspection included in your bid?
- What code updates might the inspector require once you open things up?
- Which charger or fixtures are you quoting, and can I supply my own?
Electrical questions
Do I need a permit to install an EV charger?
Usually, yes. A Level 2 charger needs a dedicated circuit, and new circuits typically need a permit and inspection from your town or Douglas County. The electrician pulls it.
How do I know if my panel needs to be replaced?
Common signs include a panel with no open spaces, breakers that trip often, signs of heat or corrosion, or an older brand with a known history of problems. Our estimator notes what's there, and the electricians bidding can weigh in.
Can I use a charger or fixtures I already bought?
Often, yes. Tell us during the visit and we'll write it into the scope, so every electrician prices the labor for the same item.
Will the electrician have to cut into my walls?
Sometimes. Electricians fish wire through walls and ceilings when they can, but finished spaces may need small openings. The scope says who patches and paints them, so it isn't a surprise later.
