Best Electricians in San Francisco, CA
Ranked by review volume, service coverage, and a footprint analysis of how AI assistants view San Francisco electrical contractors.
16
Businesses reviewed
15
AI research reports
12
Top picks
San Francisco electrical work is defined by its aging housing stock. A massive percentage of homes in neighborhoods like the Haight, the Mission, and Noe Valley were built before the 1940s. Contractors here spend much of their time hunting down active knob-and-tube wiring, upgrading old 60-amp panels to modern 200-amp standards to support EV chargers, and snaking wire through lath and plaster walls without destroying historic molding.
The regulatory environment adds another layer of friction. The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection enforces strict codes, and unpermitted electrical work becomes a major liability during the city's rigorous property transfer inspections. A competent local electrician knows how to pull the right over-the-counter permits, coordinate power disconnects with PG&E, and navigate the notoriously tight parking and vertical access challenges of multistory Victorian homes.
Climate also dictates service calls. The relentless coastal fog and salt air in the Outer Richmond and Sunset districts corrode exterior panels and service drops faster than in inland cities. Good operators in this market anticipate these environmental factors, recommending marine-grade exterior components and scheduling proactive panel inspections rather than just reacting to blown fuses.
The verdict
Our Quick Picks
Five Or Free Electrical Heating & Air Solutions and Electro-Integrity show the strongest regional trust signals for tackling vintage San Francisco wiring. BV Electric Inc. leads in sheer review volume for older residential upgrades, while commercial and emergency needs are heavily serviced by Max Electric. Most other local contractors maintain a thin digital footprint, meaning neighborhood reputation still dictates who gets hired in districts like Miraloma Park and the Sunset.
- 1Best for Service GuaranteesFive Or Free Electrical Heating & Air Solutions
Homeowners seeking a highly reviewed contractor with strict performance guarantees for vintage properties.
- 2Best for Historic UpgradesElectro-Integrity
Owners of older Victorian or Edwardian homes needing complex rewiring and panel modernizations.
- 3Best for Verified ReputationBV Electric Inc.
Homeowners looking for a generational family business with hundreds of positive local reviews.
- 4Best for High-Volume ReliabilityMax Electric
Residential and commercial property owners needing a highly rated contractor for standard electrical work.
- 5Best for PG&E CoordinationArt Electrical Services And More
Homeowners dealing with service drops or grid-connection issues that require direct PG&E coordination.
- 6Best for Transparent PricingMercy Electric
Residents seeking a highly rated local contractor known for clear estimates and reliable residential service.
- 7Best for EV ChargersWalsh Electric
Homeowners looking to install an EV charger with a highly professional, locally focused residential specialist.
- 8Best for 24/7 AvailabilityElectric Wire Services
Homeowners in Miraloma Park or the surrounding neighborhoods needing immediate, after-hours electrical repair.
- 9Best for Same-Day EstimatesElectrical Land
Peninsula and southern San Francisco residents who need a fast, same-day estimate for a residential repair.
- 10Best for Peninsula CoverageCalifornia Best Electricians
Homeowners near the San Mateo County line looking for a well-reviewed installation specialist.
- 11Best for Standard MaintenanceJD Electricians SF, Inc.
Residents in need of immediate, standard electrical repairs from a contractor based squarely in the city.
- 12Best for Basic InstallationsAAA ELECTRIC
Central San Francisco residents seeking a nearby contractor for straightforward electrical installations.
All 16 electricians in San Francisco, at a glance
| Specialty | AI Sentiment | Contact | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for Service Guarantees | 72Speaks well of them | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| Best for Historic Upgrades | 65Speaks well of them | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| Best for Verified Reputation | 55Speaks well of them | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| Best for High-Volume Reliability | 50Factual, no praise | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| Best for PG&E Coordination | 58Speaks well of them | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| Best for Transparent Pricing | 58Speaks well of them | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| Best for EV Chargers | 55Speaks well of them | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| Best for 24/7 Availability | 50Factual, no praise | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| Best for Same-Day Estimates | 52Factual, no praise | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| Best for Peninsula Coverage California Best Electricians | — | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | |
| Best for Standard Maintenance | 52Factual, no praise | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| Best for Basic Installations | 50Factual, no praise | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| Also Serving San Francisco | 48Factual, no praise | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| Also Serving San Francisco | 62Speaks well of them | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| Also Serving San Francisco | 58Speaks well of them | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
| Also Serving San Francisco | 50Factual, no praise | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Reach Five Or Free Electrical Heating & Air Solutions
4096 Piedmont Ave #316, Oakland, CA 94611, United States
Reach Electro-Integrity
853 Green Ridge Dr, Daly City, CA 94014, United States
Reach BV Electric Inc.
44 Gough St #210, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
Reach Max Electric
28 Geary St #650, San Francisco, CA 94108, United States
Reach Art Electrical Services And More
1588 20th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122, United States
Reach Mercy Electric
South, 1555 Yosemite Ave Ste 2, San Francisco, CA 94124, United States
Reach Walsh Electric
San Francisco, CA 94115, United States
Reach Electric Wire Services
142 Molimo Dr, San Francisco, CA 94127, United States
Reach Electrical Land
345 El Dorado Dr, Daly City, CA 94015, United States
Reach California Best Electricians
221 Park Rd #1630, Burlingame, CA 94010, United States
Reach JD Electricians SF, Inc.
755 Capitol Ave, San Francisco, CA 94112, United States
Reach AAA ELECTRIC
1408 California St #505, San Francisco, CA 94109, United States
Before you hire in San Francisco
Hiring an electrician in San Francisco means navigating a strict local permitting environment and the unique challenges of century-old architecture. You are not just paying for wire to be pulled; you are paying for someone who knows how to satisfy the Department of Building Inspection and how to upgrade an obsolete panel without tearing apart historic lath and plaster.
Navigating San Francisco Permits
The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection requires permits for almost all electrical work beyond swapping a basic fixture or outlet. A licensed contractor will handle the over-the-counter permitting process for you. Never let a contractor convince you to skip the permit for a panel upgrade or a major rewiring job. Unpermitted electrical work frequently surfaces during mandatory pre-sale inspections and can completely derail a property transaction.
The Knob and Tube Reality
Thousands of homes in neighborhoods like Noe Valley and the Richmond still contain original knob-and-tube wiring. This ungrounded system is a major fire hazard and complicates modern insulation efforts. Ask potential hires specifically about their experience removing and replacing this older wiring without causing catastrophic damage to your original walls and ceiling molding.
Coordinating with PG&E
Upgrading your main service panel often requires physical intervention from Pacific Gas and Electric. Your electrician has to coordinate a temporary power disconnect and reconnect at the street level. Ask contractors about their track record managing PG&E timelines, because poor coordination here can leave your house without power for much longer than the actual labor requires.
Verifying the C-10 License
Always verify the contractor holds an active C-10 Electrical license with the California Contractors State License Board. Do not accept a general contractor's B license for heavy electrical work unless they are bringing in a specialized C-10 subcontractor. A quick search on the CSLB website will confirm their status and show any disciplinary actions on their record.
Liability and Workers Compensation Insurance
San Francisco property values are extremely high, and an electrical fire can result in total devastation. Demand proof of active general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage before anyone touches your breaker box. A verbal confirmation is not enough; request the actual certificate of insurance directly from the provider.
Navigating Parking and Site Access
San Francisco logistics are brutal. Narrow streets, non-existent parking, and multistory vertical climbs complicate simple jobs. Discuss site access during the initial quote call. A seasoned local operator will factor the parking reality and the physical movement of heavy equipment up three flights of stairs into their initial estimate.
Questions people ask
Do I need a permit to upgrade my electrical panel in San Francisco?
Yes. The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection requires a permit for all electrical panel upgrades. Your licensed contractor should pull this permit on your behalf before starting the work.
Can I leave inactive knob-and-tube wiring in the walls?
Inactive, completely disconnected knob-and-tube wiring can often be left inside the wall cavities safely. However, any active knob-and-tube must be replaced before you can install modern blow-in insulation into those spaces.
Why does PG&E have to be involved in my panel upgrade?
PG&E owns the power drop connecting the municipal grid to your home. Upgrading your panel requires them to temporarily shut off power at that external connection point so your electrician can work safely.
What is a C-10 license?
A C-10 license is the specific classification issued by the California Contractors State License Board for electrical contractors. It legally permits them to place, install, or erect electrical wires and fixtures.
How do I check if an electrician is licensed in California?
You can verify any contractor's license status directly on the California Contractors State License Board website. You just need their license number or their exact business name.
Will my electrician patch the drywall they cut?
Most electricians do not perform drywall repair or painting. You will usually need to hire a separate drywall specialist or general contractor to close up the holes made during a major rewiring job.
Can a general contractor do my electrical work?
A general contractor can manage the project, but heavy electrical work should be performed by someone carrying a dedicated C-10 license. Most reputable general contractors will subcontract this portion of the job to a licensed electrician.
Does San Francisco require AFCI breakers for new work?
Yes, current electrical codes enforced in San Francisco require Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter breakers for almost all new residential circuits. These specialized breakers detect dangerous electrical arcs that cause fires before they spread.
What should I do if my breaker keeps tripping?
A repeatedly tripping breaker means the circuit is overloaded or there is a short somewhere in the wiring. Do not just tape the breaker open or ignore it; call a licensed electrician to diagnose the root cause.
How we chose
We pulled the current Google Maps listing for electricians in San Francisco and ranked the field based on review volume, average user rating, and the specific service categories each business publishes. We also ran a deep AI visibility analysis on most of these businesses. That analysis reads what is publicly published about a contractor and estimates how major AI assistants like ChatGPT and Gemini are likely to describe them when someone asks for a local recommendation. We used those findings as context for the provider profiles below. We did not call, license, inspect, interview, or visit any business on this list. Our process relies entirely on aggregating public listing data and measuring digital visibility to help you understand which contractors have established a verifiable footprint in the San Francisco market.