How Much Does It Cost to Restore Power to a House?

Losing power in part or all of your home can be stressful, especially when you don’t know what caused it. This is one of the higher average service costs because a loss of power can have many possible causes, and finding the source of the problem may require significant troubleshooting.

Thomas Edison Electric clients have paid an average of approximately $650 to $1,600 for service involving no power or partial power based on six months of recent service data.

The actual price depends heavily on what caused the outage. A tripped breaker or GFCI may have a relatively straightforward explanation. A damaged circuit, service problem, wiring failure, or issue with the electrical equipment supplying the home can require substantially more work.

Partial power loss can happen for several reasons. A circuit breaker may have tripped. A GFCI receptacle may also have interrupted power to downstream outlets.

In other cases, the problem can be more extensive. A damaged circuit, loose connection, electrical service problem, or damaged wiring can affect power to part of a home.

If resetting a breaker or GFCI does not restore power, or the breaker immediately trips again, further troubleshooting is needed.

Homes are divided into multiple electrical circuits. Different areas and appliances may receive power from different circuits. That means a problem affecting one circuit can leave some rooms functioning normally while other rooms have no electricity. The pattern of the outage can help an electrician identify where the problem may be located.

If your neighbors have power but your home does not, or only part of your home has lost power, first determine whether the issue is with the utility or your home's electrical system.

If the utility confirms that service to your property is available, an electrician can investigate the home's electrical system. You should also seek professional help if breakers repeatedly trip, you notice burning smells or heat, you see sparks, or you cannot safely identify the cause of the outage.

Electrical troubleshooting is different from replacing a single component. An electrician may need to test circuits, identify where power is being lost, locate damaged wiring or connections, and determine why the failure occurred.

If the problem involves the electrical service, service entrance, panel, or wiring, additional repairs may be required. That is why the average cost for no-power and partial-power service is higher than for some simpler electrical repairs.

The approximately $650 to $1,600 average provided in this article is based on recent Thomas Edison Electric service data and is intended as a general budgeting reference.

Because no-power calls can have very different causes, the most useful first step is determining exactly where the electrical problem is occurring. Thomas Edison Electric can diagnose the issue and recommend the appropriate repair. Give us a call today!