Call 911 for smoke, fire or a person who has been shocked. Call an electrician right away for a burning smell, a hot outlet or panel, sparks, or buzzing. Most other problems, like one dead outlet or a breaker that trips once, can safely wait. A good electrician will tell you which on the phone.
Most calls are not emergencies
Many calls that feel urgent turn out to be safe to leave until a regular day. A tripped GFCI, a single dead outlet, or a breaker that tripped once and reset fine are common examples. You should not have to pay after-hours rates to find that out.
We will tell you honestly on the phone whether it can wait. If it can, we will say so, and you can book a regular visit at the normal rate. If it cannot, we will tell you that just as plainly.
Call 911 first
Some situations are for the fire department before anyone else.
Smoke or flames from an outlet, switch, panel, appliance or wall
Someone has been shocked and is hurt, or is still in contact with a power source. Do not touch them.
A downed power line. Stay far away and keep others away.
Water near electrical equipment where people could be at risk
Call an electrician now
These signs point to heat or arcing inside the system. Turn off the breaker for that circuit if you can reach the panel safely, stop using it, and call.
A burning or hot plastic smell from an outlet, switch or the panel
An outlet, switch plate or the panel that feels warm or hot
Sparks, crackling or buzzing
Scorch marks or melted plastic
A breaker that trips again right after you reset it
Part of the house has power and part does not, with no tripped breaker
It can usually wait
If none of the warning signs above are present, these can normally wait for a regular appointment.
One outlet that stopped working
A GFCI that tripped and reset normally
A breaker that tripped once and has stayed on
A light fixture or ceiling fan that stopped working
Planning for a panel upgrade, EV charger or new circuit
Power out? Check this first
If the whole house is dark, look outside. If your neighbors are out too, it is likely a utility outage. Report it to your electric utility. If only your home is out, check the main breaker in your panel. If lights are dim, or half the house works, call the utility as well, since the problem can be on their side.
Safe steps while you wait
Unplug what was running on the affected circuit
Turn the breaker for that circuit off if you can reach the panel safely
Keep children and pets away from the area
Do not open outlets, switches or the panel
Use flashlights, not candles, in a dark house
If someone relies on powered medical equipment, plan for that first
What to tell the person who answers
A few details help us give you a straight answer. What did you notice: smell, heat, sound or no power? Which rooms or outlets? What was running when it happened? Did a breaker trip, and did it reset? Is anyone in the home who relies on medical equipment?
A real person, any hour
Call (602) 999-2770 at any hour and a live person answers. We offer same-day service. We will tell you whether it can wait, and you will hear the price before anyone drives out. Nights and weekends cost more, and the trip and diagnostic fee depends on distance. We tell you that up front, not on the bill.
Smoke, fire or a person who has been shocked: call 911 first. Then call us.
Common questions
Is a burning smell from an outlet an emergency?
Yes. Stop using the outlet, turn off its breaker if you can do so safely, and call an electrician right away. If you see smoke or fire, call 911.
Is a breaker that tripped once an emergency?
Usually not. Reset it once. If it stays on and there is no smell or heat, it can wait. If it trips again, call.
Do you charge more at night?
Yes, nights and weekends cost more. You hear the price before anyone drives out, and we will tell you if it can safely wait for regular hours.
