Calling an electrician doesn't have to be stressful, and with Oscar's Electric, it isn't. We handle electrical repairs, panel upgrades, wiring, lighting, and everything in between for homeowners, landlords, property managers, and businesses across Orem and Utah County. We put qualified electricians for every job, whether you're dealing with a tripped breaker at midnight or planning a full-service upgrade before a remodel. We're available every day from 5:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and same-day service is often available when you need it fast. Local electricians. Safe wiring. Honest quotes. Call (385) 452-6995 for a quote.
Don't let a small wiring issue turn into a fire risk, because what starts as a flickering light or a dead outlet can point to something more serious underneath. We diagnose before we repair. That means tracing the actual source of the problem rather than swapping parts and hoping for the best. Common calls we handle include dead outlets, breakers that won't stay reset, burning smells near receptacles, sparking switches, no power in a room, and circuits that overload under normal use.
Orem has a real mix of housing stock, and older homes in the area often carry wiring that was never meant to handle today's electrical loads. Knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum branch circuits, and aging fuse boxes all show up in houses across the city. We know what to look for, and we do electrical work done to the standard the next inspection expects. Reach out and we'll get it diagnosed.
The panel is where everything starts, and when it can't keep up with demand, problems follow. We handle full panel replacements, 200-amp service upgrades, fuse-box-to-breaker-panel conversions, subpanel installation, and load calculations to make sure the new setup handles what you're actually running.
Permit work is part of the job. Licensed electricians pull the permits, do the work to code, and see it through inspection. If you're adding circuits, upgrading a service entrance, or replacing a meter base, we coordinate that process from start to finish. Arc-fault and ground-fault breakers go in where code requires them, and we don't cut corners on the parts that matter. Reach out and an electrician will follow up.
Standard outlets, GFCI outlets for kitchens and bathrooms, AFCI-protected circuits, weatherproof outdoor receptacles, USB outlets, dimmer switches, and three-way switch wiring are all everyday work for us. If you need more outlets in a room, a switch moved, or a circuit run to a new location, we handle it cleanly and correctly.
Dedicated circuits matter more than most people realize. Dryers, electric ranges, garage workshops, and the electrical supply side of air conditioning units all need circuits sized for the load they carry. Running a heavy appliance on a shared circuit causes trips, wear, and risk over time. We size and install dedicated circuits to match what the equipment actually draws.
For older homes, we also handle whole-home rewiring, knob-and-tube replacement, and aluminum wiring remediation. Electrical work here gets handled by people who answer to this community. We'll have your outlets working again in no time.
From older homes to new commercial builds, lighting shapes how a space feels and functions. We install recessed lighting, under-cabinet lighting, pendant fixtures, chandeliers, ceiling fans, and any fixture that needs proper wiring to work safely. Ceiling fan installation includes the wiring, the box, and the switch, done right the first time.
Outside, we wire security lighting, motion sensor lights, landscape lighting, deck lighting, and driveway fixtures. For small businesses, offices, and retail spaces, we handle commercial lighting installation including LED retrofits and task lighting for workspaces. If a fixture is old, flickering, or just wrong for the space, we can replace it or run new wiring to support something better. Reach out and we'll get it diagnosed.
Your home deserves wiring that's safe and up to code, and that applies whether you're charging a vehicle or protecting everything plugged into your walls. Level 2 EV charger installation starts with a panel assessment. We confirm the panel has the capacity, run a dedicated 240-volt circuit to the garage or driveway, and install the outlet or hardwired charger to manufacturer and code requirements. If the panel needs an upgrade first, we handle that as part of the same project.
Whole-home surge protection works at the panel level, catching voltage spikes before they reach your appliances, electronics, and wiring. A single surge event can damage HVAC controls, smart home devices, refrigerators, and anything else plugged into your home. We install surge protection devices that meet code-compliant wiring standards and give your home a real layer of defense. Reach out and an electrician will follow up.
Utah County winters are hard on homes and harder on electrical systems. Extended cold snaps, ice storms, and wind events knock out power for hours at a time, freeze unprotected pipes, and push panels to their limits running electric heat. The three services below address those realities directly.
When the grid goes down in the middle of a Utah County ice storm, a properly installed generator keeps the lights on, the heat running, and the refrigerator cold. We handle the electrical side of generator installation: transfer switch wiring, generator circuits, and the panel connections that let a standby or portable generator feed your home or business safely.
A transfer switch is not optional. Without one, backfeeding power into the grid is a serious hazard for utility workers and your own equipment. We wire transfer switches to code so the generator runs what it needs to run without putting anyone at risk. Reach out and we'll get it scheduled.
Orem's older housing stock was built when a 100-amp service was plenty. It isn't anymore. EV chargers, home offices, electric dryers, and modern appliances stack up fast, and a panel that can't carry the load trips breakers, causes wear, and limits what you can add. We upgrade panels to 200-amp service, replace fuse boxes with modern breaker panels, add subpanels for garages and outbuildings, and run load calculations to make sure the new setup is sized for how you actually live.
If you're planning a remodel, adding an EV charger, or just noticing that your breakers trip more than they should, a panel assessment is a smart first step. We'll have your outlets working again in no time.
Frozen pipes are a routine winter risk in Orem, and heat tape is one of the most common ways to protect exposed plumbing in garages, crawl spaces, and exterior walls. The problem is that heat tape on an improperly wired or overloaded circuit is a genuine fire hazard. It needs a dedicated circuit, GFCI protection, and wiring that meets code for the load it carries.
We handle the electrical side of heat tape installation from start to finish: the dedicated circuit, the GFCI-protected outlet, and the connections that keep the system running safely through the coldest nights. We protect your floors and finishes while we work, and we leave the space clean when the job is done. Reach out and an electrician will follow up.
The homes and wiring in this area have their own quirks, and so do the commercial buildings. We work with small businesses, offices, retail spaces, restaurants, and warehouses on everything from new outlet installation to full commercial buildouts. Three-phase wiring, emergency lighting circuits, exit sign wiring, and commercial lighting installation are all part of what we do.
Landlords and property managers across Utah County call us for rental property inspections, code-violation remediation, and electrical work between tenants. Multi-unit buildings, duplexes, and apartment complexes have their own compliance requirements, and we handle permit work and inspection coordination so the property stays current. Pre-sale and insurance inspections are available as well. Reach out and we'll get it diagnosed.
A home electrical inspection covers the panel, the wiring, the grounding and bonding, GFCI and AFCI protection, and anything else that could be a safety or code issue. We conduct pre-purchase inspections for buyers who want to know what they're getting into, rental property inspections for landlords managing compliance, and insurance inspections when a carrier requires documentation.
When an inspection turns up problems, we handle the remediation. That includes bringing older wiring up to current code, adding GFCI protection where it's missing, hard-wiring smoke detectors, and wiring bathroom exhaust fans that were never properly connected. Permit work is part of the process when the job requires it. We'll have your outlets working again in no time.
We serve Orem and the communities throughout Utah County, including Provo, Lindon, Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Springville, Spanish Fork, Payson, and Mapleton. If you're in the area and need an electrician, we cover it. Call (385) 452-6995 to confirm service at your address.
Calling an electrician doesn't have to be stressful, and getting a price shouldn't be either. When you call, you get the rate before anything is scheduled. You'll know what the job covers and what it costs before we set a time. Same-day service is often available, and we're open every day from 5:00 AM to 8:30 PM. Reach out and an electrician will follow up.
The electrician arrives, reviews what was described on the call, and inspects the affected area before any work begins. If the diagnosis confirms the original scope, work starts. If something changes the picture, you are told before the job proceeds. At the end of the visit, the electrician walks you through what was done and what, if anything, needs follow-up.
We start at the symptom and work back to the source. That might mean testing outlets on the same circuit, checking the breaker, inspecting the wiring at the box, or using a circuit tracer for harder-to-find faults. The goal is to find the actual cause rather than replace parts until the problem goes away.
A burning smell near an outlet or panel is a sign that something is overheating, arcing, or failing in a way that creates a real fire risk. It is not a problem to wait on. Call (385) 452-6995 and we will get someone out to diagnose it. In the meantime, if the smell is strong or accompanied by discoloration or sparking, turning off the circuit at the breaker is a reasonable precaution.
Discoloration around the face of the outlet, a warm or hot cover plate, a burning smell, sparking when you plug something in, or an outlet that no longer holds a plug securely are all signs the receptacle itself needs to be replaced. A GFCI outlet that trips immediately after being reset may also have a wiring fault behind it rather than a simple trip.
A full rewire is typically needed when the existing wiring is knob-and-tube, deteriorated aluminum branch circuits, or cloth-insulated wiring that has become brittle over time. A partial rewire makes sense when only certain areas of the home are being updated or when a remodel opens walls that allow new wiring to be run cleanly. We assess what is there and explain the options before any work is quoted.
Knob-and-tube wiring was not designed for modern electrical loads and lacks a ground conductor, which means it does not meet current code for most applications. It also cannot be covered with insulation without creating a heat buildup risk. Whether it needs to be replaced right away depends on its condition and how the home is being used. We assess it and give you a clear picture of what the risks are and what remediation involves.
Aluminum wiring in branch circuits requires specific handling because it behaves differently from copper at connections, and improper connections are a known fire risk. The standard remediation involves either replacing the affected circuits or installing approved CO/ALR devices and anti-oxidant compound at every connection point. We assess the extent of the aluminum wiring and explain the options before any work is quoted.
That depends on the panel's current capacity and how much of that capacity is already in use. A Level 2 EV charger requires a dedicated 240-volt circuit, and if the panel does not have the headroom to support it, an upgrade is part of the conversation before the charger goes in. We start with a panel assessment and give you a clear answer before any work is scheduled.
Older homes in Utah County were wired for a fraction of the electrical load a modern household carries. Panels sized for 60 or 100 amps, circuits shared among too many outlets, and no dedicated circuits for major appliances all contribute to the problem. The fix depends on the specifics, but it usually involves a panel upgrade, added circuits, or both.
An undersized or deteriorating panel limits what circuits can carry, causes repeated breaker trips, and can create conditions where wiring runs hotter than it should. Older fuse boxes also lack the arc-fault and ground-fault protection that modern breaker panels provide. Replacing an aging panel addresses the capacity problem and brings the system up to current safety standards.
We start with a call to go over the scope and give you a rate. For larger jobs like a panel upgrade or rewire, that may involve a site visit to assess what is there before the final scope is confirmed. Permit work is part of the process when the job requires it, and we coordinate that from start to finish.
Oscar's Electric handles repairs, panel upgrades, wiring, lighting, EV charger installation, generator hookups, and everything in between for homes and businesses across Orem and Utah County. Book today. Wired tomorrow. Done by the weekend. Call (385) 452-6995 to get a quote or schedule service. We're available every day from 5:00 AM to 8:30 PM.
We handle the full range of electrical work for homes and businesses across Orem and Utah County, from a tripped breaker or dead outlet to a full panel upgrade or generator hookup. The table below breaks down what each service covers, who it fits best, and what is worth knowing before you call. Same-day service is often available, and we are open every day from 5:00 AM to 8:30 PM. Call (385) 452-6995 to get a quote on any of the services listed here.
| Type of Work | Scope of Work | When You Need It | Things to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backup Generator Installation |
| Homeowners and businesses in Utah County who need power during winter outages | A transfer switch is required. Without one, backfeeding power into the grid is a serious hazard for utility workers and your own equipment. |
| Whole-Home Surge Protection |
| Homes with smart devices, home offices, or expensive appliances worth protecting | A single surge event can damage refrigerators, HVAC controls, and anything else plugged in. Panel-level protection catches spikes before they reach your devices. |
| Heat Tape Installation |
| Orem homes with exposed pipes in garages, crawl spaces, or exterior walls | Heat tape on an improperly wired or overloaded circuit is a genuine fire hazard. The electrical side has to be done right. |
| Outlet & Switch Installation |
| Homeowners adding outlets, upgrading kitchens or baths, or replacing worn receptacles | GFCI protection is required by code in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor areas. We install to current code on every job. |
| Breaker & Fuse Repair |
| Homes with frequently tripping breakers or older fuse-based panels | A breaker that trips repeatedly under normal load is a symptom, not just an annoyance. We find out what is causing it. |
| Dedicated Appliance Circuits |
| Anyone adding a major appliance or workshop equipment that needs its own circuit | Running a heavy appliance on a shared circuit causes repeated trips and wears out wiring faster than it should. |
| Electrical Repairs & Troubleshooting |
| Any homeowner or business with an unexplained electrical problem | We diagnose before we repair, tracing the actual source rather than swapping parts at random. |
| Ceiling Fan Installation |
| Bedrooms, living rooms, and covered outdoor spaces | Ceiling fans require a rated electrical box. We confirm the box is correct before the fan goes up. |
| Electrical Safety Inspections |
| Buyers, landlords, property managers, and anyone whose carrier requires documentation | When an inspection turns up problems, we handle the remediation as well. Permit work is part of the process when the job requires it. |
| Wiring & Circuit Installation |
| Older homes with outdated wiring, remodels that open walls, and any project adding new circuits | Knob-and-tube and deteriorated aluminum branch circuits do not meet current code and carry real safety risks. We assess and explain the options before quoting. |
| Electrical Panel & Service Upgrades |
| Older homes being remodeled, homes adding EV chargers, or any property where breakers trip too often | Licensed electricians pull the permits, do the work to code, and see it through inspection. Permit work is part of the job. |
| Lighting Installation |
| Homeowners updating interior or exterior lighting, and businesses upgrading to efficient fixtures | We run new wiring where needed rather than just swapping fixtures, so the result is safe and up to code. |
What causes breakers to trip repeatedly under normal use?
Repeated tripping usually means a circuit is carrying more load than it was sized for, a breaker is worn and no longer holding its rated capacity, or there is a wiring fault somewhere on the circuit. Older homes in Orem often have panels and circuits that were sized for a fraction of what a modern household runs. We trace the actual cause before recommending a fix, whether that is a breaker replacement, a dedicated circuit, or a panel upgrade.
Is the electrical work permitted and inspected?
For jobs that require a permit, licensed electricians pull the permits, complete the work to code, and see it through inspection. That includes panel upgrades, service entrances, new circuits, and rewiring projects. We coordinate the permit process from start to finish so you are not managing that separately.
What do flickering or dimming lights usually indicate?
Occasional flickering when a large appliance starts up is normal and usually just a voltage dip on the circuit. Persistent flickering, flickering that affects multiple rooms, or lights that dim and stay dim are different. Those can point to a loose connection, an overloaded circuit, a failing breaker, or a service entrance issue. It is worth having it looked at rather than assuming it will resolve on its own.
Work Performed by Licensed Electricians
Every job is handled by licensed electricians who know the code requirements for Utah County. Permit work, inspection coordination, and code-compliant installation are part of how we work, not extras.
What is the risk of an outlet or panel that feels warm or makes a buzzing sound?
Warmth at an outlet cover or a buzzing sound from a panel or receptacle is a sign that something is overheating or arcing. Both are conditions that can lead to a fire if left alone. Turn off the circuit at the breaker if the warmth is significant or accompanied by discoloration, and call us to have it diagnosed. This is not a situation to wait on.
How do I know if my home is ready to handle added electrical load?
The starting point is a panel assessment. We look at the current panel capacity, how much of that capacity is already committed to existing circuits, and what the new load will actually draw. If the panel has headroom, we run the circuit. If it does not, a panel upgrade is part of the conversation before anything else is added. We give you a clear answer before any work is scheduled.
Do I need to be home while the electrical work is being done?
For most jobs, yes. We need access to the panel, the affected areas, and any spaces where wiring needs to run. For rental properties, a property manager or authorized contact can be present in place of the owner. We confirm access requirements when the appointment is set so you know exactly what to expect on the day of the visit.
Experienced With Older and Newer Homes
Orem's housing stock ranges from mid-century homes with aging wiring to newer construction with modern panels. We know what to look for in both, and we explain what we find before any work begins.
How does surge protection at the panel level differ from a power strip?
A power strip protects only the devices plugged into it, and most strip-level surge protection is rated for relatively small voltage spikes. A panel-level surge protection device sits at the service entrance and intercepts large spikes before they reach any circuit in the home. It covers everything connected to your electrical system, not just what is plugged into a single strip. For homes with smart devices, medical equipment, or expensive appliances, panel-level protection is the more complete answer.
What is involved in adding circuits for a garage workshop or heavy appliance?
We start with the panel to confirm it has the capacity to support the new circuit. Then we run the appropriately sized wire from the panel to the location, install the outlet or connection point, and label the new breaker. For workshops with multiple tools running at once, we size the circuit for the actual combined load rather than the minimum. If the panel is already at capacity, a subpanel in the garage is often the right solution.
Scope Agreed Before the Panel Is Opened
You get the rate and the scope before we start. If something changes the picture once we are on site, we tell you before the job proceeds.
When is a DIY electrical fix appropriate, and when should I call an electrician?
Replacing a light bulb or resetting a tripped breaker is within most homeowners' reach. Beyond that, the risk of a mistake increases quickly. Replacing an outlet, adding a circuit, working inside a panel, or troubleshooting a wiring fault all involve live conductors and connections that need to be done correctly to be safe. Code also requires permitted work to be done by licensed electricians in most jurisdictions. If you are uncertain, a call to describe the situation costs nothing and gives you a clear answer on whether it is something we need to handle.
What is a transfer switch, and why is it required for generator hookups?
A transfer switch is the device that isolates your home's electrical system from the utility grid before the generator feeds power into your circuits. Without one, power from your generator can backfeed into the utility lines, which is a serious hazard for utility workers and can damage your own equipment when grid power is restored. It is not optional. We wire transfer switches to code as part of every generator hookup.
How long does a panel upgrade typically take?
Most panel upgrades are completed in a single day. The timeline depends on the scope: a straight panel replacement at the same amperage is faster than a full service upgrade that involves the meter base or service entrance. We confirm the expected timeline when the job is scoped, before anything is scheduled.
Call (385) 452-6995 to talk through any of these services, get a quote, or schedule an appointment. We are available every day from 5:00 AM to 8:30 PM.
(385) 452-6995