Best Electrician in Chicago, IL
Finding the best electrician in Chicago starts with matching the company to the job, not just choosing the highest star rating. A panel upgrade, an urgent repair, and a new light fixture call for different experience and scheduling. Use the rankings above to build a shortlist, then compare scope, credentials, and written estimates before booking.
How we picked the best electrician in Chicago
The BizzFactor Score combines Google ratings, review volume and recency, customer sentiment, years in business, and verified credentials. In plain terms, it looks beyond stars to consider how much feedback a business has, how recent that feedback is, and what customers describe. It also considers operating history and credentials where verification is available.
Arnold Electrical Services leads this list with a BizzFactor Score of 83.15, followed by A to Z Electric Co. at 76.35 and Highlights Chicago Inc at 75.6. These scores help organize the comparison, but they do not make every company equally suited to your project. Look at the actual service list before deciding whom to contact.
License and insurance verification are not confirmed for any business listed here. That is not the same as saying a company lacks either; it means you should request current documentation yourself. BBB ratings are another comparison point, not a substitute for those checks: A to Z Electric Co. and T&D Electrical have A+ ratings, while Highlights Chicago Inc has a B.
Our top picks at a glance
Arnold Electrical Services has a Google rating of 4.8 stars from 975 reviews and 18 years in business. Its review summary highlights quick electrical fixes, clear explanations, fair quotes, punctuality, and cleanup. However, its listed services concern VPN troubleshooting, browser assistance, access blocks, and security email support, so confirm its electrical scope before booking.
A to Z Electric Co. holds 4.8 stars from 100 Google reviews and has 38 years in business. Its review summary emphasizes arriving when promised, fixing problems quickly, and quoting fair prices without upselling. Listed services include 24/7 emergency electrical work, outlets and switches, rewiring and upgrades, lighting, and underground power lines.
Highlights Chicago Inc has 4.9 stars from 457 Google reviews and 23 years in business. Its review summary points to clean installations, fair pricing, on-time arrivals, and clear explanations. Residential and commercial services, 24/7 emergency work, green energy solutions, and electrical system upgrades appear on its service list.
Sims & Sons Electric and Plumbing has 4.9 stars from 386 Google reviews and 19 years in business. Its review summary highlights quick panel upgrades and troubleshooting, punctual arrivals, explanations, and charges that match the quote. Its listed electrical services cover residential and commercial work, installations, repairs, and 24/7 emergencies.
STS Electric has 4.7 stars from 195 Google reviews and 44 years in business. Its review summary emphasizes quick fixes, clear explanations, fair pricing, and reliable arrival times. It lists emergency electrical service, residential and commercial solutions, lighting installation, and panel upgrades; confirm emergency availability rather than assuming around-the-clock coverage.
What to look for when hiring
Start with experience that matches the task. T&D Electrical lists EV charger installation and home electrical inspections, while SAFE Electrical Service lists whole-home rewiring, panel upgrades, and smart home device setup. Loboz Electrical also lists inspections and smart home installation, giving you other options when those services matter more than overall rank.
Ask for a written scope that identifies the problem, proposed work, materials, and exclusions. For panel changes, rewiring, or a new circuit, ask whether the estimate covers capacity assessment, permits, inspections, and any necessary follow-up. Clarify who handles wall repairs or other restoration if access requires opening finished surfaces.
Check current licensing and insurance documentation before approving work. Ask who will perform the job and whether that person has experience with your type of property and electrical system. Review summaries can help you assess communication and reliability, but they cannot establish that a particular installation is appropriate or compliant.
Questions to ask before you book
Can you show me current licensing and insurance documentation, and identify who will do the work? Get those details before scheduling a substantial project, especially since verification is not confirmed in these listings.
Have you handled this specific repair or installation, and what will you check first? For an EV charger, panel upgrade, or rewiring project, ask how the electrician will determine whether the existing system can support the proposed work.
What does the written estimate include, and how will you handle unexpected findings? Ask about labor, materials, diagnostic charges, cleanup, exclusions, and whether additional work requires your approval before it begins.
Does this job require permits or inspections, and who will arrange them? Ask whether related costs and scheduling are included in the proposal so responsibilities are clear before work starts.
When can you arrive, how long should the work take, and will power need to be shut off? For an urgent call, also confirm actual availability, any emergency charges, and what follow-up support applies if the problem returns.
Red flags to avoid
Be cautious if a contractor refuses to discuss credentials, avoids a written scope, or pressures you to approve unrelated upgrades without explaining the need. A useful recommendation should connect the proposed work to a finding or your stated goal. Ask for that explanation before accepting a larger project.
Watch for vague quotes that leave materials, diagnostic work, or possible additional charges unexplained. An estimate may change when hidden conditions are discovered, but the approval process should be clear upfront. Do not treat review references to fair pricing as a guarantee of your final bill.
Resolve mismatches between a company's listed services and the work you need before booking. Also question promises to bypass required permits or inspections, or to finish major work without first assessing the system. Choose an electrician who explains both the plan and its limits.