Residential electrical upgrades are a big part of the work we do in Houston homes. Sometimes a homeowner is getting ready to remodel the kitchen or add another room. Other times, they’ve purchased an older house and want to update the electrical system before moving in.
We also get calls when someone wants to install new equipment and discovers the existing electrical service may not be able to handle it.
At Illuminations Lighting Design, we’ve been doing electrical work in Houston since 1985. We’ve worked in older homes with electrical systems that haven’t changed much in decades, along with newer properties that have a surprising amount of equipment connected to them.
And we’ve learned that you can’t make too many assumptions about a home’s electrical system just by looking at its age or size.
A house built 60 years ago may have had its electrical panel and wiring updated several times. Another home that’s only 20 years old could need improvements because the owners have added equipment that wasn’t part of the original electrical plan.
We look at what’s there, what the homeowner wants to do, and what changes the electrical system actually needs.
Remodeling Usually Means Taking Another Look at the Electrical System
A kitchen remodel is a good example of how electrical work becomes part of a larger project.
Homeowners may be replacing their cabinets, changing the kitchen layout, and installing new appliances. They may also want recessed lighting, under-cabinet lights, additional outlets, or separate controls for different areas.
That’s quite a bit of electrical work.
Before we start making changes, we’ll look at the existing circuits and determine what’s needed for the new equipment.
A larger refrigerator, electric cooking equipment, or additional kitchen appliances can change the electrical requirements. Some equipment needs dedicated circuits, and the wiring has to meet the requirements for the appliances being installed.
Lighting is another consideration.
We’ve worked with homeowners who want to change the way a room is lit without tearing apart more of the house than necessary. Sometimes the existing wiring gives us options. Other times, additional circuits or changes to the switches are needed.
We’d rather identify those requirements while the remodel is being planned.
It’s frustrating for homeowners to reach the installation stage and discover that the electrical work wasn’t accounted for in the original project.
We work with homeowners, builders, and remodeling contractors to determine what electrical changes are needed and how they’ll fit into the rest of the construction.
An Older Electrical Panel Doesn’t Always Need Replacing
We get calls from homeowners who have been told their electrical panel is old and should be replaced.
Sometimes that’s the right recommendation. But we want to look at the equipment before making that decision.
There are several things we consider.
We’ll check the condition of the panel, its available capacity, the circuits connected to it, and whether the equipment is suitable for the electrical work the homeowner wants done.
If the panel has damage, unsafe conditions, or equipment that no longer meets the installation requirements, we’ll explain what we’ve found.
We also look at what the homeowner is planning.
Someone adding a large electrical appliance or a standby generator may need changes to the electrical service. Another homeowner may only need a new circuit installed for a relatively small addition.
Those aren’t necessarily the same job.
We’ve worked on electrical systems in Houston’s older neighborhoods, including the Heights, where houses have often undergone several renovations.
In some homes, the original electrical equipment has been replaced. In others, there may be older wiring or modifications completed by previous owners.
We’ll evaluate the existing setup before recommending the work.
If a panel upgrade is needed, we can handle it. We also explain why we’re recommending the upgrade and what it will accomplish.
Homeowners should know what they’re paying for, especially when the work involves a substantial change to their electrical system.
Adding New Equipment Can Change What Your Home Needs
Homes use electricity differently than they did 30 or 40 years ago.
It’s common to see properties with multiple air conditioning systems, extensive interior and exterior lighting, home offices, security equipment, and large kitchen appliances.
We also install electrical equipment for EV chargers, standby generators, lighting controls, and home automation systems.
Those additions can affect the electrical requirements of the house.
If you’re planning to install an EV charger, for example, we’ll need to look at the electrical service and determine whether there’s enough available capacity for the charger you’re considering.
The same applies to certain home additions and major appliance changes.
A standby generator involves its own electrical requirements, including the generator connection and automatic transfer switch.
We handle these installations, so we’re familiar with the electrical work that goes along with them.
Sometimes the existing panel and service can accommodate the additional equipment. Sometimes changes are required.
We’ll calculate the electrical load and review the available capacity before making our recommendation.
The point is to get the electrical work planned correctly before the new equipment arrives.
We Also Handle the Electrical Details That Come With Lighting Upgrades
A lot of our electrical projects involve lighting.
That’s probably no surprise, considering how long we’ve been designing and installing lighting systems in Houston.
But adding or changing lighting can involve more electrical work than people expect.
We’ve worked in homes where the owner wanted recessed lighting added to a finished ceiling, new lighting controls installed, or separate switching for fixtures that were originally connected to the same circuit.
Sometimes the homeowner has already talked to another contractor and has been told that the job will require substantial ceiling repairs.
That isn’t always the case.
One of our customers, Bryn Larsen, had purchased a builder’s spec home and wanted better lighting for her artwork. The builder had told her that making certain changes would involve opening the ceiling and creating a considerable expense.
When we looked at the installation, we found a way to make the changes without the ceiling repairs she’d been expecting.
We installed the lighting and made the control improvements she wanted.
Bryn later shared a review about how pleased she was with the work and the lack of disruption.
That doesn’t mean every electrical installation can be completed without opening a wall or ceiling. Some projects require additional access, especially when new wiring has to be installed.
But we’ll look at the available options before deciding how to approach the job.
Experience makes a difference when you’re working in a finished home and trying to avoid unnecessary repairs.
Some Electrical Problems Take More Than a Quick Repair
We’ve also been called to projects where another electrician couldn’t get the equipment working properly.
One customer in Spring, Sera Johnson, had a large custom glass chandelier suspended from an electric lift in a two-story entryway.
The lift had been installed incorrectly during construction, and the chandelier wouldn’t operate as intended.
Another electrician had already looked at the equipment but couldn’t resolve the problem.
When our team inspected the installation, we identified problems with the way the lift had been installed in the attic.
It was a complicated job because the chandelier was heavy, the ceiling was about 25 feet high, and the equipment had to be repaired without damaging the fixture.
Our crew corrected the installation, including the pulley arrangement, and got the lift operating properly.
Sera later shared a detailed testimonial about the work and how carefully our electricians handled her chandelier.
We appreciate reviews like that because they show a side of electrical contracting homeowners don’t always see.
Not every job is a straightforward outlet replacement or lighting installation. Sometimes we have to work through an existing problem, figure out what was done incorrectly, and determine how to correct it safely.
That’s part of the work our electricians do.
We Take Care When Working in Finished Homes
A lot of our customers have invested heavily in their homes.
They may have custom flooring, expensive furniture, detailed trim work, or recently completed renovations.
We know they’re concerned about what happens when electricians need to work around those finished areas.
We take that seriously.
One customer, Mark Langston, commented that our electricians arrived on time, carefully covered the surrounding areas, and kept him and his wife informed throughout their lighting project.
Another homeowner, Thomas Higdon, mentioned receiving a detailed estimate and appreciated how carefully our electricians prepared the work area before installation.
Those are the things we want customers to experience when they hire us.
We’ll explain what electrical work needs to be done and discuss any expected interruption or access requirements.
If we need to turn off power to part of the house, we’ll coordinate that with the homeowner. If a wall or ceiling needs to be opened to run wiring, we’ll explain why.
We also understand that people don’t want an electrical contractor working in their house any longer than necessary.
Planning the job properly helps us limit interruptions and avoid unnecessary work.
We’ve been doing residential electrical work for more than four decades, and we know that taking care of the customer’s property is part of doing the job well.
We Handle Electrical Upgrades Throughout the Houston Area
Our electricians work in Houston and surrounding communities, including River Oaks, Memorial, Bellaire, West University Place, the Memorial Villages, and other nearby neighborhoods.
We work on older homes, custom residences, and properties undergoing renovations.
Some homeowners need an electrical panel upgrade. Others are adding new circuits, improving their lighting, installing equipment, or correcting problems with the existing electrical system.
We also handle larger electrical installations involving lighting controls, home automation, and standby generators.
If you’re working with a builder or interior designer, we can coordinate the electrical requirements with the rest of the project.
And if you’re simply trying to determine what your home’s electrical system needs, we can take a look and explain our recommendations.
Questions About Our Residential Electrical Services
Can you upgrade the electrical panel in an older Houston home?
Yes. We inspect existing electrical panels and perform upgrades when they’re needed. We’ll review the equipment, available capacity, and the electrical work you’re planning before recommending changes.
Do you handle electrical work during remodeling projects?
Yes. We work with homeowners, builders, and remodeling contractors on electrical installations for kitchens, bathrooms, room additions, and larger renovations. That includes wiring, outlets, lighting, switches, and other electrical improvements.
Can you add circuits for new equipment?
Yes. We install electrical circuits for equipment such as EV chargers, appliances, lighting systems, and other residential electrical needs. We’ll check the available electrical capacity before planning the installation.
Can you correct electrical work that another contractor installed?
We can inspect existing electrical installations, diagnose problems, and recommend appropriate repairs or corrections. Our electricians have experience working on complicated residential electrical systems and specialty equipment.
Let’s Talk About the Electrical Work Your Home Needs
If you’re planning a remodel, adding new equipment, or considering an electrical panel upgrade, give us a call.
We’ll look at the existing electrical system, discuss what you’re planning, and explain the work we recommend.
At Illuminations Lighting Design, we’ve been handling electrical projects for Houston homeowners since 1985. Our licensed electricians work on everything from residential wiring and electrical upgrades to specialized lighting and standby generator installations.
Call us at 713-863-1133 to schedule an electrical consultation or request an estimate.
