If you want a fast, reliable answer, start with Dr Electric, Swartz Electric, The WireNut Home Services, Front Range Electric, Berwick Electric, and Absolute Electrical Heating & Air. These are the names I hear most from homeowners in the area, and the ones I have seen come up again and again in public reviews. If you prefer starting with a vetted option, you can also look at trusted directories of electrical companies in Colorado Springs like this one: electrical companies in Colorado Springs. From there, match the job to the strengths of the company. A service call is one thing. A panel upgrade, EV charger, or full remodel is another.
Why this matters to a Minnesota reader
Maybe your kid moved to Colorado Springs for school or the military. Maybe you bought a short-term rental near Garden of the Gods. Or you are moving from Minnesota and want a short list that does not waste your time. The basics of electrical work travel with you. Code, permits, safety. Yet the local context in Colorado Springs can feel a bit different.
– Altitude and lightning are part of daily planning there. Surge protection is not a luxury.
– Pikes Peak Regional Building Department runs permitting in the metro. It is centralized and pretty strict, which I like.
– Many homes were built in the 70s-90s. Some 60s homes exist too. Aluminum branch wiring pops up in a small slice of those older homes.
– Basements are common, but sump pumps are less common than in Minnesota, so circuits get used differently.
Plan the job around local realities like lightning risk, wildfire seasons, and PPRBD inspections, not just what worked in Minnesota.
I am not saying your Minnesota know-how is wrong. I am saying adjust it a bit. You will save time and avoid rework.
The shortlist: reputable electricians in Colorado Springs
This is the list I would hand to a friend who wants a fair shot at a clean, code-compliant job. I tend to favor teams that answer quickly, explain scope in plain English, and work well with inspectors. You will notice I am not ranking them 1 through 6. It is better to match by job type and responsiveness.
Dr Electric (Dr Electric LLC)
Dr Electric is a local team that focuses on residential service and small projects. Think outlets that trip, breaker issues, light fixtures, bathroom fans, EV charger installs, partial rewires, and service panel changes. They are also a good starting point for quick troubleshooting. Scheduling is usually straightforward, and communication is simple. If you have a rental that needs fast turnover work, this can be a steady option.
– Good fit: service calls, EV chargers, small remodels, panel upgrades
– Style: practical, direct, local
– Extra: ask about whole-home surge protection and AFCI upgrades during the same visit
Swartz Electric
Well reviewed and known for residential work. They handle repairs, lighting design, panel changes, and remodel projects. I see their name when homeowners mention clean installs and solid follow-up. If you want tidy work and clear estimates, they are worth a call.
– Good fit: remodels, lighting, troubleshooting with a clean finish
– Style: detail focused
– Extra: request written scope line by line, which they tend to provide
The WireNut Home Services
A larger company with both electrical and HVAC. If you want one call for multiple trades, this is useful. Easy to reach, multiple technicians on staff, and weekend availability during busy seasons. Pricing might be a touch higher on small jobs, but availability can offset that.
– Good fit: bigger punch list, mixed trade needs, quick scheduling
– Style: large-team responsiveness
– Extra: bundle the electrical with a panel surge device or generator inlet when they are already on site
Front Range Electric
Local, service oriented, and friendly on the phone. Solid for repairs, outlets, breakers, and small upgrades. They also handle lighting swaps and code corrections after a home inspection report for a real estate deal.
– Good fit: inspection punch lists, light fixture replacements, repairs
– Style: responsive, practical
– Extra: ask about fixed pricing per task if you like certainty
Berwick Electric
An established name that works on commercial and larger projects, yet they take residential jobs too. If you are doing a more complex project, like a service upgrade with trenching or a small commercial fit-out, they have the depth.
– Good fit: larger or more complex scope, commercial, generators
– Style: seasoned, process heavy
– Extra: if you need stamped drawings or coordination with utility, they can manage it
Absolute Electrical Heating & Air
Regional company with a Colorado Springs presence. Good if you want a company that can handle electrical plus HVAC in one plan. For a heat pump plus panel upgrade, this single team approach can be clean.
– Good fit: panel upgrades for heat pumps or EVs, load calculations
– Style: integrated trade approach
– Extra: ask for a load calculation with every panel quote
Call three, get two written quotes, and judge them by clarity, not just price. Clear scope reduces change orders.
At a glance: quick comparison
| Company | Best for | Emergency | Residential | Commercial | EV chargers | Panel upgrades |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Electric | Service calls, EV, panels | Call to confirm | Yes | Light | Yes | Yes |
| Swartz Electric | Remodels, lighting, repairs | Call to confirm | Yes | Some | Yes | Yes |
| The WireNut | Multi-trade jobs, fast scheduling | Often | Yes | Some | Yes | Yes |
| Front Range Electric | Repairs, punch lists | Call to confirm | Yes | Light | Yes | Yes |
| Berwick Electric | Complex, commercial | Call to confirm | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Absolute Electrical | Electrical + HVAC | Often | Yes | Some | Yes | Yes |
I left off a few smaller shops that are fine too. There are more good electricians in Colorado Springs. This is a starting point, not a complete list.
What changes when you hire in Colorado Springs vs Minnesota
You might think electricity is electricity. Mostly true. Yet the context shifts.
– Lightning risk is higher along the Front Range. Surge protection makes sense in most homes.
– Altitude can affect certain equipment specs. Not a big deal for wiring, but it can show up in HVAC motors and generator ratings.
– PPRBD permits are centralized for most of the metro. The inspector will expect tidy bonding, labeling, and clear arc fault and ground fault protection where required.
Ask for whole-home surge protection during any panel work. It is a small add-on compared to what a strike or surge can cost you.
Permits and inspections: how it usually works in Colorado Springs
Pikes Peak Regional Building Department handles permits for most projects. Electricians know the drill.
– Your electrician pulls the permit.
– Work begins after the permit is issued.
– Rough inspections happen before drywall or final finishes.
– Final inspection clears the job for use.
– If utility service is involved, coordination with Colorado Springs Utilities or Mountain View Electric happens early.
This is not harder than Minnesota. It is just a different rhythm. Budget a few extra days for inspection windows during busy weeks.
Common home types and what to watch
I sometimes get asked, are there many 1950s houses with knob and tube in Colorado Springs? Rare. You will see 1960s and 1970s homes more often. Here is what tends to come up:
– Aluminum branch wiring in a slice of late 60s to early 70s homes. Solutions range from approved connectors at devices to rewiring branches. Let a licensed Colorado Springs electrician advise after opening a few boxes.
– Finished basements with add-on circuits. Sometimes mislabeled. A clean panel relabel is a quick win.
– GFCI and AFCI retrofit work in bedrooms and living areas that were finished before modern code cycles.
– Detached garages and sheds with undersized feeders. EV charging or woodworking gear tends to expose this fast.
– Solar tie-ins. If a prior owner added solar, the bus rating and breaker positions matter for any panel changes.
Projects a Minnesota homeowner will likely do in Colorado Springs
Here are the jobs I see the most. If you plan a move or own a rental, you will recognize these.
- EV charger circuit, usually 40A to 60A, NEMA 14-50 or hardwired
- Panel upgrade to 200A for heat pump or future loads
- Whole-home surge protection
- Lighting refresh, can lights, and exterior fixtures
- Kitchen and bath circuits during a remodel
- Hot tub or sauna circuit, which many Minnesotans like, me included
- Basement finish with egress, outlets, and low-voltage runs
Typical price ranges in Colorado Springs
These are plain ballpark figures for the city in 2025. Material costs and access can push them up or down. Get a written quote for your exact home.
| Project | Typical range | What can change price |
|---|---|---|
| EV charger circuit | $650 to $1,600 | Panel distance, wall type, charger type, load calc |
| Whole-home surge protector | $250 to $650 | Brand, panel space, line length |
| Panel upgrade 100A to 200A | $2,200 to $5,500 | Meter base, trenching, service mast, utility coordination |
| Basement finish wiring | $2,500 to $7,500 | Square footage, lighting count, dedicated circuits |
| Hot tub circuit | $900 to $2,000 | Distance, GFCI location, exterior trench |
| Kitchen small appliance circuits | $900 to $2,500 | Panel access, wall open vs finished |
| Aluminum branch remediation | $1,200 to $4,500+ | Number of devices, rewiring scope, access |
If a quote is far below these, do not celebrate yet. Make sure it includes permit, materials, and patching if they cut drywall. Low bids often skip something you still need.
How to vet a Colorado Springs electrician from Minnesota
When you are out of state, process matters more than charm. A clean system reduces missteps.
– Ask for license number and insurance. Verify with PPRBD lookup.
– Require a written scope with model numbers for devices and breakers.
– Confirm who pulls the permit and who handles inspection scheduling.
– Request daily photos or short videos, posted to a shared folder.
– Tie payments to milestones, not just dates.
– Save panel labels and load calc sheets in your own files.
I often ask for a 10 minute video call from the panel. The tech points the camera, names the main breaker size, shows any open spaces, and reads the label. You get clarity fast.
Questions to ask on your first call
Use these to qualify without wasting time.
- Do you pull permits with PPRBD for this scope?
- Can you provide a load calculation if we add an EV charger and consider a heat pump later?
- What surge protector brands do you install most often?
- How do you handle access if I am out of state, and how do you share updates?
- What is your typical lead time this month for panel changes?
- If an inspector requests a minor change, who covers that time?
Load calculations and permits should not be hard asks. If they wobble on those, pick another shop.
Red flags that deserve a pause
I am not trying to nitpick. These items raise my eyebrow.
– They ask you to pull the homeowner permit for work that is clearly contractor scope.
– No willingness to write down model numbers or include them in the quote.
– A flat refusal to do a load calculation while quoting an EV charger or heat pump panel upgrade.
– They suggest skipping surge protection in Colorado Springs. That is odd given local storms.
– They want full payment before inspection.
Green flags that make life easier
These are the small signals that you picked a pro.
– They know PPRBD scheduling windows and plan around them.
– They ask about your plans for future loads before sizing a panel.
– They label the panel clearly and provide a photo after the job.
– They recommend arc fault and ground fault protection where required, not just where you noticed it.
Matching the right company to your specific need
There is no single perfect pick for every job. Here is how I would decide, and yes, I could be a bit biased toward a responsive phone call.
– Fast service call to restore power to a room: Dr Electric, Front Range Electric, Swartz Electric
– EV charger with a neat surface conduit run: Dr Electric, Swartz Electric
– Full panel upgrade with coordination to add a heat pump later: Absolute Electrical, The WireNut, Berwick Electric
– Commercial unit buildout or generator: Berwick Electric
– Rental turnover with punch list items and photos for your files: Dr Electric, Front Range Electric
You can call two from the list and pick the one that explains scope more clearly. Price matters, but clarity reduces surprises.
What is different about lightning and surge protection in Colorado Springs
Colorado is active for lightning. You will hear stories. A whole-home surge protector at the panel helps guard sensitive electronics and newer appliances. I think of it like a seatbelt. You do not notice it until it saves you. Many electricians in Colorado Springs will offer a panel-mounted device. Ask if it is Type 2, the clamping voltage, and the warranty terms. It is a quick add-on during panel work.
Codes and best practices that matter
This part can get nerdy. I will keep it short.
– GFCI protection in kitchens, baths, garages, exterior, and certain basement areas.
– AFCI protection for most living spaces.
– Dedicated circuits for microwave, dishwasher, disposal, and often a separate one for the fridge in modern layouts.
– Proper bonding of metal water pipes if present.
– Clear labeling inside the panel with circuit map.
If any of that sounds fuzzy in a bid, ask the electrician to spell it out. They should be calm about it.
A small story from a Minnesota transplant
A couple from Duluth moved to Colorado Springs and bought a 1978 split level near Palmer Park. They wanted a 50A EV circuit, a sauna circuit, and better lighting in the basement. First quote said the panel was fine. Second quote included a load calculation that showed they were at the edge with the EV and sauna together. They picked the second electrician, upgraded to 200A, and added a surge protector during the panel swap. Six months later a storm rolled through, and a neighbor lost a fridge control board. Their house had no damage. Was it luck or the surge device? Hard to prove. Still, they slept well. I would too.
If you manage a project remotely from Minnesota
This is workable. I have done it for friends too. Here is a simple pattern.
– Share a short video of the panel and project area before the quote.
– Approve the written scope with device brands and breaker types named.
– Set milestones: permit pulled, rough passed, final passed, closeout photos saved.
– Have a lockbox or smart lock in place.
– Ask for a single point of contact who texts you at the end of each workday.
It is not fancy. It works.
Where solar and batteries fit
Colorado has plenty of sunny days. If you see solar on the roof or want to add it later, tell the electrician now. The bus rating, main breaker size, and backfeed rules matter. A common path is a 200A panel with space for a solar backfeed breaker and a plan for a battery later. If you are only starting with an EV and a heat pump, get the panel spec that keeps your options open.
Small but high-impact upgrades
Sometimes the best work is not dramatic.
– Replace old two-prong outlets and check grounding.
– Add tamper resistant outlets where kids play.
– Upgrade smoke and CO detectors to interconnected models.
– Add motion lights on the exterior, especially near alleys and side yards.
– Label the panel with a photo saved to your cloud folder.
These cost little and solve daily problems.
How long does work take in Colorado Springs
Season and permitting volume matter. Here is a rough idea.
– Service call: often same week
– EV circuit: 1 to 3 days from permit to final, once scheduled
– Panel upgrade: 1 to 2 weeks end to end, depending on utility coordination
– Basement rough wiring: within the remodel schedule, inspection in 1 to 2 days after request
– Hot tub circuit: a day or two, trenching adds time
If you are booking in late summer, plan for inspectors to be busy. Winter can be quicker, except around holidays.
Insurance and real estate notes
If you are buying a home in Colorado Springs, your inspector will likely flag GFCI, AFCI, double tapped breakers, and bonding issues. Do not argue with the list. Just get an electrician to price the corrections. Clean electrical corrections can reduce headaches with the underwriter and avoid back-and-forth at closing.
Why not just pick the cheapest electrician
I get it. You want to save money for better cabinets or a mountain bike. Electrical mistakes do not show themselves until things fail, or worse. A good Colorado Springs electrician will cost a bit more than a handyman. You get permits, code compliance, and a job that passes inspection the first time. The redo is where the real cost lives, not the first invoice.
A quick checklist you can copy
- Three calls, two written quotes
- License, insurance, PPRBD permit confirmation
- Clear scope with model numbers
- Load calculation when adding large loads
- Whole-home surge protection line item
- Milestones with photos and final inspection report
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need surge protection in Colorado Springs?
Yes. I would install it on my own home there. The area sees frequent lightning. A panel-mounted surge device is inexpensive compared to replacing a fridge control board, a garage opener, or a furnace board.
Is a 200A panel required for an EV charger?
Not always. A load calculation might show your current panel can handle it, especially with load management. If you want a heat pump, hot tub, and EV in the next two years, I lean toward 200A.
Can I manage permits myself from Minnesota?
You can, but I would not. Your electrician should handle permits and inspections. Your role is approval and payment, not showing up for the inspector.
How do I pick between two similar quotes?
Pick the one with clearer scope, better communication, and a reasonable schedule. A tidy plan beats a slightly lower price with vague lines.
What if my house has aluminum branch wiring?
Let a licensed Colorado Springs electrician open a few boxes and test. They will propose either approved connectors at devices, targeted rewiring, or a full branch rewire depending on condition and budget.
Which company should I call first for a fast service call?
Start with Dr Electric or Front Range Electric for basic service and troubleshooting. If that turns into a bigger panel or multi-trade job, The WireNut or Absolute Electrical can step in.
Who handles commercial projects?
Berwick Electric is a steady pick for commercial or complex projects. Others may do light commercial too, but if stakes are high, bring in a team with depth.
If you are a Minnesotan sorting out a home in Colorado Springs, does this plan feel workable, or do you want a sample scope you can reuse on your first quote request?