Lewis Electric: What to Know Before You Call

Lewis Electric serves residential and commercial customers across South Carolina with general electrical work

Lewis Electric is a licensed electrical contractor operating in South Carolina. The company handles both residential and commercial projects, including new installations, repairs, and maintenance work. Before calling any electrician, it helps to understand what services they offer, how they price work, and what to expect during the job.

This guide covers what you should know about Lewis Electric and how to prepare when you contact them or any electrical contractor in the state.

Key Takeaways

• Lewis Electric is a South Carolina-licensed contractor offering residential and commercial electrical services including installations, repairs, and maintenance.
• Most electrical contractors in South Carolina require a site visit or photos before providing a price estimate, since costs depend on the specific work and your home's wiring setup.
• You should have your address, a description of the work needed, and photos of the problem area ready when you contact an electrician.
• Licensed contractors in South Carolina carry liability insurance and workers' compensation, which protects you if someone is injured on your property.
• Getting multiple estimates from different contractors helps you compare pricing and understand what the work actually involves.

What Lewis Electric and similar contractors typically handle

Residential electrical work includes outlet and switch installation, ceiling fan mounting, lighting upgrades, panel repairs, and troubleshooting problems like flickering lights or dead circuits. Commercial work often involves larger-scale projects like rewiring, adding capacity for new equipment, or upgrading to meet code requirements.

Most contractors also handle emergency calls for situations like power loss to part of your home, burning smells from outlets, or tripped breakers that won't reset. If you have an emergency, call during business hours first—many contractors keep slots open for same-day response to safety issues.

How to prepare before contacting an electrician

Write down exactly what you need done. Instead of "my lights are weird," describe it: "The lights in the kitchen flicker when the microwave runs" or "The outlet in the bedroom stopped working." Include when the problem started and whether it affects one room or multiple areas.

Take photos or videos of the problem if possible—a picture of a sparking outlet or a video of flickering lights gives the contractor real information before they arrive. Have your address and a phone number where you can be reached ready. If you know your home's age or have had electrical work done before, mention that too, since older homes sometimes have different wiring setups that affect pricing.

Clear the work area before the contractor arrives. If they need to access your panel, attic, or crawl space, make sure those areas are reachable and safe. This saves time and keeps costs down.

Understanding electrical contractor licensing in South Carolina

South Carolina requires electricians to be licensed through the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. A licensed contractor has passed exams, completed apprenticeship hours, and carries liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. This protects you if someone is injured during the work or if damage occurs to your property.

Before hiring any contractor, ask for their license number and verify it through the state's licensing board. You can also ask for references from recent jobs and check whether they carry insurance—most will provide proof without hesitation.

What to expect during an estimate and job

Most contractors will visit your home or business to see the work in person before giving you a price. They need to assess the difficulty, materials required, and time involved. Some may charge a small fee for the estimate, especially for complex jobs, though many offer free estimates for straightforward work.

During the actual job, the contractor should explain what they're doing and answer questions about the work. They'll typically turn off power to the areas they're working on for safety. When the job is complete, they should test everything, clean up, and explain how to use any new equipment or switches.

Pricing and payment for electrical work

Electrical work is priced in different ways depending on the job. Simple tasks like installing an outlet might be a flat fee. Larger projects like rewiring a room or upgrading a panel are often quoted as a total project price after the estimate visit. Emergency calls sometimes include a service charge on top of the hourly rate.

Ask the contractor upfront how they price work and whether the estimate includes materials and labor or just labor. Get the estimate in writing. If the actual work turns out to be more complicated than expected, the contractor should contact you before proceeding and explain the additional cost.

Payment methods vary—some contractors take cash or check, others accept credit cards or digital payment. Clarify when payment is due: some want it when the job is finished, others may ask for a deposit upfront on larger projects.

Common electrical problems and when to call a professional

Flickering lights, outlets that don't work, breakers that trip repeatedly, burning smells, or buzzing sounds from outlets or the panel all warrant a call to a licensed electrician. These can indicate loose connections, overloaded circuits, or damaged wiring—problems that are unsafe to ignore or attempt yourself.

If you're planning a renovation, adding a hot tub, installing a generator, or upgrading appliances, an electrician can tell you whether your current panel has capacity or needs upgrading. They can also ensure the work meets current South Carolina electrical code.

Questions to ask before hiring

Ask how long the contractor has been in business, whether they're licensed and insured, and if they can provide references. Ask what warranty or may provide they offer on their work—most reputable contractors stand behind their installations. Ask whether they'll pull permits if needed (some jobs require them) and who handles inspections.

Ask what happens if something goes wrong after the job is done. A good contractor will return to fix problems at no charge if the issue is their responsibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if an electrician is actually licensed in South Carolina?

Ask for their license number and verify it through the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation website. You can search by name or license number. A licensed contractor will have no problem providing this information.

What's the difference between a residential and commercial electrician?

Residential electricians work on homes and small buildings with standard wiring. Commercial electricians handle larger buildings, higher voltages, and more complex systems. Some contractors, like Lewis Electric, do both. Make sure whoever you hire has experience with your type of project.

Do I need a permit for electrical work?

It depends on the work. Simple replacements like changing an outlet usually don't require a permit. New circuits, panel upgrades, or major rewiring typically do. A licensed contractor knows which jobs need permits and will handle the paperwork or tell you what's required.

Why do electrical estimates vary so much between contractors?

Different contractors may assess the job differently, use different materials, or price their labor differently. Getting three estimates helps you see the range and understand what each one includes. The cheapest estimate isn't always the best—make sure you're comparing the same scope of work.

What should I do if I smell burning or see sparks from an outlet?

Turn off power to that outlet at the breaker panel immediately and don't use it. Call an electrician right away—this is a fire hazard. If you can't locate the breaker or the smell is coming from the panel itself, consider it an emergency and call during business hours or after-hours if available.