A dead outlet or a tripping breaker is usually what prompts the call. But when a licensed electrician works through the fault, what looks like a minor inconvenience sometimes points to something that has been building for a while: a panel running close to its limit, a circuit that was never sized for the load it carries, or wiring in an older part of the house that needs a closer look. Northstar Electric & Service handles both the immediate fix and the honest conversation about what caused it, without pushing work that is not needed.
Spokane is a city with a wide range of housing ages, building types, and electrical demands. Apartment buildings, older single-family homes, commercial spaces, and detached garages all generate different kinds of calls, and the work that comes out of each one is rarely identical. We serve all of them, and the service page carries the full breakdown of what we handle.
Electrical problems don't wait, and neither do we, so availability matters as much as the work itself. We are available every day from 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM, and same-day appointments are often available when you call early in the day. You get a confirmed appointment window and a rate on the phone before anything is scheduled.
When a situation is urgent, whether that is a sparking outlet, a panel that is running hot, or a circuit that has gone dead in a space that has to stay operational, we work through it as quickly as the job allows. For businesses and rental properties where access needs to be coordinated or operations cannot stop, we talk through what the visit will involve before we arrive. The goal is to get the problem resolved with as little disruption as possible, and that starts with a clear conversation on the phone.
Pick the date. We do the wiring. We clean up after.
Spokane's housing stock covers a wide range, and the electrical system in a home built decades ago does not look the same as one in a recent construction. What a property needs depends on what it has, what it is being asked to do, and what has changed since it was last touched by an electrician. We read those signals before we recommend anything.
A flickering light or a dead outlet is a symptom, not a diagnosis. The situation that leads to that call might be a loose connection at the receptacle, a failing breaker, an overloaded circuit, or something more involved in the wiring behind the wall. We trace the fault to its source and explain what we found before any work begins. GFCI and AFCI protection gets checked as part of the process, because a fault in one part of a circuit often reveals gaps in protection elsewhere.
The situation here is usually one of two things: a panel that has run out of room as circuits have been added over the years, or a service entrance that was sized for a lighter load than the home now draws. Electric heating, EV chargers, and added appliances all put new demand on a system that may not have been designed for it. We run a load calculation, assess what the current service can carry, and explain the options before any upgrade is scoped. A subpanel is sometimes the right answer for a detached garage or a finished space that needs its own distribution point.
This category covers a lot of ground: a new circuit for a major appliance, a lighting installation in a remodeled kitchen, wiring for an outbuilding, or a dedicated circuit for an EV charger. Each one starts with the same question: does the panel have the capacity to support it? We answer that on the call and confirm the scope before we schedule. We stand behind every circuit we touch, and that means sizing it correctly from the start.
A whole-home surge protector installs at the panel and intercepts voltage spikes before they travel through the branch circuits to appliances and electronics. Regional ice storms and wind events can send surges through the grid that damage equipment in a fraction of a second. Installing protection at the panel is one of the more straightforward upgrades we do, and one that pays for itself quickly when the alternative is replacing appliances after an event.
Running power to a structure that is separate from the main house involves its own set of considerations: the distance from the panel, the load the structure will carry, and whether the feed runs overhead or underground. We size the circuit and the wire gauge to match what the space actually needs, whether that is basic lighting and a few outlets or a full workshop setup. Electric gate operators need a dedicated circuit in the right location and proper grounding. We handle the electrical supply side from the panel out.
Electric ranges, wall ovens, and dryers each need a dedicated 240-volt circuit sized for their draw. A circuit shared with other loads, or one that was originally run for a smaller appliance, is not the right fit. We pull the wire, connect at the panel, and install the outlet or make the hardwired connection at the appliance end. If the panel does not have room for the circuit, we address that first.
Recessed lighting, pendant fixtures, ceiling fans, under-cabinet lighting, and dimmer-compatible installations all fall in this category. The situation that leads to this call is usually a remodel, a room that has never had adequate lighting, or a fixture that has reached the end of its life. Where a new fixture goes in a location that has no existing box or wiring, we run the circuit from the panel and install a properly rated box before the fixture goes up.
Pricing is confirmed on the phone before anything is booked. The rate depends on what the job involves: the type of work, the number of circuits, the condition of the existing wiring, and how accessible the panel and the work area are. We walk through that with you so you know what the visit covers before we put it on the calendar.
Ask what is included and you get a straight answer. If something comes up on site that changes the scope, we communicate that before we proceed. You get the rate before the work starts, not after. We're one phone call from getting your power right.
The gap between tenancies is the easiest time to do electrical work that would otherwise require coordinating around a tenant's schedule or working in an occupied space. No furniture to move around, no timing to negotiate, and no disruption to someone living there. We handle the access conversation with whoever is managing the property and confirm the visit window before we arrive.
This is the right time for an electrical safety inspection, a panel assessment, outlet and switch replacements, GFCI upgrades, and any circuit additions that are easier to run through walls before the space is furnished again. Landlords and property managers in Spokane count on us to get in, do the work, and leave the unit ready for the next occupant. We protect your floors and finishes while we work, and we leave the space the way we found it.
We serve Spokane and the surrounding communities throughout the county. That includes Town and Country, Country Homes, Airway Heights, Fairwood, and Millwood, along with the broader Spokane County area. If you are in the region and need an electrician, the answer is yes.
Coverage is not a question of direction or distance. It is a question of whether we can get the work done for you, and we can. Call (509) 566-9799 and tell us where the property is and what needs doing.
our wiring guide explains the range of work covered.
It means the inspector identified a condition that does not meet current code or that poses a safety concern. An inspection report is documentation, not a repair. We can review what the inspection found, explain what the correction involves, and perform the work needed to bring the item into compliance. Call us with the report and we will walk through it with you.
Older homes in this area frequently have panels that were sized for a much lighter load than a modern household draws, wiring that has never been updated since original construction, and a lack of GFCI or AFCI protection in locations where code now requires it. Aluminum branch circuit wiring is also common in homes built during certain decades, and it needs specific handling to remain safe. An electrical safety inspection is a good starting point if you are not sure what you have.
It can. On a panel upgrade, a service entrance replacement, or a whole-home rewire, we may be bringing in tools and materials that are easier to manage from close by. If street parking is limited or access to the property is restricted, let us know when you call so we can plan the logistics before the visit. It rarely changes the job, but it helps the day go more smoothly.
We note it and explain what it means. Not all older wiring requires immediate replacement, but some conditions, including certain knob-and-tube configurations, aluminum branch circuit wiring, and cloth-insulated cable, are worth addressing before they become hazards. We tell you what we found, what the options are, and what the work would involve so you can make an informed decision.
We assess the access point and the working conditions before starting. Crawl spaces require proper lighting and sometimes protective equipment depending on what is down there. We work through the space to run circuits, inspect existing wiring, or trace a fault, and we let you know if the conditions affect the time or the approach before we begin.
An electric gate needs a dedicated circuit run to the gate operator, with weatherproof wiring and appropriate protection at the panel. We assess the distance from the panel to the gate location, size the circuit for the operator's load, and install the supply in a way that holds up to outdoor conditions. If a subpanel is a better fit for the location, we discuss that option on the call.
Whether a permit is required depends on the type of work and where the property sits. Panel upgrades, new circuits, and service entrance work commonly require one. We confirm what applies to your address before anything is scheduled, and if a permit is needed, we address that as part of the scope. You do not have to navigate that process on your own.
Yes. We work with property managers, landlords, and commercial clients on electrical repair and installation across Spokane. That includes panel assessments, circuit additions, outlet and lighting installation, and wiring for offices and retail spaces. Call us, describe the property and what needs doing, and we will walk through what the job involves.
A quote is based on what we can see before the walls are opened or the panel is accessed. If we find wiring that is in worse condition than expected, a circuit that feeds more than it appeared to, or a panel issue that was not visible from the outside, we stop and explain what we found before continuing. You are told what the additional work involves and what it costs before we proceed.
You are, before anything changes. If we open an outlet or a panel and find a problem that is larger than the original call suggested, we stop and walk you through what we found. We do not proceed with additional work until you understand what it involves and agree to move forward.
Northstar Electric & Service is available every day from 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM for electrical repair and installation throughout Spokane and the surrounding area. Straight answers on the phone. Real electrical work. Quick to respond.
Call (509) 566-9799 for a quote. The price is agreed before anything is scheduled, and you know what the work covers before anyone shows up at your door.
Electrical work also reaches these towns: Town and Country, Country Homes, Airway Heights, Fairwood, Mead. Browse our complete coverage area.
We handle the full range of electrical work in Spokane, from a single tripped breaker to a complete service upgrade. The table below shows what each service covers, who it is a good fit for, and one practical thing worth knowing before you call. If a job is not on the list or you are not sure what you need, a quick call gets you a straight answer and a price before anything is scheduled.
| Electrical Service | What the Job Involves | Common Situations | Worth Knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outlet & Switch Installation | GFCI and standard outlet installation, USB outlet upgrades, dimmer and three-way switch wiring, bathroom and kitchen code compliance | Homeowners, landlords, and remodelers adding or replacing receptacles and switches | Bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and outdoor locations all require GFCI protection under current code. |
| Well-Pump Circuits | dedicated well-pump circuit installation, pressure switch wiring, disconnect and grounding, panel capacity check for pump load | Rural and semi-rural properties in Spokane County that rely on a well for water supply | Well pumps draw a significant startup load. We run a load calculation before wiring to confirm the panel can handle it without nuisance tripping. |
| Electrical Repairs & Troubleshooting | dead outlets and tripped breakers, flickering or dimming lights, arc-fault and GFCI diagnostics, burning smells and sparking receptacles | Any home or business with an electrical problem that needs a diagnosis before a fix | We look for the source of the problem, not just the symptom, so the fix holds rather than masking a deeper issue. |
| Ceiling Fan Installation | ceiling fan wiring and mounting, fan-rated box installation, switch and remote wiring, replacement of existing fans | Homeowners improving airflow and comfort in bedrooms and living areas | Older ceiling boxes are often not rated to support a fan's weight and motion, so we check the box before mounting. |
| Whole-Home Surge Protection | panel-mounted surge protector installation, protection for appliances and electronics, coordination with panel upgrades | Any home or business exposed to storm-related voltage spikes or grid fluctuations | Spokane weather variability puts electronics and appliances at real risk. A surge protector at the panel catches spikes before they reach your devices. |
| Snow-Melt System Wiring | dedicated circuit for snow-melt mats, thermostat and sensor wiring, load sizing and panel assessment, outdoor-rated outlet and conduit | Homeowners and commercial properties looking to keep driveways, walkways, or steps clear in winter | Snow-melt systems run a continuous load and need a properly sized dedicated circuit. We confirm panel capacity before any wiring begins. |
| Lighting Installation | recessed and LED lighting, outdoor and security lighting, motion sensor and flood lights, under-cabinet and landscape lighting | Homeowners upgrading interior lighting or adding exterior security and curb-appeal lighting | Outdoor fixtures in Spokane need to be rated for cold-weather exposure to hold up through winter. |
| Electrical Panel & Service Upgrades | 200-amp service upgrades, subpanel installation, load calculations, service entrance and meter work | Homes adding EV chargers, generators, electric heat, or any load that has outgrown the current panel | Many older homes in the area were built with 100-amp panels that run out of capacity fast once modern loads are added. |
| Garage & Block-Heater Circuits | dedicated garage outlet circuits, block-heater outlet installation, timer-controlled outlet wiring, sub-panel for detached garages | Homeowners who park in an unheated garage and need reliable power for cold-weather engine starts | Block-heater outlets in garages are a practical necessity in Spokane winters and are straightforward to add to an existing panel. |
| Breaker & Fuse Repair | breaker replacement, fuse panel assessment, overloaded circuit diagnosis, double-tap and undersized breaker correction | Homeowners dealing with a breaker that trips repeatedly or a fuse that keeps blowing | A breaker that trips under normal load is often a sign of a failing breaker or an overloaded circuit, not just a nuisance. |
| Heat Tape Installation | dedicated circuit for heat tape, weatherproof outlet placement, load sizing to panel capacity, roof and pipe application wiring | Spokane homeowners dealing with roof ice dams or frozen pipes in winter | An overloaded or shared heat tape circuit is a fire hazard. The electrical side of this job matters as much as the tape itself. |
| Backup Generator Installation | transfer switch and interlock installation, standby generator wiring, dedicated generator circuit, load sizing for key circuits | Spokane homeowners who need reliable power through winter outages | A transfer switch isolates your home from the utility line before the generator feeds it, which is a code requirement and a safety necessity. |
| Electrical Safety Inspections | pre-purchase and pre-sale inspections, rental property inspections, GFCI and AFCI protection checks, panel and grounding assessment | Home buyers, sellers, and landlords who need a clear picture of the electrical system's condition | Work performed by licensed electricians means the inspection findings give you something reliable to act on. |
| Dedicated Appliance Circuits | dryer and range circuits, 240-volt outlet installation, washer, dishwasher, and refrigerator circuits, hot tub wiring | Anyone adding a high-draw appliance that needs its own home run back to the panel | Sharing a circuit with a large appliance is a common cause of tripped breakers and overheating wiring. |
| Wiring & Circuit Installation | new circuit runs, knob-and-tube and aluminum wiring remediation, addition and basement wiring, detached garage and outbuilding wiring | Homeowners remodeling, finishing new space, or dealing with outdated wiring in an older home | Spokane has a range of housing ages, and knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring in older homes often needs attention before it becomes a hazard. |
Call (509) 566-9799 to get a price, ask what a job involves, or schedule service in Spokane. We are available every day from 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM.
(509) 566-9799