Trusted Electrical Services in Cary
An electrical system ages the same way the house around it does, and in Cary that means a lot of homes are running panels and wiring that were sized for how families lived in the 1980s and 90s, not for today. A downtown 27511 ranch or an early-90s Lochmere two-story was wired before anyone had an EV in the driveway, a heat pump conversion in the plans, or a home office running three monitors and a space heater off one circuit.
Since 2005, Dawson's Electric has provided Cary homeowners with reliable, code-compliant electrical work. As a licensed electrical contractor working across Cary, most of what we do here traces back to that gap between what these homes were built to carry and what their owners now ask of them.
Our Promise: "Your Peace of Mind is Our Priority." We arrive on time, treat your home with respect, and give you exact, upfront pricing before any work begins.
Need a Local Cary Electrician?
From emergency troubleshooting and panel upgrades to EV charger installations and whole-home protection, our licensed technicians deliver honest craftsmanship with zero high-pressure sales.
Call Dawson's at 919-887-8284 for licensed electrician service in Cary, NC or contact us online with any questions.
Cary Electrician FAQs
Frequent power disruptions, an outdated electrical panel, or plans to add energy-hungry appliances and major electrical upgrades could signal that it’s time for an upgrade. If your panel is full with no open slots and you want to add a circuit, if breakers trip regularly under normal use, if you're planning an EV charger, hot tub, kitchen remodel, or a switch from gas to electric heat, or if the panel is an older 100-amp service in a home that now runs modern loads, it's likely time.
You may not need an electrical panel upgrade to install a Level 2 EV charger. Many modern homes in Cary, NC, built after 1990 that are equipped with 200-amp electrical service, can often accommodate an EV charger using the existing panel.
Dawson's will evaluate the panel, tell you honestly which situation you're in, and can handle the charger and any needed panel work as one coordinated job.
Yes, two-prong outlets in older homes can pose a significant electrical safety risk because they lack a grounding connection to help safely redirect stray electrical currents. If your home still has two-prong outlets, consider having a licensed electrician inspect your wiring and recommend appropriate safety upgrades to help protect your household and electrical devices.
For most Cary homes, yes. With frequent summer thunderstorms, potential grid fluctuations, and heavy reliance on hardwired major appliances, a reliable electrical system is essential for protecting your home and keeping everything running smoothly in Cary.
Yes, for work that requires it. Panel upgrades, new circuits, service changes, and similar work should be permitted and inspected through the Town of Cary, and as a licensed electrical contractor, we handle that properly.
Residential electrician services typically cost between $75 and $185 per hour, depending on the complexity of the work and the electrician’s rates. However, your total expense will largely depend on whether the job is billed hourly or at a flat project rate.
Most electrical panel replacements cost between $2,000 and $6,500+, depending on the size of your home's electrical service, grounding requirements, permit requirements, and whether additional code upgrades are needed.
The cost to install a Level 2 EV charger typically ranges from $800 to $2,500+, depending on the charger location, wiring distance, your home's electrical panel capacity, and whether a panel upgrade is needed.
Many homes throughout Cary were built before today's electrical demands became common. Homeowners are upgrading to accomadate higher power demands, meeting current building code requirements, and supporting modern clean-energy technologies.
A whole-home standby generator typically costs between $12,000 and $20,000+, depending on the size of your home, the generator capacity, fuel source, electrical upgrades, and installation requirements.
The cost to install recessed lighting typically ranges from $250 to $500 per light, depending on the ceiling type, accessibility, wiring requirements, and whether new switches or dimmers are being installed.
Outdoor lighting projects typically range from $300 to $3,500+, depending on the number of fixtures, the type of lighting, and the complexity of the installation.
Electrical Panel Upgrades & Repairs
Your electrical panel is the heart of your home's power distribution. Many older Cary homes were built with 100-amp or 150-amp panels that simply cannot handle today’s electrical demands, such as heat pumps, hot tubs, induction stoves, and electric vehicle chargers.
-
200+ Amp Panel Heavy-Ups: Expand your power capacity to accommodate modern appliances without tripping main breakers.
-
Breaker Repairs & Arc-Fault Upgrades: Fix hot breakers, buzzing panels, or outdated fuse boxes.
-
Code Compliance: Bring older wiring setups up to current National Electrical Code (NEC) safety standards.
Wiring, Rewiring, and Older-Home Issues
Some of Cary's older ranches and split-levels carry the wiring quirks of their era: ungrounded two-prong outlets, aging branch circuits, and connections that have loosened over 30-plus years.
We handle wiring and rewiring to bring older circuits up to a safe, modern standard, whether that's grounding out an old outlet run, adding dedicated circuits for a modern kitchen, or tracing down the intermittent fault that a decades-old connection is causing.
If your home predates modern wiring practices, we'll tell you honestly what needs attention now versus what can wait.
Whole-Home Surge Protection
The Raleigh area experiences severe summer thunderstorms and power grid fluctuations. Standard surge strips only protect the items plugged directly into them, leaving your major appliances, HVAC systems, and smart home tech vulnerable.
-
Meter & Panel Surges: We install whole-home surge arrestors directly at your main breaker panel to suppress high-voltage spikes before they enter your living space.
-
Equipment Defense: Protect thousands of dollars in refrigeration, heating equipment, entertainment systems, and computers from lightning strikes and grid surges.
Home EV Charger Installation
As electric vehicles become the norm across Wake County, having a fast, reliable Level 2 charger at home is essential.
-
Tesla Authorized Installer: Dawson's is a certified installer for Tesla Wall Connectors as well as universal Level 2 chargers (Rivian, Ford Charge Station Pro, ChargePoint, and more).
-
Load Calculations: We perform a complete load calculation on your home’s panel before installation to ensure your system safely handles the continuous draw.
Outlets, Switches, and Lighting
The everyday work that makes an older home livable and safe: adding outlets where a 90s floor plan never put enough, swapping worn or unsafe switches, installing GFCI protection in kitchens, baths, and garages where it's now required, and upgrading indoor and outdoor lighting.
These are the calls that quietly bring a Cary home into the present, and they're a big share of what we do day to day.
Whole Home Generators
When a summer storm or winter ice event takes the grid down, a standby generator keeps the essentials running: heat, cooling, refrigeration, and the well pump for homes on the western, more rural edge of Cary.
We size and install whole-home and partial-load generators, including the electrical and panel work that ties them in correctly.
Electrical Service Across Cary's Neighborhoods
Cary's homes span five decades, and the electrical work a house needs usually depends on when it was built. Our electricians work throughout Cary, from the established golf communities to the newer subdivisions on the west side of town.
MacGregor Downs, Kildaire Farms, Lochmere and Preston
Many homes in these neighborhoods were built between the 1970s and 1990s. Original panels and wiring from that era often weren't designed for today's loads, like home offices, EV chargers, and kitchen remodels. Here we most often handle electrical panel upgrades, circuit breaker replacement, and wiring and rewiring.
Downtown Cary
Older homes and infill renovations near downtown often need service upgrades and partial rewiring before new work can pass inspection.
Cary Park, Amberly and Carpenter Village
The wiring in these newer homes is usually in good shape, so most calls are for additions: EV charger installation, whole-home generators, recessed lighting, and outdoor lighting.
The Dawson’s Difference: Solutions Other Electricians Miss
Most electrical contractors only look at wires and breakers. At Dawson’s, we take a broader view of your entire home system to solve complex problems faster:
1. Integrated Electrical + HVAC Expertise
When an AC unit stops working or trips a breaker, traditional electricians might blame the HVAC unit, while HVAC techs blame the electrical panel. Because Dawson’s specializes in both Electrical and Air Conditioning in Cary, our technicians diagnose the root cause immediately, saving you the hassle of hiring two separate companies.
2. Upfront, Flat-Rate Pricing
We never bill by the hour or leave you guessing about final costs. After inspecting the job, your electrician explains your options and gives you a clear, fixed price. You approve the quote before we turn a single screw.
3. Complete Permit & Utility Handling
Adding power to a detached garage, workshop, or outdoor living space? Dawson’s manages the entire permitting and inspection process with Wake County and the Town of Cary so your project is 100% legal, safe, and hassle-free.
4. The Peace of Mind Club
Our preventative maintenance program keeps your home running safely year-round:
-
32-Point Electrical Inspection: Annual check of panels, connections, grounds, and safety switches.
-
Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Service: Complete detector testing, including complimentary battery replacements during inspections.
-
Perks: Priority dispatch, reduced service fees, discounted repairs, and a Lifetime Craftsmanship Warranty on work performed by Dawson's.
Ready for Honest Answers and Upfront Pricing?
Get a 32-point electrical inspection or request an upfront estimate because electrical issues shouldn’t come with guessing games or high-pressure sales pitches. When you book with Dawson’s, here is exactly what happens next:
-
Pick Your Time: Call us at 919-887-8284 or select a convenient window through our online scheduler.
-
Meet Your Electrician: A licensed, background-checked technician arrives at your Cary home in a fully stocked vehicle to evaluate your system.
-
Get Your Fixed Price: We explain your options in plain English and give you an exact, upfront price. You approve the quote before we turn a single screw.
-
Relax with Guaranteed Craftsmanship: We complete the job to code, clean up our workspace, and back everything with our peace-of-mind warranty.
Have any additional questions?
Contact us online for a quick response or call 919-887-8284 for a same-day electrician in Cary.
Need HVAC service in Cary? We have NATE certified technicians in your neighborhood ready to help.
Nearby Electrical Service Areas
- Top Rated Electrcial Service in Raleigh, NC
- Local Holly Springs Electricians
- Electrical services in Apex, NC
- Expert Electricians in Fuquay-Varina
See what your Cary neighbors are saying about our local services in Cary below!
Recent Jobs and Reviews in Cary, NC
Cary, NC at a glance
Dawson's Electric & Air has completed 10 jobs in Cary, NC in October 2026.
The 27 customer reviews shown here average 5.0 out of 5.
The most recent job was on October 21, 2026.
Dawson's Electric & Air has completed 543 jobs in Cary, NC in the last 12 months. The first job there was in February 2015.
Job Locations and Reviews
Diagnosed a non-functioning guest bathroom light switch with a clamp multimeter after confirming the breaker was not tripped. Removed the failed toggle switch, which showed paint-flaked mounting strap ears and discolored residue around the toggle, and verified the existing wiring connections in the two-gang box.
Installed a new 200-amp meter and main breaker panel with space for future expansion, coordinating the utility disconnect and reconnect and the permit and inspection process. Installed a code-compliant grounding system, including two ground rods and bonding of the water and gas lines, and labeled the panel's main breaker and circuit directory.
Charlie and Kenny were great, very courteous and friendly, completed the power upgrades quickly and cleaned up all spaces after. A job well done done!
Completed a 200-amp electrical service upgrade, installing a new exterior 200-amp meter socket (sealed weatherproof), a new 200-amp, 40/42-space interior panel with copper busbars and new breakers, and whole-home surge protection. Installed a code-compliant grounding system with two ground rods and copper bonding wire to the gas line, with all work permitted and coordinated with the utility disconnect and reconnect.
Investigated a non-resetting GFCI outlet in the attic that supplies the water heater. Inspected the main service equipment and interior panel, verified circuit supply and breaker status, and tested the GFCI receptacle to isolate the fault and restore power to the water heater circuit.
Returned to troubleshoot and restore power to the hallway and bathroom lighting circuits that were non-functional following the previous visit, and corrected the affected switch and device connections. Verified proper operation of the multi-gang switch assembly and confirmed correct wiring and voltage (123 VAC) on the receptacle with a GFCI outlet tester, with all indicators reading correct and no faults detected.
Installed and replaced receptacles throughout the residence, including child-safe outlets with unbreakable cover plates, with all devices on the bathroom circuits in all three bathrooms previously replaced. Verified each installed outlet with a receptacle tester, confirming correct wiring and 123 VAC at tested locations, and tested GFCI protection to ensure proper function. All parts and labor are covered under the applicable warranty.
Responded to loss of power in bathroom following foreign object insertion into outlet. Investigated electrical panel and identified tripped breaker. Replaced damaged bathroom outlet with new receptacle and restored power to circuit. Assessed entire home for GFCI protection and found no compliant devices installed in wet locations. Installed GFCI receptacles in bathroom and other required areas per current electrical code to provide proper ground fault protection for the 1997 home.
Curtis was very considerate and thoughtful of what I/we were asking him. He also told us preventative measures. Also, he provided a software solution, fixed 2 wiring issues, and gave advice about electrical fixtures. I commend hime ro you highly!
Thank you, Stephen! We’re glad Curtis took the time to listen to your concerns, address the wiring issues, and provide helpful preventative advice and solutions. We appreciate your recommendation and will be sure to pass along your kind words to Curtis! Thank you for trusting Dawson’s Electric and Air with your electrical needs!
Responded to service call at 1991 residential property for multiple electrical concerns. Diagnosed intermittent ceiling fan operation in upstairs bedroom requiring switch manipulation to activate. Evaluated customer-supplied light fixtures for two garage locations and front door entry for potential replacement installation. Assessed kitchen ceiling light with broken pull chain mechanism and advised on replacement options. Investigated Ring doorbell system failing to activate interior chime while maintaining mobile notification functionality. Consulted with homeowner regarding feasibility of antenna cable routing from attic space to secondary room location through 9-foot ceiling structure.
Responded to service call for non-operational dryer caused by tripped and misaligned circuit breaker in electrical panel. Inspected breaker box, identified damaged breaker in sideways position, and assessed electrical connections and terminal blocks within panel enclosure. Examined dryer receptacle outlet and associated wiring to verify circuit integrity. Provided pricing estimate for Level 2 EV charger installation as requested, evaluating existing electrical capacity and requirements for upgrade from current Level 1 charging setup.
Responded to service call for lights flickering when AC unit operates in 1978 home with HVAC system installed one year prior. Performed comprehensive electrical system inspection, examining outdoor meter bank installation with six meters and associated conduit connections, as well as interior main electrical panel with circuit breaker configuration and distribution wiring. Documented existing electrical infrastructure including weathered meter panel mounting, multiple conduit runs, and main panel wiring arrangement to assess potential voltage drop issues and circuit loading concerns related to HVAC operation.
Curtis was great. He was very pleasant, explained everything and I'm so happy to have all new smoke detectors
Curtis did his usual excellent job. He is the first person I go to whenever I need help with electrical issues.
Preston came to do my yearly electrical checkup and change all the batteries in the smoke/carbon monoxide detectors. I had one problem, no CFGI outlet for the washing machine, that he was able to resolve by installing a CFGI breaker in the fuse box so it would not require moving the washing machine. He also replaced a light bulb that I could not reach. I love Dawson’s Electric. They have always given me excellent service and make sure I am satisfied.
Dawson’s Electric saved the day when my meter box failed. They completely changed the main electrical meter and project managed everything so it was all done in half a day. My engineer Curtis was exceptional.
Curtis was friendly and professional! Gave us great advice!
Thank you, Catherine, for the great review! We’re glad to hear Curtis was friendly, professional, and provided helpful advice. We truly appreciate you choosing Dawson’s Electric & Air!
Service was outstanding
Bryant with Dawsons Electric was punctual and informative about our electrical and HVAC needs. He fixed the problem that we had and cleaned up the work area after completion.
Ashton, thank you so much for the great review! We’re glad Bryant was able to take care of your kitchen lighting and make the process easy from start to finish. We especially appreciate you mentioning that he was punctual, informative, and took the time to clean up after completing the work. Upgrading your existing fluorescent fixture to LED is a great way to modernize your lighting, and we’re glad Bryant was able to set the lamps to your preferred color temperature. We’re also excited to welcome you to the Dawson’s Electric & Air family as a Peace of Mind Club member! Thank you for trusting us with your home’s electrical and HVAC needs. We truly appreciate the opportunity to serve you!
Had an electrical problem and Curtis was outstanding! Very experienced, professional and a pleasure to do business with! Would highly recommend!!
Joan, thank you so much for the wonderful review! We know you’ve had a lot to deal with at your home, and we’re glad Curtis was able to step in, assess the electrical issue, and help get you moving in the right direction. We’re looking forward to taking care of the upcoming service replacement later this month and getting everything back where it needs to be. We truly appreciate your trust in Dawson’s and your recommendation of Curtis!
Charlie provided friendly & professional services electrically connecting our new split mini-HVAC system as well as evaluating our electrical service for safety.
Thank you, Bill, for taking the time to share your experience! We’re glad Charlie provided friendly, professional service while installing the dedicated electrical circuit for your new mini-split HVAC system and completing a thorough evaluation of your home’s electrical system. We’re also happy we could help identify opportunities to improve your home’s electrical safety, including whole-home surge protection and a 200-amp electrical service replacement. We appreciate your trust in Dawson’s Electric & Air and are excited to have you join our Peace of Mind membership! We look forward to completing your electrical service upgrade and keeping your home safe and comfortable for years to come.
Thank you so much for the 5-star review, Bob! We really appreciate you choosing Dawson’s Electric & Air to help with your garage outlet installation. Adding a new electrical outlet can make a garage much more functional, whether you’re powering tools, equipment, or simply need a convenient place to plug in what you use around the house. We’re grateful you trusted our team with your electrical project, and we appreciate you taking the time to leave us a review. If you ever need an electrician for another electrical repair, installation, or upgrade, we’re always happy to help!
Bryant with Dawsons was great. Friendly, polite, cleaned up after his work, and gave me a sense of confidence in his skillssomething you definitely want in an electrician.
Thank you so much, Katherine! We’re thrilled to hear Bryant provided the kind of service and professionalism you expect from a trusted electrician. Installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and troubleshooting electrical issues like recessed lighting and an upstairs outlet are all important jobs when it comes to keeping your home safe and functioning properly. We especially appreciate you mentioning that Bryant was friendly, polite, cleaned up after his work, and gave you confidence in his skills. That trust means a lot to our team, and we’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to Bryant! Thank you for choosing Dawson’s Electric & Air for your electrical needs and for taking the time to share your experience. We truly appreciate your business and your recommendation!
A new dining room light fixture required an electrician. On a neighbor’s recommendation we called Dawson electric. Good choice. Bryant arrived on time very personable checked out the work gave us a price. And went about his business. A bit tricky he had to move the box 9 inches to center. The light no problem. While he was there he corrected some mistakes by others and now everything works. He recommended a surge protector which we purchased and he installed. Prompt, efficient and knowledgeable Would not hesitate to recommend.
Bryant, my technician did a great job and was considerate of my home and explained all work.
Thank you, Joe! We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. We're glad Bryant provided a great experience while preparing your shower exhaust fan installation quote for your Cary home. Treating our customers' homes with respect, explaining the recommended work clearly, and answering questions honestly are all important parts of the service we strive to provide from the very first visit. Thank you for considering Dawson's Electric & Air for your electrical project. We appreciate the opportunity to earn your trust and look forward to helping you with your shower fan installation and any future electrical needs in Cary and throughout the Raleigh area. 7/1/26 Thank you, Joe, for your 5-star rating! We appreciate you trusting Dawson's Electric & Air to help improve the brightness of the recessed can lights in your Cary home. We're glad Bryant was able to provide the quality service and expertise needed to get your lighting just right. Whether it's lighting upgrades, electrical troubleshooting, or repairs, our team is committed to delivering solutions you can count on. Thank you for choosing us for your electrical needs, we look forward to serving you again!
We had an excellent experience with Curtis Edens from Dawson's Electric & Air. Our A/C units stopped working due to a damaged breaker caused by a loose electrical connection. Curtis quickly identified the root cause, explained the issue clearly, replaced the damaged breaker, repaired the affected wiring, and restored everything safely and efficiently. What really stood out was his thoroughness. He took the time to inspect several other electrical concerns throughout our home and identified loose backstabbed wiring connections and failing switches that could have caused future problems. He patiently explained what he found, answered all our questions, and provided practical recommendations to improve the safety and reliability of our electrical system. Curtis is knowledgeable, professional, honest, and detail-oriented. We never felt rushed or pressuredjust well-informed and confident that the work was done right. We highly recommend Dawson's Electric & Air, and will not hesitate to call them again for future electrical needs. We are grateful for the excellent service and the peace of mind that comes from knowing the work was done correctly and safely.
Thank you, George, for such a detailed and thoughtful review! We’re honored that you trusted Dawson’s Electric & Air and Curtis to diagnose and repair the electrical issue that caused your air conditioning units to stop working. Electrical problems such as loose connections, damaged breakers, and failing wiring can create both safety concerns and unexpected HVAC system failures, so we’re glad we were able to identify the root cause, complete the necessary electrical repairs, and restore power safely. We believe homeowners deserve more than a quick fix, which is why our team takes the time to perform a thorough evaluation, explain our findings, and provide recommendations that help improve the long-term safety and reliability of their electrical systems. Your comments about Curtis's professionalism, attention to detail, and clear communication you received mean a great deal to us. At Dawson’s Electric & Air, our goal is to provide honest electrical service and help homeowners make informed decisions without pressure. Thank you again for your recommendation and for allowing us to serve your home. We look forward to helping with any future electrical, HVAC, or home safety needs. Your peace of mind truly is our priority!
Isaac was exemplary in his work today will detailed explanations as well as answers to our questions during his review. Very pleased with everything
Mr. D'Entremont was very knowledgeable and a true professional. He provided outstanding service and was very thorough.
Isaac was so thorough, competent and polite! A joy to turn to for help. Thank you Dawsons for another outstanding electrician!
Claudia, thank you for the kind review! We’re glad to hear you had another great experience with Dawson’s Electric & Air. Isaac takes a lot of pride in being thorough, competent, and polite, and we’re happy he was able to come out and diagnose the buzzing doorbell issue for you quickly and professionally. Doorbell transformer and wiring issues can be frustrating and sometimes hard to pinpoint, so we’re glad Isaac was able to identify the cause and help get things back to normal. We truly appreciate you trusting us with your home’s electrical service, and we’re always here whenever you need help again.
Our technician, Bryant, was knowledgeable and friendly when making diagnoses of the electrical problems that we had. He was clear about pricing and the work that needed to be done. He completed the work quickly and made sure everything was working before he left.
Thank you, Shaya, for the 5-star review! We truly appreciate you trusting Dawson's Electric & Air with your home's electrical upgrades. It was our pleasure to install your dedicated office circuit, Ethernet connection, bathroom GFCI outlet, and whole-home surge protector. Our team is committed to providing safe, reliable electrical services that help protect your home and support your family's daily needs. Thank you for choosing Dawson's Electric & Air for your electrical installation and surge protection needs. We look forward to serving you again in the future!
Outstanding service! Charlie Blanchard went above and beyond to help us when we lost power, which is an understatement for the amount of work he did to fix our issue. He volunteered his day off, a Saturday, to get everything restored as quickly as possible. He was professional and genuinely committed to helping his customers. We couldn't be more grateful and highly recommend him!
Thank you, Abigail, for taking the time to share your experience and for the wonderful 5-star review! We're thrilled to hear that Charlie was able to help restore power to your home during such a stressful situation. At Dawson's Electric & Air, we understand how important it is to have a safe and reliable electrical system, and Charlie's dedication to providing exceptional electrical service truly reflects our commitment to our customers. Going above and beyond to solve electrical issues quickly and safely is what our team strives for every day, and we're proud to hear Charlie's professionalism, expertise, and willingness to help made such a positive impact. We'll be sure to share your kind words with him. Thank you for trusting Dawson's Electric & Air with your electrical repair needs and for recommending us to others. We're always here when you need a trusted electrician!
Rob Wishart went above and beyond, great communication and great customer service!! Thank you Rob!!!
Isaac is a tremendous employee of Dawson. Today, Issac was very capable, extremely friendly, smart, respectful, and exhibited a very, very positive image of Dawson. It was a pleasure to have this very capable young man as our Dawson representative
Their service was done with integrity, quality and politeness. I will call them again for service I can trust.
Great service
He was very thorough and found the problem













