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Electrician FAQ: Answers From Tony Feuerhelm Electric
Straight answers about service areas, emergencies, pricing, permits and common electrical upgrades.
Service area and scheduling
Which parts of Wisconsin does Tony Feuerhelm Electric serve?
We serve cities, villages and lake communities across Wisconsin, from the Milwaukee metro and Madison to the Fox Valley, Green Bay, the Chippewa Valley, La Crosse and the Northwoods. Every community we cover is listed on our locations page.
How do I find an electrician near me?
Open the locations page, choose your town and you will see every service we offer there with the local number to call. Or simply call (888) 633-7804.
How quickly can you get to me?
Emergencies are dispatched right away, 24 hours a day. Routine repairs are usually booked the same or next day, and larger installations are scheduled after a quote.
Do you work on both homes and businesses?
Yes. We have residential electricians for houses, condos and cabins and commercial electricians for shops, offices, restaurants and warehouses.
Emergencies
What counts as an electrical emergency?
A burning smell, sparks, smoke, a hot outlet or panel, water reaching electrical equipment, or a total loss of power that is not a utility outage. Call our 24/7 emergency electrician line.
Is the emergency line really answered 24/7?
Yes. Nights, weekends and holidays, at (888) 633-7804.
My breaker keeps tripping. Is that an emergency?
If it trips instantly every time, or there is heat or a burning smell, leave it off and call. If it trips occasionally under heavy use, book a repair visit. Our article on why breakers trip explains the difference.
Pricing and permits
How do you price electrical work?
By the job, not by an open-ended hourly meter. You get a fixed price before work begins, and nothing is added without your approval.
Do you give estimates?
Yes. Small jobs can often be quoted by phone or from photos. Larger projects such as panel upgrades, rewiring and generators are quoted in writing after a site visit.
Do I need a permit for electrical work in Wisconsin?
For most new circuits, panel and service work, hot tubs, generators and remodels, yes. Like-for-like replacement of a fixture or device usually does not need one. We tell you at the quote stage and take care of the permit and inspection.
Panels, wiring and upgrades
How do I know if I need a panel upgrade?
Frequent tripping, a full panel, a fuse box, a 60 amp service or plans for an EV charger, heat pump or hot tub are the usual signs. Read 100 amp vs 200 amp or see our panel upgrade page.
Is old wiring dangerous?
Knob and tube and 1960s to 1970s aluminum wiring carry more risk than modern copper and are often an insurance issue. An electrical inspection will tell you what you have. See our guide to old wiring in Wisconsin homes.
Can you add outlets and lights without damaging my walls?
In most cases, yes. We fish cable through attics, basements and wall cavities. See outlet installation and lighting installation.
EV chargers, generators and smart homes
Can my panel handle an EV charger?
Often it can, sometimes with a load management device. We run a load calculation as part of every EV charger installation. Our Level 2 charging guide has the details.
What size generator do I need?
It depends on what you want to keep running. See our sizing guide or the generator installation page.
Do you install smart switches and thermostats?
Yes, including devices you have bought yourself. See smart home wiring.
Still have a question?
Call and talk it through with an electrician.