Wendell Electric has been handling residential and commercial electrical work in Apex and across Wake County since 2018. From the moment you call, we get to work finding a time that fits your schedule. We handle everything from a tripped breaker to a full-service panel upgrade, and same-day appointments are available for urgent jobs. Real electricians. Real pricing. Real fast response.
Whether you own a home, manage rental properties, or run a business in the area, we are ready to take your call today. Reach us now at (919) 241-5635 to get a quote or schedule service.
We've handled everything from a flickering light to a full rewire, and the one thing every job has in common is this: you need someone who can actually find the problem before throwing parts at it. When homeowners and property managers in Apex call us, it is usually because something stopped working and nobody can figure out why. Dead outlets, lights that flicker when the heat kicks on, breakers that trip every time you run the microwave, a burning smell near a switch plate, or sparking at an outlet. These are not problems to ignore.
We start every repair call with a diagnostic. We trace the fault, we check the circuit, and we identify what is actually causing the issue before we quote the repair. That approach saves time and keeps costs honest. A tripping breaker might be a failing breaker, a wiring fault, or a circuit that is simply overloaded. A dead outlet might be a tripped GFCI somewhere upstream. We find out which it is and fix it properly.
Work is performed by licensed electricians who know North Carolina code and take the job seriously. We'll find the fault and fix it right.
For residential and commercial electrical work alike, the most common upgrade calls we get are for outlets, switches, and lighting. Maybe you are adding USB outlets in a home office, replacing ungrounded receptacles with GFCI-protected ones, or installing AFCI outlets in a bedroom circuit to meet current code. Maybe you want dimmer switches in the dining room or a new switch leg run for a light that was never wired properly.
We also handle full lighting installations: recessed lighting layouts, under-cabinet lighting in kitchens, outdoor and security lighting, motion sensor floodlights, and decorative fixture swaps. If you are upgrading a commercial space with new overhead lighting or adding exterior lighting to a retail property, we handle that too.
Ceiling fan installation and replacement is one of our most requested jobs, especially when homeowners are finishing a room or updating older fixtures. We wire the fan, install the correct switch or remote setup, and make sure the box is rated for the load. We protect your floors and finishes while we work, and we leave the space clean when we are done. Pick up the phone and we'll handle the wiring.
Here's what most people get wrong about their wiring: the panel that was fine in 1995 is not necessarily fine today. Modern homes run more electrical load than ever. Air handlers, EV chargers, home offices, high-draw kitchen appliances, and workshop equipment all add up fast. If your panel is undersized, you will see tripped breakers, dimming lights, and circuits that cannot handle the demand.
We handle breaker panel replacements and 200-amp service upgrades, subpanel installations, and load calculations to make sure the new setup can carry what you are actually running. For older homes in the area, we also do whole-house rewiring, knob-and-tube wiring replacement, and aluminum wiring remediation. These are safety-critical jobs, and we approach them with the same diagnostics-first process we use on every call.
Dedicated circuits for dryers, ranges, hot tubs, and other high-draw appliances are a routine part of what we do. A 240-volt outlet for a new range or a dedicated 20-amp circuit for a refrigerator in a garage addition both follow the same principle: the appliance gets its own clean circuit so it does not compete with everything else on the panel. All wiring is done to current North Carolina code. Your panel is in good hands with us.
Apex sits in one of the fastest-growing parts of Wake County, and the electrical demands here reflect that. Older homes are being renovated and expanded. New construction is going up alongside neighborhoods that are 30 or 40 years old. And the region's weather, four full seasons, regular severe thunderstorms, occasional tornadoes, and ice storms that can knock out power for days, means backup power and surge protection are not optional extras. They are practical choices for anyone who has been through a bad storm season here.
Rapid growth in this part of Wake County means a lot of homes are being asked to carry loads they were never designed for. A 100-amp panel in a home that now has an EV charger, a home addition, and a modern kitchen is a problem waiting to happen. We assess your current panel capacity, run load calculations, and install the right upgrade, whether that is a 200-amp service upgrade, a subpanel addition, or a full panel replacement. We pull the necessary permits and make sure everything is code-compliant before we close up the panel.
Power outages in Wake County are a real inconvenience, and after a severe storm they can stretch into days. We handle the electrical side of generator hookups: running the wiring, installing the transfer switch, and making sure your home or business can switch to backup power safely and without back-feeding the grid. If you already have a generator and need the transfer switch installed, or if you are building out a standby generator circuit for a new unit, we can schedule the work and get it done right.
Lightning is a genuine risk in this region, and a single nearby strike can send a voltage spike through your home's wiring that damages appliances, electronics, and HVAC equipment. Panel-level surge protection catches that spike before it reaches your circuits. We install whole-home surge protectors at the panel, which gives every outlet and circuit in the house a layer of protection that a power strip cannot provide. It is one of the most cost-effective electrical upgrades available, and it is a job that takes a few hours.
We've wired this area long enough to know what works, and commercial clients have been part of our work from the beginning. We handle office and retail electrical installations, commercial panel upgrades, tenant improvement wiring for build-outs and renovations, and commercial lighting installations. If you are a property manager coordinating electrical work across multiple units, we can work with your schedule and document the work clearly.
We also handle addition and renovation wiring for contractors and homeowners, garage and workshop electrical, and EV charger installation for commercial properties and multi-family buildings. Electrical permit assistance is part of the process on larger jobs. As a family-run electrical business, we keep communication straightforward and show up when we say we will. We stand behind every circuit we touch.
Electrical pricing is one of the most common questions we get, and the honest answer is that it depends on the job. What we can tell you is that we discuss pricing with you before any work begins. You will know what the job costs before we start, and we do not add charges after the fact.
Same-day appointments are available for urgent repairs. We also schedule after-hours and weekend visits for situations that cannot wait until Monday. When you hire local, you hire people who stand behind the job. Quick response. Straight pricing. No surprises at the panel.
Call (919) 241-5635 to get a quote on any electrical job, big or small.
We are based in Apex and serve customers throughout Wake County and the surrounding communities. That includes Cary, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Morrisville, Raleigh, Garner, and the Research Triangle area. If you are not sure whether we cover your neighborhood, give us a call. We know this part of North Carolina well and we keep response times short because we are already here.
Yes, same-day appointments are available for most jobs, including urgent repairs. Call us at (919) 241-5635 and we will find the earliest opening that works for your schedule. For genuine emergencies, we are available every day from 8:30 AM to 11:00 PM.
We serve customers throughout Wake County and the surrounding Research Triangle area. Communities we regularly cover include Cary, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Morrisville, Raleigh, Garner, Knightdale, and Wendell. If you are not sure whether we reach your neighborhood, call and we will give you a straight answer.
We do. We schedule appointments every day from 8:30 AM to 11:00 PM, including Saturdays and Sundays. If a weekday appointment does not fit your schedule, we will find an evening or weekend time that does.
The fastest way is to call us at (919) 241-5635 and describe the job. We will ask a few questions about what you are seeing or what you need installed, and we will give you a clear estimate before any work begins. There are no vague ranges and no charges added after the fact.
We will ask about the job, confirm your address, and book a time that fits your schedule. A licensed electrician shows up at the agreed time, assesses the situation, and explains what the repair or installation involves before starting any work. You know the cost before we begin.
For most jobs, yes. We need access to the work area and, in many cases, the breaker panel. If you are scheduling work on a rental property and cannot be present yourself, arranging for a tenant or property contact to provide access works just as well. Let us know the situation when you call and we will plan accordingly.
For routine installations and non-urgent repairs, a few days of lead time is typical. For urgent problems, same-day availability is often possible. Call us and we will tell you the current schedule and get you in as quickly as we can.
Clear a path to the breaker panel and to the work area if you can. If you know which breaker or outlet is involved, make a note of it. You do not need to do any electrical prep work yourself. Our job is to assess and diagnose from scratch, so just having access to the relevant areas is enough.
Wendell Electric handles the full range of electrical work, from outlet repairs and ceiling fan installations to whole-home rewires, panel upgrades, backup generator hookups, surge protection, and commercial electrical jobs throughout Apex and Wake County. Same-day availability means you do not have to wait when something is wrong. We trace the fault. We fix the wiring. We restore the power.
Call (919) 241-5635 today to get a quote or schedule service.
From a tripped breaker to a full panel upgrade, we handle the complete range of residential and commercial electrical work in Apex and across Wake County. Every job starts with a clear diagnosis, honest pricing before work begins, and licensed electricians who know North Carolina code. The table below covers what we do, who each service is built for, and what to expect when you call.
| Type of Work | What the Job Involves | Best For | Worth Knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breaker & Fuse Repair | breaker replacement, tripping breaker diagnosis, overloaded circuit identification, fuse panel assessment | any home or business with a breaker that trips repeatedly or fails to reset | A breaker that trips often may signal a wiring fault or an overloaded circuit, not just a worn breaker. We check both before replacing anything. |
| EV Charger Installation | Level 2 charger circuit, 240-volt outlet for EV charging, panel capacity check, garage wiring for EV | homeowners adding an electric vehicle and needing a dedicated home charging circuit | Most Level 2 chargers need a dedicated 240-volt, 50-amp circuit. We check panel capacity first so the new circuit does not overload an already-busy panel. |
| Whole-Home Surge Protection | panel-level surge protector installation, whole-home circuit coverage, protection for appliances and electronics, lightning and grid-spike defense | any Apex homeowner with sensitive electronics, smart appliances, or a history of storm-related electrical damage | A panel-level surge protector guards every circuit in the house. Power strips protect only what is plugged into them and cannot stop a large spike from a nearby lightning strike. |
| Wiring for Additions & Remodels | room addition wiring, kitchen and bath remodel circuits, new switch and outlet rough-in, permit-ready installation | homeowners working with a contractor on a remodel or addition who need the electrical rough-in and finish work handled | We coordinate with general contractors and pull the necessary permits so the electrical portion of your project passes inspection without delays. |
| Dedicated Appliance Circuits | dryer and range circuits, refrigerator and dishwasher circuits, 240-volt outlet installation, sump pump and basement circuits | homeowners adding a high-draw appliance or finishing a basement with a sump pump | A dedicated circuit keeps a high-draw appliance from competing with the rest of the panel and reduces nuisance tripping. |
| Ceiling Fan Installation | new fan wiring, fan and switch or remote setup, box rating check, fixture replacement | homeowners finishing a room or replacing an older fixture | The ceiling box must be rated for a fan's weight and movement. We verify the box before mounting so the install is safe and code-compliant. |
| Older-Home Rewiring | knob-and-tube replacement, aluminum wiring remediation, whole-house rewire, grounding and bonding upgrades | owners of older homes in Apex and Wake County with original wiring that no longer meets safety standards | Knob-and-tube and aluminum wiring present real safety risks in modern homes. We assess the full scope before quoting so there are no surprises mid-project. |
| Electrical Repairs & Troubleshooting | dead outlets, flickering or dimming lights, burning smells or sparking, circuit diagnostics | homeowners and property managers with an electrical problem they cannot identify | We diagnose before we quote. Finding the actual cause first keeps costs honest and prevents repeat calls. |
| Backup Generator Installation | transfer switch installation, generator circuit wiring, standby generator hookup, code-compliant anti-backfeed setup | homeowners and businesses in Wake County who have experienced multi-day outages after severe storms | We handle the electrical side: the wiring, the transfer switch, and making sure the system cannot back-feed the grid. Properly installed transfer switches are required by code. |
| Wiring & Circuit Installation | new circuit runs, switch leg wiring, garage and workshop circuits, addition and renovation wiring | homeowners adding a room, finishing a basement, or building out a workshop or garage | All new wiring is pulled to current North Carolina code. We handle permit coordination on larger jobs so you have a clean inspection record. |
| Outlet & Switch Installation | GFCI and AFCI outlets, USB receptacles, dimmer switches, ungrounded receptacle upgrades | homeowners updating older wiring or adding outlets in kitchens, baths, garages, and home offices | GFCI protection is required by code in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor areas. We make sure new installs meet current North Carolina requirements. |
| Lighting Installation | recessed and under-cabinet lighting, outdoor and security lighting, motion sensor fixtures, commercial overhead lighting | homeowners finishing a room, upgrading exterior lighting, or commercial tenants improving a workspace | Outdoor lighting in Wake County sees real weather. We use fixtures and wiring methods rated for the exposure so the install holds up. |
| Electrical Panel Upgrades | 200-amp service upgrades, subpanel installation, load calculations, permit and inspection coordination | homes carrying more load than the original panel was designed for, including EV chargers, additions, and modern kitchens | Rapid growth in this part of Wake County means many older homes are running panels that were never sized for today's electrical demand. A load calculation tells us exactly what upgrade you need. |
| Electrical Safety Inspections | whole-home wiring assessment, panel condition review, grounding and bonding check, pre-sale or pre-purchase inspection | buyers, sellers, and landlords who need a clear picture of a home's electrical condition before a transaction or renovation | An inspection gives you a documented list of what is safe, what needs attention, and what is a priority. We explain every finding in plain terms. |
How do I know if my panel needs an upgrade?
The most common signs are breakers that trip repeatedly under normal load, lights that dim when a large appliance starts, a panel with fewer slots than circuits you need, or a panel that is 30 or more years old. If your home has an EV charger, a new addition, or a modern kitchen added since the original panel was installed, a load calculation will tell us whether the panel can handle what you are running. Call us and we can walk through what you are seeing before scheduling an assessment.
What causes a breaker to keep tripping?
A breaker that trips repeatedly is usually telling you one of three things: the circuit is carrying more load than it was designed for, there is a wiring fault somewhere on the circuit, or the breaker itself is worn and no longer holds reliably. We diagnose which it is before recommending a fix. Replacing a breaker without checking the underlying cause often means the problem comes back.
Is the electrical work permitted and inspected?
Yes. Permits are required for most electrical work in North Carolina beyond simple repairs and fixture swaps, and we pull them on the jobs that need them. Permitted work is inspected by the local authority, which gives you a documented record that the installation meets current code. That matters for insurance purposes and when you sell the home.
Work Performed by Licensed Electricians
Every job we take is handled by licensed electricians who know North Carolina code and treat your home with care. We protect your floors and finishes while we work and leave the space clean when we are done.
What do flickering or dimming lights usually mean?
Occasional flicker when a large appliance starts up is usually a load issue on a shared circuit, and adding a dedicated circuit often solves it. Persistent flickering, lights that dim in multiple rooms, or flickering that happens without any obvious trigger can point to a loose connection, a failing breaker, or a panel that is undersized for the load. Those situations are worth a diagnostic call because loose connections in particular can become a fire risk over time.
Is the wiring in an older home safe?
It depends on the type and condition. Homes built before the 1970s may have knob-and-tube wiring or aluminum branch circuit wiring, both of which carry risks in modern use. Knob-and-tube was not designed for today's electrical loads and has no ground conductor. Aluminum wiring can develop loose connections at outlets and switches over time, which creates a heat and fire risk. An inspection tells you what you have and what, if anything, needs to be addressed.
How does EV charger installation work?
Most home EV chargers operate on a dedicated 240-volt circuit, typically 50 amps. We start by checking your panel to confirm it has the capacity for the new circuit without overloading what is already there. If the panel needs an upgrade first, we handle that as part of the project. We then run the circuit to your garage or parking area, install the outlet or hardwired connection point, and make sure everything is permitted and inspected.
Upfront Quotes With No Surprise Fees
We discuss pricing before any work begins. You know what the job costs before we start, and we do not add charges after the fact.
What is involved in backup generator hookup?
We handle the electrical side of generator installation: running the wiring from the generator to the house, installing the transfer switch, and making sure the system is set up so it cannot back-feed power onto the utility grid while the grid is down. Back-feeding is a serious hazard for utility workers, and a properly installed transfer switch prevents it. If you already have a portable or standby generator and just need the transfer switch and circuit work done, we can schedule that on its own.
Why would an outlet or switch stop working?
A dead outlet is often a tripped GFCI somewhere upstream on the same circuit, not a failed outlet itself. Kitchens, bathrooms, and garages share GFCI protection, so a tripped GFCI in the bathroom can knock out an outlet in the garage. If resetting every GFCI in the house does not restore power, the outlet may have a loose connection or a wiring fault. A switch that stops working usually has a failed switch or a loose wire at the terminal. Both are straightforward repairs once we trace the circuit.
Same-Day and Emergency Availability
Urgent electrical problems do not wait for a convenient weekday. Same-day appointments are available for most repairs, and we schedule every day including evenings and weekends.
What does a warm or buzzing outlet mean?
A warm outlet or one that buzzes or crackles is a sign of a loose connection or a wiring problem, and it is worth calling us about rather than waiting. Heat at an outlet means resistance in the connection, and resistance means the wiring is working harder than it should. Left unaddressed, that can damage the wiring insulation or, in worse cases, start a fire inside the wall. We take those calls seriously and can usually get out the same day.
Do I need to be home when the electrician arrives?
For most jobs, yes, because we need access to the work area and usually the breaker panel. If you are scheduling work on a rental property and cannot be there yourself, having a tenant or a property contact on-site who can provide access works fine. Let us know the situation when you call and we will plan around it.
How does pricing and scheduling work?
Call us, describe the job, and we will ask a few questions about what you are seeing or what you need installed. We give you a clear estimate before any work begins, and we do not add charges after the fact. Same-day appointments are available for urgent repairs. For routine installations, a few days of lead time is typical. We also schedule evenings and weekends for situations that cannot wait for a weekday slot.
Every electrical job is different, and the best way to get accurate information for your situation is to call us directly at (919) 241-5635 so we can talk through what you need and give you a straight answer.