When a renovation is on the calendar, or a new appliance is going in, or a garage is being converted into a workspace, the electrical side of that project needs to be planned before the walls go up or the permit gets pulled. Coleman Electrical Service handles that work in Santa Monica, from the initial load calculation through to the final circuit test. Homeowners adding a kitchen, property managers upgrading a multi-unit building, and businesses fitting out a new space all run into the same problem: the electrical plan gets treated as an afterthought, and it costs more to fix that later than to get it right at the start.
We handle the full scope of residential and commercial electrical work here, whether that means running dedicated circuits for new appliances, upgrading a panel to carry a heavier load, or rewiring a building that was last touched decades ago. Same-day appointments are often available, and we are reachable every day from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Call (747) 368-2289 for a quote before anything is scheduled.
Getting someone out quickly matters when an outlet stops working mid-week or a breaker will not stay reset. Same-day appointments are often available when you call during our hours. When you reach us, we ask what is going on, where the problem is showing up, and what the property looks like, and from that conversation we give you a price before anything is booked.
For tenants and businesses that cannot simply shut down while work is being done, we talk through the plan before we arrive. That might mean staging the work across circuits so part of the space stays live, or scheduling around business hours so the disruption lands at the least costly time. We show up, and we keep you posted until the job is done.
When the situation is urgent, such as a burning smell near a panel or a complete loss of power in part of a building, let us know when you call. Those calls get priority attention. Reach out and an electrician will follow up.
Santa Monica has a wide range of housing and commercial premises: older apartment buildings with original wiring, newer condos with modern panels, and commercial spaces that have been fitted out and refitted multiple times. One call is not like another, and the work reflects that.
A flickering light in one room, an outlet that stopped working, a breaker that trips whenever the microwave runs, a burning smell near a switch plate: each of those symptoms points somewhere specific. We trace the problem to its source rather than addressing only what is visible. That might mean checking for loose connections behind an outlet, testing a circuit for a ground fault, or looking at the panel for a breaker that is failing under load. Work is carried out by licensed electricians who approach every repair the same way: find the actual cause, explain what it takes to fix it, and do the job so it does not come back.
A lot of the housing stock in this area was built before households ran the electrical load they do now. An older panel that was adequate for a simpler time often cannot carry a modern kitchen, a home office, an EV charger circuit, and a central cooling circuit simultaneously. We handle panel replacements, service upgrades, and subpanel installation where the load needs to be distributed across a building. Every panel job starts with a load calculation so the new equipment is sized for what is actually being asked of it. Code-compliant wiring on every job is not a selling point, it is the minimum.
Dedicated circuits for dryers, ovens, and other major appliances, outlet installation in kitchens and bathrooms, ceiling fan wiring, recessed lighting, exterior and security lighting, and GFCI and AFCI protection throughout the home all fall under installation work. So does whole-home rewiring for buildings where the existing wiring is no longer adequate. The services page carries the full breakdown of what we install and what each job involves.
We'll handle the wiring so you don't have to.
Electrical problems don't wait, and neither do we, and the calls we take in Santa Monica reflect what the housing and climate here actually demand. The four job types below come up regularly, and each one is worth understanding before you call.
A safety inspection is how you find out what a building's electrical system actually looks like, rather than what you assume it looks like. Pre-sale inspections, pre-purchase inspections, and code compliance reviews for older properties all follow the same process: a licensed electrician goes through the panel, the branch circuits, the grounding and bonding, and the GFCI and AFCI protection throughout the building, and documents what is there and what needs attention. Older multi-unit buildings in particular often surface wiring that was modified or extended without documentation, and an inspection is the only reliable way to know what you have.
California's EV adoption rate means a Level 2 home charger has become a practical necessity for a lot of households rather than a nice-to-have. A Level 2 charger runs on a dedicated 240-volt circuit, and installing one correctly means assessing the panel's available capacity first. If the panel does not have room to support the new circuit, that gets addressed as part of the same project. We handle the circuit, the wiring, and the charger installation from start to finish.
A whole-home surge protector installs at the main panel and intercepts voltage spikes from the utility grid before they reach appliances, electronics, and the circuits behind them. In a region where public-safety power shutoffs and grid restoration events are a recurring reality, that protection matters. We check grounding and bonding as part of the installation, because a surge protector performs best when the system behind it is solid. We give honest recommendations on repairs, never an upsell, and this is one installation that genuinely earns its place in most homes here.
GFCI protection is required in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and exterior locations where moisture is a factor. AFCI protection is required on most branch circuits in newer construction and is increasingly required when older circuits are replaced or extended. Both exist because the hazards they address are real, and both are straightforward to install correctly when the work is planned from the start. We install GFCI outlets, GFCI breakers, and AFCI breakers, and we confirm what California code requires for the specific location before we begin.
When you call, we ask what the job involves and what the property looks like. From that conversation, we give you a price before anything is scheduled. The rate is explained on the call, and if you want to know what it covers, ask and you will get a straight answer. Pricing is clear and confirmed up front.
What changes a quote is what the job turns out to involve. Hidden wiring, a panel that is more deteriorated than it looked from the outside, or a related problem discovered during the work can all affect the scope. If that happens, we tell you before we continue and confirm the revised price. We do not add charges after the fact without your knowledge. We test every circuit. We label every breaker. We leave it safe.
our electrical work page goes into what to expect step by step.
Getting your power back is easier than you think when the problem is straightforward. Commercial work is a different kind of planning. A restaurant that cannot close for a full day, a retail space that needs to stay open during a partial fit-out, or an office that needs new circuits added without interrupting the floor that is still running all require a different approach to scheduling and sequencing.
We handle commercial panel upgrades, office wiring, retail and restaurant electrical work, and commercial lighting installation. For jobs where part of the site needs to stay live, we plan the circuit isolation before we arrive so the disruption is contained. Out-of-hours scheduling is available for businesses where any downtime during operating hours is a real cost. Pick up the phone and we'll get rolling.
We've handled everything from a flickering light to a full rewire, and the jobs that create the most difficulty are the ones where the electrical work was not planned alongside the construction. Walls go up before the wiring is roughed in. A kitchen is designed around appliances without accounting for the dedicated circuits each one needs. A garage conversion is framed and insulated before anyone checks whether the panel has room to support it.
Getting an electrician involved at the planning stage, not after the drywall is up, is how a renovation avoids those problems. We work with homeowners and contractors to confirm what the electrical side of a project requires before the build starts, and we schedule our work around the other trades so the job moves in the right order. If the panel needs to be upgraded to carry the new load, that work gets done before the fit-out begins, not after. We keep your home powered and safe.
We serve Santa Monica and the surrounding communities across Los Angeles County, including Marina del Rey, Culver City, Beverly Hills, Ladera Heights, and the parts of Los Angeles that border this area. Residential, multi-unit, and commercial properties are all within scope, and same-day appointments are often available across the full coverage area.
If you are not sure whether we reach your address, call (747) 368-2289 and we will confirm on the call.
A faceplate that is warm to the touch or shows discoloration around the slots is a sign of arcing or a loose connection inside the box. That is not something to monitor and wait on. We diagnose the cause and repair it correctly rather than replacing only the cover.
A momentary dip in brightness when a refrigerator compressor, an air conditioner circuit, or a large motor starts is caused by the startup current draw pulling voltage down briefly on a shared circuit. If the dimming is significant or lasts more than a moment, it can point to an undersized service, a weak connection, or a circuit that needs to be dedicated. We can assess whether the cause is normal or worth addressing.
Work on the meter base or the service entrance involves the utility company as well as the electrician. We handle the electrical side, including the service entrance wiring and the panel connections, and we coordinate with the utility on the parts that require their involvement. We explain how that process works when we scope the job.
It depends on what was done and whether it can be brought to code without starting over. Some amateur work can be corrected at the connection points and made safe. Other installations have to come out because the wiring method, the wire gauge, or the routing does not meet current code. We assess it honestly and explain what the options are.
Document what you are seeing, including which outlets, switches, or fixtures are affected, and whether you have noticed anything like a burning smell or a warm outlet cover. A warm outlet, a burning smell, or a breaker that trips repeatedly are not things to wait on. You can call us directly to get a diagnosis, and we will explain what the problem involves and what it takes to address it.
A shared service means the main meter and service entrance feed more than one panel. Work on one unit's panel does not affect the others, but any change to the service entrance or the metering arrangement involves the utility and may affect the other units. We assess the setup before recommending any work that touches the shared portion.
An existing generator connection that was not installed to code, such as a direct connection without a proper transfer switch, creates a backfeed risk for utility workers and a safety hazard for the home. We assess the existing setup, explain what is wrong with it, and install a proper transfer switch or interlock so the generator can be used safely.
A workshop with power tools, compressors, or welding equipment typically needs dedicated circuits sized for the load of each major tool, and sometimes a subpanel to distribute that load cleanly. Standard 15-amp or 20-amp outlets are not adequate for equipment that draws heavy startup current. We calculate what the space needs and wire it accordingly.
Unpermitted electrical work is not automatically a code violation that requires immediate correction, but it can become an issue during a sale inspection or when additional work is planned. We can assess whether the existing work is safe and code-compliant, and explain what remediation looks like if it is not.
Most electrical work creates minimal mess. Outlet and switch work involves opening boxes that are already there. Work that requires running new wiring through finished walls involves more disruption, and we explain the access points needed before the job starts. We clean up the work area before we leave.
Yes, and it affects it significantly. Buildings constructed before the 1980s may have wiring configurations, panel types, or grounding arrangements that do not meet current California code and that create real safety concerns under modern electrical loads. An inspection is the most reliable way to understand what a specific building actually has, and we can walk through what any findings mean before any work is scheduled.
Coleman Electrical Service handles the full range of electrical work in Santa Monica, from a repair that cannot wait to a renovation that needs to be wired correctly from the start. Call (747) 368-2289 for a quote. We are available every day from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and same-day appointments are often available. We handle it.
Neighboring towns we serve: Culver City, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Inglewood.
Browse our map of areas.
Below is a plain-language look at the electrical services we handle across Santa Monica and the surrounding San Fernando Valley. Each row covers what the service includes, who it fits best, and a practical note to help you figure out where to start. Call for a quote and we will walk you through the details before anything is scheduled.
| Service Type | Scope of Work | Best For | Things to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot-Tub Circuits | 240-volt dedicated circuit, GFCI disconnect installation, outdoor wiring and conduit, bonding and grounding | Homeowners installing a spa or hot tub and needing the electrical side handled correctly | Hot tub wiring involves specific code requirements for GFCI protection and bonding. Getting it right the first time avoids problems at inspection. |
| Breaker & Fuse Repair | failing breaker replacement, fuse panel evaluation, overcurrent protection checks, panel interior inspection | Homeowners with a breaker that trips repeatedly or will not reset | A breaker that keeps tripping is doing its job, but the underlying cause still needs to be found and corrected. |
| Standby Battery for Outages | battery backup wiring, transfer switch installation, critical load panel setup, grid-tie and off-grid configurations | Homeowners who want power for essential circuits when the grid goes down | Sizing the battery correctly starts with knowing which circuits you need to keep running. We work through that on the call before anything is scheduled. |
| Electrical Repairs & Troubleshooting | tracing faults to the source, testing outlets and circuits, arcing and loose connection repair, GFCI and AFCI protection | Any home or business with a symptom that needs a diagnosis | A tripping breaker or dead outlet can point to something deeper. We identify the real problem before recommending a fix. |
| Outlet & Switch Installation | GFCI outlet installation, switch replacement and upgrade, dedicated outlet runs, exterior and weatherproof outlets | Homeowners adding outlets or replacing devices that have stopped working | GFCI protection is required by California code in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor locations. We install to current code on every job. |
| Older-Home Rewiring | knob-and-tube replacement, aluminum branch-circuit remediation, partial and whole-home rewires, wiring for additions and remodels | Owners of older Santa Monica properties with wiring that has been flagged or is showing symptoms | The scope of a rewire depends on what is actually in the walls. We assess the existing wiring before recommending a full or partial approach. |
| Whole-Home Surge Protection | panel-mounted surge protector installation, grounding and bonding verification, protection for appliances and electronics, EV charger circuit protection | Any home with sensitive electronics, an EV charger, or solar equipment worth protecting | A surge protector at the panel intercepts voltage spikes before they reach your devices. Grounding and bonding are checked as part of the installation. |
| Wiring & Circuit Installation | new circuit runs, renovation and addition wiring, garage and shed wiring, code-compliant rough-in work | Additions, conversions, and any space being built out or rewired | New wiring in California is inspected to code. We handle the load calculation and panel capacity check as part of the project. |
| Electrical Panel & Service UpgradesMost Popular | 200-amp service upgrades, panel replacement, subpanel installation, load calculations and grounding | Older homes, properties under renovation, or any panel flagged during an inspection | Many Santa Monica homes were built with 100-amp service. A load calculation before the upgrade confirms the new panel can carry what you are adding. |
| Electrical Safety Inspections | panel and wiring condition review, GFCI and AFCI check, grounding and bonding evaluation, pre-sale and rental unit inspections | Landlords, buyers, sellers, and anyone with an older property | A written summary of findings comes with every inspection so you know exactly what was found and what, if anything, needs attention. |
| Dedicated Appliance Circuits | dryer and range circuits, hot tub and spa wiring, workshop and garage circuits, disconnect and breaker installation | Any high-draw appliance that needs its own breaker and wire run | Running a dedicated circuit means the appliance does not compete with other loads on the same breaker, which reduces nuisance tripping and wear. |
| Lighting Installation | recessed and LED lighting, kitchen and bathroom lighting, exterior and security lighting, landscape lighting circuits | Remodels, new construction, or any space where the existing lighting is not working for the room | Exterior and landscape lighting circuits need proper weatherproofing and grounding. We handle the circuit run, not just the fixture. |
| Solar & Battery Backup | transfer switch installation, battery backup wiring, panel capacity and interconnection work, critical load circuit setup | Homeowners adding solar or battery storage, especially ahead of wildfire season outages | Public-safety power shutoffs across Los Angeles County have made battery backup a practical choice. We handle the electrical side so the system actually works when the grid goes down. |
| Ceiling Fan Installation | fan and fixture swap, new circuit and wiring runs, box and brace installation, switch and remote wiring | Homeowners replacing an old fan or adding one where no wiring exists | If there is no existing wiring at the ceiling location, we run the circuit from the panel. No guesswork on whether the box can hold the weight. |
| EV Charger Installation | Level 2 charger installation, dedicated 240-volt circuit, panel capacity check, garage and driveway placement | Electric vehicle owners who need faster overnight charging than a standard outlet provides | California has some of the highest EV adoption in the country. If the panel needs room for the new circuit, we handle that as part of the same visit. |
Call (747) 368-2289 for a quote on any of the services above. We are available every day from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and we will walk you through the details before anything is scheduled.
(747) 368-2289