Mass Home Comfort
Find contractors
Electricians · Amherst, MA

Electricians in Amherst, Massachusetts

Compare contractors serving Amherst, Hampshire County — call them directly, or send one request and let the ones who want the job come to you.

30 contractors serving Amherst.

Contractors serving Amherst

Claimed listings within 5 miles come first, then the rest by rating, then distance. Google ratings as of October 2026. How we list and rank contractors

Electricians in Amherst — what to know

Rebates & incentives

Amherst is served by Eversource, an investor-owned utility — not a municipal light plant — so homeowners are Mass Save eligible. The electrical work isn't rebated on its own, but a 200A panel upgrade is generally the prerequisite for a Mass Save-rebated cold-climate heat pump or heat-pump water heater, both attractive where homes still burn oil. Handle the service first, then claim the equipment rebate.

For Amherst's older rentals, the knob-and-tube and insurance angle matters: carriers increasingly surcharge or decline active knob-and-tube, and landlords often need remediation to keep coverage. A panel upgrade plus rewire addresses both safety and insurance while supporting any electrification plans.

Permits in Amherst

Electrical work in Amherst requires a permit under 527 CMR 12.00 and a licensed Journeyman or Master electrician. The Town of Amherst's wiring inspector reviews the work, with attention to rental properties where added loads and circuits are common; a service upgrade gets a rough and a final, and Eversource coordinates the reconnect. Only like-for-like device swaps avoid the permit. Your electrician files the permit and schedules the inspections.

An electrical permit in Amherst is filed with the town’s wiring inspector; see the Amherst Building Department’s contact, portal and who pulls the permit on permits.llc.

Typical project cost

Amherst runs at western-Massachusetts rates — among the lower bands in the state, though Pioneer Valley demand can firm prices. A 100A-to-200A panel upgrade typically runs $2,200–$4,000, more if the meter socket or service mast is replaced. A Level 2 EV circuit is usually $700–$1,800. A knob-and-tube rewire in an older Amherst home or rental commonly reaches $10,000–$24,000. A standby generator with a transfer switch generally runs $8,500–$15,000 installed.

About Amherst homes

Amherst is a Hampshire County college town of about 33,389 residents and roughly 9,550 housing units, with a median home age near 52 years — though that figure masks a wide spread, from antique homes near the common to mid-century and newer builds. With UMass and two colleges here, a large share of the housing is rental, and older multi-family rentals near campus often run undersized panels and dated wiring pushed hard by student loads.

In Amherst the steady electrical work is panel heavy-ups to 200A, dedicated circuits for added kitchen and laundry loads in rentals, knob-and-tube remediation in the older homes, and heat-pump and EV circuits.

Common questions — Electricians in Amherst

Is Amherst eligible for Mass Save?
Yes. Amherst is served by Eversource, an investor-owned utility, so homeowners qualify for Mass Save. A 200A panel upgrade is typically the step that unlocks rebated heat pumps and heat-pump water heaters.
I own a student rental in Amherst — do I need to upgrade the wiring?
Often yes. Older Amherst rentals near campus frequently have undersized panels and dated wiring strained by student loads. A licensed electrician can heavy-up the service and add circuits, which also helps satisfy insurers wary of knob-and-tube.
My older Amherst home has knob-and-tube. Should I rewire?
If it's active and you're insuring or renovating, usually yes. Many carriers surcharge or decline knob-and-tube. A licensed electrician can remediate it in stages or fully rewire and document it for your insurer.
Who inspects electrical work in Amherst?
The Town of Amherst wiring inspector. Your licensed electrician pulls the permit under 527 CMR 12.00 and schedules a rough and a final inspection before the work is energized.
Can I add an EV charger at my Amherst home?
Usually yes, with a dedicated 240V circuit installed by a licensed electrician under permit. If your panel is older and near capacity, a 200A upgrade may be needed first; the electrician will assess the load.

Electricians guides for Massachusetts homeowners

All Electricians guides →

Electricians contractors in nearby towns

HadleyPelhamHatfieldLeverettSunderlandShutesburyBelchertownGranby