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Electricians · Cambridge, MA

Electricians in Cambridge, Massachusetts

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

30 contractors serving Cambridge — including 5 based in town.

Contractors serving Cambridge

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 Cambridge — what to know

Rebates & incentives

Cambridge is in Eversource electric territory, 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 heat pump or heat-pump water heater — older Cambridge homes on 100A or fuse service usually can't carry the added load.

Cambridge's own climate-action goals lean hard toward electrification, so pairing the service upgrade with the Eversource/Mass Save rebate path is common. In pre-1940 homes, knob-and-tube remediation also matters for insurability, since carriers in this market frequently flag active old wiring.

Permits in Cambridge

Electrical work in Cambridge requires a permit under 527 CMR 12.00, the Massachusetts NEC amendments, and a licensed Journeyman or Master electrician. Permits are pulled through the Cambridge Inspectional Services Department, and a municipal wiring inspector signs off before energizing. Panel upgrades, EV circuits, meter relocations, and rewires all need permits. Cambridge has historic districts (including Old Cambridge and Avon Hill) where exterior-visible changes such as meter or service-mast relocations can trigger Historical Commission review, so flag that early.

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

Typical project cost

Cambridge sits at the high end of the state on labor and access, similar to Boston. A 100A-to-200A panel upgrade typically runs $3,000–$5,500; meter relocations and mast work push higher. A Level 2 EV-charger circuit generally runs $1,200–$2,500 depending on the run to off-street parking, which is scarce here. Knob-and-tube rewiring is priced by accessibility and often lands $8,000–$20,000 for a full home. A whole-home generator with transfer switch usually runs $9,000–$16,000 installed.

About Cambridge homes

Cambridge packs about 53,900 housing units into Middlesex County, with a median home age around 80 years. The mix runs from triple-deckers and worker cottages in The Port and Cambridgeport to large Victorians near Harvard and Porter Squares — much of it predating modern electrical service and still wired with knob-and-tube behind plaster.

That density and age make panel upgrades and partial rewires the most common jobs. Lot lines are tight, so EV-charger runs and meter relocations take planning, and the city's strong push toward building electrification keeps service-upgrade demand high among owners preparing for heat pumps.

Common questions — Electricians in Cambridge

Do I need a panel upgrade before going all-electric in Cambridge?
Usually yes. Cambridge's electrification goals point most owners toward heat pumps, and an old 100A or fuse panel typically can't carry one. A 200A upgrade is the step that makes the Eversource/Mass Save heat-pump rebate workable.
Will historic district rules affect my service upgrade?
They can. In districts like Old Cambridge and Avon Hill, exterior-visible changes such as relocating a meter or service mast may need Cambridge Historical Commission review. An electrician familiar with the city can route that.
Is knob-and-tube common in Cambridge homes?
Yes, in pre-1940 houses it's frequently still live behind plaster. It isn't rated for modern loads, and insurers often surcharge or decline coverage on it, so staged rewiring is a common project.
How hard is it to add an EV charger with no driveway?
It's doable but depends on where your parking is and the run from the panel. With scarce off-street parking in Cambridge, the cost is mostly in the conductor distance and any panel capacity work needed first.
Who inspects electrical work in Cambridge?
The Cambridge Inspectional Services Department issues the permit under 527 CMR 12.00, and a municipal wiring inspector inspects before the work is energized. Your licensed electrician handles the permit and inspection.

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