Electrical Safety · Michigan
Signs You Need an Electrician: A Homeowner’s Guide
Learn which electrical warning signs need urgent attention, when repairs may be enough, and what to ask before approving a larger upgrade.
·7 min read
Updated Sep 27, 2026 · 10 companies ranked
Top Electrical Companies in Ohio (2026)
Licensed electrical companies across Ohio, ranked by real homeowner reviews. Ranked by verified reviews, license checks and responsiveness.
Ohio handles electrical licensing in two layers. The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) issues state electrical contractor licenses for commercial work, while residential electricians are regulated by city and county building departments, many of which require that same state license before they will issue a permit. Home wiring falls under the Residential Code of Ohio, whose electrical rules have been based on the 2023 National Electrical Code since April 15, 2024. Cold Arctic air in winter, summer thunderstorms and heavy lake-effect snow east of Cleveland make service upgrades, surge protection and standby generators common requests, and older housing in cities like Cleveland often needs wiring updates.Our ranking lists local companies that serve homeowners, with the details you need to check a contractor before you call: years in business, license information, service area and hours.
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- Reviews
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Top 3 in Ohio
- Rank 1Top pick
ANR Electric
Akron, OH · Since 2011
0.00 reviewsFamily-run Akron electrical contractor founded in 2011, covering home repairs, upgrades, generators, EV chargers and new-home wiring, with 24/7 emergency help.
Basement Electrical Bathroom & Exhaust Fan Installation Ceiling Fan Installation Insured - Rank 2#2 in Ohio
Cooper Electric
Cincinnati, OH · Since 1946
0.00 reviewsLong-running Cincinnati electrical contractor, led by master electrician Greg Hyland since 1981, handling home repairs, panel and aluminum wiring work and EV circuits.
Aluminum Wiring Repair Ceiling Fan Installation CSST Gas Line Bonding Insured - Rank 3#3 in Ohio
Dependable Electric
Strongsville, OH · Since 1996
0.00 reviewsNortheast Ohio residential electrician focused on service upgrades, code violation fixes and whole-home rewiring, with a five-year warranty on its work.
Ceiling Fan Installation Circuit Breaker Service Dedicated Circuits Insured
Full Ohio top list
- Rank 1
AkronSince 2011
0.0 (0)Insured Basement Electrical Bathroom & Exhaust Fan Installation Ceiling Fan Installation Commercial Electrical Build-Outs - Rank 2
CincinnatiSince 1946
0.0 (0)Insured Aluminum Wiring Repair Ceiling Fan Installation CSST Gas Line Bonding Data Cabling - Rank 3
StrongsvilleSince 1996
0.0 (0)Insured Ceiling Fan Installation Circuit Breaker Service Dedicated Circuits Electrical Code Corrections - Rank 4
ToledoSince 1987
0.0 (0)Insured Bathroom & Exhaust Fan Installation Ceiling Fan Installation Dedicated Circuits Electrical Code Corrections - Rank 5
NewarkSince 1991
0.0 (0)Insured Electrical Remodeling Electrical Service Upgrades Emergency Electrical Service EV Chargers - Rank 6
DaytonSince 1974
0.0 (0)Aluminum Wiring Repair Data Cabling Electrical Remodeling Electrical Safety Inspections - Rank 7
YoungstownSince 1995
0.0 (0)Dedicated Circuits Electrical Code Corrections Electrical Service Upgrades Emergency Electrical Service - Rank 8
CincinnatiSince 1945
0.0 (0)Commercial Electrical Build-Outs Electrical Retrofits EV Chargers Generator Maintenance - Rank 9
ColumbusSince 1994
0.0 (0)Ceiling Fan Installation Electrical Remodeling Electrical Safety Inspections Emergency Electrical Service - Rank 10
Garfield HeightsSince 1975
0.0 (0)4.9Ceiling Fan Installation Circuit Breaker Service Commercial Electrical Build-Outs Emergency Electrical Service
Cities in Ohio
14 cities- AkronTop rated: ANR Electric
- Canton
- CincinnatiTop rated: Cooper Electric
- Cleveland
- ColumbusTop rated: Safe Electric & Plumbing
- DaytonTop rated: Larkin Electric Co.
- Garfield HeightsTop rated: Tri-County Electric Service
- Hamilton
- Lorain
- NewarkTop rated: Weekley Electric
- Parma
- StrongsvilleTop rated: Dependable Electric
- ToledoTop rated: Great Lakes Electrical Contracting
- YoungstownTop rated: Lyons Electric
Guides for Ohio
All Ohio guidesQuestions from Ohio homeowners
Does Ohio license residential electricians?
The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) licenses electrical contractors for commercial work; it does not issue journeyman licenses. Residential electrical contractors are regulated by local building departments, and state law lets those departments require the OCILB license for residential work.
How can I check an Ohio electrical contractor's license?
Search the OCILB eLicense Center by name or license number and choose the electrical contractor (EL) license type. The result shows whether the license is active. Also ask your city building department whether the contractor is registered there.
What are the requirements for an OCILB electrical contractor license?
Applicants must be at least 18, have at least five years of experience in the trade (or be an Ohio-registered engineer with three years of construction business experience in the trade) and pass the state examination. License holders must complete continuing education, and for the electrical trade half of those hours must cover the code.
Which electrical code applies to homes in Ohio?
One-, two- and three-family homes follow the Residential Code of Ohio, adopted by the Ohio Board of Building Standards. Its electrical chapter is based on the 2023 National Electrical Code with Ohio changes and took effect on April 15, 2024.
Do I need a permit for electrical work on my house?
Most new circuits, panel upgrades and wiring changes need a permit from your local building department, while minor repairs such as replacing a bulb usually do not. In Columbus, for example, only an OCILB-licensed contractor registered with Building and Zoning Services or the homeowner who lives in the house may pull an electrical permit.
Can I do my own electrical work in Ohio?
Rules vary by city. Columbus and Dayton let an owner who lives in a single-family home do the work after getting a permit, but rental properties and duplexes need a contractor registered with the city.
Who inspects electrical work in Cincinnati?
The City of Cincinnati contracts electrical permits, plan review and inspections to The Inspection Bureau, Inc. (IBI), so your electrical contractor files the permit with IBI.
Check any contractor's license: Ohio license lookup