Howard Simons Electrical has been the go-to electrician for Skokie homeowners and businesses since 1992. For more than 34 years, we have handled everything from a single tripped breaker to full commercial panel installations, serving Cook County with the kind of steady, no-fuss electrical work that keeps homes safe and businesses running. Whether you own a bungalow on the North Shore or manage a retail strip in the suburbs, we bring the same level of care and attention to every job. You schedule it. We power it. Simple as that. Call (224) 592-9789 to get started.
Most homeowners can't tell a minor wiring issue from a serious one, and that uncertainty is exactly why a quick call matters. Flickering lights, a dead outlet, a breaker that trips every time you run the microwave, these are not always isolated nuisances. They can point to loose connections, overloaded circuits, or aging wiring that needs attention before it becomes a bigger problem.
We troubleshoot the full range of everyday electrical faults: outlets that have stopped working, switches that buzz or feel warm, breakers that will not hold, and lights that flicker or dim without a clear reason. Our electricians trace the fault to the source rather than patching around it, so the fix holds. Reach out and an electrician will follow up.
Not every electrician works the same way, and panel work is one area where experience really shows. Older homes in Skokie often carry 60-amp or 100-amp panels that were sized for a fraction of today's electrical load. A modern household running an EV charger, a home office, and central air needs capacity to match.
We handle breaker panel repair and replacement, 200-amp service upgrades, subpanel installation, and service entrance work. As part of modern panel installations, we incorporate AFCI and GFCI protection where current code requires it, adding a meaningful layer of safety against arc faults and ground faults. We also run the load calculations upfront so you know exactly what the upgraded panel will support. Straight answers about your panel and wiring, no surprises. Your panel is in good hands with us.
Skokie's housing stock runs older than most people realize, and a lot of that housing still contains wiring that was installed decades before current safety standards existed. Knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum branch-circuit wiring, and ungrounded two-prong systems are common finds in homes built before the 1970s, and each one carries its own set of risks.
We replace knob-and-tube wiring, remediate aluminum wiring connections, and rewire homes that need a full update. Dedicated circuit installation is part of this work too, whether you need a circuit for a new appliance, a basement workshop, or a sump pump that cannot share a line with anything else. Proper grounding and bonding are part of every rewiring job we do, and where older wiring has created code violations, we bring the system into compliance. Clear communication from the first call to the final test is how we run every rewiring project. Call and we'll handle the lights, outlets, and panel.
Seeing flickering lights or a warm outlet? Those are signals worth acting on, not ignoring. Beyond troubleshooting, we also handle the installation work that makes a home more functional and safer day to day.
That includes GFCI outlet installation in kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor areas, AFCI outlets and breakers where code calls for them, USB outlets, dimmer switches, and smart switch wiring. On the lighting side, we install recessed LED fixtures, under-cabinet lighting, ceiling fans, outdoor security lighting, and landscape lighting. With a local company, your questions go straight to the people doing the work. If you want to know whether a dimmer is compatible with your fixture or how many recessed cans a room needs, you get a real answer from the electrician handling the job.
EV adoption in the Chicago area has grown steadily, and more Skokie homeowners are asking about Level 2 home charging. A Level 2 EV charger installation requires a dedicated 240-volt circuit and a panel that has the capacity to support it. We assess your current panel load, run the dedicated circuit, and install the charger in a location that works for your garage or driveway setup. If your panel needs a capacity upgrade to handle the EV load, we handle that as part of the same project so everything is done correctly and to code.
The Chicago metro sees its share of severe weather, and a power outage that lasts more than a few hours creates real problems for families and businesses alike. We install transfer switches, wire standby generators, and connect whole-home generator systems so that when the grid goes down, your power does not. Whole-home surge protection is a natural complement to generator work, protecting sensitive electronics and appliances from the voltage spikes that can occur when power is restored.
The hardest part of an electrical problem is knowing when to call, and for business owners and property managers, the answer is usually before a minor issue turns into a service interruption. We work with offices, retail spaces, multi-unit buildings, and commercial properties across Skokie and Cook County.
Commercial electrical work we handle includes panel upgrades sized for business load, dedicated circuits for commercial equipment, lighting retrofits and upgrades, outlet and switch installation, and electrical repairs when something stops working during business hours. A local electrician homeowners rely on is also the electrician commercial clients trust to show up on time and do the work right the first time. Reach out and an electrician will follow up.
Every electrical job we complete is done to current Illinois code, and that standard applies whether the job is a single outlet replacement or a full-service upgrade. Work performed by licensed electricians means the person on your property has met the training and testing requirements the trade demands. We do not cut corners on grounding, bonding, breaker sizing, or permit requirements, because those details are what separate a safe installation from a liability.
For older Skokie homes in particular, code compliance is not just paperwork. It is the difference between wiring that protects a family and wiring that creates a hazard over time.
Pricing questions are the ones we hear most before a job starts, and we take them seriously. The cost of electrical work depends on the scope of the job, the age and condition of your existing wiring, the panel size involved, and the materials required. We explain all of that before any work begins.
We do not hand you a low number to get in the door and then add to it once the walls are open. If we find something unexpected during the job, we tell you what it is, what it will cost to address, and what happens if you leave it alone. You decide how to proceed. Honest quotes. Code-compliant work. Reliable power.
Skokie's older homes benefit from a periodic safety check, and so do properties changing hands. A home electrical inspection looks at the panel, the branch circuits, the grounding and bonding, GFCI and AFCI protection coverage, and the overall condition of the wiring. It is a practical way to find problems before they find you.
We conduct electrical safety inspections for homeowners who want peace of mind, buyers and sellers going through a Cook County property transaction, and landlords who need to verify that a rental unit meets current safety standards. Surge protection coverage and the condition of older wiring are two areas we pay particular attention to, especially in homes built before modern standards were adopted.
If something is not right after we leave, we come back and make it right. That is not a policy we put in a brochure and forget. It is how we have kept customers in Skokie and across Cook County coming back for 34 years. We are not satisfied until the work is done correctly and you are confident in what was installed.
We are based in Skokie and serve homeowners and businesses throughout Cook County. Our regular service area includes Evanston, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Park Ridge, and Des Plaines, along with the broader North Shore and northwest suburban communities nearby. If you are not sure whether we cover your area, call and ask. We will give you a straight answer.
We have been serving Skokie and the surrounding Cook County area since 1992, which puts us at more than 34 years of residential and commercial electrical work in the north suburbs. That history means we are familiar with the local housing stock, the permit requirements, and the kinds of electrical issues that come up most often in this part of Illinois.
When you call us, you reach the people running the business, not a dispatch center. The electricians who handle your job are the same people accountable for the outcome. That direct line of communication is something we take seriously, and it is part of why customers in Skokie have come back to us for decades.
We stand for honest quotes, code-compliant work, and showing up when we say we will. We do not pad the scope of a job, and we do not start work before you have approved the estimate. After 34 years in business, the way we have kept customers coming back is by doing the work right and being straight with people.
Yes. If something is not right after we leave, we come back and make it right. That is not a policy we treat as fine print. It is how we have operated since 1992, and it is the standard we hold ourselves to on every job, whether it is a single outlet or a full-panel upgrade.
We work with homeowners, renters, landlords, property managers, and business owners throughout Skokie and Cook County. Residential calls range from quick repairs to full rewiring projects. On the commercial side, we handle panel upgrades, office and retail wiring, multi-unit building work, and commercial lighting. If you have an electrical need, call and we will tell you whether it is something we handle.
Call us at (224) 592-9789 and describe what you are seeing. We will schedule a follow-up visit and make it right at no additional charge if the issue is related to work we performed. We do not make customers argue for a callback. If our work did not hold, we fix it.
We treat your home with the same care we would want in our own. That means cleaning up after the job, being careful around finished floors and walls, and letting you know in advance if any access work like cutting drywall is required. We do not leave a mess behind.
We respect your time and commit to the window we give you. If something changes on our end, we call ahead. Showing up when we say we will is a basic part of doing the job right, and it is something we take seriously on every call.
Howard Simons Electrical has served Skokie and Cook County since 1992, and after 34 years, we have handled just about every residential and commercial electrical situation there is. Whether you need a quick repair, a panel upgrade, an EV charger circuit, or a full rewiring project, we are ready to help. Call (224) 592-9789 for a quote or to schedule service. One call. One electrician. One fair price.
From a dead outlet to a full panel upgrade, we handle the electrical work that keeps Skokie homes and businesses running safely. The table below covers everything we do, who each service is right for, and what to expect when you call. Same-day appointments are available for urgent work, and every job starts with a straight quote before any work begins.
| Type of Work | What It Covers | Best For | Things to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backup Generator Installation |
| Skokie homeowners who want to keep power during summer storms or winter ice events | A properly wired transfer switch is what makes a standby generator safe. We handle the electrical side of the installation from panel to hookup. |
| EV Charger Installation |
| electric vehicle owners who want overnight charging at home without relying on a slow standard outlet | Before we run any wire, we check your panel capacity. If an upgrade is needed, we walk you through the options before the work starts. |
| Electrical Panel & Service UpgradesMost Popular |
| homes with an undersized or aging panel that cannot support modern electrical loads | We run a load calculation before recommending a panel size. The upgrade is matched to what your home actually needs, not just what fits the opening. |
| Lighting Installation |
| homeowners updating interior lighting or adding outdoor safety and curb appeal | Exterior lighting tied to a properly wired circuit adds both security and value. We handle the fixture and the wiring in one visit when possible. |
| Electrical Safety Inspections |
| home buyers, landlords, and owners of older homes who want a clear picture of what they have | An inspection gives you a written picture of what we found and what it would take to address it. No padded scope, just straight answers. |
| Whole-Home Surge Protection |
| homeowners with smart devices, home offices, or expensive appliances they want to protect from voltage spikes | A solid ground is what makes surge protection effective. We check grounding and bonding at the same time we install the device. |
| Older-Home Rewiring |
| owners of mid-century and older Skokie homes with original wiring that has never been updated | Knob-and-tube and aluminum branch-circuit wiring show up more often than most homeowners expect in this area. We assess what is there before recommending a scope. |
| Outlet & Switch Installation |
| homeowners upgrading protection or adding convenience in kitchens, baths, garages, and outdoors | GFCI protection is required by code in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor locations. We confirm your home meets current standards. |
| Wiring & Circuit Installation |
| homeowners finishing a basement, adding a room, or adding load that the existing circuits cannot handle | A sump pump on a shared circuit is a risk. A dedicated circuit keeps it running when it matters most, especially during a Cook County storm. |
| Ceiling Fan Installation |
| homeowners adding comfort and airflow to bedrooms, living spaces, or covered patios | Installing a fan where no ceiling box exists requires a rated fan-support box and proper wiring. We handle both. |
| Electrical Repairs & Troubleshooting |
| any homeowner or business with an unexplained electrical symptom | Symptoms like warm outlets or a buzzing panel can signal a serious fault. Getting a look sooner rather than later is the safer call. |
| Dedicated Appliance Circuits |
| homeowners adding a major appliance or finding that a circuit keeps tripping under load | Most large appliances require their own breaker and wire gauge. We size the circuit to the appliance so it runs reliably and safely. |
| Breaker & Fuse Repair |
| homes where breakers trip repeatedly or a fuse keeps blowing | A breaker that trips under normal load is telling you something. We trace the cause before replacing the breaker so the fix actually holds. |
How do I know if my electrical panel needs to be upgraded?
A few signs point clearly toward a panel upgrade: breakers that trip under normal loads, a fuse box that was never replaced, lights that dim when a large appliance kicks on, or a panel that simply cannot accommodate the circuits a modern home needs. Many Skokie homes still have original 100-amp service, which was adequate decades ago but falls short when you add central air, an EV charger, a home office, or a second refrigerator. We run a load calculation before recommending anything so the upgrade matches what your home actually uses.
What causes a breaker to keep tripping?
A breaker trips because it is doing its job: protecting the circuit from more current than the wire can safely carry. Repeated tripping usually means the circuit is overloaded, there is a short somewhere in the wiring or a connected device, or the breaker itself has worn out and is tripping below its rated threshold. Resetting it repeatedly without finding the cause is not a fix. We trace the fault to its source so the problem is actually resolved.
Is older wiring in a Skokie home safe?
It depends on the type and condition. Knob-and-tube wiring from the early and mid-twentieth century was installed without a ground wire and was not designed for modern electrical loads. Aluminum branch-circuit wiring from the 1960s and 1970s can loosen at connections over time and create a fire risk. Neither is automatically unsafe the day you move in, but both deserve a professional look. A safety inspection tells you what type of wiring you have and whether it needs attention.
Work Performed by Licensed Electricians
Every job we take on is handled by licensed electricians who know the local code and what older and newer homes in this area actually need. You get competent work, not guesswork.
How do I know if my home needs to be rewired?
Signs worth acting on include outlets that feel warm to the touch, lights that flicker without a clear cause, breakers that trip repeatedly, a panel that buzzes or smells like burning, or wiring that has never been inspected since the home was built. Homes in Skokie and the surrounding north suburbs often have original wiring that was adequate for the loads of its era but was never updated. A safety inspection is the right starting point. We assess what is there and give you a clear picture of what, if anything, needs to change.
What does EV charger installation involve?
A Level 2 home charger requires a dedicated 240-volt circuit sized for the charger and the vehicle. Before we run any wire, we check your panel to confirm it has the capacity to carry the added load. If it does not, we talk through the options before the work starts. Installation typically means running a circuit from the panel to the garage or driveway location, mounting the charger, and testing the connection. Most installations are completed in a single visit.
Do I need to be home when the electrician comes?
For most jobs, yes. We need access to the panel, the areas where we are working, and any outlets or fixtures you want us to look at. If a job involves only exterior work or a specific accessible area, we can sometimes work out an arrangement, but for troubleshooting and interior work, having someone present makes the visit go more smoothly and lets us walk you through what we found.
Upfront Quotes With No Surprise Fees
We give you a clear quote before any work begins and do not start until you have approved it. What we quote is what you pay, with no add-ons discovered after the fact.
How does pricing and estimating work?
We do not quote a number before we know what we are dealing with. Electrical work varies depending on the job, the panel, the age of the wiring, and how much access is involved. When you call, we ask a few questions about what you are seeing, and we tell you what the visit looks like and what factors will affect the final price. We do not start work before you have approved the estimate, so there are no surprises after the fact.
When should I call an electrician instead of trying to fix it myself?
Swapping a light bulb or resetting a tripped breaker is reasonable to do yourself. Anything beyond that, including replacing outlets, installing fixtures, running new wire, or touching the panel, involves real risk if the circuit is not properly de-energized or the work is done incorrectly. Code-required work also needs to be done by licensed electricians and, in many cases, inspected. If you are unsure whether something is a DIY fix, a quick call to describe what you are seeing is the fastest way to find out.
Experienced With Older and Newer Homes
Skokie has a real mix of housing stock, from mid-century bungalows with original wiring to newer builds adding EV chargers and upgraded panels. We work on both and know what to look for in each.
Are same-day and emergency appointments available?
Yes. We take calls around the clock because electrical problems do not keep business hours. Same-day appointments are available for urgent work. If you have a sparking outlet, a burning smell near the panel, or a main breaker that will not reset, call us right away. We will ask a few questions and get someone scheduled as fast as the situation allows.
Why do outlets or switches stop working?
The most common reasons are a tripped GFCI outlet somewhere upstream on the same circuit, a loose wire at the outlet or in the wall, a worn or failed device, or a wiring fault in the circuit. A tripped GFCI is easy to check: look for a GFCI outlet nearby with a reset button and press it. If that does not restore power, the issue is further upstream and worth a professional look, especially if the outlet feels warm or the problem is spreading to other locations.
What is whole-home surge protection and do I need it?
A whole-home surge protector installs at the panel and catches voltage spikes before they reach your circuits. A single lightning strike or utility surge can damage every appliance, smart device, and piece of electronics in the house at the same moment. Panel-level protection is a practical layer of defense, especially in an area that sees summer thunderstorms regularly. We install surge protection devices sized for the panel and check grounding and bonding at the same time, since a solid ground is what makes the protection effective.
Every home and job is a little different. Call (224) 592-9789 and we will tell you exactly what your situation calls for and what it will take to get it handled.
(224) 592-9789