​Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) — Electrical & Fire Alarm Services

​Service Areas & Scheduling

• What areas do you serve?
  Electric Advantage provides electrical and fire alarm services throughout Montgomery County, MD (Rockville, Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Potomac) and surrounding areas including Howard County, Prince George’s County, and Frederick County, as well as Washington, DC and Fairfax County / Northern Virginia. If you’re outside these areas, contact us—depending on scope and scheduling, we may still be able to help.

• Do you offer same-day electrical service in Rockville, Bethesda, or Gaithersburg?
  When schedule and technician availability allow, yes. Same-day service is most common for power loss, tripping breakers, burning smells, sparking outlets, and urgent safety issues.

• Do you provide emergency electrical service after hours?
  Yes. If you have a safety issue (smoke odor, sparking, partial power loss, flooding affecting electrical, repeated breaker trips), we can prioritize an emergency dispatch.

• How quickly can you respond for urgent issues?
  Response time depends on call volume and location, but we prioritize safety-related calls first. If you’re in Montgomery County, DC, or Fairfax/NOVA, you’re in our core coverage area.

• Do you handle both residential and commercial work?
  Yes. We support homeowners, property managers, retail, office, medical, industrial/light industrial, and government-related facilities depending on scope and permitting needs.

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Estimates, Pricing & What to Expect

• Do you provide free estimates?
  For many common projects (panel upgrades, EV chargers, lighting installs, generators, commercial tenant improvements), yes. Some troubleshooting/diagnostic visits are billed because they require onsite testing.

• What’s the difference between an estimate and a diagnostic?
  An estimate prices a defined scope (install/replace/upgrade). A diagnostic is when the problem is unknown (intermittent outages, nuisance tripping, “half the house lost power”), requiring investigation, testing, and isolation.

• How do you price electrical work?

• Pricing is based on labor, materials, code requirements, access conditions, and permit/inspection needs. For commercial work, pricing may include project management, coordination, documentation, and testing requirements.

• Are there hidden costs?

• No. If we uncover scope changes (e.g., unsafe wiring, failed breakers, undersized feeders, damaged conduit), we’ll explain options and pricing before proceeding—unless it’s an immediate safety hazard that must be stabilized.

• Do you offer flat-rate pricing?
  For some standard service items, yes. For troubleshooting or complex installations, time-and-material or quoted pricing is more accurate.

• Can you work within a budget?
  Yes—if your budget is realistic. We’ll prioritize safety and code compliance first, then propose phased options (e.g., critical repairs now, improvements later).

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Licensing, Permits, Inspections & Code Compliance

• Are you licensed and insured?
  Electric Advantage operates with proper licensing and insurance appropriate for electrical contracting. If you need COIs (certificates of insurance) for commercial work, we can provide them.

• Do you pull permits in Montgomery County, Rockville, Bethesda, or Gaithersburg?
  Yes. Many major projects require permits (panel upgrades, service changes, generators, certain commercial work). We handle the permit process when required.

• Do you handle permitting in Washington, DC and Northern Virginia (Fairfax County, etc.)?
  Yes, though DC and Northern Virginia jurisdictions can have different requirements and timelines. We build that into scheduling and project planning.

• Will my work be inspected?
  If a permit is required, an inspection is typically required. We install to code and coordinate inspections as part of compliant work.

• Do you follow NEC and local codes?
  Yes. We follow the National Electrical Code (NEC) and applicable local amendments and requirements in Montgomery County, DC, Fairfax, and surrounding jurisdictions.

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Electrical Safety & Urgent Problems

• My breaker keeps tripping—what does it mean?
  Usually overload, a short, a ground fault, or a failing breaker. Repeated tripping is a warning sign. Stop resetting it repeatedly and schedule a diagnostic—especially if there’s heat, buzzing, or odor.

• I smell something burning near an outlet or panel. What should I do?
  Treat it as urgent. If safe, turn off the breaker feeding that circuit and call immediately. Burning smells can indicate arcing, melting insulation, or overheating connections.

• Part of my house lost power but the breakers look fine. What’s happening?
  This can be a lost leg of power, a failing main connection, or utility-side issue. It can be dangerous. Call for service—this often requires immediate testing at the panel and meter base.

• My lights flicker—should I worry?
  Occasional flicker from a single lamp is minor. Frequent flicker across multiple rooms can indicate loose neutral connections, panel issues, or service problems—especially important in older homes in Rockville/Bethesda/DC.

• My outlet is warm or sparking. Is that normal?
  No. Warm outlets, sparking, buzzing, or discoloration are red flags for loose connections or overload. Stop using it and schedule service.

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Panels, Service Upgrades & Circuit Additions

• Do you replace or upgrade electrical panels?
  Yes. We handle panel replacements, service upgrades, breaker replacements, surge protection, and modernization to support today’s electrical loads.

• How do I know if I need a panel upgrade?
  Common triggers: frequent breaker trips, renovations, EV charger addition, generator install, added HVAC, or outdated/unsafe panels. Homes in DC and older parts of Montgomery County often need upgrades due to age and load growth.

• Can you add circuits for kitchens, basements, and renovations?
  Yes—new circuits for appliances, bathrooms, sump pumps, home offices, workshops, and finished basements are common.

• Do you install whole-home surge protection?
  Yes. Whole-home surge protection can reduce risk to electronics and appliances, especially in areas with frequent storms or overhead utility exposure.

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EV Chargers, Generators & High-Power Loads

• Do you install EV chargers in Rockville, Bethesda, and Gaithersburg?
  Yes. We install Level 2 chargers, verify panel capacity, run new circuits, and handle permitting when required.

• How much does an EV charger installation cost?
  It depends on panel capacity, distance, wall type, and route complexity. The lowest-cost installs are near the panel with open capacity; complex runs or service upgrades increase cost.

• Do you install standby generators?
  Yes. We handle the electrical portion, including transfer equipment, code compliance, and coordination with other trades as needed.

• Can my existing electrical service support a generator or EV charger?
  Sometimes—but not always. We evaluate load calculations and panel capacity first to avoid unsafe overload conditions.

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Lighting, Ceiling Fans, Smoke/CO Detectors & Devices

• Do you install recessed lighting, chandeliers, and under-cabinet lighting?
  Yes—interior lighting upgrades are one of the highest-ROI improvements for homes and retail spaces.

• Do you install ceiling fans and bathroom exhaust fans?
  Yes, including proper bracing, wiring, and switch control (single switch, dual switch, timer, humidity sensor).

• Can you install smart switches, dimmers, and occupancy sensors?
  Yes. We verify compatibility (especially with LEDs) and install code-compliant device boxes and wiring.

• Do you install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors?
  Yes. We can replace and upgrade detectors, including hardwired units with battery backup where required.

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Troubleshooting & Repairs

• Do you troubleshoot intermittent electrical issues?
  Yes. We diagnose nuisance trips, partial outages, voltage drops, flickering, failed circuits, and equipment faults.

• Can you repair aluminum wiring or old wiring systems?
  Yes. Older homes may require special approaches. We’ll explain safety risks and whether repair vs. replacement makes more sense.

• Can you fix code violations found during a home sale or inspection?
  Yes. We handle repair lists for buyers/sellers, including GFCI/AFCI corrections, panel labeling, bonding/grounding, and device replacements.

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Fire Alarm FAQs (Commercial & Multi-Family)

Inspections, Testing, Documentation (NFPA/Local Requirements)

• Do you provide fire alarm inspection and testing in Montgomery County, DC, and Northern Virginia?
  Yes. We provide fire alarm service support across Montgomery County (Rockville/Bethesda/Gaithersburg/Potomac), Washington, DC, and Fairfax/NOVA.

• What does “fire alarm inspection and testing” include?
  Typically: device testing (pull stations, smokes, heats), annunciators, NAC circuits, battery testing, panel functions, notification appliances (horn/strobes), documentation, and deficiency reporting—based on system type and jurisdiction requirements.

• How often does a fire alarm system need to be tested?
  Many properties require annual testing, and some components require more frequent checks depending on occupancy type and local authority requirements. We’ll align your schedule with the applicable standard and jurisdiction.

• Can you provide inspection reports for the fire marshal or AHJ?
  Yes. We provide documentation suitable for compliance and property management records.

• Do you perform fire alarm repairs and troubleshooting?
  Yes—troubleshooting includes trouble signals, ground faults, device issues, battery/charger problems, NAC troubles, and communications/monitoring issues.

• Do you support fire alarm monitoring and communicator upgrades?
  We can coordinate solutions for monitoring and communications. If your building needs an upgrade (e.g., communicator change), we’ll confirm compatibility and compliance requirements.

• Can you help with false alarms and nuisance alarms?
  Yes. We identify causes (device placement issues, dust/steam, sensitivity problems, wiring faults) and recommend corrective actions—sometimes involving device replacement or relocation.

• Do you install new fire alarm systems or only service existing ones?
  We can support new installs, upgrades, and service, depending on project scope and building requirements. If the job requires engineered drawings, we coordinate that process where applicable.

• Do you work with property managers, HOAs, and commercial facilities?
  Yes. We’re used to coordinating access, scheduling off-hours testing, tenant notices, elevator recalls (where applicable), and documentation requirements.

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Commercial Electrical FAQs

• Do you do commercial electrical service calls in DC and Northern Virginia?
  Yes. We support retail, office, and multi-tenant buildings across DC, Fairfax County, and Northern Virginia, plus Montgomery County.

• Can you handle tenant fit-outs and remodels?
  Yes—power distribution, lighting, controls, emergency/egress lighting, circuits for equipment, data/low-voltage coordination, and inspections.

• Do you provide preventive maintenance for electrical systems?
  Yes. Preventive maintenance can reduce downtime and unexpected failures in panels, critical circuits, and frequently loaded equipment.

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Choosing an Electrician / Hiring FAQs

• How do I choose the right electrician in Rockville or Bethesda?
  Look for: licensing/insurance, clear scope, code-first mindset, documented estimates, and a track record in your jurisdiction. If someone is dramatically cheaper, you’re usually buying shortcuts.

• Why is the “cheapest electrician” often the most expensive choice?
  Because it commonly turns into rework, failed inspections, unsafe conditions, or recurring problems—plus downtime if you’re commercial. Paying once is cheaper than paying twice.

• What information should I provide when requesting service?
  Address, best contact, issue description, when it started, photos (panel, affected devices), and whether it’s residential or commercial. For fire alarm: panel model, monitoring company (if known), and details of trouble signals.

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Local Services

• Do you serve Rockville MD and Gaithersburg MD specifically?
  Yes—those are core service areas, along with Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Potomac.

• Do you serve all of Montgomery County?
  Yes—Montgomery County is a primary coverage area for both electrical work and fire alarm service.

• Do you serve all of Frederick County?

       Yes—Frederick County is a primary coverage area for both electrical work and fire alarm service.

• Do you serve all of Price Geoerge's County?

       Yes—Prince George's County is a primary coverage area for both electrical work and fire alarm service.

• Do you serve Washington DC and Fairfax County VA?
  Yes—DC and Fairfax County are key service areas for commercial and selected residential projects.

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