Thomas Rose Electric has been handling electrical work for homeowners and businesses in Rancho Santa Margarita since 2001. That is 25 years of showing up on time, diagnosing problems correctly, and finishing the job clean. Fast diagnosis. Honest pricing. Clean work. Whether you need a tripping breaker looked at today or a full panel upgrade planned for next month, we are the local crew that picks up the phone and gets it done.
Getting your power back is easier than you think. We started this company because we believed Orange County homeowners and business owners deserved an electrician they could actually trust -- someone who explains what is wrong, tells them what it will cost, and does the work right the first time.
We are a locally owned operation based right here in Rancho Santa Margarita. The owners are right here, so decisions get made on the spot. When you call, you reach someone who knows the area, knows the neighborhoods, and has worked in homes and commercial buildings throughout this part of the county for more than two decades. Our electricians are experienced electricians who respect your home -- they show up in clean work gear, protect your floors and walls, and leave the space the way they found it.
We work with homeowners, landlords, property managers, small business owners, and contractors. Whoever you are, the approach is the same: honest assessment, clear pricing, and solid work you can count on. One call brings an electrician to your door.
We built this business around electrical work like this, and over 25 years we have covered just about every type of job a residential or commercial property needs. The section below breaks down what we do on both sides of that line.
For homeowners, most calls start with something that feels minor but needs attention: a flickering light, a dead outlet, a breaker that keeps tripping. We troubleshoot those problems at the source rather than just resetting and hoping. From there, we handle the full range of residential electrical work.
That includes outlet and switch installation -- GFCI outlets in kitchens and bathrooms, AFCI protection for bedrooms and living areas, dimmer switches, and USB charging outlets. We install ceiling fans and all the wiring that goes with them. We handle indoor and outdoor lighting: recessed lighting, under-cabinet lighting, security lights, landscape lighting, and motion-sensor fixtures. When a major appliance needs its own dedicated circuit -- a dryer, an oven, a refrigerator, or a hot tub -- we run the circuit correctly and to code.
For older homes, we also handle rewiring work, including knob-and-tube wiring replacement and aluminum wiring remediation. Code-compliant wiring is not just a box to check; it is what keeps your family and your property safe for the long term. We treat your home and its wiring the way we would our own. We get to the bottom of the problem fast.
Property managers, landlords, and business owners have different demands than a single-family homeowner, and we are set up to meet them. We handle commercial panel upgrades, commercial lighting installation, and electrical work for offices, retail spaces, and restaurants. If you manage rental units or a multi-tenant building, we can coordinate the work across multiple spaces and keep the disruption to a minimum.
We also handle wiring for additions and remodels, including kitchens and bathrooms where code requirements are strict. If a property has an electrical code violation that needs to be corrected before a sale or an inspection, we identify it and fix it properly. Clear communication with property managers and owners is part of how we work, so you always know what we found and what we did about it.
What sets our electricians apart is straightforward: we do not cut corners on the work that matters most. Breaker panel replacement and service upgrades are among the most important investments a property owner can make, and we handle them carefully.
We upgrade panels from 100-amp to 200-amp service, install subpanels, and handle service-entrance and meter upgrades for homes and commercial buildings that need more capacity. Every panel job includes a load calculation to make sure the new service can handle current and future demand. We also install arc-fault and ground-fault breakers where code requires them, and we verify grounding and bonding throughout the panel.
Electrical safety inspections are available for homeowners who want a full picture of their system, whether they are buying a home, preparing to sell, or just haven't had the wiring looked at in years. We test every circuit. We label every breaker. We leave it safe. We stand behind every circuit we touch.
Dealing with a tripping breaker or a dead outlet? Those are the calls we handle every day. But we also get a growing number of calls for the work that reflects how Orange County homes are changing: EV charger installation, whole-home surge protection, and backup generator hookups.
For EV chargers, we install Level 2 home charging stations in garages, run the dedicated circuit, and check panel capacity before we start so there are no surprises. For surge protection, we install whole-home surge protection devices at the panel to guard your electronics, appliances, and HVAC equipment from voltage spikes. Given Southern California's wildfire-related outages and grid stress, that protection is worth having.
For generators, we wire backup generator hookups and install transfer switches for both standby and portable units. A proper transfer switch keeps your home safe during an outage and keeps utility workers safe when the grid comes back online. The wiring done right the first time means you can count on it when the power actually goes out.
Every job we complete is held to current California electrical code standards. That is not a marketing line -- it is the standard we apply because it protects you, your property, and anyone who works on the system after us. Licensed electricians perform all the work, and we do not approve a job as finished until it meets code and meets our own standard for quality.
We keep our work areas clean, we document what we did, and we explain it to you before we leave. If an inspection is required, we support it. If something is not right, we come back and make it right. We are not satisfied until you are, and we will not walk away from a job that is not done properly.
We offer same-day service for urgent electrical problems and flexible scheduling for planned work. If something goes wrong on a Saturday night or a Sunday morning, we are available. Electrical emergencies do not wait for business hours, and neither do we.
For homeowners and businesses in Rancho Santa Margarita and the surrounding Orange County communities, that availability matters. We keep our schedule manageable so we can actually show up when we say we will, not push you to a week from Thursday. We make the fix and leave it tidy.
We do not believe in surprise fees. Before any work begins, we explain what we found, what the fix involves, and what it will cost. If the scope changes once we open a wall or dig into a panel, we tell you before we proceed -- not after.
Common questions like what a panel upgrade costs, what EV charger installation runs, or what recessed lighting installation costs are best answered with a real look at your property and a real quote. Call us and we will give you an honest number based on your actual situation, not a vague range pulled from the air.
We are based in Rancho Santa Margarita and serve the surrounding area throughout southern Orange County. If you are in Mission Viejo, Coto de Caza, Trabuco Canyon, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Aliso Viejo, or Lake Forest, we are close by and ready to help.
Wherever you are in the area, you get the same crew, the same standards, and the same straightforward approach.
We started this company because we believed Orange County homeowners and business owners deserved an electrician they could actually trust. The goal was simple: explain what is wrong, say what it will cost, and do the work right the first time. Twenty-five years later, that is still the standard we hold every job to.
Yes. This is a locally owned operation, and the owners are right here in Rancho Santa Margarita. When you call, you reach someone who knows the area and has worked in homes and buildings throughout this part of Orange County for more than two decades. Decisions get made on the spot because the people running the business are close by and personally accountable.
We have been in business since 2001, which means 25 years of electrical work in Rancho Santa Margarita and the surrounding communities. Over that time we have worked in just about every type of residential and commercial property in southern Orange County. That experience shows in how quickly we diagnose problems and how cleanly we finish the work.
Our electricians are experienced, careful, and respectful of the homes and businesses they work in. They show up prepared, run proper diagnostics before touching any wiring, and explain what they found in plain language. We do not approve a job as finished until it meets code and meets our own standard for quality.
We are based in Rancho Santa Margarita and serve the surrounding area throughout southern Orange County. That includes Mission Viejo, Coto de Caza, Ladera Ranch, Trabuco Canyon, Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch, Las Flores, and Aliso Viejo. If you are in this part of the county, there is a good chance we have already worked in your neighborhood.
We give you a clear estimate before any work begins so you know what the job costs and why. If the scope changes once we open a wall or dig into a panel, we tell you before we proceed. There are no surprise charges at the end of the job.
We explain what we found before we start and walk you through what we did before we leave. If something unexpected comes up mid-job, we stop and talk to you about it rather than making decisions without your input. Clear communication is part of how we work, not an afterthought.
We stand for honest electrical work done by people who take it seriously. That means diagnosing problems correctly, pricing jobs fairly, and finishing every job to a standard we are willing to put our name on. We are still here after 25 years because that approach holds up.
Yes. Doing electrical work correctly requires the right diagnostic equipment, not just a multimeter and a guess. We use proper testing tools to trace faults, verify grounding and bonding, and confirm that circuits are safe before we close anything up. That investment in the right equipment is part of why we get to the bottom of problems quickly.
Thomas Rose Electric has been serving Rancho Santa Margarita and Orange County since 2001. Twenty-five years in, we are still the same locally owned operation that picks up the phone, shows up on time, and does the work right.
Book today. Wired tomorrow. Done by the weekend.
Call us at (949) 693-6326 to schedule your service or request an estimate. Whether it is a small repair or a full panel upgrade, we are ready to help.
We handle the full range of residential and commercial electrical work in Rancho Santa Margarita and across Orange County. Whether you need a same-day repair or a planned upgrade, the table below gives you a quick look at what each service covers, who it fits best, and what to expect. Call (949) 693-6326 to talk through your situation and get a clear quote before any work begins.
| Type of Work | What's Included | When You Need It | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar & Battery Backup | Solar interconnection wiring, Battery backup circuits, Panel capacity upgrades for solar, Transfer switch installation | Homeowners tying solar or a battery backup system into their home's electrical system | We handle the electrical side: wiring, circuits, panel capacity, and transfer switch work. When the grid goes down during a public-safety power shutoff, a properly wired system keeps the lights on. |
| Whole-Home Surge Protection | Panel-level surge protector installation, Voltage spike protection, Electronics and appliance protection, Wildfire season preparedness | Any Orange County homeowner concerned about grid instability, voltage spikes, or protecting sensitive electronics | A panel-level surge protector intercepts spikes before they reach your devices. It is one of the most cost-effective upgrades we install. |
| Standby Battery for Outages | Battery backup wiring, Transfer switch installation, Critical circuit selection, Panel integration | Homeowners who want power for essential loads during public-safety shutoffs or grid outages | We wire the electrical side so the battery system connects safely to your panel and powers the circuits you choose. Sizing and equipment selection is up to you and your installer. |
| Electrical Repairs & Troubleshooting | Dead outlets and switches, Flickering or dim lights, Tripping breakers, Fault tracing and circuit testing | Any homeowner or business dealing with a power problem that needs a fast, accurate diagnosis | We diagnose the source before touching a wire. Patching over a deeper problem is not how we work. |
| Breaker & Fuse Repair | Breaker replacement, Fuse box service, AFCI and GFCI breaker upgrades, Overload diagnosis | Homes and buildings where a breaker will not hold or a fuse keeps blowing | Repeated tripping usually points to an overloaded circuit, a wiring fault, or a failing breaker. We find which one. |
| Lighting Installation | Recessed and LED lighting, Under-cabinet and accent lighting, Outdoor and security lighting, Motion sensor and flood lights | Homeowners upgrading interior lighting or adding exterior lighting for safety and outdoor use | Exterior lighting circuits in California must meet specific weatherproofing and code requirements. We wire them correctly the first time. |
| EV Charger Installation | Level 2 charger circuits, Panel capacity verification, Hardwired and outlet-based installs, All EV makes and models | Electric vehicle owners in Orange County who want a reliable home charging setup | We check panel capacity before running the circuit. If an upgrade is needed, we handle it as part of the same project so everything is sized correctly. |
| Dedicated Appliance Circuits | Range and oven circuits, Dryer circuits, Refrigerator and dishwasher circuits, Workshop and garage circuits | Homeowners adding a major appliance or a workshop that needs its own dedicated circuit | Running a heavy appliance on a shared circuit causes nuisance tripping and can shorten the life of the appliance. A dedicated circuit solves both problems. |
| Electrical Panel & Service UpgradesMost Popular | 200-amp service upgrades, Subpanel installation, Fuse box replacement, Load calculations | Homes adding EV chargers, solar, or heavy appliances, and any building with an undersized or aging panel | We run a load calculation before recommending a panel size so the upgrade is sized correctly for what you actually have and plan to add. |
| Wiring & Circuit Installation | New circuit runs, Room additions and remodels, Rewiring older wiring systems, Conduit and cable installation | Renovations, additions, and any project that needs new circuits run or old wiring brought up to current standards | Permitted work is inspected to code. We handle the permit process and coordinate with inspectors so you do not have to. |
| Ceiling Fan Installation | Fan wiring and mounting, Ceiling box upgrades for fan support, Switch and remote wiring, Replacement fan installation | Any room where a fan is being added or an existing fan needs to be replaced or rewired | A standard ceiling box is not rated for fan support. We install the right box so the fan is safe and stable. |
| Electrical Safety Inspections | Pre-purchase and pre-sale inspections, Grounding and bonding checks, GFCI and AFCI verification, Panel and wiring condition review | Buyers, sellers, and homeowners who want a clear picture of what they have before making decisions | An inspection gives you facts, not guesses. We walk through what we find and explain what needs attention and what can wait. |
| Older-Home Rewiring | Knob-and-tube replacement, Aluminum branch circuit remediation, Whole-home rewiring, Electrical safety inspections | Owners of older Orange County homes with wiring that was not designed for today's electrical loads | Aluminum branch circuit wiring and deteriorated insulation are fire hazards. An inspection tells you exactly what you are dealing with before you decide on next steps. |
| Outlet & Switch Installation | GFCI outlet installation, USB outlet upgrades, Dimmer switch wiring, Additional outlet circuits | Homeowners adding outlets, replacing outdated switches, or bringing kitchens, baths, and outdoor areas up to code | GFCI protection is required by code in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor locations. We make sure it is in place. |
| Hot-Tub Circuits | Dedicated 240V hot-tub circuit, GFCI protection installation, Disconnect and subpanel work, Outdoor weatherproof wiring | Homeowners adding a hot tub or spa to an outdoor living space | Hot-tub wiring requires a dedicated circuit, a GFCI disconnect within sight of the unit, and weatherproof installation. We handle all of it to code. |
How do I know if my panel needs to be upgraded?
A few signs point clearly to an undersized or aging panel: breakers that trip often, a fuse box that has never been replaced, lights that dim when an appliance kicks on, or a panel that feels warm or makes a buzzing sound. If you are adding an EV charger, solar system, or any large appliance, we run a load calculation first to see whether the panel can carry the added demand. If it cannot, we recommend the upgrade before we run any new circuits.
What causes a breaker to keep tripping?
Repeated tripping usually means one of three things: the circuit is overloaded and drawing more current than it is rated for, there is a wiring fault somewhere in the circuit, or the breaker itself is failing and no longer holding its rated load. Running a diagnosis tells us which one it is. Resetting the breaker repeatedly without finding the cause is not a fix and can create a safety risk over time.
Is the electrical work permitted and inspected?
Work that requires a permit under California code gets permitted. We handle the permit process and schedule the inspection so the work is reviewed by a local inspector and documented correctly. For jobs that do not require a permit, we still follow code standards on every circuit we touch. We can tell you upfront whether your specific job requires a permit.
Work Performed by Licensed Electricians
Every job, from a single outlet to a full panel upgrade, is handled by licensed electricians who know the code and respect your home. We do not cut corners on the work or on how we leave the space when we are done.
What are the signs that older wiring in my home may be unsafe?
Knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum branch circuit wiring, and cloth-insulated wiring were all common in homes built before the 1970s and were never designed for today's electrical loads. Signs of concern include frequently tripping breakers, outlets that do not work reliably, a burning smell near outlets or the panel, or wiring that looks brittle or discolored. An electrical safety inspection gives you a clear picture of what you have and what needs attention.
What does EV charger installation involve?
Level 2 EV charger installation starts at the panel. We verify that the panel has the capacity to support a new 240-volt circuit before we run any wiring. If the panel needs an upgrade, we handle that as part of the same project. We then run the dedicated circuit, install the outlet or hardwired connection, and mount the charger. Orange County has one of the highest concentrations of electric vehicles in California, and a proper home charging setup is the most convenient way to keep yours ready every day.
Why do outlets or switches stop working?
A dead outlet is often a tripped GFCI somewhere upstream on the same circuit, a loose connection at the outlet itself, or a wiring fault in the circuit. A dead switch can mean a failed switch, a wiring issue, or a problem at the fixture. We trace the circuit to find the actual cause rather than replacing parts until something works. One visit is usually enough to identify and fix the problem.
Transparent Upfront Pricing
We explain what the job involves and what it costs before we start. You know the number going in, and that number does not change at the end of the visit.
What does flickering or dimming lights usually mean?
Occasional flickering when a large appliance starts up is normal and usually points to a circuit that is carrying more load than it was designed for. Persistent flickering or dimming that is not tied to a specific appliance can indicate a loose connection, a failing breaker, a wiring problem, or an issue at the service entrance. It is worth having an electrician look at it, especially if the flickering is new or getting worse.
Is it safe to DIY electrical work, or should I call an electrician?
Swapping a light bulb or resetting a breaker is straightforward. Anything that involves opening a panel, running new wiring, replacing a breaker, or working inside an outlet box carries real risk if it is done without the right training and tools. Beyond the safety concern, unpermitted electrical work can create problems when you sell the home or file an insurance claim. For anything beyond the most basic tasks, calling an electrician is the right call.
Same-Day and Emergency Availability
We are available every day from 7:30 AM to 10:00 PM, including weekends. When something goes wrong outside of normal business hours, you can still reach us and get an electrician on the way.
Do I need to be home when the electrician arrives?
Someone should be on site to provide access to the panel and the work areas. For most service calls, having an adult present makes the visit go faster and allows us to walk through what we find and what we recommend before we start. If your situation makes that difficult, call us and we can talk through the specifics of your job.
How does pricing and estimating work?
We give you a clear estimate before any work begins so you know what the job costs and why. Pricing depends on the scope of the work, the materials involved, and whether the job requires a permit. We walk you through all of it upfront. There are no surprise charges at the end of the job.
Is same-day electrical service available in Rancho Santa Margarita?
Same-day appointments are often available for repairs and urgent electrical problems. We keep our schedule manageable so we can actually show up when we say we will. Call (949) 693-6326 and we will let you know what is open today. Evening and weekend availability means you are not stuck waiting until Monday for something that needs attention now.
Every electrical situation is a little different. Call (949) 693-6326 and we will ask a few questions, give you honest advice, and get you a clear quote before any work begins.
(949) 693-6326