Ankeny Electrical Company handles electrical repair and installation for homes, businesses, and rental properties throughout Ankeny and the surrounding area. Whether you have a breaker that keeps tripping, an outlet that stopped working, or a panel that needs to be brought up to capacity for modern loads, we take the call and get the work done. We are available every day from 9 AM to 11 PM, including evenings and weekends, so you are not stuck waiting until Monday morning to get an answer.
We work as a local electrician for homeowners, landlords, property managers, and small businesses alike. The work ranges from a single outlet replacement to a full-service panel upgrade, and every job gets the same attention to detail. Not the biggest name in town. Just the one that answers. No runaround.
Good electrical work isn't complicated, it's just done right, and it starts with understanding what a property actually needs. We handle residential work for homeowners and landlords, commercial work for offices and retail spaces, and everything in between. Older Ankeny homes, remodels, additions, rental units, and new construction all have different electrical demands, and we scope each job on its own terms.
When you call, the conversation covers what you are dealing with, what the work involves, and what it will take to get it handled. The scope of the electrical work is priced before it starts, so you know what you are agreeing to before anything is scheduled. For landlords and property managers, that kind of clarity matters, especially when you are coordinating work across multiple units or preparing a property for a new tenant.
Electrical safety inspections are part of what we do. If you are buying a home, selling one, or just want to know the condition of the wiring in an older property, an inspection gives you a clear picture of what is current and what needs attention.
A breaker that trips once might be a temporary overload. A breaker that trips repeatedly, or one that will not reset at all, points to something that needs a closer look. We run through the diagnostics to find out whether the issue is the breaker itself, the circuit it protects, or a wiring condition upstream. Arc-fault and ground-fault breakers add a layer of protection that older fuse boxes simply cannot match, and we handle both installation and replacement when the situation calls for it. We'll find the fault and fix it right.
An outlet that stops working is often a tripped GFCI somewhere else on the circuit, but it can also point to a wiring fault, a failed device, or a connection that has worked loose over time. We track down the cause rather than guessing. If you need GFCI outlets added in a kitchen, bathroom, garage, or outdoors, we handle that too. USB outlets, weatherproof outdoor outlets, and AFCI-protected devices are all part of the installation work we do regularly.
Lights that flicker, dim unexpectedly, or go on and off on their own are usually telling you something about the wiring condition or the way the circuit is loaded. Partial power loss in a section of the house often points to a loose neutral or a failing connection at the panel. We do full electrical fault diagnostics, including grounding and bonding checks, so the actual source of the problem gets addressed rather than just the symptom.
When the job is done, we leave your home clean and powered, with every device working the way it should. Outlet and switch installation covers the full range: standard outlets, GFCI and AFCI devices, USB combination outlets, 240-volt outlets for large appliances, and weatherproof covers for outdoor locations.
For lighting, we install recessed and LED fixtures, under-cabinet lighting, light fixture replacements, and full lighting layouts for rooms that need a redesign. Outdoor work includes security lighting, motion sensor lights, and landscape lighting wired to a dedicated circuit. We show up ready to wire, so the job moves quickly once we are on site.
Ceiling fan installation is one of the more common calls we get, especially in homes that were not wired for a fan in the original build. We handle the wiring, the box swap if needed, and the full installation, including fans with integrated light kits.
Getting your electrical problem handled starts with a quick call, and for older homes, that call often leads to a conversation about wiring condition. Ankeny has housing stock that spans several decades, and properties built before the 1970s sometimes still have knob-and-tube wiring or aluminum branch circuit wiring that needs to be addressed. Whole-home rewiring, knob-and-tube replacement, and aluminum wiring remediation are all work we handle, bringing the system up to a condition that meets the demands of modern electrical loads.
Dedicated appliance circuits are a separate but related need. A dryer, electric range, refrigerator, hot tub, or the supply circuit for a heating or cooling unit each requires its own circuit sized for the load. We run those circuits, install the correct outlet or disconnect, and confirm the panel has the capacity to support them. Where the load requires it, a subpanel installation may be the right answer, and we handle that as part of the same scope. We'll get the job wired and finished.
Iowa's four seasons put real demand on a home's electrical system. Summer storms bring lightning, power surges, and outages. Winter ice storms and wind events can knock out power for hours or longer. The following services come up regularly in this area for exactly those reasons.
Many Ankeny homes still running on a 100-amp service panel were built before the electrical load of a modern household was a consideration. The combination of large appliances, EV chargers, home offices, and air conditioning draws far more power than those older panels were designed to carry. We run a load calculation, confirm what the service entrance and meter can support, and upgrade the panel to 200-amp service where that is what the property needs. Honest recommendations on repairs, never an upsell, which means if the existing panel can handle the load with a targeted fix, that is what we will tell you.
When a severe storm or ice event takes out power in Polk County, a properly wired generator keeps the essentials running. We handle generator hookups for both standby and portable units, including transfer switch installation that lets you switch between utility and generator power safely. The transfer switch is the critical piece. Without it, a generator connected directly to the home's wiring creates a hazard for anyone working on the lines outside. We wire the hookup correctly from the start.
Iowa thunderstorm season brings frequent lightning strikes, and a single nearby strike can send a voltage spike through the power line that damages appliances, electronics, and the panel itself. A whole-home surge protector installed at the service entrance catches that spike before it reaches the circuits inside. It works alongside any point-of-use surge strips you already have, giving the entire system a first layer of defense. We install the device and confirm it is matched to the panel's configuration.
Every job gets treated like it matters, because it does. That applies to the smaller calls as much as the larger ones.
EV charger installation is a growing part of what we do. A Level 2 home charger requires a dedicated 240-volt circuit and enough panel capacity to support the load. We assess the panel, run the circuit, and install the outlet or hardwired connection your charger requires.
Hard-wired smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors provide protection that battery-only units cannot match, and we wire them into the home's electrical system with interconnected coverage across floors. Bathroom exhaust fans and attic fans require proper wiring and, in some cases, a dedicated circuit to run correctly.
Hot tub and spa hookups involve a specific set of electrical requirements, including a GFCI-protected disconnect within sight of the unit and a circuit sized for the load. Garage wiring, whether for a new outlet, a subpanel, or a full circuit layout for a workshop, is work we handle regularly.
Pre-purchase and pre-sale electrical inspections give buyers and sellers a clear picture of the system's condition. If a code violation turns up, we document what needs to be corrected and handle the repair. We'll make your wiring safe again.
If you're not sure your panel can handle the load, or you just want to know what a repair or installation will cost, the call is the right place to start. We talk through what you are dealing with, what the job involves, and what the work will cost before anything is scheduled. Pricing is explained up front and confirmed before we move forward.
We are available every day from 9 AM to 11 PM, including evenings and weekends. That covers the calls that come in after work, on Saturday afternoon, or on a Sunday when something stops working and you need to know your options. Reach out and we'll get it diagnosed.
A burning smell from an outlet, a panel that is making noise, a sparking switch, or a sudden loss of power in part of the house are all situations where waiting is not the right call. These are the symptoms that point to a fault in the wiring or a device that has failed in a way that creates risk. Call when you notice them, not after.
We take urgent calls every day from 9 AM to 11 PM. If something is happening at your property that does not feel right, pick up the phone and describe what you are seeing. Call in the morning. Talk it through. Know the options by the end of the call.
We serve Ankeny and the communities throughout Polk County and the surrounding region, including Des Moines, Johnston, Urbandale, Altoona, Grimes, and Bondurant. Whether the property is just down the road or a few towns over, the work gets handled the same way.
A burning smell near an outlet or panel is a sign of a wiring fault, a failing device, or a connection that has overheated.
Stop using the outlet or the circuit immediately and call (515) 789-3261.
This is a situation where waiting creates risk, and we take those calls every day from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
We start with the symptom and work back through the circuit. That means testing the outlet or fixture, checking the wiring connections, verifying the breaker, and looking at the panel for a fault upstream. GFCI and AFCI failures are a common cause of outlets that appear dead with nothing visibly wrong, and we test for those as part of any outlet or breaker diagnosis.
Frequent breaker trips, outlets that feel warm, lights that flicker without a clear cause, and a panel that makes buzzing or crackling sounds are all worth investigating. Homes built before the 1970s may have knob-and-tube or aluminum branch-circuit wiring that does not meet current standards for grounding and load capacity. An electrical safety inspection is the right starting point when any of these are present.
We run a load calculation to confirm what the service entrance and meter can support, then replace the main panel and update the service entrance wiring. In many cases, a panel upgrade involves coordinating with the utility for a meter pull. We confirm the scope and price before the work begins, and we handle subpanel installation for detached structures or additions as part of the same project where needed.
An undersized or aging panel limits the number of circuits the home can safely run and may contain breakers that no longer trip reliably under fault conditions. That creates risk across every circuit the panel feeds. Older panels also lack the arc-fault and ground-fault protection that current code requires on new installations, which is relevant when adding circuits or making changes to an existing system.
Flickering or dimming lights are usually a sign of a loose connection, an overloaded circuit, or a failing neutral somewhere in the wiring. Partial power loss in one section of the house often points to a loose neutral at the panel or a failing connection upstream. We run full fault diagnostics, including grounding and bonding checks, to find the actual source rather than just addressing the symptom.
A quick repair addresses a specific failed device or connection. A rewiring project is needed when the wiring itself is deteriorated, the wrong type for modern loads, or no longer meets current standards across a section of the home or the whole house. We explain the difference on the call and do not recommend a rewire when a targeted repair is the right answer. Honest recommendations on repairs, never an upsell.
Knob-and-tube wiring was not designed for grounded circuits or the loads modern homes carry, and aluminum branch-circuit wiring requires specific handling at every connection point to prevent overheating. We assess what is present, explain what it means for the home's safety and capacity, and scope the remediation based on what the property actually requires. That may be a targeted replacement or a whole-home rewire depending on the condition and extent.
A targeted repair is the right call when the fault is isolated to a single device or connection and the surrounding wiring is in good condition. When the wiring itself is deteriorated or the wrong type for the load, a patch does not address the underlying problem and may not hold. We tell you which situation you are in before any work starts.
Permit requirements vary by the type of work and the jurisdiction. We confirm what applies to your job before work begins and handle the process from that point. If a permit and inspection are required, that is part of how the job gets done correctly, and we factor it into the scope and timeline from the start.
A transfer switch isolates the home's wiring from the utility line before the generator is connected. Without it, a generator feeding the home's circuits can backfeed the utility line and create a hazard for anyone working on the lines outside. We install the transfer switch as part of every generator hookup so the connection is safe from the start.
When you need electrical work done in Ankeny or anywhere in the area, the next step is a phone call. Ankeny Electrical Company is available every day from 9 AM to 11 PM. We talk through the job, give you the scope, and confirm the price before anything is scheduled.
Call (515) 789-3261 to get started.
We handle electrical repair and installation for homes, businesses, and rental properties throughout Ankeny and Polk County. The table below covers the full range of work we do, who each service fits best, and a practical note on what to expect. If a service is not listed or you are not sure what your property needs, a quick call gets you a straight answer on scope and price before anything is scheduled.
| Electrical Service | What the Job Involves | Ideal For | What to Keep in Mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceiling Fan Installation | Fan and light kit installation, Ceiling box upgrade where needed, Wiring for homes without existing fan wiring, Switch and remote wiring | Homeowners adding a fan to a room that was not originally wired for one | Many older homes have a light fixture box where a fan is planned. That box may not be rated for a fan's weight and motion, and we check before the install. |
| Outlet and Switch Installation | GFCI and AFCI outlet installation, USB combination outlets, 240-volt outlets for appliances, Weatherproof outdoor outlets | Homeowners upgrading devices, adding outlets, or replacing failed switches | GFCI protection is required by current code in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor locations. Older homes often lack it in those areas. |
| Electrical Repairs and Troubleshooting | Dead outlets and switches, Tripping or failed breakers, Flickering or dimming lights, Partial power loss in a room or circuit | Any homeowner, landlord, or business with an active electrical problem | Tracking the fault to its source before replacing parts keeps the repair focused and avoids unnecessary work. |
| Breaker and Fuse Repair | Breaker diagnosis and replacement, Arc-fault and ground-fault breaker installation, Fuse box evaluation, Circuit-level fault tracing | Homes with a breaker that trips repeatedly or will not reset | A breaker that trips repeatedly is rarely just a nuisance. It points to a condition on the circuit that needs to be identified, not just reset. |
| Dedicated Appliance Circuits | Dryer and electric range circuits, Refrigerator and dishwasher circuits, Hot tub and spa hookups, Supply circuits for heating and cooling equipment | Homeowners adding a large appliance or any load that requires its own circuit | Each large appliance needs a circuit sized specifically for its load. Running a high-draw appliance on a shared circuit is a common cause of repeated breaker trips. |
| Backup Generator Installation | Transfer switch installation, Portable and standby generator hookups, Load assessment for generator sizing, Safe utility isolation wiring | Homeowners in areas prone to storm and ice outages who need reliable backup power | Iowa ice storms and severe weather can knock out power for extended periods. A properly installed transfer switch is what makes a generator safe to connect to the home's wiring. |
| Lighting Installation | Recessed and LED fixture installation, Under-cabinet lighting, Outdoor security and motion lighting, Landscape lighting on dedicated circuits | Homeowners remodeling, adding outdoor coverage, or replacing outdated fixtures | Outdoor security lighting wired to a dedicated circuit performs more reliably than plug-in alternatives and does not pull from a shared indoor circuit. |
| EV Charger Installation | Level 2 charger circuit installation, 240-volt outlet or hardwired connection, Panel capacity assessment, Permit coordination where required | Homeowners adding an electric vehicle and needing a dedicated home charging setup | A Level 2 charger requires a dedicated 240-volt circuit. We assess panel capacity first so the installation does not create a load problem elsewhere in the home. |
| Wiring and Circuit Installation | New circuit runs, Whole-home rewiring, Knob-and-tube and aluminum wiring remediation, Grounding and bonding upgrades | Older homes with outdated wiring or any property adding new circuits | Homes in this area were wired in different decades, and it shows in the panels. Knob-and-tube and aluminum branch-circuit wiring each require specific handling to bring them in line with current load and safety standards. |
| Electrical Safety Inspections | Full-system wiring condition review, Code violation identification, Panel and grounding evaluation, Pre-purchase and pre-sale inspection reports | Buyers, sellers, and owners of older homes who want a clear picture of the system's condition | An inspection documents what is current and what needs attention. If a code issue turns up, we explain what it means and can handle the correction as a follow-on job. |
| Whole-Home Surge Protection | Service-entrance surge protector installation, Panel compatibility check, Coordination with existing point-of-use strips, Protection for appliances and electronics | Any home in an area with frequent thunderstorms or lightning exposure | Iowa's thunderstorm season brings frequent voltage spikes through the power line. A whole-home device at the service entrance catches the spike before it reaches interior circuits. |
| Electrical Panel and Service Upgrades | 100-amp to 200-amp service upgrade, Load calculation and panel sizing, Main panel replacement, Subpanel installation for additions or detached structures | Homes running older 100-amp panels or adding significant new loads like EV chargers or large appliances | Many Ankeny homes still on 100-amp service were built before the electrical demand of a modern household was a consideration. A load calculation confirms what the property actually needs. |
What are the signs that a home is ready for a panel or service upgrade?
The most common signs are breakers that trip under normal household loads, circuits that cannot support the appliances already on them, a panel that runs hot or makes noise, and a home still on 100-amp service that is adding a significant new load like an EV charger or a large appliance. If the panel is a known problem brand or is approaching the end of its service life, that is worth evaluating too. A load calculation on the call gives you a clearer picture before any work is scheduled.
What causes a breaker to trip repeatedly on the same circuit?
Repeated tripping on the same circuit usually means one of three things: the circuit is carrying more load than it was sized for, a device on the circuit is drawing more current than normal, or there is a wiring fault somewhere between the panel and the outlet or fixture. Arc-fault and ground-fault breakers will also trip in response to specific fault conditions that older breakers would miss. We trace the circuit to find which situation applies before recommending a fix.
When should I call an electrician instead of attempting a repair myself?
Anything that involves the panel, the wiring inside walls, a new circuit, or a device that is showing signs of overheating or sparking is work for an electrician. Replacing a switch or outlet is something some homeowners do themselves, but if the existing wiring is aluminum, knob-and-tube, or shows any signs of damage, the job changes in scope. When in doubt, a call costs nothing and gets you a straight answer on what the work actually involves.
Faults Traced Before Anything Is Replaced
We run through the diagnostics to find the actual source of the problem before recommending a repair. A targeted fix based on a confirmed diagnosis holds better than a replacement based on a guess.
How do I know if my home needs a rewire rather than targeted repairs?
A rewire is the right answer when the wiring itself is the problem across a large portion of the home, not just at a single device or connection. That is typically the case with knob-and-tube wiring that has been modified over the years, aluminum branch-circuit wiring that has not been properly maintained at every connection point, or wiring that is deteriorated from age, pests, or heat exposure. We assess what is present and explain the difference between a targeted repair and a full or partial rewire before any work starts.
What do I need to know about adding a circuit for a workshop or garage?
A workshop or garage circuit needs to be sized for the tools and equipment you plan to run. A single 20-amp circuit handles basic lighting and a few hand tools, but a table saw, air compressor, or welder each draws significantly more current and may require a dedicated circuit or a subpanel in the garage. We scope the load on the call so the circuit we install matches what you actually need.
What is GFCI protection and where is it required?
A GFCI outlet monitors the current flowing through a circuit and trips instantly if it detects a difference between the hot and neutral conductors, which is the signature of a ground fault. Current code requires GFCI protection in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, crawl spaces, unfinished basements, and outdoor locations. Many older homes lack it in some or all of those areas. We install GFCI devices as standalone outlets, as breakers that protect an entire circuit, or as part of a broader outlet upgrade.
Scope Agreed Before the Panel Is Opened
The scope of the electrical work is priced before it starts. You know what the job involves and what it costs before we schedule anything.
How does surge protection at the service entrance differ from a power strip?
A whole-home surge protector installed at the service entrance intercepts a voltage spike before it reaches any circuit in the house. A point-of-use strip protects only the devices plugged into it and has a much lower capacity for absorbing a large spike. The two work together: the service-entrance device handles the bulk of the energy from a nearby lightning strike or utility event, and the strips provide a secondary layer for sensitive electronics. Neither one is a substitute for the other.
What should I do if an outlet feels warm or makes a buzzing sound?
Stop using the outlet and do not plug anything else into it. A warm or buzzing outlet points to a connection that is overheating, a device that has failed internally, or a wiring condition that is creating resistance on the circuit. These are symptoms that can develop into a more serious fault. Call us and describe what you are noticing. We take those calls every day from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
Older and Newer Wiring Both Handled
We work on homes across the full range of Ankeny's housing stock, from properties with knob-and-tube and aluminum wiring to newer construction adding circuits for modern loads.
How long does a panel upgrade typically take?
Most panel upgrades are completed in a single day. The exact time depends on the size of the panel, whether the service entrance wiring needs to be updated, and whether the utility needs to pull the meter for part of the work. We confirm the scope and the expected timeline before the job is scheduled so you know what the day involves.
Is my home's electrical system ready to handle an EV charger?
That depends on what the panel is currently running and how much capacity is available. A Level 2 charger draws a significant continuous load, and a home already running near the limits of a 100-amp panel may need a service upgrade before the charger circuit can be added. We run a load assessment on the call and tell you what the panel can support before any work is scheduled.
How are emergency or urgent electrical calls handled?
We take urgent calls every day from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM. If you are dealing with a burning smell, a sparking outlet, a panel making noise, or a sudden loss of power in part of the home, call us and describe what you are seeing. We work through the situation on the phone, confirm what the visit will involve, and get the job on the schedule.
Call (515) 789-3261 to talk through what your property needs. We are available every day from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM and can give you a clear picture of the scope and price before anything is scheduled.
(515) 789-3261