Your Electrical Questions, Answered
Straight answers from Bergeron Electrical Contracting Inc., a licensed electrician serving Worcester County and Central Massachusetts.
Each answer links to the page with the full details. Have a question that is not here? Call (508) 735-7245, request a free estimate, or message us on Instagram.
About Bergeron Electrical Contracting
Who is Bergeron Electrical Contracting?
Bergeron Electrical Contracting Inc. is a residential and light commercial electrical contractor based in Worcester, Massachusetts, led by Master Electrician Paul Bergeron Jr., who has been doing electrical work since 2006. The company was formerly named Paul Bergeron Jr. Electrical Contracting Inc. More on our About page.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Paul Bergeron Jr. holds Massachusetts Master Electrician license #21807-A, and the company is fully insured. You can verify any Massachusetts electrical license through the state licensing board before you hire.
What are your hours?
Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Call (508) 735-7245 or email info@bergeroncontracting.com.
Do you offer emergency or 24/7 electrical service?
We offer same-day service for urgent problems whenever the schedule allows, but we are not a 24/7 service. If you see smoke, sparks, or fire, call 911 first. See emergency and same-day service.
Do you work on homes and businesses?
Yes. Most of our work is in homes, and we also handle light commercial electrical work for local businesses.
How do I get an estimate?
Request a free estimate online and describe the job in as much detail as you can. Photos of your panel or the area involved help us give an accurate number. If you need someone to look at the system in person, book an onsite assessment.
Do you pull permits and handle inspections?
Yes. We pull the permit for every job that requires one and schedule the inspection with your town's wiring inspector, so the work is documented and signed off.
Service area
What towns do you serve?
We serve Worcester County and Central Massachusetts, including Worcester, Shrewsbury, Auburn, Holden, Millbury, Rutland, West Boylston, Grafton, Northborough, Spencer, Sutton, Southborough, Paxton, Boylston, Oxford, Sturbridge, Leicester, Charlton, Dudley, Douglas, Northbridge, Upton, Westborough, Framingham, Princeton, Sterling. The full list is on our service areas page.
My town is not listed. Can you still help?
Call (508) 735-7245 and ask. If you are close to the towns above, there is a good chance we can, and if not we will tell you honestly.
Panel and service upgrades
How do I know if my electrical panel needs an upgrade?
Common signs are breakers that trip often, an old fuse box, a 60 or 100 amp service, lights that dim when appliances start, a panel that feels warm, or plans to add an EV charger, heat pump, or addition. See 7 signs your home needs a panel upgrade.
Do you upgrade 100 amp service to 200 amps?
Yes. Service upgrades are one of our most common jobs. We handle the permit, coordinate the disconnect and reconnect with your utility, and have the work inspected. Details are on our panel and service upgrade page.
Do you install subpanels?
Yes. A subpanel adds circuits for a garage, addition, or finished basement when the main panel has capacity but no room.
Wiring and rewiring
Do you rewire older homes?
Yes. We do partial and whole-home rewiring and bring outdated or undersized wiring up to current Massachusetts code. See electrical wiring services.
Do you do the electrical work for remodels and additions?
Yes. Kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and additions all need the electrical planned, permitted, and inspected before the walls close up. We handle that part of the project.
EV chargers
Do you install Level 2 home EV chargers?
Yes. We install Level 2 chargers that work with every major vehicle, on a dedicated circuit wired to code. See EV charger installation.
Do I need a panel upgrade for an EV charger?
Not always. We check your panel's capacity first and tell you upfront whether it can handle the charger before any work begins.
Are there rebates for home EV chargers?
Often, yes, usually through your electric utility rather than Mass Save. See our EV charger guide and rebates guide.
Generators
Do you install generators?
We do the electrical side of generator work: inlet boxes, interlock kits, manual and automatic transfer switches, panel work, permits, and inspection. We do not sell, supply, or set generator units, and we do not do gas line work. See generator hookups.
Can you connect my portable generator to my house?
Yes. We install an inlet box with an interlock kit or a transfer switch so you can power selected circuits safely. Never backfeed a generator through a dryer outlet or other receptacle; it can injure utility workers and damage your home.
I am buying a standby generator. What do you do?
You or your dealer supplies and sets the unit. We wire the transfer switch and panel side, pull the permit, and get it inspected.
Outlets, switches, and lighting
Do you install GFCI and AFCI protection?
Yes. GFCI protection is required in places like kitchens, bathrooms, garages, basements, laundry areas, and outdoors, and older homes are often missing it. See outlet and switch installation.
Do you install USB and smart outlets and switches?
Yes, along with standard outlet and switch replacements and adding new outlets where you need them.
Do you install lighting?
Yes. Recessed lighting and fixture upgrades inside, plus security and landscape lighting outside. See interior and exterior lighting.
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Do you install hardwired smoke and CO detectors?
Yes. We install, replace, and interconnect hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide alarms so they all sound together. See smoke and CO alarm wiring.
What does Massachusetts require when I sell my home?
Massachusetts requires a certificate of compliance for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms from the local fire department before a home is sold. We get the alarms installed and wired so the home is ready for that inspection.
Do you install fire alarm systems?
No. Panel-based fire alarm systems require a separate license. We wire household smoke and CO detectors.
Septic pump and alarm wiring
Do you wire septic pumps and alarms?
Yes. We wire the pump circuit, control panel, float switches, and high-water alarm, including underground and waterproof connections, for new systems and replacements. See septic pump and alarm wiring.
My septic alarm is going off. Who should I call?
A septic alarm usually means the water level in the tank is high. Call your septic service company about the tank and pump. Call us if the problem is electrical, such as a tripped breaker, a dead control panel, or damaged wiring.
Safety and troubleshooting
What is an onsite electrical assessment?
A licensed electrician visits your property, reviews your electrical system, and identifies any issues. It is useful when buying a home, living in an older home, or chasing a problem you cannot pin down. See onsite assessments.
My breaker keeps tripping. What should I do?
A breaker that trips repeatedly is warning you about an overload or a fault. Unplug what is on that circuit and stop resetting it over and over, then call a licensed electrician to find the cause.
I smell burning or an outlet feels hot. What should I do?
If it is safe, turn off the breaker for that circuit and stop using it. If you see smoke or fire, leave the house and call 911. Then call us for same-day service.
Permits, rebates, and cost
Does electrical work need a permit in Massachusetts?
Most electrical work in Massachusetts requires a permit filed by a licensed electrician, followed by an inspection. See do you need a permit for electrical work in Massachusetts.
Are there rebates for electrical work?
Some work qualifies when it supports an energy upgrade, such as panel work for a heat pump, and Mass Save offers 0% HEAT Loan financing on qualifying projects. Programs change, so we confirm current terms for your address. See our Mass Save rebates guide.
How much will my electrical project cost?
It depends on the job, your home, and what your panel can handle, which is why we give free estimates. For typical ranges, see our electrician cost guide.
How do I choose an electrician?
Check the license, insurance, and permit habits before you hire. See how to choose an electrician: 7 questions to ask.