Frequently Asked
Questions

Yes. RD Merrill Electrical Contractors holds an active Washington State Electrical Contractor license (License #RDMERR*887KD). All of our master and journeyman electricians are individually licensed. We carry full general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage on every job.

We serve the greater Seattle metro area including Seattle proper (all neighborhoods), Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Mercer Island, Renton, Burien, Shoreline, Edmonds, and Bainbridge Island. For projects outside these areas, contact us and we'll let you know if we can accommodate.

Yes — all estimates are free and provided with no obligation. For most residential projects, we can give a flat-rate quote after a brief on-site assessment. For larger commercial projects, we provide a detailed written scope and bid.

Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 7am–5pm, and Saturday 8am–2pm. We offer 24/7 emergency electrical service for urgent situations such as power outages, sparking outlets, burning smells, or tripped breakers that won't reset.

We use flat-rate pricing for most residential services. This means you get a firm quote before any work begins — what we quote is what you pay. For complex or large commercial projects, we may use a time-and-materials structure with a detailed estimate. We never add surprise fees after the job is done.

We accept cash, check, and all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover). For larger projects, we can arrange milestone-based payment schedules. Payment is due upon job completion for residential service calls.

Yes, we partner with a local financing provider for projects over $2,500. Subject to credit approval. Ask one of our estimators about financing options when you receive your quote.

No. We do not charge extra for after-hours, weekend, or holiday emergency calls. Our emergency rate is the same as our standard rate. We believe people shouldn't be penalized for needing electrical help when it's most urgent.

Yes. We pull all required permits for every project that needs them. Permitting protects you as the homeowner — unpermitted electrical work can create problems when you sell, file an insurance claim, or refinance. We handle all permit applications and scheduling inspections with the City of Seattle or the applicable jurisdiction.

This rarely happens with our work, but if a correction is needed after a city inspection, we return and resolve it at no additional charge. Our goal is to pass on the first try — which we do on the overwhelming majority of projects.

Home inspectors perform general inspections that sometimes flag electrical concerns. We can provide a focused electrical inspection and written report, and perform any remediation needed to satisfy a buyer's lender, insurance company, or the city.

Signs your panel may need attention: breakers that trip frequently, you're adding a hot tub or EV charger, lights dim when appliances run, your panel is Federal Pacific (Stab-Lok) or Zinsco brand (both known to be defective), or your home has less than 200-amp service. We can assess your panel during a free estimate visit.

Most panel replacements are completed in one day (6–8 hours). Power will be off during the work. We schedule your permit and inspection before the job so inspections are typically done within a day or two of installation.

Knob-and-tube wiring (found in homes built before the 1950s) isn't inherently dangerous when intact, but it has no ground wire, wasn't designed for modern electrical loads, and can deteriorate or be improperly modified over time. Most insurance companies won't cover homes with active knob-and-tube, and it must be removed or fully encapsulated before you can add insulation.

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) breakers protect against arc faults — electrical arcs in wiring that can start fires. Current Seattle electrical code requires AFCI protection in most new and renovated circuits in bedrooms, living rooms, and other areas. If you're adding circuits or doing renovations, we'll install AFCI breakers where required.

Most homeowners benefit from a Level 2 (240V, 48A) charger, which can fully charge the majority of EVs overnight. Level 1 (standard 120V outlet) is very slow — about 4–5 miles of range per hour. We can assess your panel capacity and recommend the right charger for your vehicle and garage setup.

A standard residential EV charger installation takes 2–4 hours, including permit paperwork. If your panel needs to be upgraded first, plan for a full day. We supply and install chargers from major brands or install customer-supplied units.

Many Seattle-area homes with 200-amp service have the capacity to add a 240V circuit for an EV charger without a panel upgrade. We perform a load calculation during your free estimate to confirm. If an upgrade is needed, we'll include it in the quote.