Most electrical problems in Clive start with something small. A breaker that keeps tripping. An outlet that stopped working. A ceiling fan that hums instead of spins. Homeowners handle what they can, and most of the time that is the right call. When the problem is in the wiring, the panel, or anything behind the wall, that is where Summit Electric comes in. Work is performed by licensed electricians who trace the actual cause, explain what they find, and fix it correctly.
We handle residential and commercial electrical work throughout Clive and the surrounding area. Small repairs, full panel replacements, dedicated circuits for new appliances, generator hookups, and whole-home rewiring all fall within what we do. Call (515) 395-4989 to get a price before anything is scheduled.
The rate is confirmed on the phone before an electrician comes out. When you describe the job, we go over what it involves, what the work covers, and what the price is. You are not agreeing to anything until you know the number.
What changes a quote is scope. A straightforward outlet replacement is a different conversation from running a new circuit to a detached garage or replacing an aging panel. Where the job involves unknowns, such as wiring inside walls that has not been opened up yet, we explain that before work begins rather than after. No-pressure estimates, priced up front, so you can decide with the full picture in front of you.
For larger projects, we talk through what is included and what is not. If a job turns out to involve more than the initial description suggested, we say so before continuing, not at the end. Call (515) 395-4989 and ask what it covers. You get a straight answer.
Same-day service is often available for repairs and installations that cannot wait. We are open every day from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, which covers most of the times a problem actually surfaces. If you call in the morning with a dead circuit or a panel issue that is affecting multiple rooms, there is a good chance we can get someone out the same day.
For tenants and property managers, we work around occupancy. A rental unit that needs a GFCI outlet replaced or a circuit checked does not require a vacant property. We confirm the appointment window when you call so you know what to expect and can plan accordingly.
When a situation is urgent, calling is still the fastest path. Sparking outlets, burning smells near a panel or switch plate, or partial power loss across several rooms are not situations to leave until tomorrow. Call during our hours and we will prioritize getting someone out.
Not every electrical problem in Clive is a failed component. Some are the result of wiring that was done without a permit, modified by a previous owner, or installed in a way that met the standard of the time but does not meet current code. We see all of it, and we do not make a drama of it.
Some non-standard wiring can be brought up to code without a full replacement. Improper grounding, missing GFCI protection at kitchens and bathrooms, unprotected splices, and incorrectly rated breakers are all things we can address circuit by circuit. Where the underlying wiring is sound and the issue is how it was connected or protected, correction is usually the more practical path.
Knob-and-tube wiring, deteriorated insulation, and aluminum branch-circuit wiring in older homes are situations where correction in place is not enough. Knob-and-tube lacks a ground conductor and was not designed for modern electrical loads. Aluminum branch wiring requires specific connectors and regular inspection to stay safe. Where the wiring itself is the problem, we explain why replacement is necessary and what that involves before any work starts. We treat your home and its wiring the way we would our own, which means giving you an honest read rather than a convenient one.
Clive's housing stock covers a real range. There are post-war homes on original wiring, ranch-style houses from the 1970s, newer construction in the past two decades, and commercial properties of various ages. What one property needs is not what the next one needs, and a call about flickering lights in a 1960s house is a different job from the same complaint in a house built ten years ago.
The situation that leads to a repair call is usually something that stopped working or started behaving strangely. An outlet that is dead even though the breaker has not tripped often points to a GFCI device upstream that has tripped and cut power to everything downstream. A breaker that trips every time a specific appliance runs may indicate an overloaded circuit, a failing breaker, or a wiring fault. We trace the problem rather than replacing parts until something works. AFCI and GFCI protection upgrades are often part of the solution in older homes where those devices were never installed.
Older homes in Clive sometimes have 60-amp or 100-amp service that made sense when the house was built but does not keep up with a modern household. Home offices, EV chargers, large appliances, and finished basements all add load. A panel upgrade involves replacing the breaker box, sizing the new service correctly through a load calculation, and updating the service entrance where needed. We also install subpanels where a single panel is not the right answer for a larger property. Where a meter upgrade is part of the picture, we handle that side of the work too.
Some calls are not about a problem at all. They are about adding capacity for something new. A dedicated circuit for a range, dryer, or EV charger. Recessed lighting in a finished basement. A ceiling fan where there is currently only a light fixture. Outdoor weatherproof outlets for a deck or garage wall. These are installation jobs, and they start at the panel, where we confirm there is capacity before running wire. The service page carries the full breakdown of what we install and what each job involves.
There is more on the page about wiring and panels.
Outlet and switch replacement is some of the most common work we do. Standard outlets, GFCI outlets, AFCI outlets, USB combination receptacles, and tamper-resistant devices are all part of it. Dimmer switches, 3-way replacements, and smart-switch wiring round out the switch side. On the low-voltage end, we handle doorbell wiring, data rough-in for network drops, and other low-voltage work that runs alongside the electrical. These are jobs that look small but matter when they are done correctly and grounded properly.
Running power to a detached structure is a dedicated circuit job that starts at the main panel. The circuit has to be sized for the load, the wiring has to be protected for the run between buildings, and grounding and bonding at the outbuilding have to be done correctly. Electric gate operators have their own requirements for the supply circuit. We assess what the structure needs before pulling wire so the installation handles the actual load rather than just the minimum.
A panel that is not labelled, or labelled incorrectly, is a problem that shows up every time something needs to be shut off or a new circuit needs to be added. We map circuits, verify what is on each breaker, and label the panel accurately. This is also where we find double-tapped breakers, undersized wiring, and other issues that a properly documented panel makes visible.
Whole-home and partial rewiring is larger work, usually driven by knob-and-tube replacement, aluminum branch-circuit remediation, or a renovation that opens walls. We work through it room by room where a partial rewire is the right scope, or through the whole house where the wiring condition calls for it.
We serve Clive and the surrounding communities throughout Polk County. That includes Urbandale, Grimes, West Des Moines, Windsor Heights, and Waukee. If you are in one of those areas and not sure whether we cover your address, call and ask.
With a local company, your questions go straight to the people doing the work. We do not route calls through a queue that loses the details. You describe the job, we go over it with you, and you get a price.
Extension cords are not rated for continuous use, are not protected by the wall, and are a common source of overheating and fire when used as a substitute for proper wiring. We replace temporary extension cord setups with permanent outlets in the right locations, wired correctly and protected by the appropriate breaker. It is a straightforward fix that removes a real hazard.
Yes. Pre-purchase electrical inspections are a regular part of what we do, and the person scheduling does not need to be the current owner. The property owner or their agent typically needs to allow access, but the inspection itself can be arranged by a buyer, a buyer's agent, or anyone else with a legitimate reason to have the wiring assessed. Call us at (515) 395-4989 to set it up.
We work around the schedule that makes the most sense for the business. For work that cannot happen while customers or staff are present, we confirm the timing on the call and schedule accordingly. The goal is to get the electrical work done without forcing the business to lose operating hours it cannot afford to lose.
Most welders and compressors draw more current than a standard 15- or 20-amp circuit can safely supply. Running heavy equipment on an undersized circuit causes nuisance tripping at best and overheating at worst. We install dedicated circuits sized for the actual draw of the equipment, including 240-volt circuits where the equipment requires it.
A buyer's home inspection covers the electrical system at a general level, but it does not always catch everything. A dedicated electrical inspection goes deeper: it traces circuits, checks grounding and bonding, identifies the wiring type, and flags GFCI and AFCI gaps. In a town where the housing stock includes homes from several different eras, the wiring type matters as much as whether the outlets work. If the inspection turns up items that need attention, we explain what they are and what correcting them involves before you commit to anything.
Discoloration or warmth at a faceplate is a sign that heat is building up behind it, which can come from a loose connection, an overloaded circuit, or wiring that has deteriorated over time. It is not something to leave and watch. Call us at (515) 395-4989 and we will get someone out to open it up and find the source before it becomes a more serious problem.
Inaccessible wiring is a common situation in older homes, and there are several ways to handle it depending on what the job requires. In some cases the existing cable can be pulled and replaced through the same path. In others, surface-mounted conduit or a different routing is the more practical solution. We assess the specific situation and explain the options before any work starts.
The scope depends on what the inspection finds and how much of the wiring is affected. If the problem is confined to one area of the house, a partial rewire that addresses those circuits is often the right call. Where the wiring throughout the home is knob-and-tube, deteriorated, or otherwise unsafe, a whole-home rewire is the more practical path. We assess what is there, explain the difference, and let you decide with the full picture in front of you.
Call in the morning. Powered by afternoon. Follow-up when you need it.
Summit Electric handles electrical repairs, panel upgrades, circuit installation, generator hookups, rewiring, and everything in between for homes and businesses in Clive. Call (515) 395-4989 and we will go over the job, explain what it involves, and confirm the rate before anything is scheduled. We are open every day from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
The price is agreed before work begins. That is how every job starts.
Check our list of local areas. We also work in: Urbandale, Grimes, West Des Moines, Waukee, Johnston.
Below is a quick look at the electrical services we handle for homes, rentals, and businesses in Clive and across Polk County. Each row covers what the service includes, who it fits best, and a practical note to help you think through the job before you call. If a service is not listed or your situation does not fit neatly into one category, call us and we will walk you through it.
| Service Type | What's Included | When You Need It | Things to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outlet & Switch Installation |
| Homeowners upgrading older outlets or adding new ones in kitchens, baths, garages, or outdoors | Current code requires GFCI protection in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor locations. Many older Clive homes are missing these entirely. |
| Basement & Sump-Pump Circuits |
| Homeowners finishing a basement or adding sump protection in an Iowa home | A sump pump on a shared circuit can lose power at the worst moment. A dedicated circuit with proper GFCI protection is the right setup for any basement in a region with spring thaw and heavy rain. |
| Wiring & Circuit Installation |
| Older homes with outdated wiring or any property adding circuits for new loads | Clive has a mix of housing ages. Knob-and-tube and aluminum wiring are both present in older neighborhoods and both present real concerns worth addressing. |
| EV Charger Installation |
| Homeowners adding a Level 2 charger in a garage or driveway | Older panels sometimes need an upgrade before a Level 2 charger circuit can be added. We check panel capacity first so any needed upgrade is identified and scheduled before installation day. |
| Electrical Panel UpgradesMost Popular |
| Homeowners with older panels, repeated tripping, or new loads like EV chargers that exceed current capacity | A 100-amp panel that was adequate in 1975 is often not adequate for a home that now has a home office, an EV charger, and a modern kitchen. We size the new service for what the home actually needs. |
| Electrical Safety Inspections |
| Home buyers, sellers, landlords, and owners of older homes with wiring that has not been reviewed in years | If the inspection turns up items that need attention, we explain what they are and what fixing them involves. You get the information before deciding on anything. |
| Dedicated Appliance Circuits |
| Anyone adding a high-draw appliance that needs its own breaker | High-draw appliances on shared circuits cause repeated tripping and can damage the appliance over time. A dedicated circuit is the correct fix. |
| Electrical Repairs & Troubleshooting |
| Any homeowner or renter with an unexplained electrical problem | We trace the problem to its source before recommending any work, so you know exactly what is wrong and what fixing it involves. |
| Lighting Installation |
| Homeowners, landlords, and commercial property managers updating or adding lighting | Exterior lighting for rental properties and commercial buildings often requires a new circuit rather than tapping an existing one. We confirm capacity before running wire. |
| Breaker & Fuse Repair |
| Homes with breakers that trip repeatedly or fuse boxes that need attention | A breaker that trips under normal load often points to an overloaded circuit or a failing breaker, not just a nuisance. We find out which before touching anything. |
| Whole-Home Surge Protection |
| Any Clive homeowner concerned about lightning strikes or utility voltage fluctuations | Central Iowa sees significant lightning activity in storm season. A panel-mounted surge protector covers every circuit in the house, not just what is plugged into a power strip. |
| Wiring for Additions & Remodels |
| Homeowners finishing a basement, adding a room, or remodeling a kitchen or bathroom | Electrical rough-in is one of the first trades on-site in a remodel and one of the last to finish. We coordinate around the project schedule so the work does not hold up other trades. |
| Ceiling Fan Installation |
| Homeowners replacing a fixture or adding a fan where no wiring currently exists | If there is no existing wiring, we install a proper brace box rated for the fan weight so the ceiling support is correct from the start. |
| Backup Generator Installation |
| Homeowners in Clive who want power protection during Iowa ice storms and severe weather | A properly wired transfer switch isolates the generator from the utility line, which protects both your equipment and line workers restoring power in the area. |
| Older-Home Rewiring |
| Owners of pre-1970s homes in Clive with wiring that has never been updated | Rewiring an older home is a significant project, but it is often the only way to make the electrical system safe and capable of carrying modern loads. We scope the work carefully before any walls are opened. |
Call (515) 395-4989 and we will walk you through what the job involves, what it costs, and when we can get someone out.
(515) 395-4989