When something in a West Des Moines home or business stops working the way it should, the question is always the same: who do you call, and how fast can they get there? Summit Electric handles electrical repairs, panel upgrades, circuit installations, and the full range of wiring work for homeowners, rental properties, and commercial spaces throughout the city. Whether it is a dead outlet in a kitchen, a panel that has run out of room, or a dedicated circuit for new equipment, work is performed by licensed electricians who explain what they find before they start.
West Des Moines has a mix of property types that keeps the work varied. Established neighborhoods have homes on older wiring that has never been touched, and newer construction is adding circuits, EV chargers, and upgraded service to keep pace with modern loads. Property managers handling multi-unit buildings call us for everything from outlet replacements between tenants to full rewires of units that have not been updated in decades. We handle all of it, and we give you the price before anything is scheduled.
Some electrical faults are obvious. A breaker trips, a light goes out, an outlet stops working. You call, we come, we fix it. Others take more work to find, and those are the calls where the diagnostic matters as much as the repair.
A circuit that trips only when the air handler kicks on, an outlet that loses power after heavy rain, a light that flickers only in one room under certain conditions: these are not random. They have a cause, and finding it requires tracing the circuit, checking connections, and testing under the conditions that produce the fault rather than just looking at the panel and calling it done. We take that process seriously because a patch that does not address the real problem does not stay fixed.
Don't let a small wiring issue turn into a fire risk, because intermittent faults are often the ones that have been building longest. A connection that overheats only under load, a ground that is working sometimes but not always, a wire that has been rubbing against something for years: none of these announce themselves clearly. We keep your home powered and safe by finding what is actually wrong, not what is easiest to point at.
Good electrical work isn't complicated, it's just done right, and that applies to pricing as much as it does to the work itself. When you call, we go over the job with you and give you the rate before an electrician comes out. You know what the work covers and what it costs before you commit to anything. No-pressure estimates, priced up front.
What changes a quote depends on the job. A straightforward outlet replacement is a different conversation from a panel upgrade that requires a load calculation and a service-entrance assessment. For larger projects, we ask about the panel size, the age of the home, what is being added, and whether the service entrance has been updated. Those details shape the scope, and the scope shapes the price. The more specific you can be on the call, the more accurate the number we give you.
We do not charge you for information. Call us, tell us what is happening, and we will tell you what the work involves and what it costs. One call, and an electrician is on the way.
Same-day service is often available for repairs and installations, and we keep appointments open for situations that need attention before the end of the day. A sparking outlet, a burning smell near the panel, or a partial power loss affecting multiple rooms are not situations to put off until next week. Call during our hours of 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM and we will work to get someone out as quickly as possible.
For rental properties and businesses that need to stay operational, we work around what is running. A landlord who has a tenant in place, a retail space that cannot close, or a property manager coordinating access across multiple units: we handle the scheduling conversation on the call so the visit fits what the property needs.
Call in the morning. Powered by afternoon. Follow-up when you need it.
our page on electrical repairs covers what the work involves before you call.
A breaker panel that is full, outdated, or failing creates problems across the whole house. We handle full panel replacements and service-entrance upgrades, and we do load calculations as part of the process so the new panel is sized for what the home or building actually draws. AFCI and GFCI breakers are installed where current code requires them, and where the service entrance needs to be brought up alongside the panel, we handle both together.
An electric range, wall oven, or dryer needs its own dedicated 240-volt circuit, sized correctly for the appliance's draw. Running that circuit means assessing panel capacity first, because adding a high-draw circuit to a panel that is already near its limit is not a fix. We install the circuit, the correct outlet or connection point, and confirm the panel can carry the load before we start. Workshop equipment, compressors, and welders follow the same logic: the circuit has to be right for the equipment, not just close enough.
In a region where severe storms and ice events can knock out power for hours or days, a properly wired backup generator changes the situation entirely. The electrical side of that installation is the transfer switch, the panel integration, and the circuit that connects them. A correctly installed transfer switch keeps the generator isolated from the utility line when it is running, which protects both the home and the line workers restoring power nearby. We handle the wiring and the switch, and we walk through what the job involves before anything is scheduled.
A three-way switch controls a light from two locations. A multi-location setup extends that to three or more points. Both are common in stairwells, hallways, and large rooms, and both require the wiring to be run and connected correctly or the switching logic fails. We handle new installations and replacements, including situations where a previous installation was wired incorrectly and has never worked right.
A Level 2 home charger requires a dedicated circuit sized for the charger's amperage, run from the panel to the charger location. Older panels sometimes need an upgrade before that circuit can be added, and we assess capacity on the call so the scope is clear before we arrive. We take pride in the electrical work we leave behind, and EV circuit installations are a job where doing it right the first time matters.
Our customers call us back because we make wiring simple, and repair calls are where that starts. Dead outlets, tripping breakers, lights that flicker, switches that have stopped responding: these are the everyday calls that make up a large part of what we do in West Des Moines. Some are quick. A GFCI outlet that has tripped and needs to be reset, or a breaker that has failed and needs replacing, can be handled in a single visit. Others require more investigation, and we take the time to find the actual cause rather than replacing parts until something works.
West Des Moines has homes across a wide range of ages, and older properties often have panels that were never designed for the electrical loads a household runs today. A 100-amp service that was adequate when the home was built is not adequate when the same home now has a home office, an EV charger, and a full appliance load. We assess the existing panel, calculate what the property needs, and size the upgrade accordingly. Where whole-home surge protection makes sense alongside a panel replacement, we install it at the panel level so every circuit in the house is covered.
Finishing a basement, adding a room, updating a kitchen, or wiring a garage for real use: all of these start with a circuit question. We handle the rough-in wiring, the circuit additions, and the panel tie-ins for projects of all sizes. Exterior lighting, weatherproof outlet installation, and landscape lighting are part of that work too. The full breakdown of what each installation type involves is on the service page, which covers the complete range of what we handle.
With a local company, your questions go straight to the people doing the work.
West Des Moines is our focus here, and we take calls from customers throughout the city and the surrounding area. That includes Clive, Windsor Heights, Urbandale, Waukee, and Cumming, as well as the broader Polk County area. If you are just outside West Des Moines and not sure whether we cover your address, call and ask.
Discoloration inside the panel around a breaker or a bus bar is a sign that heat has built up there, which points to a loose connection, an overloaded circuit, or a failing breaker. It is not a cosmetic issue. Call us at (515) 395-4989 and describe what you are seeing. We will advise whether it is something to address immediately or whether it can wait for a scheduled visit.
We retain records of work completed so there is a reference if questions come up later. If you need documentation for a sale, a permit closeout, or your own files, let us know when you call and we will make sure you have what you need.
Yes. If something is not right after we finish, call us at (515) 395-4989 and we will work out what needs to happen next. We stand behind the work and we do not consider a job closed if there is still something that needs to be addressed.
Yes. We work across property types throughout the city, including rental units, small commercial spaces, and multi-unit buildings. Property managers and landlords call us for tenant-turnover outlet work, code-compliance repairs, and larger projects like panel replacements or rewiring older units. The scheduling conversation on the call covers access and timing so the visit fits what the property needs.
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.
The most common calls involve tripping breakers, outlets that have stopped working, and lighting that flickers or fails. Older properties in West Des Moines sometimes have panels that were never upgraded and wiring that has not been looked at in decades, which means problems that seem minor on the surface can have a deeper cause. We trace the issue to its source rather than patching around it.
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.
A converted space almost always needs dedicated circuits rather than tapping into whatever is nearest. Lighting, outlets, and any heating or cooling supply for the new space each have their own load, and adding them to an existing circuit that is already carrying a full load creates an overload risk. We assess the panel capacity and run the circuits the converted space actually needs.
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.
For most routine work like outlet replacement, lighting, or ceiling fan installation, children being in other parts of the home is not a problem. For larger jobs that involve the panel or that require circuits to be shut down for extended periods, it is worth talking through the scope on the call so you can plan accordingly. We let you know what to expect before we arrive.
Yes. If you want documentation of the work sent to a specific contact, let us know when you call. Landlords and property managers often need records for their own files or for a tenant's reference, and we can make sure the right person receives what they need.
When you call Summit Electric at (515) 395-4989, we ask about the property, what is happening, and what the job involves. By the time you hang up, you know the rate, what it covers, and when we can get someone out. That is the whole process. No layers of approval, no waiting for a callback with a number.
We are open every day from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Experienced electricians who respect your home handle the work, and the price is confirmed before anything is scheduled. Call (515) 395-4989 and tell us what you are dealing with.
Check our list of local areas. We also work in: Clive, Waukee, Urbandale, Norwalk, Grimes.
Below is a quick look at the electrical services we handle for homes, rentals, and businesses in West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines 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 | West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines 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