Long's Electric in Baltimore: Licensed Residential and Commercial Work with Flat-Rate Pricing
Long's Electric is a licensed electrical contractor serving Baltimore's residential and commercial properties, operating on a flat-rate pricing model rather than hourly labor charges. The business handles panel upgrades, rewiring, new construction rough-in, troubleshooting, and code-compliance inspections across the city and surrounding counties.
What Long's Electric actually is
Long's Electric operates as a full-service licensed electrical firm capable of handling residential jobs ranging from outlet installation to whole-house rewires, as well as commercial tenant improvements and industrial maintenance. The business is Maryland-licensed and insured, a requirement for any electrical work that involves permit-triggered jobs or panel-level modifications in Baltimore. Unlike handymen who work within unlicensed scope limits, Long's can pull permits, schedule city inspections, and certify work to code. The flat-rate structure means customers receive a fixed price upfront rather than a surprise bill based on hours logged.
Services and pricing
Long's Electric's common residential services include outlet and switch replacement, ceiling fan and light fixture installation, troubleshooting dead circuits, panel upgrades (required when adding a second kitchen circuit or EV charger), service calls for breaker trips, and full rewires for older Baltimore rowhouses moving from knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring to modern copper. Commercial scope includes tenant improvements, lighting retrofit projects, and emergency repairs.
Flat rates vary by job scope. A service call to diagnose a tripped breaker or test outlets runs approximately $150 to $200, which covers the diagnosis; repair or replacement adds to that figure. A single-outlet installation typically costs $100 to $150. Installing a ceiling fan or light fixture ranges from $150 to $300 depending on wiring complexity and existing fixture type. A 200-amp panel upgrade, the most common major residential project in Baltimore's older housing stock, ranges from $2,500 to $4,500 depending on whether the existing service entrance is accessible and if code requires additional work. Confirm current pricing before booking, as materials costs influence final quotes.
How Long's Electric compares to other Baltimore electricians
Baltimore has two broad categories of electrical service: licensed contractors like Long's, and unlicensed handymen or apprentices offering lower rates for minor work. Licensed contractors charge more but can legally perform permit-required work and pull inspections; unlicensed workers cannot. Among licensed firms, Long's flat-rate model differs from hourly-rate competitors like Reliable Heating & Cooling (which offers electrical services alongside HVAC) and independent electricians advertising hourly rates of $75 to $125 per hour plus travel. Flat rates eliminate uncertainty but assume the technician accurately estimates scope upfront; hourly billing favors jobs where the extent of damage or complexity is unknown. For straightforward work like outlet replacement or fixture install, flat rates typically cost less. For diagnostic work or jobs where the problem emerges mid-service, hourly rates may prove cheaper.
Who Long's Electric suits and who it does not
Long's is the right choice for homeowners and commercial property managers needing a permitted, inspected project or who want fixed pricing before work begins. It suits anyone in Baltimore whose electrical issue involves the main panel, anything requiring a city permit, or work that will later be sold or refinanced (inspectors and appraisers verify licensed work). It is not necessary for swapping out a working light switch, patching drywall around an old fixture, or adding a standard outlet in a location where wiring already exists and no permit applies. For those jobs, an unlicensed handyman costs less. Long's is also not the cheapest option if budget alone drives the decision; some independent electricians undercut flat rates on simple calls.
What the first visit involves
Contact Long's for a phone estimate or in-person evaluation. For straightforward jobs (outlet install, fixture swap), a price quote often comes from phone description. For panel work, rewires, or anything requiring code assessment, a technician visits, inspects the existing setup, and provides a written estimate. Once approved, the technician schedules the work. If a permit is needed, Long's pulls it and arranges the city inspection; the homeowner does not manage this directly. The work is completed, inspected (if required), and the invoice is due.
Hours and logistics
Long's Electric operates during standard daytime and some evening hours; confirm current availability before scheduling. The business serves Baltimore and surrounding counties, so travel time to projects in remote county areas may incur fees. There is no formal waiting room; technicians arrive at the address specified. Parking in Baltimore rowhouse neighborhoods can be tight; let the scheduler know any access constraints.
Long's Electric fills the essential middle ground between DIY and unlicensed quick-fix services, making it the standard choice for any electrical work that builds toward a home's long-term value or legal standing in Baltimore.
