Martz Electric in Baltimore: Licensed Residential and Commercial Work with Transparent Pricing

Martz Electric is a licensed electrical contractor serving Baltimore and surrounding areas, handling everything from panel upgrades and outlet installation to troubleshooting flickering lights and bringing older wiring up to code. The business operates as a single-owner, hands-on shop rather than a large franchise, which means the owner often performs the work rather than dispatching a crew, a distinction that affects both pricing and scheduling flexibility.

What Martz Electric actually does

Martz Electric holds a Maryland Class A electrical contractor license, which qualifies it for residential and commercial work of any scope. The business handles new construction, remodels, service calls, and inspections. Common residential jobs include 200-amp panel replacements (required when upgrading from 100-amp service in older Baltimore rowhouses), adding circuits and outlets, installing ceiling fans and light fixtures, and diagnosing problems like outlets that won't hold plugs or breakers that trip repeatedly. Commercial work includes tenant buildouts and maintenance calls. The business also performs inspections for home sales, which is standard practice when Baltimore properties change hands and the seller or lender requires electrical verification.

Services and pricing

Martz Electric charges a service call fee of $75 to diagnose an electrical problem, applied toward the repair cost if you proceed with work. Labor runs $65 to $75 per hour for standard repairs and installation, with project pricing available for larger jobs like panel replacements. A 200-amp panel upgrade in Baltimore typically ranges from $1,800 to $2,500 depending on the existing wiring condition and whether the panel is in the basement or buried in a wall, which increases access difficulty. Adding a new circuit and outlet runs roughly $150 to $250 per outlet depending on wall construction and distance from the panel. Permits, required for panels and most new circuits in Baltimore, cost $30 to $60 depending on job scope and are typically included in the quote. Call to confirm current pricing, as labor rates shift annually.

How Martz Electric compares to other Baltimore electricians

Martz Electric's single-owner model contrasts with larger firms like Fidelity Electric (Baltimore-based, multi-crew operation, typically 15 to 20 percent higher pricing but faster scheduling for non-emergency work) and smaller independent operators found through referral networks. Compared to Fidelity, Martz Electric generally quotes lower on routine jobs and panels because overhead is minimal. Response time, however, favors Fidelity during peak seasons; Martz Electric can have a two- to three-week wait for non-emergency calls in summer. For simple diagnostics or panel work in an urban rowhouse, Martz Electric is the cost-conscious choice. For a full commercial buildout on a tight deadline, a larger operation may be necessary.

Who it suits and who it should not suit

Martz Electric works best for Baltimore homeowners managing single-family rowhouses or small multifamily properties who want fair pricing and direct communication with the person doing the work. It also suits landlords and small commercial operators who value reliability over speed. The business is not ideal for anyone needing same-day emergency service or a guarantee of Monday-morning availability; Martz Electric accepts emergency calls but does not staff a dedicated on-call rotation. Large construction projects with hard deadlines also do better with a firm that can field multiple crews.

What to expect on the first visit

Call to schedule a service appointment or inspection. The owner will ask what prompted the call (flickering lights, outlets not working, panel upgrade, inspection for sale) and the address. For diagnostics, he arrives with a meter and multitester, traces the problem through the panel and wiring, and explains the fix and cost before starting work. For inspections, the visit takes 45 minutes to an hour; he documents code violations or safety issues on a written report. Panel replacements are scheduled as separate appointments and take four to eight hours depending on the existing setup and whether old knob-and-tube wiring is present, which adds complexity and cost.

Hours and logistics

Martz Electric operates Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., with scheduling handled by phone. The office location is in Dundalk, just outside Baltimore, but the service area covers the city and immediate suburbs. No appointment is required for a call to discuss pricing or ask quick questions, but scheduling a visit does require advance notice. Verify current hours before calling, as seasonal workload sometimes affects availability.

Martz Electric has earned its place in Baltimore's electrical contractor landscape by keeping pricing transparent and showing up as promised, two baseline expectations that too many contractors ignore.