GTS Electric Company has been handling residential and commercial electrical work in Waukesha since 1984. Over four decades, we have built a reputation for showing up, doing the job right, and standing behind every circuit we touch. Whether you need a same-day repair, a full panel upgrade, or a dedicated circuit for a new appliance, work performed by licensed electricians is what you get every time. Local ownership means local accountability, so you always know who to call.
From troubleshooting and diagnostics on a problem that showed up overnight to wiring a new commercial space from the ground up, we handle the full range of electrical work for homeowners, landlords, property managers, and businesses across Waukesha County. Call (262) 955-2829 for a quote.
We answer the phone. We show up on time. We test before we leave.
Dealing with a tripping breaker or a dead outlet? Those problems rarely fix themselves, and waiting usually makes them worse. We diagnose flickering lights, sparking outlets, burning smells, dead circuits, and breakers that won't hold. Our crew handles the kind of issues that keep homeowners up at night and that property managers need resolved before a tenant calls again.
We also handle apartment and rental property calls, not just single-family homes. If you manage multiple units, we can work through a list of issues in a single visit and document what was done.
Safety-related repairs often involve GFCI and AFCI protection. Ground-fault and arc-fault breakers are a code requirement in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and bedrooms, and we install or replace them as part of standard repair work. If your home is missing this protection, we will flag it and give you options. We'll trace it, fix it, and test it before we leave.
An aging panel creates real problems: tripped breakers, circuits that can't carry modern loads, and code issues that surface during a home sale or renovation permit. We handle full panel replacements, breaker replacements, and service-entrance upgrades including 200-amp service upgrades for homes that have outgrown their original capacity.
Every panel job starts with a load calculation so we size the new service correctly. No-pressure estimates, priced up front, so you know what the job costs before we start. We pull the permits, coordinate with the utility when required, and leave the installation code-compliant.
Major appliances, workshop equipment, and garage tools all run better on dedicated circuits sized for the load. We install dedicated appliance circuits for ranges, dryers, refrigerators, and high-draw equipment in garages and workshops.
Waukesha has a lot of older housing stock, and that means knob-and-tube wiring and aluminum wiring remediation come up regularly in our work. Both create safety and insurance concerns that whole-home rewiring or targeted remediation can resolve. We handle the permit work and make sure everything meets current code before we close the walls. Reach out and an electrician will follow up.
From a single GFCI outlet to a whole-home rewire, we've seen it all, and we bring the same attention to detail to every job regardless of size. GFCI outlet installation in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms is one of the most common calls we get, and we pair it with a quick check of the surrounding circuit to make sure everything is up to code.
We also install dimmer switches, recessed and LED lighting, and ceiling fans throughout the home. If you are finishing a basement, remodeling a kitchen, or updating a bathroom, we handle the electrical side of the project so your contractor can keep moving.
Ceiling fan wiring is straightforward when the box and circuit are already there, and more involved when they are not. Either way, we assess the situation and give you an honest answer before any work begins. Call today and we'll get the power back where it belongs.
Exterior electrical work covers more ground than most homeowners expect. We install security lighting, landscape and pathway lighting, and weatherproof outlets on decks, patios, and the sides of the house. Detached garage wiring and workshop circuits are a regular part of our work, and we size those circuits for the actual loads involved.
If you are adding a hot tub, we handle the dedicated circuit and disconnect on the electrical side. EV charger circuits are another common outdoor installation. A Level 2 charger needs a dedicated 240-volt circuit run to the garage or driveway, and we handle the panel capacity check, the circuit run, and the outlet installation. Reach out and an electrician will follow up.
Wisconsin winters are hard on homes and harder on electrical systems. Sub-freezing temperatures, ice storms, and multi-day power outages are routine here, and the electrical work that protects against them is not optional. The three services below come up constantly in Waukesha County because the climate demands them.
When an ice storm or wind event knocks out power for two or three days, a properly wired generator makes the difference between a manageable situation and a real emergency. We handle the generator hookup and transfer switch installation that connects a standby or portable generator to your home's electrical system safely.
The transfer switch is the critical piece. It isolates your home from the utility line so the generator feeds your circuits without backfeeding the grid. We size the dedicated circuit, install the transfer switch, and test the whole system before we leave. The goal is a hookup that works the first time you need it.
Waukesha's older neighborhoods carry a lot of homes with panels that were never designed for today's electrical loads. A home office, an EV charger, a second refrigerator in the garage, and high-draw appliances all add up fast. When the panel can't keep up, you get nuisance trips, overloaded circuits, and real safety risks.
A 200-amp service upgrade gives you the headroom modern living requires. If you are adding a detached garage or a home addition, a subpanel installation can extend capacity to that structure without running everything back to the main panel. We handle the load calculations, the permit, and the utility coordination.
Heat tape protects rooflines, gutters, and water supply pipes from ice damage during Wisconsin winters. The tape itself is a heating element, but the electrical side is what we handle: a dedicated circuit, properly rated outdoor wiring, and a weatherproof outlet or connection point that meets code.
A heat tape circuit that is wired incorrectly is a fire risk. We install it the right way, with the right wire gauge, the right protection, and a connection that holds up through freeze-thaw cycles season after season.
For residential and commercial electrical work alike, we bring the same crew, the same standards, and the same commitment to getting it done right the first time. We work with small business owners, office and retail tenants, landlords, and property managers who need reliable electrical service without a lot of back-and-forth.
Electrical safety inspections are a regular part of our commercial and rental work. Whether you are turning over a rental unit, preparing a space for a new tenant, or responding to a code compliance notice, we document what we find and give you a clear picture of what needs to be done. Trusted by local homeowners and property managers for their electrical work, we understand that downtime and delays cost money. Call (262) 955-2829 for a quote.
Your home deserves wiring that's safe and up to code, and you deserve to know what the job costs before anyone picks up a tool. We give you upfront pricing on every electrical estimate so there are no surprises when the invoice arrives. Arrival windows are real windows, not four-hour guesses.
Same-day availability is something we work hard to maintain for urgent repairs. We cannot guarantee it for every call, but if you have a situation that needs attention today, tell us when you call and we will do our best to make it happen.
Know the price. Know the arrival window. Know your electrician.
Waukesha is our home base, and it is where most of our calls come from. We also serve the surrounding communities throughout Waukesha County, including Brookfield, Pewaukee, Oconomowoc, Menomonee Falls, New Berlin, and Mukwonago. The same crew that handles a panel upgrade in Waukesha handles a generator hookup in Oconomowoc or a rewire in Pewaukee.
If you are not sure whether we cover your area, call and ask. We will tell you straight.
We start by gathering information about what the customer has noticed, then we test the circuit, check connections, and trace the fault back to its origin. We check grounding and bonding, test GFCI and AFCI protection where it is part of the circuit, and confirm everything is working correctly before we close up. The goal is to fix the right thing, not just the visible symptom.
Warm or discolored outlet covers, burning smells near outlets or the panel, breakers that trip repeatedly without an obvious cause, and two-prong ungrounded outlets throughout the home are all signals that the wiring may need attention. Older homes in Waukesha with knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring can also present insurance and safety concerns that a proper inspection will surface.
A breaker trips when a circuit is drawing more current than it was designed to handle. Sometimes that means too many devices on one circuit. Other times it points to a failing breaker, a wiring fault, or a panel that has run out of capacity for the loads in the home. If a breaker trips repeatedly or trips without an obvious load, it needs to be diagnosed, not just reset.
Flickering or dimming lights can point to a loose connection at the fixture, a loose neutral in the panel, an overloaded circuit, or a problem deeper in the wiring. If the flickering is widespread or happens when a large appliance kicks on, that often points to a capacity issue at the panel. We trace the source and fix it rather than just replacing the bulb.
A dead outlet may have a tripped GFCI upstream, a loose connection, or a wiring fault. A warm or discolored outlet cover is a more serious sign. It can indicate arcing or a connection that has degraded and is generating heat. Stop using the outlet and have it looked at. These are not cosmetic issues.
Yes. GFCI outlets can be installed in ungrounded systems and provide the shock protection required by code in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor locations. We assess the existing wiring, explain your options, and install the right solution for the circuit. Where full grounding is possible, we handle that as well.
For most electrical work, yes. The affected circuit or the main panel will need to be de-energized while we work. We coordinate the shutoff with you so you can plan around it. For larger jobs, we work efficiently to minimize the time without power to the parts of the home that are not directly involved.
Clear a path to your electrical panel and move any furniture or stored items that block access to the outlets, switches, or fixtures we will be working on. If we are working in a finished space, letting us know in advance about any obstacles helps us plan the job. The more accessible the work area, the faster and cleaner the job goes.
Yes. Electrical work involves open panels, exposed wiring, and tools that are not safe around children or animals. Keeping kids and pets in a separate part of the home while we work is the safest approach for everyone. We will let you know when the work area is clear.
A whole-home surge protector installs at the panel and intercepts voltage spikes before they travel through your wiring to your appliances and electronics. Surges can come from lightning, utility switching, or large appliances cycling on and off inside the home. Panel-level protection covers everything connected to the system, not just the devices plugged into a power strip.
An inspection makes sense before buying or selling a home, after a major storm or power event, when a home is more than 25 to 30 years old and has never been evaluated, or when an insurer has flagged the wiring. We document what we find and give you a clear picture of what needs attention and what can wait.
We handle the electrical scope of the installation: wiring the transfer switch, connecting it to the panel, and sizing the load so the generator runs the right circuits without being overloaded. The transfer switch isolates your home from the utility line so the generator feeds your circuits safely. We test the full system before we leave.
Detached garages and outbuildings need their own circuit run from the main panel or a subpanel, depending on the distance and the load. We assess the situation, calculate what the structure needs, and run the appropriate wiring and protection. Workshop circuits are sized for the actual equipment involved, not just a generic load estimate.
We answer the phone. We show up on time. We test before we leave.
GTS Electric Company has been doing this work in Waukesha since 1984, and we plan to keep doing it the same way: honest estimates, reliable scheduling, and work that holds up. Whether you need a whole-home surge protection system installed, an electrical safety inspection before a home sale, or a repair that cannot wait, we are ready to help.
Call (262) 955-2829 today and let us know what you need.
We handle the full range of electrical work for Waukesha homes and businesses, from a single dead outlet to a complete service upgrade. Every job is handled by licensed electricians, and you get a clear price before anything starts. The table below lays out what we do, who each service fits, and what to know before you call.
| Electrical Service | What It Covers | Common Situations | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Safety Inspections |
| homebuyers, sellers, and landlords who need a clear picture of a property's electrical condition | An inspection before a sale closes can surface wiring issues that affect negotiations, insurance, or safety. We document what we find and explain what it means. |
| Backup Generator Installation |
| households that cannot afford to lose power during a winter storm or extended outage | A transfer switch is required for safe generator connection. It protects your household and prevents backfeed onto utility lines where workers may be present. |
| Electrical Repairs & Troubleshooting |
| homeowners dealing with a sudden or recurring electrical problem | Many electrical problems share symptoms but have different causes. A proper diagnostic finds the source, not just the symptom. |
| Dedicated Appliance Circuits |
| homeowners adding a major appliance, a workshop, or any high-draw equipment | Most large appliances require their own dedicated circuit. Running them on a shared circuit leads to tripping breakers and, over time, wiring stress. |
| Heat Tape Installation |
| Waukesha homeowners dealing with frozen pipes or ice dam problems on the roof | Heat tape runs continuously through the coldest months. A circuit that is not properly sized for that sustained load is a fire risk. We size and wire it correctly from the start. |
| Wiring & Rewiring |
| older homes with outdated wiring or any property being renovated or expanded | Knob-and-tube and aluminum wiring were standard in their day but are not designed for modern electrical loads. We assess what the home needs and give you a clear path forward. |
| Breaker & Fuse Repair |
| homes where a breaker trips repeatedly or a fuse keeps blowing | A breaker that trips on its own is a warning sign. Resetting it without finding the cause does not fix the underlying problem. |
| Electrical Panel UpgradesMost Popular |
| homes with an older or undersized panel that cannot handle today's electrical demand | Wisconsin winters push electrical loads higher than most other seasons. An aging 100-amp panel can run out of capacity fast when heating loads, appliances, and a home office are all drawing at once. |
| Ceiling Fan Installation |
| any room where a ceiling fan is being added or an old one replaced | If there is no existing ceiling box rated for a fan, we install the right support before mounting. A standard light box is not designed to hold a spinning fan. |
| Outlet & Switch Installation |
| kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and any room that needs updated or added receptacles | GFCI protection is required by code in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor areas. Older homes often lack it where it matters most. |
| Whole-Home Surge Protection |
| any home with sensitive electronics, smart appliances, or valuable equipment to protect | Surge protection at the panel level guards every circuit in the home, not just the outlets where plug-in strips are used. One device covers the whole house. |
| Lighting Installation |
| homeowners updating a room or adding exterior lighting for safety and security | Outdoor fixtures in Wisconsin need to be rated for cold-weather exposure. We specify and install fixtures built to hold up through the winter. |
How do I know if my home needs a panel or service upgrade?
The clearest signs are breakers that trip under normal loads, a panel that has no open slots for new circuits, flickering lights when large appliances run, or a main panel rated at 60 or 100 amps in a home with modern electrical demand. If your home was built before the 1980s and has never had a panel upgrade, it is worth having us take a look. We do a load calculation before any upgrade so the new panel is sized for what the home actually needs.
What causes a breaker to trip repeatedly?
A breaker trips when a circuit is drawing more current than it is rated for. That can come from too many devices on one circuit, a failing appliance pulling excess current, a short somewhere in the wiring, or a breaker that is worn out and no longer holding its rated load. Resetting the breaker without finding the cause does not fix the problem. We diagnose the source before recommending a repair.
Is the electrical work permitted and inspected?
Work that requires a permit is pulled and inspected. That includes panel upgrades, service entrance work, new circuit installation, and most wiring projects. Permitted work protects you when you sell the home and confirms the installation meets current code. We handle the permit process and schedule the inspection as part of the job.
Same-Day and Emergency Availability
Electrical problems do not wait for a convenient time. We offer same-day service when the schedule allows and are reachable after hours for situations that cannot wait until morning.
How do I know if the wiring in my older home is safe?
Homes built before the 1970s may have knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum branch circuit wiring, or panels that were never designed for today's loads. These are not automatically dangerous, but they do have limitations and specific risks. An electrical inspection gives you a clear picture of what is in the walls and what, if anything, needs to be addressed. We explain what we find in plain terms so you can make an informed decision.
What do flickering or dimming lights usually mean?
Occasional flickering when a large appliance starts up can be normal. Persistent flickering, lights that dim and stay dim, or flickering that happens across multiple rooms points to something that needs attention. It could be a loose connection, an overloaded circuit, a failing breaker, or a service entrance issue. These symptoms tend to get worse over time, not better on their own.
What is the risk of an outlet or switch that feels warm or buzzes?
A warm outlet or switch plate, or one that makes a buzzing or crackling sound, is a sign that something is wrong with the connection or the wiring behind it. These are not problems to watch and wait on. Stop using the outlet or switch and call us. Loose or overloaded connections generate heat, and heat in a wall cavity is a fire risk.
Upfront Quotes With No Surprise Fees
We give you a clear price before any work starts. If something unexpected comes up once we are into the job, we explain it and get your approval before we continue.
Can I add circuits for a workshop, garage, or new appliance?
Yes. Adding a dedicated circuit for a workshop, a garage, a dryer, a range, or any other high-draw equipment is straightforward work. We run the circuit from the panel, size the wire and breaker correctly for the load, and make sure everything is inspected where required. If the panel does not have capacity for the new circuit, we talk through upgrade options at the same time.
What does a backup generator installation involve?
We handle the electrical side of generator installation: the transfer switch, the wiring from the generator to the panel, and the hookup for standby or portable units. The transfer switch is the critical piece. It disconnects your home from the utility grid when the generator is running, which protects your household and prevents dangerous backfeed onto the lines. We size the transfer switch and wiring to match the generator and the circuits you need to keep running.
Experienced With Older and Newer Homes
Waukesha has housing stock from every decade, and we know what each era of construction brings. Whether the home has knob-and-tube wiring or a modern panel with room to grow, we know what to look for and how to handle it.
Do I need to be home when the electrician comes?
For most jobs, yes. We need access to the panel, the affected outlets or fixtures, and sometimes multiple rooms depending on the scope of the work. If you cannot be there, arrange for another adult to be present who can answer questions and make decisions about what we find. We give you an arrival window so you know when to expect us.
How does pricing work, and will the estimate change after work starts?
We give you a clear price before any work begins. If we open a wall or the panel and find something unexpected that changes the scope, we stop and explain it before we proceed. You decide how to move forward. There are no surprise fees on the invoice after the fact.
When should I call an electrician instead of handling something myself?
Replacing a light fixture or a simple switch plate is within reach for a careful DIYer. Anything involving the panel, new wiring runs, circuit additions, or a problem you cannot identify by looking at it is work for a licensed electrician. Electrical mistakes inside walls or at the panel can create fire and shock hazards that are not always visible right away. When in doubt, a call to us costs nothing and takes a few minutes.
Call (262) 955-2829 and we will talk through what you need, give you a clear picture of the work involved, and get you on the schedule.