Houston, Texas
Electricians in Houston
In Houston the company that bills you is not the company that owns the lines. CenterPoint Energy maintains the poles, wires and meters, and a retail provider of your choice sells the power. After a storm, outage reports and reconnection go to CenterPoint.
- Licensing
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
- Permits
- Houston Permitting Center, inside city limits
- Lines and meters
- CenterPoint Energy
- Grid
- ERCOT
- Main hazards
- Hurricanes, flooding, derechos
After a storm: who does what
- Act now
A line is down or the street is dark
Report it to CenterPoint. Your retail provider cannot dispatch crews.
- Act now
The mast, weatherhead or meter can is damaged
This is the owner's equipment. A licensed electrician repairs it before CenterPoint reconnects.
- Act now
Water reached outlets or the panel
Keep the power off and have submerged equipment replaced. See storm and flood safety.
- This week
Power is back but some circuits are dead
Book an electrical repair visit.
Why backup power is a routine request here
The Houston area has had three long, widespread outages in a few years: the February 2021 winter storm, the May 2024 derecho and Hurricane Beryl in July 2024, which cut power to more than two million CenterPoint customers, some for over a week in summer heat.
That history is why standby generators, and transfer equipment for portable ones, are among the most requested jobs in the region. See generator installation and transfer switches. Natural gas service is widely available in the city, which suits standby units.
Permits inside and outside the city
Inside Houston city limits, electrical permits come from the Houston Permitting Center and the city inspects. Much of the metropolitan area lies outside any city, in unincorporated Harris County or neighboring counties, where requirements for houses are lighter.
- State license either way
- The Texas electrical contractor license applies everywhere, including where there is no local permit.
- City registration
- Contractors register with the city before pulling Houston permits.
- Reconnection
- After service damage inside the city, CenterPoint generally needs the city's release before restoring power.
Confirming Houston requirements
Check a contractor's license with the state and permit requirements with the city. For statewide context, see electricians in Texas. Standby power has its own page: generator installation in Houston.
Houston electrical questions
My retail provider says to call CenterPoint. Is that right?
Yes. Retail providers handle billing and plans. CenterPoint handles outages, lines and meters.
Do I need a permit for a standby generator in Houston?
Inside the city, yes, for the electrical connection and the gas piping.
Is surge protection worth it here?
The Gulf coast has frequent lightning and frequent outage restorations, both of which produce surges. See whole-house surge protection.
Reach an electrician in Houston
Call to be connected with an independent electrical contractor that works in the Houston area, where one is available, or leave your number and one will call you back.
(888) 555-0167Call availability varies by area and time of day
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