If you need electrical work completed, you may wonder whether you need a residential electrician or a commercial electrician. While both work with electrical systems, the environments they work in, the equipment they encounter, and the complexity of their projects can be very different.

The simplest answer is this: residential electricians primarily work on electrical systems in homes, while commercial electricians work on electrical systems in businesses and other commercial properties.

But there's much more to the distinction.

At Rushing Electric, we've provided residential, commercial, and industrial electrical services throughout Savannah and Coastal Georgia since 1972. Here's what property owners should know about the difference between commercial and residential electricians—and how to determine which type of electrical service you need.

What Is a Residential Electrician?

A residential electrician specializes in the electrical systems found in houses and other residential properties.

Their work can range from replacing a faulty outlet or installing new lighting to wiring an entire home.

Residential electrical services commonly include:

• Electrical troubleshooting and repairs
• Electrical panel replacement and upgrades
• Circuit breaker replacement
• New home wiring
• Home rewiring
• Dedicated circuits
• Outlet and switch installation
• Ceiling fan installation
• Interior and exterior lighting
• Recessed lighting
• GFCI and AFCI protection
• Surge protection
• Pool and outdoor electrical work
• EV charger installation
• Electrical work for renovations and additions

Residential electricians must understand the electrical demands of today's homes while ensuring installations meet applicable electrical and safety codes.

When Should You Call a Residential Electrician?

You should contact a residential electrician when you're experiencing an electrical problem at home or planning an improvement that requires electrical work.

For example, you may need an electrician if:

• Your breakers keep tripping
• Lights flicker or dim unexpectedly
• An outlet stops working
• You notice a burning smell near an outlet or electrical panel
• Your electrical panel is outdated
• You're remodeling your kitchen or bathroom
• You're adding new appliances
• You want to install an EV charger
• You're adding a pool, hot tub, or outdoor living area
• Your older home needs electrical updates

Electrical problems shouldn't be ignored. Issues such as repeated breaker trips, warm outlets, burning odors, buzzing sounds, or visible damage should be evaluated by a qualified electrician.

What Is a Commercial Electrician?

A commercial electrician specializes in electrical systems found in businesses and commercial properties.

Commercial buildings can have much greater electrical demands than homes and often contain more complex electrical distribution, lighting, equipment, and control systems.

Commercial electricians may work in:

• Office buildings
• Retail stores
• Restaurants
• Hotels
• Medical offices
• Schools
• Churches
• Apartment communities
• Shopping centers
• Warehouses
• Parking garages
• Municipal buildings
• Commercial developments

Commercial electrical projects often require electricians to coordinate with general contractors, property managers, architects, engineers, business owners, and facility managers.

Common Commercial Electrical Services

Commercial electrical work may include:

• New construction electrical installation
• Tenant build-outs
• Electrical renovations
• Electrical panel upgrades
• Power distribution
• Dedicated equipment circuits
• Interior lighting
• Exterior lighting
• Parking lot lighting
• LED lighting upgrades
• Emergency and exit lighting
• Electrical troubleshooting
• Code corrections
• Preventative electrical maintenance
• Commercial EV charging stations
• Electrical service upgrades

The goal isn't simply to keep the lights on. A commercial electrical system must reliably support the equipment, technology, lighting, security systems, HVAC equipment, and other electrical needs required to keep a business operating.

Commercial Electrician vs. Residential Electrician: What Are the Main Differences?

Although residential and commercial electricians share many fundamental electrical skills, several factors distinguish the two.

1. The Type of Property

The most obvious difference between choosing a commercial vs residential electrician is where the electrician works.

Residential electricians typically work in homes, including single-family homes and similar residential environments.

Commercial electricians work in business and commercial environments such as offices, restaurants, retail stores, hotels, warehouses, and other commercial properties.

The type of property affects everything from electrical demand to wiring methods and project planning.

2. Electrical Demand

Commercial properties often require considerably more electrical power than individual homes.

A home needs enough capacity to operate appliances, HVAC equipment, lighting, electronics, and other household devices.

A commercial building may need to simultaneously support:

• Large HVAC systems
• Commercial kitchen equipment
• Computer systems
• Security systems
• Specialized machinery
• Large lighting systems
• Elevators
• Signage
• Multiple EV charging stations
• Other high-demand equipment

Commercial electrical systems must therefore be designed around the specific power requirements of the business occupying the property.

3. Electrical Systems and Equipment

Residential properties typically use electrical systems designed around standard household power requirements.

Commercial buildings can involve larger electrical services, different wiring methods, three-phase power, extensive distribution systems, commercial lighting controls, and specialized equipment.

This additional complexity is one reason it's important to choose an electrical contractor with commercial experience when working on a business property.

4. Project Size and Complexity

Residential projects can certainly be complex—especially whole-home rewiring, additions, custom homes, and major renovations.

Commercial projects, however, frequently involve larger spaces, multiple electrical systems, specialized equipment, and coordination among several trades.

A commercial electrician may need to work closely with:

• General contractors
• Engineers
• Architects
• Facility managers
• Equipment manufacturers
• Property managers
• Local inspectors

Proper planning becomes especially important because delays can affect construction schedules or business operations.

5. Codes and Safety Requirements

Both residential and commercial electrical work must comply with applicable electrical codes and safety requirements.

However, commercial buildings often have additional considerations related to occupancy, emergency systems, accessibility, equipment, lighting, and workplace safety.

Experienced electricians understand how these requirements apply to different types of properties and installations.

What About Industrial Electricians?

There's a third category that's worth understanding: industrial electricians.

Industrial electrical work is generally performed in environments such as:

• Manufacturing plants
• Processing facilities
• Distribution centers
• Large warehouses
• Municipal facilities
• Industrial plants
• Port and logistics facilities

Industrial electricians may work with equipment and systems such as motors, motor controls, production equipment, machinery, conveyors, control panels, and industrial power distribution.

While commercial and industrial electrical work sometimes overlap, industrial environments frequently require additional experience with specialized equipment and high-demand electrical systems.

Rushing Electric provides residential, commercial, and industrial electrical services, allowing our team to support projects across all three environments.

Do Commercial Electricians Cost More Than Residential Electricians?

There isn't a simple answer because the cost of electrical work depends primarily on the project.

Factors that can affect cost include:

• Scope of work
• Electrical equipment required
• Materials
• Accessibility
• Existing electrical conditions
• Electrical capacity
• Permits and inspections
• Complexity of installation
• Project schedule

A small commercial repair may cost considerably less than a major residential panel and service upgrade, while a large commercial build-out may involve a substantial electrical scope.

The best way to understand the cost is to have an electrician evaluate the project and provide an estimate based on the actual work required.

Can the Same Electrical Company Handle Residential and Commercial Work?

Yes—provided the electrical contractor has experience with both.

Working with an electrical company capable of handling residential, commercial, and industrial projects can be particularly valuable for business owners, contractors, developers, and property managers who need a dependable electrical partner for different types of projects.

Rushing Electric has served Savannah and Coastal Georgia since 1972, providing electrical services for homeowners, businesses, contractors, and industrial facilities.

That broad experience allows our electricians to understand electrical systems across a wide range of properties and applications.

How Do I Know Which Electrician I Need?

A simple rule is to start with the type of property.

For your home: Call a residential electrician.

For your business or commercial property: Call a commercial electrician.

For a manufacturing or industrial facility: Look for an electrical contractor with industrial electrical experience.

However, it's also important to consider the specific project. When contacting an electrical company, explain what you're experiencing or what you're planning. They can determine which electrician and expertise are appropriate for the job.

Choosing an Electrician in Savannah, GA

Whether you need residential or commercial electrical work, choosing the right electrician matters.

Look for an electrical contractor with:

• Proper licensing and qualifications
• Experience with your type of property
• A long-standing local reputation
• Knowledge of applicable electrical codes
• Clear communication
• Experience with projects similar to yours
• A strong commitment to safety
• Professional workmanship

Experience is particularly important when you're dealing with complex electrical systems or planning improvements that will affect the long-term electrical capacity of your property.

Residential, Commercial & Industrial Electrical Services in Savannah

Rushing Electric has served Savannah and Coastal Georgia for more than 50 years.

Since 1972, our team has worked on electrical projects ranging from home repairs and renovations to commercial construction and complex industrial electrical systems.

Our services include:

• Residential electrical services
• Commercial electrical services
• Industrial electrical services
• Electrical repairs and troubleshooting
• Electrical panel upgrades
• New construction wiring
• Lighting installation and upgrades
• Parking lot lighting
• EV charging station installation
• Electrical maintenance
• Electrical service upgrades

Whether you need an electrician for your home, business, or industrial facility, we'll help determine the right solution for your electrical needs.

Need an Electrician in Savannah?

Not sure whether your project requires residential, commercial, or industrial electrical expertise? You don't have to figure it out yourself.

Tell the Rushing Electric team what you need, and we'll help determine the right electrical solution for your property.

Contact Rushing Electric today to request an estimate or speak with our team about your electrical project.

Frequently Asked Questions