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When it comes to your home’s electrical system, it’s natural to have questions. From flickering lights to tripped breakers, every homeowner in Fort Myers has run into something electrical that just doesn’t seem right.
At Coharbor Electric, we’ve spent years helping local homeowners troubleshoot, repair, and upgrade their electrical systems safely. Below, I’ve answered the most common questions we hear as a licensed master electrician serving Fort Myers and Lee County — so you’ll know what’s normal, what’s a warning sign, and when it’s time to call a professional.
A residential electrician installs, repairs, and maintains electrical systems inside and outside your home.
At Coharbor Electric, that includes:
Electrical troubleshooting and repairs
Lighting and ceiling fan installation
Electrical panel upgrades
EV charger circuits
Whole-home surge protection
Wiring for remodels and additions
Pool and spa circuit installations
Safety inspections and code compliance
If it involves power, lights, or wiring — we handle it safely, legally, and up to code.
If the job involves wiring, breakers, or anything inside the electrical panel, you need a licensed electrician.
Handymen can handle basic fixture replacements or non-electrical tasks, but in Florida, most electrical work legally requires a permit and inspection. Hiring an unlicensed worker could void your insurance if something goes wrong.
In short: if it involves power, wiring, or the breaker box — call a pro.
When a breaker trips, it’s doing its job — shutting off power before the circuit overheats or causes a fire.
Common reasons include:
Too many devices on one circuit (like kitchen appliances).
Short circuits from damaged wiring.
Moisture in outlets (especially outdoors or near water).
Aging or faulty breakers.
If it happens more than once in the same area, it’s a warning sign. Don’t just reset the breaker — get it checked.
Learn more about our electrical troubleshooting services in Fort Myers.
We recommend a professional inspection every 3–5 years, or sooner if:
Your home is 20+ years old.
You’ve remodeled or added new appliances.
You experience flickering lights or frequent breaker trips.
You’ve been through major storms or flooding.
Humidity and salt air wear out electrical components faster in Fort Myers, especially in garages and outdoor panels.
See our Home Electrical Safety Checklist for what to look for.
Some issues are visible, others aren’t. Call an electrician if you notice:
Flickering lights or burning smells
Two-prong outlets (no grounding)
Outlets or switches that feel warm
Aluminum wiring (common in older homes)
Breakers tripping frequently
Unsafe wiring is one of the leading causes of house fires in Florida — and often goes unnoticed until it’s too late.
Your panel size depends on your home’s power needs.
| Home Type | Typical Service Size |
|---|---|
| Older homes (pre-1980s) | 100 amps |
| Mid-sized homes | 150 amps |
| Modern or renovated homes | 200 amps |
If you’ve added a pool heater, EV charger, or new HVAC system, you may already be at your limit.
Read our guide: Choosing 150A vs. 200A for Fort Myers Homes.
GFCI (Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter) breakers protect you from electrical shock, especially around water (kitchens, bathrooms, pools).
AFCI (Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter) breakers protect against electrical fires caused by arcing in wires or outlets.
Modern homes often use dual-function breakers that offer both protections in one.
See our detailed explanation: Arc-Fault & GFCI Breakers in Fort Myers Homes Explained.
Yes — and in Fort Myers, it’s a very smart move. You have two options:
Portable generators (with a safe interlock switch).
Whole-home standby generators (automatic and seamless).
We install both, ensuring they’re wired safely and meet all city permit and inspection requirements.
Learn more: Generator Installation Services in Fort Myers.
A single flicker when an appliance starts up isn’t unusual — but frequent flickering means something’s wrong.
Possible causes:
Loose neutral connections
Overloaded circuits
Damaged light fixtures or dimmers
Utility voltage fluctuations
Since Fort Myers often experiences power surges during storms, flickering can also be a sign of surge damage.
We recommend installing whole-home surge protection for peace of mind.
Yes — any significant electrical work (like a panel upgrade, rewiring, or adding a new circuit) requires a permit and inspection.
As licensed contractors, Coharbor Electric handles all permitting, coordination with Florida Power & Light (FPL), and inspections.
Learn more: Panel Upgrade Permits in Fort Myers.
It might be tempting, but even small mistakes can lead to shocks, fires, or insurance issues.
Florida law requires licensed electricians for most electrical work. It’s not just about compliance — it’s about keeping your family safe.
If you’re not 100% sure how to fix it, don’t touch it.
There are several easy ways to save power:
Upgrade to LED lighting.
Add smart dimmers or timers.
Install energy-efficient ceiling fans.
Upgrade to a modern electrical panel with surge protection.
Schedule regular maintenance to catch energy loss from loose or corroded connections.
Coharbor Electric can help design an energy plan tailored for your Fort Myers home.
Outlets usually last 15–20 years, but replace them sooner if you notice:
Loose plugs that fall out
Sparks or buzzing sounds
Burn marks
GFCI outlets that won’t reset
Regular replacement ensures good contact, which reduces heat buildup and fire risk.
Absolutely. Homes with updated electrical systems — especially in Florida — are more appealing to buyers and insurers alike.
High-value upgrades include:
200A panel upgrades
EV charger circuits
Modern lighting and smart controls
Surge protection systems
They make your home safer, more efficient, and ready for future technology.
At Coharbor Electric, we’re not a big-box franchise — we’re your local Fort Myers electricians, deeply familiar with Florida’s codes, weather, and construction styles.
Homeowners choose us because we:
Are licensed, insured, and locally experienced
Handle permits, inspections, and FPL coordination
Use corrosion-resistant materials built for coastal climates
Provide upfront pricing and no surprises
Deliver code-compliant, lasting work — every time
Whether you need a small fix or a full panel upgrade, we treat your home like our own.
Electrical safety and reliability aren’t optional — they’re essential. Whether it’s a breaker that keeps tripping or a system ready for an upgrade, having a trusted, local electrician makes all the difference.
If you have questions about your home’s wiring, lighting, or electrical system, don’t guess — ask a professional.
Contact Coharbor Electric today to schedule a service call or inspection. Our team is here to keep your Fort Myers home safe, efficient, and up to modern code.
SERVICE AREA
Serving Southwest Florida including: Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral, and more...
Get clear, menu-based pricing before work begins--giving you more control to fit your needs and budget.
Highly-trained & experienced Electricians. Fully vetted and background-checked. Ready to exceed your expectations.
Serving SWFL customers for 13+ years. Licensed and Insured throughout Florida.
EC13004475. EC13012422.
At Coharbor Electric, this is what to expect when entrusting us with fixing your electrical issues.
The first step is to get all the information we will need so that we can correctly assess the problem or situation. The photos or videos you send will be sent directly to the electrician.
Once our electrician has the info he needs, we will dispatch one in the next available spot–armed with expertise, equipment, and the parts he’ll most likely need.
Our Promise is to to You is to perform the job completely, efficiently, and to the Florida electrical code standards. We are committed to fair and honest pricing.
We offer flat rate pricing for service calls, so you always know the price up front. Simple to understand. Flat-rate fixed price so you can be confident you’ll get what paid for.
As a Florida homeowner, you have an endless list of choices for electrical contractors to hire…some great, some good, some bad.
At Coharbor Electric, our benchmark is to be “great”. If you decide to hire us for your electrical service, here’s what you can expect from our electricians: