Electrician in San Francisco, CA — Modern Power for a Historic City
Intro from Roman
Hi, I’m Roman, an electrician serving San Francisco and the Peninsula. I’ve been in the trade since 2015 — from upgrading wiring in classic Victorians (including homes over 100 years old) to installing EV chargers and modern lighting in city apartments and storefronts.
San Francisco has always felt like a magical and mysterious city to me. Every time I step into one of its older homes, I find traces of a different era — original fixtures, antique panels, or even knob-and-tube wiring that has lasted more than a century. For me, it’s an honor to work on these properties, to respect their history, and at the same time bring them up to modern safety standards. In a way, it feels like touching a living piece of architecture while making sure it’s ready for today’s world.
Why San Francisco Is Unique
San Francisco mixes historic housing with dense commercial corridors. Many buildings still carry older wiring systems (knob-and-tube, cloth-insulated, aluminum branch circuits) and undersized panels, while restaurants, offices, and home offices add heavy modern loads. Ocean fog on the west side accelerates corrosion on outdoor gear, and multi-unit buildings often need dedicated circuits, subpanels, and proper AFCI/GFCI protection to keep everything safe.
Neighborhoods of San Francisco
Downtown / Financial District — Commercial Loads & Backup Power
High-rises, offices, hotels, and retail require reliable panels, 3-phase service in many cases, and clean power for IT and POS systems. Common work: panel capacity upgrades, dedicated circuits for HVAC and kitchen equipment, surge protection for servers, and transfer switches for backup generators to keep operations stable during outages.
Mission District — Victorians with Legacy Wiring
The Mission is full of classic Victorians and Edwardians, many dating back to the early 1900s. I’ve worked in homes built as far back as 1905, still running on their original knob-and-tube wiring. These buildings carry the soul of the city, and whenever I rewire or upgrade them, I make sure to preserve as much of the character as possible while ensuring safety. Typical fixes include rewiring to copper, adding proper grounding, upgrading to AFCI/GFCI protection, and installing subpanels when the main service is maxed out.
Sunset District — Ocean Fog & Outdoor Gear
On SF’s west side, constant fog and salt air corrode outdoor outlets, lighting, and meter mains. Many garages double as workshops or EV charging spots. Common work: weatherproof boxes/conduit, replacing rusted gear, Level 2 EV chargers (NEMA 14-50, J1772, Tesla Wall Connector), and dedicated circuits so chargers don’t trip breakers with dryers/ovens.
Richmond District — Multi-Unit Buildings & Panel Capacity
Duplexes and multi-family properties are common, with shared/layered circuits and limited panel space. Typical calls: panel upgrades, new home runs to kitchens and laundry, GFCI in baths/garages/outdoors, and whole-home surge protection for sensitive electronics.
SoMa (South of Market) — Lofts, Retail, Light Industrial
Converted warehouses and lofts mix residential and commercial use. Loads vary: lighting grids, workshop tools, commercial kitchens. Frequent work: 3-phase panel work where applicable, dedicated 20A/30A/50A circuits, lighting design (LED, high-bay), and code-compliant grounding/bonding for mixed-use spaces.
Bernal Heights / Glen Park — Family Homes, EV & Solar-Ready
Hilly residential streets with garages and remodels. Requests often include EV chargers, panel upgrades to support future solar or heat-pump appliances, and safer kitchen/laundry circuits. Also common: replacing legacy aluminum/cloth wiring and adding AFCI/GFCI throughout living spaces.
Nearby Cities
- Treasure Island – former military housing and new apartments, often requiring complete rewiring and modern load balancing.
- Daly City – older residential complexes and houses, aluminum wiring and overloaded panels are common issues.
- South San Francisco – warehouses, offices, and apartments needing dedicated lines for refrigeration, servers, and equipment.
- Colma – small city with limited housing, but older systems often lack grounding and GFCI protection.
- San Bruno – single-family homes and garages, high demand for EV chargers and dedicated circuits for dryers and ovens.
- Millbrae – modern homes near SFO airport, frequent requests for smart-home wiring, panel upgrades, and lighting.
- Burlingame – upscale neighborhood where homeowners look for premium electrician work, safe wiring, and clean installations.
- San Mateo – diverse mix of 70s townhomes and new condos, with common needs for panel upgrades and dedicated circuits.
- Redwood City – busy commercial and residential area, demand for dedicated circuits and updated breaker panels.
- Menlo Park – IT offices and modern homes, EV charger installs and smart home integrations are very common.
- Palo Alto – high-demand homes with solar systems, EV chargers, and full wiring upgrades for modern standards.
And of course, right here in Pacifica – covering Park Pacifica, Linda Mar, Rockaway Beach, Fairmont, Vallemar, and Sharp Park.
Articles & Guides
I’ve put together dedicated pages for Pacifica neighborhoods and nearby cities. Each one dives into the most common electrical issues and the practical fixes that actually work.
Upgrading Your Main Panel to 200 Amps
Clients often ask: “How does a 200-amp upgrade actually work?” Here’s the breakdown. 1. Estimate.
Sep
Preventing Electrical Fires at Home
Yesterday I inspected the aftermath of a fire caused by a ceiling light. The fixture
Sep
Choosing the Right Lighting Color for Your Space
Light isn’t just about brightness — it’s about mood, comfort, and how you actually feel
Sep
Do You Really Need a Permit for Electrical Work in California?
⚡️ Many people think: “If the job is done right and everything is safe —
Aug
Why You Need a DCC-10 for EV Charging
DCC-10 Why You Need a DCC-10 for EV Charging Here’s the deal: not every home
Aug
Why Combination AFCI/GFCI Breakers Are a Game Changer
If you’re upgrading your panel or building a new home in the Bay Area —
May
Still Got Fuses? Let’s Talk.
A lot of older homes around the Bay — from San Francisco to Palo Alto,
May
Lutron Dimmers — Smart Lighting That Feels Effortless
Hey, Roman here — your electrician near you in Pacifica and around the Bay. Let
May
Contact
Here are the contacts of your electrician – ready to reach you in Pacifica and anywhere nearby.