Just Across the County Line from Catonsville
JJ Palmer Electrical Service is based in Catonsville, right next door to Howard County. Our owner, John Palmer, is a Maryland Statewide Master Electrician (License #12441) and has been in the trade since 1978. When you call, you talk with the electrician who will plan and do the work.
We handle residential and commercial electrical work all over Howard County. Every estimate is free, and free estimates are scheduled within one to three days.
Communities We Serve in Howard County
- Ellicott City, from the historic district to Dunloggin, Mount Hebron and Turf Valley
- Columbia, in all ten villages from Wilde Lake to River Hill
- Clarksville and Highland
- Elkridge
- Fulton, Scaggsville and North Laurel
- Woodstock, Glenwood and West Friendship
Not sure if we cover your street? Call (443) 986-1000 and ask, or see our service area page.
Recent Electrical Work in Howard County
We’ve installed EV chargers in Ellicott City and Columbia, replaced bath exhaust fans and ceiling fans in Ellicott City, installed a ceiling fan in Scaggsville, and worked on a breaker panel and basement receptacle wiring in Clarksville.
Electrical Services for Howard County Homes and Businesses
- EV charger installation: Level 2 chargers for your garage or driveway. We check your panel’s capacity first, run the circuit and put the charger where it makes sense. See our EV charger installation page and Is your home ready for an EV charger?
- Service panel upgrades: Replacing old or full panels and adding capacity for new equipment, finished basements and additions. See our panel upgrades page.
- Generator installation: Standby generators, transfer switches and portable generator inlets. See our generator installation page.
- Lighting and ceiling fans: Recessed, pendant, outdoor and landscape lighting, plus ceiling fans and bath exhaust fans.
- Troubleshooting and repairs: Flickering lights, tripping breakers, dead outlets and switches.
- Commercial electrical work: Office build-outs, LED retrofits, new circuits and equipment hookups. See our commercial electrical services.
- Emergency and after-hours service: Emergency and after-hours service available. Call (443) 986-1000.
See everything we do on our Services page.
From Historic Ellicott City to Western Howard County
Howard County’s homes cover a wide range. Ellicott City dates to 1772, and its historic district has buildings far older than any modern wiring standard. Columbia was planned by James Rouse, and its first village, Wilde Lake, was dedicated in 1967, so many Columbia houses and townhomes are now several decades old. Out west, in places like Clarksville, Glenwood and Woodstock, many homes sit on larger lots and rely on private wells, which makes a generator worth a serious look: when the power goes out, so does the well pump.
What we see across the county:
- EV chargers and heat pumps pushing older panels to their limit.
- Finished basements and additions that need new circuits, a subpanel or a bigger service.
- Outage worries. Howard County saw tens of thousands of outages after the June 2012 derecho, and some homes were out for nearly a week. A standby generator or a safe portable generator inlet keeps the essentials running. Not sure which is right? Read Standby vs. portable generators.
Howard County’s Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits requires an electrical permit before electrical work begins. We take care of the permit and the inspection.
Why Howard County Customers Call JJ Palmer
- Master Electrician. Maryland Statewide Master Electrician #12441, fully insured.
- In the trade since 1978. Trained at Lincoln Tech, CCBC and the Air Force Technical School, with six years as an Avionics Guidance and Control Systems Specialist in the Air National Guard.
- Close by. We’re in Catonsville, just over the line from Ellicott City.
- Backed by an established company. Part of Maryland Home Improvement Company (MHIC #77900), BBB A+ accredited and in business since 2000.
- Permits handled and straight answers before any work starts.
Ask about our military and senior discounts.
Howard County Electrical FAQ
Do I need a permit to install an EV charger in Howard County?
Yes. Howard County requires an electrical permit before the work starts. We pull it and schedule the inspection.
My house is on a well. What size generator do I need?
It depends on what you want to run, including the well pump, heat and refrigerator. We look at your loads and explain the standby and portable options so you can choose.
Do you work in townhomes in Columbia?
Yes. We do panel work, lighting, EV chargers and repairs in townhomes and single-family homes. Your HOA or village may have its own rules for exterior changes, so it’s worth checking with them before outdoor work.
How fast can you come out?
Free estimates are scheduled within one to three days.
Get a Free Estimate in Howard County
Call (443) 986-1000, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, or email info@jjpalmerelectric.com. You can also fill out our Free Estimate Request form.
Free estimates scheduled within one to three days. Emergency and after-hours service available. Ask about our military and senior discounts.