Ellicott City Electrical Work, Just Across the Patapsco
Ellicott City is right across the Patapsco River from our home base in Catonsville, so it’s one of the places we work most. JJ Palmer Electrical Service is owned by John Palmer, a Maryland Statewide Master Electrician (License #12441), and we’re fully insured. We work on homes and businesses, and estimates are always free.
Electrical Services in Ellicott City
Greater Ellicott City has everything from 19th-century stone and frame buildings near Main Street to newer houses in Turf Valley and Valley Mede. We do:
- EV charger installation: Our specialty. Garage or driveway, we’ll find the right spot for a Level 2 charger. See our EV charger installation page.
- Standby generator installation: Popular here, where storms can knock out power for days. See generator installation.
- Service panel upgrades: We coordinate with BGE when a service change needs the meter pulled or a new service connected.
- Lighting and ceiling fans, landscape lighting, security cameras
- Troubleshooting and repairs
Those are just the most common jobs. If it’s electrical, ask us.
Why Ellicott City Homes Ask About Generators
Big storms hit this part of Howard County hard. After the June 2012 derecho, Howard County had about 58,000 outages, and roughly 5,000 customers were still without power nearly a week later, according to the county executive at the time. A standby generator starts on its own when the power drops and keeps the sump pump, refrigerator, heat or AC and medical equipment running.
If you’re choosing between options, read standby vs. portable generators. We’ll size the generator to what you actually need to keep running. Then we install the transfer switch so it’s safe for you and for BGE line crews.
Working in Historic Ellicott City
Old Ellicott City dates to 1772, when the Ellicott brothers founded their mills. It sits in a narrow valley where the Tiber and Patapsco meet. The area has flooded many times, including the flash floods of July 2016 and May 2018. Two things matter for electrical work here:
- Historic district rules. In the Ellicott City Historic District, exterior changes that affect a building’s appearance generally need a Certificate of Approval from the Howard County Historic Preservation Commission. That can include an outdoor generator, a wall-mounted charger or exterior lighting. We’ll tell you up front if your project might need one so you can plan for the time.
- Flood-exposed equipment. If water ever reached your panel, outlets or wiring, don’t turn it back on until it’s been checked. We can inspect it and replace what’s damaged.
Permits in Howard County
Electrical permits in Ellicott City go through the Howard County Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits (DILP). Under county rules, no electrical work can start until the permit is issued. We take care of the application and the inspection, so you don’t have to deal with the paperwork.
Ellicott City Neighborhoods We Serve
- Historic Ellicott City, Tonge Row and the West End
- Dunloggin and Mount Hebron
- Centennial and Valley Mede
- Turf Valley and Waverly
- Worthington, Font Hill and Normandy
- St. Johns Lane, Bethany Manor and Ilchester
See our full service area for the rest of Howard and Baltimore County.
Ellicott City Electrical FAQ
Do I need a permit for a generator or EV charger in Ellicott City?
Yes. Howard County DILP requires an electrical permit before work begins. We handle it.
I’m in the historic district. Can I still get a standby generator?
Often, yes. Exterior equipment may need Historic Preservation Commission approval first, and we’ll help you plan where it goes.
How far do you travel?
Ellicott City is a short drive from our shop in Catonsville, and we cover all of Howard County.
Schedule a Free Estimate
Call (443) 986-1000, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, or email info@jjpalmerelectric.com. Prefer to write? Use our Free Estimate Request form.