Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions
Common questions from East Texas homeowners and businesses, grouped by topic. Each answer links to the full page on that subject.
Pricing & How We Work
How do I get a price?
Call or text us at (903) 736-6952. We explain the work and the price before we start.
Read more on What It CostsDo you give a price before starting?
Yes. We explain the work and the price before we start. You know what you are paying for before any work begins.
Read more on Residential ElectricalWhat affects the price of electrical work?
Panel age and brand, amperage, distance from the panel, attic and crawlspace access, wall type, permit and inspection requirements by city, utility coordination, materials, and whether walls need to be opened. We look first, then explain the price before any work starts.
Read more on What It CostsDo you charge to come look at the problem?
Call or text us and we will talk through it. We explain the work and the price before we start any repair.
Read more on Electrical Repairs & TroubleshootingPanels & Service
How do I know if I need a panel upgrade?
Common signs are breakers that keep tripping, a warm or buzzing panel, no room for new circuits, and dimming lights. Adding an EV charger or a bigger HVAC unit often means you need more capacity too.
Read more on Panel Upgrades & Service ChangesAre Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels a problem?
They are often flagged by home inspectors and insurers because of known failure problems. If you have one, we can look at it and talk through your options.
Read more on Panel Upgrades & Service ChangesDo you coordinate with my power company?
Yes. Service changes require coordination with your utility or co-op for the disconnect and reconnect. We work that scheduling out with you.
Read more on Panel Upgrades & Service ChangesRepairs & Troubleshooting
My breaker keeps tripping. Should I just keep resetting it?
No. A breaker that trips repeatedly is telling you the circuit is overloaded or has a fault. Resetting it over and over does not fix the cause. We trace it and fix the real problem.
Read more on Electrical Repairs & TroubleshootingThere is a burning smell near an outlet. What do I do?
Stop using that circuit. Turn it off at the breaker if it is safe, and call us. A burning smell, a hot plate, or sparking is a safety issue that needs attention.
Read more on Electrical Repairs & TroubleshootingRewiring Older Homes
Do I have to rewire the whole house at once?
No. We can do a partial rewire to fix the worst of it, like a single circuit or one room, and plan the rest for later. We help you decide based on the house and your budget.
Read more on Rewiring Older HomesWhy did my insurer flag my wiring?
Insurers often flag knob and tube, cloth-covered wiring, and aluminum branch wiring because of known fire risks. Rewiring removes that flag and can make the home easier to insure.
Read more on Rewiring Older HomesEV Chargers & Generators
Can my panel handle an EV charger?
We start with a load calculation to find out. If your panel is tight, we talk through a panel upgrade or a subpanel before we install.
Read more on EV Charger InstallationWhat is backfeeding and why is it dangerous?
Backfeeding is plugging a generator into a wall or dryer outlet to push power into the house. It can send power back onto the grid and kill a utility lineworker. It can also damage your home and generator. We use a transfer switch or interlock kit so that cannot happen.
Read more on Generator Hookups & Transfer SwitchesService Area
What areas does Rieger Electric serve?
We serve Hallsville, Longview, Marshall, White Oak, Kilgore, Gladewater, Gilmer, Jefferson, Waskom, Carthage, Henderson, and Tyler, within about 50 miles of Hallsville, TX.
Read more on Service AreasDo you really come all the way to Tyler?
Yes, but Tyler is at the edge of our area, about 50 miles and an hour from Hallsville. We schedule Tyler work ahead, and we give you a real arrival window when you call.
Read more on Tyler, TXAre you actually based in Hallsville?
Yes. Hallsville is our home base in Harrison County. When you call (903) 736-6952 you reach the people who do the work, and we are close by.
Read more on Hallsville, TXLicensing & Hours
Are you licensed?
Yes. Rieger Electric is a Texas Electrical Contractor. You can verify a license on the TDLR license search.
Read more on Texas Electrical Rules