Curtis Larson Electric has served Ankeny homeowners, businesses, landlords, and property managers since 2002. For over two decades, we have been the local call when something goes wrong with the wiring, when a panel needs upgrading, or when a new circuit has to go in before a project moves forward. We're a small local team, and every customer matters to us. Same-day appointments are available, and we work seven days a week so electrical problems do not sit unresolved through the weekend. Whether you need a single outlet repaired or a complete service upgrade, you get honest pricing and work performed by licensed electricians who know Ankeny and the surrounding Polk County area.
We power your home. We protect your circuits. We earn the call.
We've handled everything from a flickering light to a full rewire, and the most common calls we get are the everyday ones: a dead outlet, a breaker that keeps tripping, lights that dim or flicker without explanation, and wiring faults that take a trained eye to track down. We diagnose the problem first, then give you a clear answer on what it takes to fix it.
GFCI outlet failures, AFCI breaker faults, and circuit overloads are all in our regular rotation. We carry the tools to run a full circuit diagnostic on the spot, so we are not guessing and you are not waiting. Experienced electricians who respect your home handle every visit, from the moment we walk in to the moment we pack up.
We keep your home powered and safe.
Good electrical work isn't complicated, it's just done right, and that starts with the basics: the outlets and switches your home uses every day. We install standard outlets, GFCI outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor locations, USB outlets, weatherproof exterior outlets, and 240-volt outlets for electric dryers, ranges, and other high-draw appliances. Dimmer switches, three-way switches, and smart switch wiring are all straightforward jobs we handle regularly.
Dedicated circuits for major appliances are often overlooked until something trips. If your laundry room, kitchen, or workshop is sharing a circuit it should not be sharing, we can run a dedicated line and get the load balanced correctly.
On the wiring side, we do whole-house rewiring for older Ankeny homes, knob-and-tube replacement, and aluminum wiring remediation. Homes built before the 1970s often have wiring that was never designed to carry modern electrical loads. We work to current code, including proper grounding and bonding, so the work holds up to inspection and keeps your household safe for years ahead.
Call and we'll handle the lights, outlets, and panel.
Ankeny and the broader Polk County area sit in a four-season climate that puts real demands on electrical systems. Summer thunderstorms and tornadoes can knock out power in minutes. Ice storms in winter can do the same. Homes and businesses here benefit from electrical infrastructure that is built to handle those conditions, and that is exactly what the following services address.
Many older Iowa homes are still running on 100-amp panels that were sized for a fraction of today's electrical load. Air conditioning, electric vehicle chargers, modern appliances, and home offices all draw more power than panels from the 1970s and 1980s were designed to supply. We handle 200-amp service upgrades, subpanel installation, breaker replacement, and the addition of new circuits to panels that have run out of room. We start with a load calculation to confirm what the service entrance and panel actually need, then we do the work to match it. A panel upgrade is also one of the cleaner ways to make room for future projects without running into capacity problems every time something new gets added.
Iowa's storm seasons make backup power a practical investment, not a luxury. Severe thunderstorms, high winds, and ice accumulation can pull lines down and leave a neighborhood without power for hours or days. We handle the electrical side of generator hookups: transfer switch installation, standby generator wiring, and portable generator connection points. A properly installed transfer switch keeps the utility line and the generator circuit isolated, which protects the equipment and meets code. If you are planning a whole-house generator hookup or need a transfer switch added to an existing setup, call us and we will walk through what the installation involves.
A single lightning strike nearby does not have to take out your appliances, your electronics, or your HVAC system's control board. Whole-home surge protection installs at the panel level and catches voltage spikes before they travel through your circuits. Iowa's active storm season makes this a worthwhile addition for most homes and small businesses. We install surge protective devices that work alongside your existing panel and give you a first line of defense against the kind of surges that standard power strips were never designed to handle.
Staying ahead of electrical problems keeps your home safe, and good lighting is part of that. We install recessed lighting, LED retrofits, under-cabinet lighting, and light fixtures throughout the home. Ceiling fan installation and wiring is one of our most common residential calls, and we handle both new installations and replacements where the existing wiring needs to be evaluated before a new fan goes up.
Outside, we install security lighting, motion sensor lights, landscape lighting, and exterior fixtures that hold up to Iowa weather. Outdoor lighting improves visibility around entry points and adds curb appeal without a major project. We treat your home and its wiring the way we would our own, so every fixture is mounted cleanly and every connection is made to last.
Not the biggest crew in town. Just the most reliable. Always on time.
No matter what's going wrong with your wiring, the answer usually starts with a proper assessment, and EV charger installation is no different. Level 2 home charging requires a dedicated 240-volt circuit, the right wire gauge for the run, and a panel that has the capacity to carry the additional load. We check all three before any work begins.
We install Level 2 EV charging stations for all major vehicle brands and handle the full electrical scope: the circuit, the conduit run, the outlet or hardwired connection, and the panel work if an upgrade is needed to make room. If you are adding an EV to your household and want the charger done right the first time, call for a quote and we will size the job accurately.
Reach out and an electrician will follow up.
Scheduling a service call is simple, and that goes for commercial customers just as much as homeowners. We work with property managers, retail tenants, restaurant owners, and warehouse operators across Ankeny and the surrounding area. Commercial electrical work has its own demands: panel capacity for equipment loads, lighting that meets code for the space, circuits that can handle commercial kitchen equipment, and wiring that holds up in a warehouse or office environment.
We handle commercial panel upgrades, commercial wiring, lighting installation, office electrical work, and general commercial repair. We also pull the permits the job requires, which matters when an inspection is part of the process. Locally owned and operated electricians who know the area tend to move faster on commercial calls because we are already here.
Call today and we'll get the power back where it belongs.
Home improvement projects almost always have an electrical component, and that part of the job needs to be planned from the start. We do electrical work for kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, basement finishing, and home additions. That includes moving circuits, adding outlets to new walls, running dedicated lines for appliances, and making sure the panel can handle whatever the remodel adds to the load.
Specialty circuits are a regular part of our work as well: hot tub wiring, sauna wiring, electric dryer outlet installation, and electric range outlet installation. We also install and wire smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, including interconnected systems where a trigger in one room alerts the whole house.
If you are buying a home in Ankeny or the surrounding area and want to know what the electrical system looks like before closing, we offer electrical safety inspections that give you a clear picture of the panel, the wiring, and anything that needs attention.
Electrical pricing depends on the scope of the job, and we do not believe in quoting a number before we understand what the work actually involves. Call for a quote and we will give you a straight answer on what the job requires and what it will cost. No pressure, no padded estimates. We give honest recommendations on repairs, never an upsell, because a customer who trusts the recommendation is worth more than a customer who feels pushed into something.
We are available seven days a week, with same-day and weekend scheduling when the calendar allows. If your electrical problem cannot wait until Monday, we are not going to make you wait until Monday.
Seven days a week. Competitive rates. Power back fast.
Yes, we work with homeowners, landlords, property managers, and commercial clients throughout Ankeny and Polk County. Whether you need a single outlet repaired in a residence or a full panel upgrade for a commercial space, we handle both. Call (515) 789-3261 and we will get you on the schedule.
We are based in Ankeny and serve customers throughout Polk County and the surrounding area. We regularly work in Johnston, Urbandale, Clive, Grimes, Altoona, Bondurant, Des Moines, and nearby communities. Call us and we will confirm coverage when you schedule your appointment.
Yes, we are available seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays. Electrical problems do not wait for the work week to start, and we do not make you wait either. Same-day appointments are available when the situation calls for it.
A typical visit can cover repairs, outlet or switch replacement, light fixture installation, ceiling fan wiring, breaker inspection, and GFCI or AFCI testing, depending on what the job requires. We come prepared to diagnose and often resolve the problem in one trip. If additional parts or a follow-up is needed, we will tell you up front.
Signs that wiring deserves a closer look include frequently tripping breakers, outlets that feel warm or discolored, flickering lights without an obvious cause, and wiring that has not been touched since the 1970s or earlier. Homes built before modern electrical codes were adopted often carry knob-and-tube or aluminum branch-circuit wiring that was not designed for today's loads. An electrical safety inspection gives you a clear picture of what is there and what, if anything, needs attention.
A breaker that trips repeatedly is telling you that a circuit is being asked to carry more than it was designed to handle, or that a fault exists somewhere in the wiring. Resetting it without finding the cause does not fix the underlying problem and can create a safety risk over time. Call us and we will diagnose the circuit, identify what is causing the trip, and give you an honest answer on the right fix.
We give you a clear estimate before any work begins, and we talk to you first if the scope changes once we are on site. There are no surprise charges at the end of the job. Our goal is transparent pricing so you can make an informed decision before we start.
It helps to clear a path to your electrical panel and to the outlets, switches, or fixtures that need attention. If the work is in a finished room, moving furniture away from the walls in that area saves time. Beyond that, just be ready to describe what you are seeing so we can get a head start on the diagnosis.
Yes, work performed by licensed electricians follows current electrical code, including proper grounding, bonding, and the placement of GFCI and AFCI protection where required. Code-compliant work matters for your safety, your homeowner's insurance, and the resale value of your property. We do not cut corners on that standard regardless of the size of the job.
We can work through the details when you call to schedule. In many cases, access to the panel and the work area is all that is needed, and we can coordinate with you on how to make that happen. We will confirm the appointment window and reach out if anything changes on our end.
Ankeny is our home base, and we run calls throughout Polk County and into the surrounding communities. We regularly serve Des Moines, Johnston, Altoona, Urbandale, Grimes, Bondurant, Waukee, and Norwalk. If you are in the area and need an electrician, there is a good chance we have worked in your neighborhood before.
Curtis Larson Electric has been part of this community since 2002. Call (515) 789-3261 to schedule service or request a quote. We will get back to you quickly and get the work on the calendar.
Call for a quote and we'll handle the lights, outlets, and panel.
We handle the full range of residential and commercial electrical work in Ankeny and throughout Polk County. Whether the job is a quick repair or a major service upgrade, we show up on time, diagnose the problem honestly, and do the work to current code. The table below covers what each service includes, who it fits best, and what is useful to know before you call.
| Service | What's Included | Best For | Worth Knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breaker & Fuse Repair | breaker replacement, tripping breaker diagnosis, overloaded circuit identification, panel inspection | homes where a breaker keeps tripping or will not reset | A breaker that trips repeatedly usually signals a wiring fault or an overloaded circuit, not just a weak breaker. |
| Wiring for Additions & Remodels | kitchen and bathroom remodel wiring, basement finishing circuits, home addition electrical, circuit relocation and expansion | homeowners with an active remodel or addition project | Planning the electrical scope at the start of a remodel avoids costly changes once walls are closed. |
| Electrical Repairs & Troubleshooting | dead outlets and failed switches, flickering or dimming lights, circuit faults and wiring issues, GFCI and AFCI diagnosis | any homeowner or business with an unexplained electrical problem | We run a full circuit diagnostic on the visit so you get a clear answer, not a guess. |
| Backup Generator Installation | transfer switch installation, standby generator wiring, portable generator connection points, code-compliant isolation | Ankeny homeowners and businesses preparing for Iowa storm season | A proper transfer switch keeps the utility line and generator circuit isolated, which is a code requirement and a safety necessity. |
| Electrical Panel UpgradesMost Popular | 200-amp service upgrade, subpanel installation, breaker replacement and expansion, load calculation | homes running on 100-amp panels or adding EV chargers, AC, or major appliances | A load calculation before the upgrade confirms exactly what the service entrance and panel need to carry safely. |
| Wiring & Circuit Installation | new circuit runs, dedicated appliance circuits, whole-house rewiring, knob-and-tube and aluminum wiring remediation | older homes and any project that adds significant electrical load | Homes built before the 1970s often carry wiring that was never designed for modern electrical demands. |
| Whole-Home Surge Protection | panel-level surge device installation, protection for electronics and appliances, storm and lightning surge defense, HVAC control board protection | any home or business in a region with active thunderstorm seasons | Panel-level surge protection catches voltage spikes before they reach your circuits, something power strips cannot do. |
| Lighting Installation | recessed and LED lighting, under-cabinet and landscape lighting, exterior and security lighting, fixture replacement | remodels, new construction, and homeowners upgrading to LED | Outdoor fixtures in Iowa need to be rated for the temperature swings the climate brings. |
| Electrical Safety Inspections | panel and wiring condition review, grounding and bonding check, GFCI and AFCI coverage audit, pre-purchase inspection | home buyers, landlords, and owners of older properties | An inspection before closing gives you a clear picture of what the electrical system needs before it becomes your problem. |
| Ceiling Fan Installation | new fan installation, replacement fan wiring, existing wiring evaluation, switch and remote wiring | homeowners adding fans to rooms that did not have them before | Older boxes rated for light fixtures only may need to be swapped for fan-rated boxes before installation. |
| Outlet & Switch Installation | standard and GFCI outlet installation, USB and weatherproof outlets, dimmer and smart switch wiring, 240-volt outlet installation | homeowners adding outlets or upgrading kitchen, bath, and outdoor locations | GFCI protection is required by code in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor areas. |
| EV Charger Installation | Level 2 charger installation, dedicated 240-volt circuit, conduit and wiring run, panel capacity check | homeowners adding an electric vehicle and wanting reliable home charging | We check panel capacity before any work begins so the charger does not create a load problem elsewhere in the home. |
| Older-Home Rewiring | knob-and-tube replacement, aluminum branch-circuit remediation, grounding and bonding upgrades, full or partial rewire | owners of pre-1970s homes with wiring that has not been updated | Older wiring was not sized for today's electrical loads and can create both safety and insurance concerns. |
| Dedicated Appliance Circuits | laundry and kitchen circuits, workshop and garage circuits, electric dryer and range outlets, sump pump circuits | homeowners whose appliances share circuits they should not be sharing | A dedicated circuit prevents nuisance trips and protects both the appliance and the wiring. |
How do I know if my home needs a panel or service upgrade?
Common signs include breakers that trip frequently, a panel that has no open slots for new circuits, lights that dim when large appliances kick on, and a service size of 100 amps or less. Homes adding EV chargers, central air conditioning, or electric appliances often find that the existing panel simply cannot carry the added load. We start with a load calculation to confirm what the service actually needs before we recommend an upgrade.
What causes a breaker to keep tripping?
A breaker that trips repeatedly is usually telling you one of two things: the circuit is being asked to carry more load than it was designed for, or there is a fault somewhere in the wiring. Resetting it without finding the cause does not fix the underlying problem and can create a safety risk over time. We diagnose the circuit on the visit and give you a straight answer on what is causing the trip and what the right fix looks like.
Is the electrical work permitted and inspected to code?
Yes. We pull the permits the job requires, and work performed by licensed electricians follows current electrical code, including proper grounding, bonding, and GFCI and AFCI protection placement. Code-compliant work matters for your safety, your homeowner's insurance, and the resale value of your property. We do not skip that step regardless of the size of the job.
Same-Day and Weekend Availability
We work seven days a week and offer same-day appointments when the schedule allows. If your electrical problem cannot wait until Monday, we will not make you wait until Monday.
Is the wiring in an older Ankeny home safe to leave alone?
It depends on what is there and what condition it is in. Knob-and-tube wiring and aluminum branch-circuit wiring were both used in homes built before the 1970s, and neither was designed to carry modern electrical loads. They are not automatically dangerous, but they deserve a closer look, especially if the home has been updated with new appliances or additional circuits over the years. An electrical safety inspection gives you a clear picture of what is there and what, if anything, needs attention.
What does EV charger installation involve?
Level 2 home charging requires a dedicated 240-volt circuit, the correct wire gauge for the distance of the run, and a panel that has the capacity to carry the additional load. We check all three before any work begins. The installation covers the circuit, the conduit run, the outlet or hardwired connection, and any panel work needed to make room. If the existing panel is already at capacity, we will tell you that up front and explain the options.
Do I need to be home when the electrician arrives?
We can work through the details when you call to schedule. In most cases, access to the panel and the work area is what the job requires. We will confirm the appointment window and reach out if anything changes on our end.
Upfront Quotes With No Surprise Fees
We give you a clear estimate before any work begins and talk to you first if the scope changes. Honest recommendations on repairs, never an upsell, is how we do business.
How does pricing work, and will the estimate change once work starts?
We give you a clear estimate before any work begins. If the scope changes once we are on site, we talk to you first. There are no surprise charges at the end of the job. Electrical pricing depends on what the work actually involves, so we do not quote a number before we understand the job, but we give you a straight answer as soon as we do.
What does whole-home surge protection actually protect against?
A panel-level surge protective device catches voltage spikes before they travel through your circuits. That includes surges from nearby lightning strikes, utility switching events, and large motors cycling on and off inside the home. Iowa's active storm season makes this a practical addition for most homes. Standard power strips offer some protection at the device level, but they were never designed to catch the kind of surge that comes in through the service entrance.
Experienced With Older and Newer Homes
We work on homes built in every decade, from older Ankeny properties with knob-and-tube wiring to new construction needing EV charger circuits. The work is done to current code either way.
Why would an outlet or switch stop working?
The most common reasons are a tripped GFCI outlet upstream on the same circuit, a loose connection at the device or in the box, a failed device, or a wiring fault in the circuit. GFCI outlets protect other outlets downstream, so a dead outlet in one room is sometimes caused by a tripped GFCI in a bathroom or kitchen. We trace the circuit on the visit and find the actual cause rather than swapping parts and hoping.
What does it mean if lights flicker or dim when appliances turn on?
Brief dimming when a large appliance starts up is common and usually points to a voltage drop on the circuit or a panel that is working close to its capacity. Persistent flickering without an obvious cause can indicate a loose connection, a failing fixture, or a wiring issue that deserves a closer look. If it is happening in multiple rooms or getting worse over time, that is a good reason to call us and have the circuit checked.
Are you available for same-day or weekend service in Ankeny?
Yes. We work seven days a week, and same-day appointments are available when the schedule allows. Electrical problems do not wait for the work week to start, and we do not make you wait either. Call us and we will tell you what the earliest available time looks like.
Every job is different, and the best way to get an accurate answer is to call us directly. Reach out to (515) 789-3261 and we will talk through what the work involves and get you on the schedule.
(515) 789-3261