Frequently Asked
Questions

Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30AM-6PM. For electrical emergencies outside of business hours, call our 24/7 emergency line at (313) 523-2333: answered nights, weekends, and holidays.

IB Electric was founded in 2002 by Imad Boussi, who has held a Michigan Master Electrician license since 1997. We've been serving Metro Detroit homeowners and businesses for over 24 years from our base in Dearborn Heights.

IB Electric handles residential, commercial, and industrial electrical work throughout Michigan. On the residential side, this includes panel upgrades, home rewiring, outlet installation, ceiling fans, EV charger installation, generator hookups, lighting, and safety inspections. Commercial work includes office buildouts, tenant improvements, retail electrical, restaurant wiring, and parking lot lighting. Industrial work includes machine wiring, motor controls, high-voltage systems, PLC programming, and preventive maintenance.

Emergency electrical service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including weekends and holidays: call (313) 523-2333 for emergencies. Routine work scheduling on weekends is handled on a case-by-case basis.

For straightforward residential service calls (outlet installation, ceiling fans, etc.), IB Electric provides phone estimates. For larger projects: panel upgrades, rewiring, commercial buildouts, EV chargers, generators: we perform an on-site evaluation for a evaluation visit, which is fully credited toward your invoice when you proceed with the work. This ensures the estimate is accurate and reflects the actual conditions at your property.

You can schedule service by calling (313) 274-3588, submitting an estimate request online, or emailing info@ibelectric.com. We typically respond to online requests within one business day. For emergencies, call (313) 523-2333 any time.

IB Electric provides fixed, transparent estimates before work begins. The estimate is the price on your invoice: no surprise line items, no additions after the fact. If the scope of work changes during a project, we discuss it with you before proceeding and get your approval on any additional charges.

For projects that require an on-site assessment: panel upgrades, rewiring, EV charger installation, generator installation, and commercial buildouts: IB Electric charges a evaluation visit. This covers a technician's time to assess your electrical system, take measurements, and provide an accurate fixed estimate. This visit is fully credited toward your invoice when you move forward with IB Electric. If you choose not to proceed, you pay only the visit for the evaluation.

Panel upgrade costs vary based on your current service size, panel location, the extent of existing wiring, and whether any additional work is required. IB Electric provides a fixed estimate after the on-site evaluation. The evaluation visit is credited to your invoice. Call (313) 274-3588 to discuss your specific situation.

Contact IB Electric directly at (313) 274-3588 or through our contact form to discuss financing options for larger projects. We're happy to work with homeowners and businesses on payment arrangements for significant electrical work.

Yes. DTE Energy and Consumers Energy offer rebate programs for qualifying Level 2 EV charger installations and commercial LED lighting retrofits. Federal tax credits (IRA) may also apply to qualifying EV charger installations. IB Electric advises all customers on applicable rebate programs during the project planning phase. Eligibility varies by utility territory and project type.

Common signs your home may need a panel upgrade: breakers that trip frequently, flickering or dimming lights, a 60A or 100A panel (inadequate for most modern homes), an older fuse box, burning smell near the panel, or plans to add high-draw appliances, an EV charger, or a generator. IB Electric performs panel assessments and will tell you exactly what's needed: no upselling.

Aluminum branch wiring was used in many homes built between 1965 and 1973. It expands and contracts differently than copper, which can cause connections to loosen over time: creating fire risks at outlets, switches, and fixtures. If your home was built during this period, a home safety inspection can determine whether you have aluminum wiring and what remediation is appropriate. Options range from CO/ALR device replacement to partial or full rewiring depending on the scope.

Michigan requires electrical permits for most significant residential work: panel upgrades, rewiring, new circuits, EV charger installation, generator hookups, and others. IB Electric handles all required permits as part of every job. Unpermitted work is not legally protected, can void homeowner's insurance coverage on electrical-related claims, and must be disclosed at home sale.

Most residential panel upgrades are completed in a single day. Your power will be off for a portion of the day during the switchover. If additional work is required (service entrance upgrade, new meter base, etc.), IB Electric provides a clear timeline before scheduling.

A home electrical safety inspection is a thorough assessment of your home's electrical system: panel condition, wiring type, grounding, GFCI/AFCI protection, outlet condition, and any visible safety concerns. IB Electric recommends safety inspections for homes over 25 years old, homes being purchased, and homes that have experienced electrical problems. The inspection fee is visit and credited if you proceed with any recommended work.

Yes. IB Electric installs new outlets, dedicated circuits (for appliances, EV chargers, home offices), and additional circuits throughout Metro Detroit homes. All new circuits are properly permitted and wired to current NEC code: not extension-cord workarounds.

IB Electric installs whole-home surge protection devices at the main panel. These protect all connected devices and appliances from voltage surges: including lightning strikes and utility switching events. Unlike power strip surge protectors, panel-level protection covers your entire home including hardwired appliances, HVAC systems, and EV chargers. Installation is typically completed in under an hour.

Yes. IB Electric works directly with general contractors, property managers, and project owners on commercial buildouts and renovations throughout Metro Detroit. We handle the full electrical scope: rough-in, trim-out, permitting, and inspection: and coordinate with the GC's schedule. Contact us early in your planning process for accurate electrical budgeting.

Yes. IB Electric is fully insured for every project. Certificates of insurance are available on request: typically within one business day. Contact us at info@ibelectric.com or (313) 274-3588 to request documentation.

Yes. IB Electric's industrial services include machine wiring, motor controls, high-voltage systems, PLC programming, power quality analysis, and preventive maintenance programs for manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and industrial operations throughout Metro Detroit and Michigan. See our industrial electrical services page for full details.

IB Electric performs LED retrofits for commercial and industrial facilities, converting fluorescent and HID lighting systems to modern LED. Commercial LED retrofits typically reduce energy costs by 50–75% and dramatically extend maintenance cycles. DTE Energy and Consumers Energy incentive programs may be available for qualifying commercial projects. We also install parking lot lighting, emergency and exit lighting, and high-bay fixtures.

Yes. IB Electric installs, tests, and maintains emergency and exit lighting systems for commercial and industrial buildings throughout Michigan to NFPA 101 Life Safety Code and Michigan Building Code requirements. We also perform required annual testing and provide documentation for compliance inspections.

Level 1 (120V) uses a standard household outlet and charges at about 3–5 miles of range per hour: adequate only for plug-in hybrids or vehicles driven very few miles daily. Level 2 (240V) requires a dedicated circuit and charges at 20–30 miles per hour, giving most EVs a full charge overnight. IB Electric installs Level 2 chargers for home and commercial use: the practical choice for any full battery EV.

Most homes built after the mid-1990s with 200A service have adequate capacity for a Level 2 EV charger without a panel upgrade. Older homes with 100A panels or already-full load centers may need an upgrade first. IB Electric assesses your panel during the on-site evaluation and tells you exactly what's needed before any work begins.

If you're in DTE Energy's service territory (most of Metro Detroit), qualifying Level 2 EV charger installations may be eligible for DTE rebate programs. Consumers Energy customers in their territory may also qualify. Federal tax credits under the IRA may apply as well. IB Electric advises every customer on applicable programs before the installation and provides the documentation needed to apply.

A transfer switch disconnects your home from the utility grid before connecting your generator: preventing dangerous backfeed that can electrocute utility workers restoring power and damage your generator. Michigan code requires a properly installed transfer switch for any generator connected to your home's electrical system. Never connect a portable generator directly to a wall outlet: this is illegal and life-threatening.

Generator sizing depends on what you want powered. Whole-home coverage for a typical Michigan home typically requires a 14kW–22kW standby generator. Partial-home coverage (critical circuits: furnace, refrigerator, sump pump, lights) can be handled with a 7kW–12kW unit. IB Electric performs a load assessment during the evaluation and recommends the right size for your specific needs and fuel source (natural gas or propane).

A portable generator transfer switch installation is typically completed in a single day. A full standby generator installation: including the generator pad or mounting, gas line connection (done by a licensed plumber), transfer switch, and wiring: typically takes 1–2 days depending on site conditions. IB Electric handles the full electrical scope and coordinates with the gas contractor when needed.

Yes. IB Electric holds a current Michigan Electrical Contractor license issued by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). This license is publicly verifiable through the Michigan LARA license lookup. Founder Imad Boussi has held a Michigan Master Electrician license since 1997.

Yes. IB Electric is fully insured for every project. Certificates of insurance are available on request for contractors, property managers, and project owners. See our Licenses & Insurance page for full coverage details.

Michigan law requires electrical contractors to hold a valid state license. Work performed by an unlicensed contractor leaves the homeowner legally exposed: insurance claims can be denied for electrical-related incidents, home sale inspections will flag unlicensed work, and workers injured on your property by an uninsured contractor can sue you directly. Always verify a license before hiring any electrician.

Yes. The Michigan LARA database allows anyone to verify electrical contractor and electrician licenses. Visit michigan.gov/lara and search for IB Electric or Imad Boussi. We encourage all customers to verify licenses before hiring any electrical contractor.

Yes. IB Electric handles all required permits as part of every qualifying job: residential, commercial, and industrial. All permitted work is inspected by a licensed Michigan inspector before it's considered complete. This is an independent verification of code compliance that protects homeowners and businesses long after the work is done.

Yes. IB Electric provides 24/7 emergency electrical service throughout Metro Detroit and Michigan. Call (313) 523-2333 any time: this line is answered nights, weekends, and holidays. For non-emergency service, call our main office at (313) 274-3588 during business hours.

Call our emergency line immediately for: burning smell from an outlet, panel, or wall: sparking or arcing from any electrical component: complete loss of power to your home or business: electrical shock from an outlet or device: a tripped breaker that won't reset: or any situation where you believe there's an immediate electrical safety risk. When in doubt, call.

If you smell burning or see sparking: turn off the circuit breaker for the affected area (or the main breaker if you're unsure which circuit) and do not use the outlet or device until an electrician has assessed it. If there's smoke or visible fire, evacuate and call 911 first. Do not use water on electrical fires. Keep people and pets away from the affected area until IB Electric arrives.

After-hours and emergency service calls may carry a different rate than standard business-hours work. IB Electric will estimate the service call rate before dispatching. We always provide transparent pricing before work begins: including emergency situations.