Knob-and-tube rewires, 200A–400A service upgrades, EV chargers, and landscape lighting for big lots — Peak Property Electric handles the kind of work Winnetka's grand old homes actually need. Family-owned, based in nearby Skokie, licensed and insured (IL #SE8133).
Electrical Work in Winnetka Homes
Winnetka's housing stock is beautiful and, electrically speaking, demanding. Most of the village went up between the early 1900s and the 1930s — sprawling Tudors, Georgians, and Colonial Revivals that were originally wired for a few lights and an icebox. A century later, those same homes are running central air, home gyms, heated garages, EV chargers, and finished third floors. The original service and much of the branch wiring were never built for that, and every renovation layered on since has had to work around what came before.
One thing that surprises even some North Shore electricians: Winnetka isn't ComEd territory. The village runs its own municipal utility, Winnetka Water & Electric, so any service upgrade or meter work gets coordinated with the village rather than with ComEd. We handle that coordination — the permits, the scheduling, the disconnect and reconnect — so a panel or service upgrade doesn't turn into a homeowner's part-time job.
Whether it's a full 200A-to-400A service upgrade to support an addition, a careful rewire that respects original plaster, or low-voltage lighting across a deep lot, this is the work we do week in and week out. And every service call includes a free once-over of your panel and wiring, so you know where the house actually stands.
Common Electrical Problems We See in Winnetka
Original knob-and-tube or cloth-insulated wiring. Plenty of pre-1930 Winnetka homes still have it live behind the plaster. It wasn't dangerous when new, but brittle insulation and buried junction points are — and many insurers now flag it at renewal.
Undersized electrical service. A 100-amp service was generous decades ago; it's not enough for a Winnetka home with an EV charger, a home gym, and an addition. We upgrade services up to 400 amps and coordinate the work with Winnetka Water & Electric.
Federal Pacific panels and old fuse boxes. Homes updated mid-century often got panels that are now known fire risks. We replace a lot of these, and we'll tell you honestly whether yours is one of them.
Renovations stacked on renovations. Big old homes get remodeled every generation, and each round leaves behind spliced circuits, orphaned wiring, and overloaded runs. Untangling that is normal work for us.
Failing landscape lighting on large lots. Deep setbacks and mature trees mean long buried cable runs — and root damage, corroded connections, and tired transformers that leave half the yard dark.
Our Most-Requested Services in Winnetka
These are the services Winnetka homeowners call us for most. Every job starts with a free estimate, and every visit includes a complimentary check of your panel and wiring while we're there.
Panel Upgrades & Replacements — The most common call in Winnetka — old homes with new demands, upgraded to 200 or even 400 amps, with the Winnetka Water & Electric coordination handled for you.
Generator Installation & Maintenance — Big lots with mature trees see their share of storm outages, and a standby generator keeps a large home's sump pumps, HVAC, and refrigeration running through them.
Outdoor Lighting — Deep front setbacks, long driveways, and formal gardens deserve better than a couple of coach lights — we design and install landscape lighting that fits the scale of the property.
Wiring & Rewiring — For homes still carrying knob-and-tube or cloth wiring, we rewire carefully — protecting original plaster and millwork instead of treating a 1920s home like a gut job.
⚡ The Free Panel Check — On Every Winnetka Call
Whatever we come out for, your panel and visible wiring get a free once-over. If we spot something unsafe, we show you a photo and explain your options — no charge, no pressure. Learn more about our safety inspections.
Winnetka Electrician FAQs
Yes, and it's the biggest thing to know. Winnetka runs its own municipal utility, Winnetka Water & Electric, instead of ComEd. Service upgrades and meter work get scheduled and coordinated through the village. We've worked with municipal utilities before and we handle the permits and coordination ourselves — you don't have to manage any of it.
Usually yes, but it depends on your existing service. Many older homes need a panel or service upgrade first, especially if you want a faster Level 2 charger — or two. We install EV chargers, including Tesla equipment, and we'll give you a straight answer on what your service can support before any work starts.
Not always all at once. We can assess what's actually live, what's already been replaced in past remodels, and prioritize the riskiest sections first. Some homeowners phase the work; others do it in one project alongside a renovation. Either way, we work carefully around original plaster and trim.
We're based in Skokie, a short drive down the North Shore, and we answer emergency calls 24/7. If you've lost power to part of the house, smell something burning at the panel, or have a dead circuit you can't explain, call (773) 987-7677 any hour.
Serving Winnetka from Our Skokie Shop
Our shop is in Skokie, a straight shot up the Edens or Green Bay Road from Winnetka — close enough that we can schedule estimates promptly and respond to emergencies at any hour, without the wait you'd get from a crew coming up from the city. Call (773) 987-7677 and you'll reach us, not an answering service.
Free Estimate — No Obligation
Get Your Free Quote
Tell us what you need and we'll get back to you fast with clear, upfront pricing. Or just call (773) 987-7677 — you'll talk to us, not a call center.