Install and upgrade projects for homes, shops, and job sites — panels, circuits, EV chargers, and more

Panel Upgrades, EV Chargers & Electrical Wiring in Central Illinois

Electric car plugged into charging station

Real-World Electrical Projects We Handle Across Central IL

Whether you’re adding power to a new space or updating old systems, we handle electrical work that fits your layout and your needs. These are the kinds of installs and upgrades we get called for most often across homes, shops, and job sites in Central IL:

Whether it’s one outlet or a whole system, it should make sense for your setup. Let’s get it on the schedule.

Voted #1 Electrical Service
People's Choice 2026

People’s Choice 2026 isn’t an industry award. It’s local homeowners and businesses saying who they’d call again. That’s us.

Getting Started on an Install or Upgrade?

Whether you know exactly what you need or just have a rough idea, we’ll help you map it out. Here’s what the process usually looks like:

01

Talk Through the Plan

Whether you’re adding a new appliance, rewiring a space, or expanding a system, we’ll ask the right questions to understand what’s changing and what makes sense.

02

Walk the Space

We’ll take a look in person—finished house, open wall, or active job site—so we’re clear on what we’re working with before we start.

03

Review Scope and Cost

We’ll lay out the scope, materials, timeline, and cost. No vague estimates. No pressure to decide on the spot.

04

Schedule and Install

When you’re ready, we’ll book the work and stick to the plan. You’ll know who’s coming, what’s being done, and how long it’ll take.

Every Space Is Different. That’s Why We Don’t Use a One-Size Approach

Not every install is simple, and not every upgrade is just about more power. Whether you’re adding smart tech, finishing a basement, or prepping for new equipment, we’ll help you figure out what actually makes sense for your setup. We walk through the scope, options, and cost upfront, so you know what’s involved before anything moves forward. No overcomplicating, just clean installs and thoughtful planning that support the way you actually use your space.

Residential Electrical Installs

Panel upgrades, appliance circuits, basement finishes, and smart home wiring. We handle the kind of work Central IL homeowners need. Whether you’re dealing with an older system or planning something new, we’ll walk through it and build around how your space really works.

Commercial Electrical Installs

Powering tenant buildouts, retrofitting lighting, wiring new machines. Whatever your facility needs, we install with business operations in mind. We’ll plan around your schedule, your systems, and your future capacity. We stay efficient, minimize disruption, and keep your project on schedule.

Experienced Professionals

Our trusted team delivers quality work with clear answers, dependable service, and no surprises.

24/7 Emergency Services

Systems don’t wait for business hours, and breakdowns don’t check the clock. Luckily, our team is ready 24/7.

Icon of a leaf inside a gear, representing energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions.

Energy-Efficient Solutions

We help you choose smart, energy-efficient systems that reduce waste, cut costs, and keep things running strong.

Flexible Financing

Costs are up everywhere, and we get it. Flexible financing gives you room to breathe—and still get the job done.

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Specialized System Experts

Solar tie-ins, generator hookups, EV chargers, shop equipment. We handle the tricky stuff. If your project isn’t straightforward, it’s probably right up our alley.

Locally Owned

We’re based right here in Central Illinois, so when the power’s out or a project needs attention, you’re not waiting on someone from out of town.

Ready for an Electrical Upgrade?

Tell us what you’re adding, changing, or planning, and we’ll walk through what makes sense for your space. From new circuits to panel upgrades, we’ll make the next step clear and manageable.

Here’s When an Electrical Upgrade Makes Sense

Electrical systems don’t always give clear warnings. Whether you’re remodeling, adding new tech, or outgrowing your panel, here’s when an upgrade usually makes sense in Central IL:

Want help deciding if now’s the time? We’ll walk through it with you. No pressure.

Electrician using a Milwaukee power drill to install or repair an outdoor electrical component, wearing a gray C-U Trade Services t-shirt and a trucker hat.
Lawrence Soltysiak
1 week ago
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Outstanding Service from CU Electric! We recently had Chuck Berry out to our home for a few electrical projects, and he was fantastic. He replaced some floor outlets with a much better type, repaired an outdoor light, and even diagnosed an issue we were having with a ceiling fan remote control. Chuck is extremely knowledgeable, pleasant, and a real pleasure to deal with. On top of his top-notch workmanship, his rates are very reasonable. I wouldn't hesitate to call him again and highly recommend CU Electric to anyone in need of reliable electrical work!
Jeffrey Richig
1 week ago
I cannot recommend Chuck Berry and CU Services highly enough! We had another electrical company come out and spend over an hour trying to diagnose an issue in our home. In the end, they couldn’t figure it out and told us it would likely take two technicians and around $1,200 just to continue troubleshooting—with no guarantee they would even find the problem. They estimated roughly $4,500 to complete the repairs. I called CU Services, and Chuck came out for a single service call. Within an hour, he had diagnosed the problem, fixed it completely, and had everything working properly. The total cost? Just $250. Chuck was professional, knowledgeable, honest, and incredibly efficient. It’s refreshing to find someone who can quickly identify the root cause of a problem instead of throwing expensive guesses at it. If you want the job done right the first time without the headaches, CU Services is the company to call. Chuck also told us about their affordable service plan, which includes free annual inspections and 15% off services. My wife and I were impressed enough that we plan on signing up ourselves. Thank you, Chuck and CU Services, for the outstanding service!
Paul Mwebesa
3 weeks ago
C-U construction helped resolve our electrical issues. They'were quick and reliable. Highly recommend C-U trade services

Proudly Serving

Champaign, Danville

& Onarga IL

Our team is spread across Central Illinois, with offices in Champaign, Danville, and Onarga. We regularly serve a wide range of nearby towns and rural areas, and our techs are always on the move. Not sure if you’re in our service area? Give us a call anyway. You might be, and if not, we’ll try to make it work.

Electrical FAQs, Straight from Central Illinois

Breakers trip to protect your home when there’s too much electrical demand on a circuit or a wiring problem. Common causes include overloaded circuits, faulty appliances, or a short circuit. If it happens frequently, have us take a look— we’ll track down the issue and get it fixed safely.

If your panel is over 25 years old, still uses fuses instead of breakers, or you’re adding new appliances and systems to your home, it may be time for an upgrade. Outdated panels might not meet current safety codes and could pose a fire risk. We can assess your panel and recommend the best solution.

Flickering or dimming lights can happen for a few reasons:

  • Loose wiring or connections
  • Overloaded circuits
  • Aging fixtures
  • Issues at the electrical panel
  • Non-dimmable bulbs used with a dimmer switch

If it’s happening often or across multiple rooms, it’s time to get it checked. We’ll track down the cause and take care of it before it turns into a bigger issue.

Signs of unsafe or outdated wiring include frequent breaker trips, buzzing outlets, warm switch plates, flickering lights, or two-prong outlets. Homes built before the 1970s may still have older wiring that’s no longer safe. We can conduct a safety inspection and inform you if any updates are required.

In most areas, permits are required for major electrical changes like panel upgrades, new circuit installations, rewiring, or installing backup generators. We pull the necessary permits for every job we’re on, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

Here are a few smart ways to lower your energy use:

  • Switch to LED bulbs—they use less power and last longer

  • Unplug electronics and chargers when not in use

  • Use programmable or smart thermostats to manage heating and cooling

  • Have your electrical system inspected for outdated wiring or inefficient appliances

  • Consider whole-home surge protection and other energy-efficient upgrades

Small changes add up. We can help you spot what’s worth updating to keep costs down.

If an outlet or plug feels warm to the touch, it could be a sign of loose wiring, an overloaded circuit, or a failing outlet. While some slight warmth can be normal for high-power devices like space heaters or hair dryers while in use, the outlet itself should never feel hot. If you notice this, have us take a look right away — it could be a warning sign of a larger electrical issue or fire hazard.

Service PlansWe recommend having a licensed professional inspect your home’s electrical system at least every 3-5 years, or anytime you notice signs of trouble like frequent breaker trips, flickering lights, or outdated outlets. Regular inspections help catch small issues before they become major problems.

The easiest way to stay on top of it? Join our service plan! We’ll handle routine electrical safety checks for you so you don’t have to remember when it’s due, giving you peace of mind year after year.

We handle a wide range of electrical work—from basic repairs and fixture installs to panel upgrades, EV chargers, Generac generators, surge protection, and solar system installations. Not sure if we do it? Just ask. If it runs on electricity, there’s a good chance we’ve done it before.

10% off Level 2 EV chargers coupon