New switches, three-ways, dimmers, and smart switches — installed and verified.
Switch work is control rather than power delivery, and that is what makes it different from an outlet. Replacing a switch, adding a second one for the same light, putting in a dimmer, or fitting a smart switch all come down to what is inside that particular wall box. So the first thing we do is open it and look, because two boxes in the same hallway can hold entirely different wiring.
The most common surprise is the neutral. Most smart switches need a neutral conductor in the box, because the switch itself needs power to run its radio and stay online even when the light is off. A great many older county homes are wired as a switch loop: the power goes to the light fixture first, and only two conductors drop down to the switch — a hot and the switched leg, with no neutral present. There is nothing wrong with that wiring, but it means the smart switch in the box on your counter will not work in that location without a new conductor run from the fixture or the panel. That single fact decides whether your project is a straight device swap or a conductor run, and it is why we would rather open the box before quoting than after.
Dimmers are the second recurring issue. LED lamps and integrated LED fixtures do not behave like the incandescent bulbs that older dimmers were built for. The result is flickering at the low end, an audible buzz, a dimming range that stops well short of off, or lamps that will not start at all. The fix is matching the dimmer type to the driver in your fixture, setting the low-end trim once it is in, and testing it with the actual bulbs you use rather than a shop lamp. Sometimes the honest answer is that the fixture's driver is the limit and the dimmer is not going to rescue it. Our flickering lights guide covers the diagnosis.
Adding a switch where there is not one — a second control at the far end of a hall, a stairway, a bedroom doorway, a detached garage — means new conductors between the two locations, not just a device. In a house with attic or crawl access that is straightforward. Through plaster and lath with fire blocking it is a real run. Most shops will not book a truck for a single switch, which is exactly the kind of job we are built for in older homes.
A tech opens the box, identifies whether there is a neutral and a ground, checks what the switch actually controls, and looks at the fixture at the other end. You get a straight answer on whether your smart switch or dimmer will work in that location, and a written quote.
The quote says which device goes where, whether any new conductors are needed, and how many access openings that would take. If the scope requires a permit we pull it — with the County for unincorporated addresses, or with the city in Santa Cruz, Capitola, Scotts Valley, or Watsonville.
Power off at the breaker, box cleaned up and conductors identified, any new run fished and secured, devices set and connected on the screws. Three-way and four-way sets are wired and then tested from every control point before the plates go on.
We run the light from every switch, set the dimmer low end with your bulbs in the fixture, walk through anything that needed pairing, and register the 20-year workmanship warranty. If any access openings were cut, we point out each one before we go.
The device is rarely what you are paying for. A like-for-like switch replacement in a box that already has everything it needs is the simple case. The moment the box is missing something — a neutral for a smart switch, a traveler for a second control point, a ground in an old metal box — the job becomes a conductor run, and the run is priced by the route rather than the device. That is the reason we open the box during the quote rather than pricing from a photograph. Dimmers add a second variable: matching the dimmer to your fixture's driver sometimes means the fixture, not the switch, is the thing that has to change.
“Sunrise Electrial in Santa Cruz came to my home in a timely manor, and reasonable cost to replace a sparking switch plate. This is a relatvely young company, with a very pleasant and knowledgeable owner. He explained everything he did. Please consider Sunrise Electric for your electrical needs.”
“Sunrise electric and especially Ian was amazing. They had already came out with less than 1 days notice and replace our panel, but then outlets and lights were not working. Called them to inquire and they quickly sent Ian to our home. Within 30 minutes he repaired the issue. Excellent customer service and knowledge about the issue. Timely and super nice too. Ian put me at ease immediately and left me with all working electrical!!! I am extremely happy with Sunrise Electric. 🌅. Cecelia N”
“They did an excellent job in changing a circuit for me and also fixing some light switches. The person that came out was very knowledgeable worked quickly was very professional and polite. They let you know when they're on their way. They confirm the Appointment And it was a great experience I would use them again and I highly recommend”
Pulled from what we actually hear on quotes and on-site. If yours isn't here, ask us — we'll answer in plain English.
We'd rather you get the right outcome than the Sunrise outcome. Some of this points away from us on purpose.
Look for a CSLB-licensed C-10 contractor near you and verify at cslb.ca.gov. If you are planning smart switches, ask whether they check the box for a neutral before quoting. A quote given without opening the box is a quote that can change on the work day.
Browse our field guidesLighting controls are where a lot of older homes get frustrating, and it is usually the wiring rather than the device. Our lighting pillar covers fixtures and the controls that drive them, with nothing behind a form.
Read about lighting and controlsA free whole-home inspection includes what is actually in your switch boxes and what your house will accept before you buy anything. The written report is yours whether any work follows or not.
Schedule a free inspectionFrom Davenport to Pajaro Dunes, San Lorenzo Valley to Pleasure Point. Same crew, same warranty, same pricing.
Free on-site inspection, a straight answer on whether your smart switch or dimmer will work there, and a 20-year guarantee on the work.