Licensed & Insured · MD License 7788 · Family-Owned Since 2005
Michael Cliffe, owner of Snapper Electric, standing beside his white service truck marked MD LIC# 7788

Electrician · Bel Air & Harford County, MD

Fast electrical repairs, explained — your Bel Air, MD electrician since 2005

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Get Your Free Estimate

We reply within 24 hours. Emergencies: 410-808-4215

Form A — Get Your Free Estimate

MD License 7788

Licensed & insured

Family-owned

Since 2005

Veteran-owned

Fast electrical repairs

Electrical problems we fix

What homeowners call us about most, and what each symptom usually points to. A video or an on-site check confirms the cause.

Breaker keeps tripping

Trips again after a reset? It’s reacting to the load or the wiring.

Dead outlets or switches

Often a loose connection or a tripped GFCI upstream.

Flickering or dimming

A loose neutral or an overloaded circuit. Different fixes.

Burning smell or warm panel

Shut off the main if it’s safe to reach, then call us.

GFCI won’t reset

Moisture, a ground fault downstream, or a worn device.

Part of the house lost power

A failed breaker, a loose main, or the utility side.

Surges and voltage dips

Lights dip when the AC starts: capacity or connections.

Buzzing or humming

A humming panel should be checked before it heats up.

What we do

Electrical services for homes and small businesses

Most calls start with one problem: a breaker that won’t stay on, a room that went dark, a charger you want in the garage. We fix that problem and check the system around it, because the panel, the wiring and the loads on them work together.
Electrician testing a wall outlet with a non-contact voltage tester

01

Tripping breakers, dead circuits, flicker and hum, traced to the cause.
Electrician resetting a tripped breaker in a home electrical panel

02

Burning smells, sparking outlets and partial outages, answered 24/7.
Newly installed 200-amp breaker panel with neatly dressed wiring in a finished basement

03

100 to 200 amps, problem panels, and BGE or Delmarva coordination.
New electrical cable stapled along open wall studs during a home rewire

04

Whole-house and partial rewires, aluminum wiring and knob-and-tube.
Ceiling fan with a light kit installed in a bright living room

05

Recessed, under-cabinet, pendant, landscape and security lighting, plus fans.
Finished basement family room with recessed ceiling lights

06

Circuits, GFCI and AFCI protection, lighting and ventilation, permitted.
Wall-mounted Level 2 EV charger plugged into a white SUV in a home garage

07

Level 2 chargers and NEMA 14-50 outlets, sized after a load check.
Portable generator connected to a weatherproof power inlet box on a detached garage

08

Generac® portable generators, inlets, interlocks and transfer switches.
Whole-house surge protector mounted beside a home breaker panel

09

Whole-house surge protectors at the panel for storm season.
Hardwired smoke alarm being installed on a hallway ceiling

10

Hardwired and 10-year sealed alarms, interconnected the right way.
Private dock with a boat lift, dock lights and a power pedestal on a Chesapeake creek

11

Hot tubs, pools, docks, boat lifts, sheds, barns and well pumps.
Small office with new flat LED panel ceiling lights

12

Lighting retrofits, panels and dedicated circuits for small businesses.

Free video estimate

Need a Quick Quote?

Send a short video to 410-808-4215 showing the area where you’re experiencing an issue or where you’d like work completed. Please include as much detail as possible so we can provide the most accurate estimate.
Please Note: Quotes provided from videos are estimates based on the information shown. If additional issues, repairs, materials, or site conditions are discovered that were not visible in the video, the final cost may vary. A more detailed video helps ensure the most accurate quote.
Michael Cliffe standing behind the Snapper Electric truck with ladders on the roof rack

SINCE 2005

20+ years in Harford County

How we work

What to expect when you call Snapper Electric

1

Call or text

Call or text 410-808-4215, or send the form. We return every message within 24 hours. Emergencies go straight to the phone, day or night.

2

Tell us what you’re seeing

We ask what happened and when it started. For many jobs, a short video lets us give you a starting estimate before anyone drives out.

3

Diagnosis on site, explained

We arrive inside the window we gave you and call when we’re on the way. We find the cause, show you what we found, and give you options with up-front pricing before work starts. Every service call includes a free 7-point safety evaluation.

4

The work, the cleanup, the walkthrough

We keep the truck stocked so we can aim to finish on the first trip. We test the repair, clean up, and walk you through what we did. Our satisfaction guarantee covers the work.

Why Snapper Electric

Why homeowners across Harford County call us

The owner on the job

You deal with Mike Cliffe, the owner and a former U.S. Marine, from the first call to the walkthrough. Our technicians are background-checked and drug-free.

Diagnosis you can understand

Thermal imaging finds hot connections, and we check panel capacity before adding big loads. Then we explain what we found in plain terms.

Licensed, insured, built to code

Maryland State Licensed Contractor, License 7788. We pull permits when a job needs one and work to the 2023 NEC all three counties enforce.

Connected planning

Adding a hot tub, a generator inlet or a charger? We look at the panel, wiring and loads together so one project doesn’t cause trouble for the next.

Honest estimates

Up-front pricing with no hidden fees. If something on site changes the price, you hear about it before we do the work.

24/7 emergency service

Burning smell or sparking outlet at 2 AM? Call 410-808-4215. Office hours are Mon–Sat 8 AM–5 PM.

Thermal imaging camera showing a warm breaker during a panel check in a basement

THERMAL IMAGING

Hot connections show up before they fail

Reviews

What neighbors say

Posted on Google Google
Kyle Harbaugh profile picture
Kyle Harbaugh
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I called Snapper Electric for an after-hours service late on a Sunday evening. Unfortunately, they weren't able to make it to my house but diagnosed the problem over the phone and got me on the right track calling BGE. This is what great customer service is all about! In the past, I've used them from everything from light installs to outlet rebuilds. All the work has always been done to perfection.
Posted on Google Google
Alice Alice profile picture
Alice Alice
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Replaced our outdated electrical panel and fixed a few wiring issues the same day. Professional, punctual, and everything works perfectly now.
Posted on Google Google
monte combs profile picture
monte combs
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
And his service remains 5 star. This was the first time that I have used Mike but rest assure it will not be the last. He was quick, he was honest and his work was exemplary and his prices are more than reasonable. Keep up the good work SNAPPER!
Posted on Google Google
Linda Diaz profile picture
Linda Diaz
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Maryland.... NEED AN ELECTRICIAN?..... Look no further! Words escape me at the amazing customer service delivered by Mike Cliffe(Master Elec.) at Snapper Electric. I called to inquire about services to uninstall my Chargepoint EV home charger. Michael said he can come by to work on this for me. He asked me to send him pics so he can advise properly. I sent the pics and Michael responds back with where to look and how to uninstall. I was shocked! No call charge. No service charge. Just the instructions and he wishes me an amazing weekend!!! Honest and great customer service 👍
Posted on Google Google
Mark C profile picture
Mark C
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Mike came out, quickly diagnosed the problem and fixed it very quickly. He is great, and very reasonably priced! Would definitely use them again!
Posted on Google Google
M G profile picture
M G
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Great work done after a thoughtful discussion on all options
Posted on Google Google
Steve Somers profile picture
Steve Somers
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I bought a new electric range and didn't realize the old one was hard wired in. I called Mike and he was out right away to get a new outlet installed for the new range. I highly recommend!! Super Fast and Professional!!!
Posted on Google Google
John Brodrick profile picture
John Brodrick
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I have had them do a few jobs for me including installing a generator outlet for the house and some wiring throughout the house. He took the time to explain options and what was best to fit my needs. Overall very professional, on time and did great work. Highly recommended.
Posted on Google Google
Ricky Godbolt profile picture
Ricky Godbolt
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I highly recommend Snapper Electric.
I just finished putting the power cord on the dryer and plugged it in, only to find out that the previous owner did not even have the plug itself hooked up to the electrical box. Mike showed up the same day that I called and installed a separate breaker for the dryer. I was able to leave work and come back to work in a very short amount of time.
Matt Gonzales
Dryer circuit, same day
Michael was very courteous and a true professional. He did not only solve our problem but pointed other issues we had that we didn't know about. He left us estimates for other work but wasn't at all pushy about performing extra work. He also was very quick to respond to our call even though it was a Sunday.
Brad Martin
Jarrettsville, MD
I highly recommend Snapper Electric. Mike was very professional, knowledgeable, and super responsive. You can't take those qualities for granted in today's world. I'll definitely keep his number handy for any future needs.
LaToya Fulmore
Verified Google review
He came out the same day I called! No one else could do that. We were not getting any electricity to our stove and needed the next day to cook for Thanksgiving. Thanks for coming out the same day and for saving Thanksgiving.
Melanie Gadegaard
Aberdeen, MD
Snapper installed an Interlock system for my generator and supplied me with a 40-foot extension cord so I can run the generator from the shed. Gave me an estimate for exactly what I wanted done and didn't try and up sell me to something more expensive. Like other estimates I had gotten. Very Nice and very informative about the whole job.
Ricky Wishon
Bel Air, MD
Mike repaired an outside electrical box for outside patio lights. He was very thorough and went out of his way to provide service. I will use him again for any other electrical work.
Maynard Shepherd
Abingdon, MD
They provided guidance in selecting and installed a back-up generator as well as put lights in several closets. The electrician was pleasant, cleaned up after projects and provided in-depth hands on instruction on use of generator. He also provided easy-to-follow instruction on electric panel to guide us as we used the generator. Definitely will use his services in future.
Thomas Heimiller
Kingsville, MD
Service and support was excellent. Mike was available early and came same-day to support a surprise appliance install issue we had. He did excellent work, adapted to the needs of the situation and laid out the options clearly. Work was priced appropriately and intend to use his services again for any future electrical needs!
Ken Judy
Homeowner
Mike from Snapper Electric came out to my house, on Thanksgiving morning, to take care of an emergency for me. He arrived when he said he would, did a very thorough and painstaking testing of the issues I had called him about; he also found things I was not even aware of that needed to be addressed. He made sure that I was safe and that everything worked properly. He gave me a very fair price for all of his work. Mike has a new and very loyal customer in me!
Mary W
Google review
Tree-lined street of split-level and colonial homes in a Harford County, MD neighborhood

BASED IN DARLINGTON, MD

Bel Air sits at the center of the area we cover

Service areas

Serving Harford, Baltimore, and Cecil counties

Searching for an electrician near me? Find your town below, or see every area we serve. Not listed? Call 410-808-4215 and ask.

Contact

Snapper Electric

Counties we serve

Local know-how

Electrical work in Maryland homes, done to code

Two utilities, three permit offices and a code that changed in 2023. Here’s what that means for your project.
Electric meter and meter base on the brick wall of a Maryland home

BGE, Delmarva Power and heavy-ups

Most of Harford and Baltimore counties are on BGE. Cecil County, and a small slice of northern Harford near the Pennsylvania line, are on Delmarva Power. A service upgrade, which people here call a heavy-up, means coordinating a meter disconnect and reconnect with your utility. We schedule that for you.

Permits in three counties

Harford County electrical permits go through the Permit Center at 220 S. Main St in Bel Air. Baltimore County handles them at Permits, Approvals and Inspections in Towson, and Cecil County through its Permits and Inspections Division in Elkton. We pull the permit when the job requires one and meet the inspector. Read our guide to Harford County electrical permits.

The 2023 National Electrical Code

Harford, Baltimore and Cecil counties all enforce the 2023 NEC. It widened where GFCI protection is required, including more kitchen, laundry and outdoor locations, so a remodel or a panel change today often brings older circuits up to the current rules. See how AFCI and GFCI protection differ.

Maryland’s smoke alarm law

Maryland requires battery-only smoke alarms to be the sealed, 10-year type, and any alarm older than 10 years should be replaced. Hardwired alarms get replaced with hardwired units. We install and interconnect them; here’s how the law applies to your home.

EV charger rebates

The Maryland Energy Administration runs a rebate for home Level 2 chargers. For fiscal year 2027 it lists 50% of eligible costs, up to $700. Program terms change, so confirm the current rules at energy.maryland.gov before you buy. Our EV rebate guide covers the details.

From the blog

Plain answers to common electrical questions

Guides for Maryland homeowners, reviewed by Michael Cliffe, MD License 7788.
Air conditioner condenser and deck outlet behind a Maryland home in summer

A summer electrical checklist for Maryland homes

Maryland summers put the heaviest loads of the year on your wiring and bring the storms that knock it out. Here is what to check before July, what you can do yourself and what needs an electrician.
Inspector checking an older breaker panel during a Maryland home inspection

Zinsco panel problems, and other older panels insurers ask about

Zinsco and Sylvania-Zinsco panels, Federal Pacific, Pushmatic, split-bus and fuse panels all get flagged in Maryland home inspections and insurance questions. Here is what each concern actually is.
New meter base and service mast after a heavy-up on a Maryland split-level home

What is a heavy-up? Maryland’s term for an electrical service upgrade

If an electrician or HVAC contractor told you that you need a heavy-up, this is what they mean, what gets replaced, who does which part, and what the day itself looks like.

FAQ

Questions homeowners ask us

Yes. Text a short video to 410-808-4215 showing the problem or the area you want worked on, along with your name and town. We reply with a starting estimate or the questions we need answered. A video estimate isn’t a final price. If we find something on site that the video couldn’t show, such as damaged wiring inside a wall, we explain it and price it before doing any extra work.
Yes. Harford County is our home base, and we also cover eastern and northern Baltimore County, including Perry Hall, White Marsh, Towson and Timonium, plus western Cecil County, including Perryville, North East, Rising Sun and Elkton. Check the service areas page for your town.
Yes. Snapper Electric is a Maryland State Licensed Contractor, License 7788, and we’re licensed and insured. Michael Cliffe has owned and run the company since 2005.
Heavy-up is the term used around Maryland and DC for an electrical service upgrade, usually from 100 amps to 200 amps. It covers the new service equipment, often a new meter base and panel, plus the utility’s disconnect and reconnect. Homeowners usually need one when adding an EV charger, a heat pump, a hot tub or an induction range to an older home. We start with a load calculation to confirm whether you need it.
We pull the permit when the job requires one and schedule the county inspection. Panel changes, service upgrades, new circuits and most remodel wiring need a permit in Harford, Baltimore and Cecil counties.
Yes, 24/7. If you smell burning, see sparks or have a panel that feels warm, turn off the main breaker if you can reach it safely and call 410-808-4215. If there’s smoke or fire, call 911 first.
Emergencies get an answer right away, any hour. For other work we return every call, text and form within 24 hours, give you an arrival window, and call when we’re on the way.
Yes. We offer veteran, teacher and senior discounts, and an internet-only 10% off repairs, up to $75. Mention the offer when you book, and see the discounts page for details.

Ready when you are.

Call, text, or send the form. We’ll tell you what we see, what it means for your home, and what it costs before any work starts.
Office hours Mon–Sat 8 AM–5 PM · 24/7 for electrical emergencies
Snapper Electric turtle mascot