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Electrician tightening a connection with a screwdriver inside an open electrical panel

Watts-Hillandale Experienced Electrician Durham, NC

Watts-Hillandale grew up around the old Watts Hospital and Club Boulevard, and most of its homes date from 1910 to 1950. Brian Electric updates wiring, panels and lighting here, with the local historic district rules in mind. The district sits in the 27705 zip code.

  • Licensed in North Carolina
  • Historic district know-how
  • Free estimates
Call Now · (984) 271-2113

The Neighborhood

A Neighborhood Built Around a Hospital and a Trolley

Watts Hospital opened on Broad Street in 1909, on land given by George W. Watts. By 1912 a trolley ran down Club Boulevard to the city waterworks, and John Sprunt Hill had built Durham's first country club nearby. The next year, two developers laid out the lots that became Watts-Hillandale.

The hospital closed in 1976, and its campus is now the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. Today, the families in the homes around it call us as their local electrician in Durham, NC.

1913

Two plats laid out in the same year became Watts-Hillandale.

Club Acres

105 lots

About 75 by 396 feet

Long, deep lots platted by the West End Land Company.

Englewood

198 lots

About 50 by 150 feet

Smaller lots platted the same year by Durham Loan and Trust.

Local Historic District

Electrical Work in a Local Historic District

Watts-Hillandale is one of Durham's local historic districts. That means exterior changes need a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from the city, whether or not they need a building permit. Most electrical work happens inside, and inside work with no outside change does not need one.

Minor work is reviewed by city staff, with an initial review period of up to four weeks. Major work goes to the Historic Preservation Commission at its monthly meeting. If your project touches the outside, talk to the city's preservation staff before you set a start date. Planning new fixtures? See our lighting installation page.

Electrician in a hard hat testing overhead wiring with a voltage tester

City historic review

No COA Needed

  • Rewiring, new circuits and other interior work with no outside changeNo COA needed
  • Replacing existing mechanical equipmentCounts as normal maintenance

City historic review

Ask City Staff First

  • New or replacement outdoor light fixtures and polesOn the COA list. Ask city staff first
  • Installing or moving mechanical equipment outsideOn the COA list. Ask city staff first

Rules can change. The city's preservation staff have the final word on what needs a COA.

381properties in the local district
90%+of main buildings built 1910 to 1950
60%+built before 1930
Electrician testing a circuit in a panel with a digital multimeter

The Homes

Foursquares, Bungalows and Post-War Duplexes

Most Watts-Hillandale homes went up before 1930, in the years when knob and tube wiring was standard. Many have been updated, often more than once, so one house can hold wiring from several eras.

What We Check First

We look at the panel, the oldest circuits and any outlets that are two-prong or warm. Ungrounded outlets can be made safe with a new ground or GFCI protection, which our outlet and switch work covers.

Duplexes After the War

Duplexes were added to the neighborhood after World War II. In a duplex, it helps to know exactly which circuits serve which unit. For owners who rent one side, we trace each circuit and label the panel.

  • Foursquares
  • Colonial Revival homes
  • Bungalows
  • Tudor and other 1930s period houses
  • Post-war duplexes

Utility Work Nearby

Water Line Work and Your Electrical Ground

The city has been replacing water mains and sewer lines along Club Boulevard, Carolina Avenue, Oakland Avenue, Oval Drive and Englewood Avenue. If your own water line gets replaced too, it is worth a quick look at your electrical ground.

  1. Know What Your Ground Is

    In many older homes, the electrical ground is clamped to the metal water pipe where it enters the house.

  2. Plastic Pipe Breaks the Path

    If a plumber replaces that metal pipe with plastic, the ground can be lost without anyone noticing.

  3. Have It Checked

    After any water line work at your house, we check the ground and add ground rods if needed.

Why Choose Us

Why Watts-Hillandale Calls Brian Electric

A local historic district with homes from three different decades needs an electrician who knows both the rules and the wiring.

  • Historic district

    We Know the Historic District Rules

    Inside work needs no COA. When a job touches the outside, like a new porch light, we tell you to check with city staff first.

  • 1910s to 1940s homes

    Wiring From Several Eras, Sorted Out

    Homes built before 1930 often hold old and new wiring side by side. We check the panel and the oldest circuits first.

  • Outlets

    Two-Prong Outlets Made Safe

    We add a new ground wire or GFCI protection, so ungrounded outlets are safe to use.

  • Duplexes

    Duplex Circuits Traced and Labeled

    If you rent one side, we trace which circuits serve which unit and label the panel.

  • Grounding

    A Ground Check After Water Line Work

    If your water line was replaced during the city work on Club Boulevard and nearby streets, we check your electrical ground.

  • Permits

    The Permit Pulled for You

    We pull the electrical permit and meet the inspector, so the work is signed off.

15+ years of experience

24/7 emergency line

Licensed in North Carolina

FAQ

Watts-Hillandale Electrical FAQs

Not sure if your project needs a COA? Tell us what you want to change, and we will point out which parts touch the outside.

Call (984) 271-2113

Is Watts-Hillandale a local historic district?

Yes. It is one of Durham's local historic districts, and it is also on the National Register. Exterior changes need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the city.

Do I need a COA to rewire my house?

Not for interior work with no outside change. Rewiring, new circuits and panel work inside still need a normal electrical permit, which we pull.

Do I need approval for new porch or yard lights?

Light fixtures and poles are on the city's COA list. Check with the city's preservation staff before you buy or install new outdoor lights.

How long does a COA take?

Minor work reviewed by city staff has an initial review period of up to four weeks. Major work goes to the Historic Preservation Commission at its monthly meeting.

Can you make two-prong outlets safe?

Yes. We add a ground wire where we can, or use GFCI protection where code allows, and label it.

Do you work on duplexes and rentals?

Yes. We work for owners and landlords, including duplexes where one side is rented.

Customer Reviews

What Customers Say About Our Work

5.0

Read Our Google Reviews
  • Forrest B.Google review

    My wife and I can't say enough about Brian Electric. This was our third time hiring Brian to help with renovations. His work is exceptional and we are very impressed with his knowledge/quality of his work. We will definitely hire him again in the future!!

  • Bridget D.Google review

    Brian was amazing. He was able to come the same day I called. He was able to quickly diagnose and fix the problem. He was very informative and answered all of my questions. I will definitely recommend and will be using his services again.

  • Robert P.Google review

    Brian installed a Kitchen Light fixture over my Kitchen Island. He arrived on time, was very professional and had the experience and know-how to install what I would consider a difficult installation in a short amount of time.

  • Jackie V.Google review

    If I could give 10 stars I would. He was so helpful with my major project, and really looked out for my best interests. He even took on a spontaneous smaller project that popped up as he was finishing the larger one!

  • Robin L.Google review

    He came and installed a new light above our kitchen sink. Excellent work, prompt service and a truly good guy. What more could you ask for? We will definately call Brian for any work we may need in the future. I would highly recommend him to anyone in need of quality electrical work!

  • Barbara M.Google review

    Brian traced down our light and receptical outage. He made the repair in under an hour and had our home in working order again.

  • De K.Google review

    I cannot say enough good things about Brian Electric. He's corrected other marginal work and has completed all sorts of jobs in the past with excellent craftsmanship. I only wish there was more of Brian to go around!

  • Martin M.Google review

    Brian Electric has provided us with quality, on-time service for all of our electrical needs in the house we moved into a year ago.

  • Robby C.Google review

    Super professional! Great quality work with attention to detail. Highly recommend. This is my new go to electrical contractor!

  • Brandon S.Google review

    On time, professional and excellent quality work. Brian Electric is one of the best electricians we've worked with.

Service Area

Serving Watts-Hillandale and All of Durham

Watts-Hillandale is one of the many Durham neighborhoods we serve. We also work in Old West Durham, Walltown and Trinity Park nearby.

Neighborhoods We Serve

View All Service Areas

Need an Electrician in Watts-Hillandale?

Rewiring or new lighting in the historic district? Talk it through with Brian Electric first.

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