Choosing an electrician can feel overwhelming. There are ads everywhere, everyone has a different opinion, and reviews can be hard to sort through. You just want someone you can trust to do quality work at a fair price, without overcomplicating things
And to make things even trickier, some local companies can look almost identical online, even down to using the same shade of navy blue. That’s why we wanted to write this article: to help homeowners clearly understand the difference between Integra Electrical and Custom Electric, so you can confidently choose the company that’s the best fit for your home.
At Integra Electrical, we’ve spent more than 20 years working in homes across Central Iowa. In that time, we’ve learned a lot about the other companies in our area, including Custom Electric. To be upfront, we do have a bias. We know what we’re great at, and we know where other companies shine.: this article isn’t about convincing you that one company is “better” than the other. It’s about helping you figure out who’s the right fit and who’s the wrong fit for your specific needs. When you choose the company that truly fits your home, everybody wins, you get the right service, and we get to focus on the homeowners we can serve best.
In this article, we'll break down
- What electrical services each company offers
- What pricing and payments look like for each
- What It’s Like to Work With Each Company
- And a "Which Company Is Right for You?" Chart
What Electrical Services Do Custom Electric and Integra Offer?
Before choosing an electrician, it helps to understand the type of work each company focuses on. Some electricians take on a broad range of projects, while others specialize in specific areas. Knowing the difference can save you time and make sure you’re calling the company that’s equipped for the job you need done.
Custom Electrical
Custom Electric offers a wide range of services across residential, commercial, and industrial markets. Their team handles everything from wiring new construction and tenant build-outs to service work in existing homes. They also provide generator maintenance services, which can be helpful for homeowners who already have a standby generator system in place.
Because their scope is broad, they’re often equipped to take on large, mixed-use projects or work with contractors on new developments. Homeowners who have major remodels or need a company that can manage multiple types of electrical work under one umbrella may find this appealing.
Integra Electrical
Integra focuses exclusively on residential service work. That means we spend every day inside Iowa homes, diagnosing issues, upgrading wiring, and helping homeowners bring their ideas to life. While safety is always at the heart of what we do, we’re also here to make your home more comfortable and functional.
From installing new light fixtures and ceiling fans to adding outlets or upgrading an outdated electrical panel, our services are designed around the way you actually live. Because we don’t take on commercial or industrial projects, our entire team is trained specifically for residential systems and the unique needs of Iowa homes, especially older ones.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire Custom Electric or Integra Electrical?
Electrical pricing can feel confusing because not every job is the same. The cost of a project depends on what’s going on behind the walls, how the home was wired originally, and what needs to be changed to make everything safe and up to code. That’s why each company approaches estimating and pricing a little differently.
Custom Electric
Custom Electric follows a more traditional pricing model, where costs depend on the scope of the work. For larger projects, they typically provide estimates or bids in advance, while smaller residential jobs are priced after the technician evaluates the issue on-site. Because residential service isn’t their sole focus, costs can vary from one project to another.
Specific pricing information isn’t listed on their website, so to receive an exact quote or price range, homeowners need to schedule an appointment. Custom Electric charges a $59 dispatch fee to send a technician to your home for an estimate and also offers flexible financing options for qualifying projects.
Integra Electrical
Integra uses a straightforward, up-front pricing model for residential service calls. Before any work begins, our electricians perform a full electrical system evaluation. Because electrical systems are interconnected, the issue you see isn’t always the full picture. Taking time to evaluate the system upfront helps us present pricing that reflects the actual work needed, so we can be confident the price we present is the price you’ll pay. This evaluation is included at no additional charge.
For homeowners planning larger projects, we offer flexible financing options. And if you’d like a general idea of cost before scheduling, our Electrical Price Guide (below) provides a realistic range for most services. To get your exact price, we’ll complete your evaluation and present clear options, all with no dispatch fee.
What Is It Like to Work With Custom Electric vs. Integra Electrical?
The experience you have with an electrician goes beyond the work being done. How they communicate, show up, and respect your home all play a role in how comfortable you feel throughout the process. Here’s what you can generally expect when working with each company.
Custom Electric
Custom Electric operates like a larger, multi-service contractor. Homeowners can expect to schedule through a central office, and a technician is dispatched to assess the issue. Pricing is typically provided after the technician evaluates the situation. Because residential service is only part of their overall business, the experience may feel a bit more like working with a traditional contractor than a dedicated home service company.
Based on what we’ve seen online and heard from homeowners, their reviews reflect a solid reputation and the ability to handle a wide variety of jobs. Residential service calls require steady communication, careful work in lived-in spaces, and a different level of attention to the homeowner experience. Over the years, we’ve found that not every electrician wants to work in that style, and some are a better fit in contractor-style environments like Custom, where the work is broader in scope and follows a project-based timeline. It really comes down to fit.
Integra Electrical
At Integra, residential service is our entire focus, so the customer experience is designed specifically for homeowners. Our team sets a clear arrival window and sends text updates so you know exactly when to expect your electrician. When our technician arrives, you’ll see a clean uniform and a professional setup, not a jobsite crew. Every appointment includes a full diagnostic, clear explanations, and upfront pricing before any work begins.
We’re known for our Red Carpet Guarantee, if our electricians smoke or swear in your home, don’t wear shoe covers, or leave your home without cleaning up after themselves, you don’t pay for the service. It’s our way of standing behind the respect and professionalism we promise every customer. Our electricians are trained not just for technical skill, but for communication and care in the home. We’ve earned hundreds of 5-star Google reviews from homeowners who appreciate our consistency, professionalism, and the peace of mind that comes with a team built entirely around residential service.
So…Which Company Is Right for You?
| Electrical Service Needed? | Integra Electrical | Custom Electrical |
| Residential Service for Existing Homes | Yes | Yes |
| Older Home Expertise & Safety Upgrades | Yes | No (not a core focus) |
| Commercial or industrial work | No | Yes |
| Electrical safety evaluation on every call | Yes | No (varies by job) |
| Upfront Pricing before work begins | Yes | Yes (after appointment; varies by job) |
| Large mixed-use or multi property projects | No | Yes |
| Generator Maintenance | No | Yes |
| Apartment building / trailer homes | No (not a core focus) | Yes |
| Focus on home safety and function | Yes | Yes |
| Financing options | Yes | Yes |
|
Above 4.5 stars on Google (as of November, 2025) |
Yes | Yes |
| Dispatch fee | No | Yes, $59 |
Choosing the Right Electrician
When it comes to electrical work, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Custom Electric is a strong choice for homeowners or contractors managing large-scale projects or commercial work. Integra Electrical is the better fit for homeowners who want focused residential expertise, clear communication, and safety-driven service inside their home.
By choosing the company that truly fits your needs, everyone wins, you get the right service for your situation, and we get to focus on serving the homeowners we’re built to help.
If you’d like to better understand how your home’s electrical system works and why electricians need to evaluate the whole system before quoting this guide is a great place to start:
Understanding Your Home’s Electrical System
If Integra feels like the right fit and you'd like to take the next step, you can:
