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How much does hardwired smoke detector replacement cost in California?
Updated September 2026 · California price index 1.15 for electrical work (national = 1.00)
In California, a licensed electrician typically charges $80 to $260 to replace hardwired smoke detectors (per unit), with most jobs landing near $125 (per unit). That is about 15% above the national average of $70–$230, based on what electricians earn in California.
AI-powered second opinion using these same California figures. No account, no card. Need someone to do the work? Verified pros in California took the Fair Price Pledge.
What a California quote means
| Quote for this job | What it means |
|---|---|
| Under $48 | Suspiciously low — ask what is excluded, and check licensing and insurance |
| $48 – $286 | Fair price — inside the typical range (up to 10% over the top is still normal) |
| $286 – $455 | Running high — get the quote itemized, and get a second one |
| Over $455 | Ripoff territory — more than 1.75× the high end of the typical range |
Same rules the QuoteJury checker uses on every quote.
What you're paying for
What is usually included: A hardwired, interconnected detector with battery backup and the labor to swap it on the existing base and wiring.
What moves the price:
- Combination smoke/CO units cost more than smoke-only
- Older homes with incompatible plugs or no interconnect wiring
- Whole-home replacements of 6–10 detectors bring the per-unit price down
- Code rules requiring detectors in every bedroom, hallway and level when work is permitted
Number of units, interconnected hardwired vs. battery, whether new wiring is needed, and 10-year sealed or smart/combo models.
Hardwired smoke detector replacement cost across California
Typical range by metro and rural area, from BLS wage data for electricians in each area.
| Area | Typical range | Most jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $75 – $250 | $120 |
| Chico, CA | $70 – $230 | $110 |
| El Centro, CA | $75 – $250 | $120 |
| Fresno, CA | $75 – $240 | $115 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $85 – $270 | $130 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $80 – $260 | $125 |
| Merced, CA | $75 – $250 | $120 |
| Modesto, CA | $80 – $260 | $125 |
| Napa, CA | $80 – $260 | $125 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $70 – $240 | $110 |
| Redding, CA | $75 – $240 | $115 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $75 – $250 | $120 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $80 – $260 | $125 |
| Salinas, CA | $80 – $260 | $125 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $80 – $260 | $125 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $95 – $320 | $150 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $100 – $320 | $155 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $80 – $260 | $125 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $80 – $260 | $125 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $80 – $260 | $120 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $80 – $260 | $125 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $75 – $250 | $120 |
| Vallejo, CA | $85 – $270 | $130 |
| Visalia, CA | $70 – $230 | $110 |
| Yuba City, CA | $70 – $230 | $110 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $80 – $260 | $125 |
| North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $80 – $250 | $120 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $80 – $260 | $120 |
Frequently asked
Is $125 a fair price for hardwired smoke detector replacement in California?
Yes. $125 is right around what most homeowners in California pay. Anything from $48 to $286 is inside the normal range for a licensed electrician; above $286 it is worth getting a second quote.
Why do quotes for the same job vary so much?
Combination smoke/CO units cost more than smoke-only. Older homes with incompatible plugs or no interconnect wiring. Company overhead matters too: a large company with trucks, dispatchers and a warranty department charges more than a one-person shop, and both can be honest prices.
When should I get a second quote?
Any time a quote lands above $286, or when the contractor cannot break it into parts, labor and fees. Ask for the itemized version, ask what would change the price, and confirm licensing and insurance. You can also paste the quote into the free QuoteJury checker for an instant second opinion.
Other electrical jobs in California
- 200-amp electrical panel upgrade
- Circuit breaker replacement
- Outlet installation or replacement
- GFCI outlet installation
- Light switch or dimmer installation
- Ceiling fan installation
- New 240-volt dedicated circuit
- Level 2 EV charger installation
- Manual generator transfer switch installation
- Whole-home standby generator installation
- Electrician service call and hourly rate
- Recessed lighting installation
- Light fixture replacement
Hardwired smoke detector replacement in other states
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Sources
- Angi (2026): $70–$150 nationally
- HomeGuide (2026): $110–$410 nationally
- Fixr (2025): $70–$150 nationally
- HomeAdvisor (2026): $70–$150 nationally
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 — median hourly wages by state and metro area
About these numbers. Ranges are typical market rates for a licensed, insured contractor, blended from published U.S. cost guides and adjusted with U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data (OEWS, May 2025) for each state and metro area. They are estimates, not a bid, appraisal or inspection. Real prices move with parts, access, permits and code requirements. The quote checker is AI-powered and labeled as such.