BBB Accredited A+
Accredited since Sep 2023
Serving Lakeland · Polk · Highlands · Sumter Counties · License ES12000724
Founded February 2009 by Josh Barnes — 17 years as a Florida-licensed residential electrical contractor in Polk County, with Josh still the named qualifier on license ES12000724.
Seventeen years on the same Florida license — owner-operated the whole time. The work is large residential projects across Polk, Highlands, and Sumter counties, with an average job size around $50,000 per independent BuildZoom data. Real scope, real accountability, the same licensed shop every time.
Not a franchise. Not a rotating call center. Josh or one of his team walks every estimate.
Most custom-build projects call three different trades for these three scopes: three schedules, three contracts, three people pointing at each other when something is miscommunicated at framing. Barnes Electric quotes all three under one written scope — one project manager, one license, one point of accountability.
Starts at the design: fixture spec, layer plan, dimming protocol, rough-in. Not bolted on at trim.
Wired into the electrical plan at framing — not retrofitted after drywall is closed.
Load calc, automatic transfer switch, gas-line coordination, and the slab — one accountable scope. Not a sticker on a box.
All work pulls under FL DBPR license ES12000724 — on record at the county.
Layer plan, fixture spec, dimming protocol, rough-in. Scoped at the design stage, not the trim stage.
Whole-home control wired into the electrical plan at framing, not added after the fact.
Load calc, automatic transfer switch, gas-line coordination, and slab — one written scope, one accountable contractor.
Level 2 charger, service load calc, optional battery storage package. One visit to scope, one written quote.
Same-week scheduling, fully FPL-coordinated. Standard riser swaps for Polk & Highlands homeowners.
Full new-construction wiring scoped at framing. One trade, one schedule, no finish-stage hand-offs.
License ES12000724 covers residential specialty electrical work in Polk, Highlands & Sumter counties.
Primary cities: Lakeland · Auburndale · Bartow · Winter Haven · Sebring · Avon Park · Wildwood
In July of 2025 we had some electrical work (fixture exchange) done during a remodel by Barnes Electric of Central Florida out of Lakeland. We could not have been happier and pleased with the work done by Derek and Ely. The guys paid special attention to making sure the wood floors were protected and the walls and ceilings had no marks left on them. We could not be happier with the outcome! Thank you guys!
Best in the business. Josh and his team really do good work. I highly recommend you give them a call if you want the job done right! I don’t even consider calling any other company when I need electrical work done.
As a developer, finding good contractors who do quality work at competitive prices is a consistent effort. In finding and working with Barnes, we have not wanted for Electric services or HVAC service at all. Spectacular customer service from the awesome office staff and the highest quality of work. You can expect all inspections to pass with flying colors when you trust the right team, and Josh has built that here!
We walk the project with you, scope the work, and quote it in writing. No upsell scripts.