A new skyscraper may look complete from the street, but behind its walls are thousands of metres of cable, emergency-power systems, lighting controls, fire alarms and communication networks. On another project, electrical crews may be working underground to strengthen transmission lines or inside a hospital where the power cannot be interrupted.
The following companies were selected for their New York operations, project experience, technical capabilities and ability to handle large commercial or infrastructure work.
1. E-J Electric Installation Co.
E-J Electric Installation Co. is a privately owned electrical contractor founded in New York City in 1899. Its work covers commercial buildings, airports, hospitals, data centres, transport systems, power plants, renewable energy and transmission infrastructure.
The company provides design-build services, 3D BIM engineering, prefabrication, emergency response, maintenance and electrical trade management. Its New York portfolio includes Yankee Stadium, Barclays Center, the Fulton Transit Center, JetBlue Terminal 5, the New York Times Building and several major power-generation projects. E-J was also selected for electrical work at JPMorgan Chase’s new all-electric headquarters at 270 Park Avenue.
E-J can manage the complete electrical scope of a major development, including switchgear, lighting, fire alarms, security, communications and backup power. It also works on substations, transmission systems and renewable-energy infrastructure.
Why E-J Electric is included: Its long New York history and experience across buildings, transport, power and renewable energy make it one of the state’s most complete electrical contractors.
- Headquarters: 46-41 Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City, NY 11101
- Official website: https://www.ej1899.com/
2. Five Star Electric
Five Star Electric has served the Greater New York region since 1959. It is one of the area’s largest electrical contracting and engineering companies and operates as part of Tutor Perini’s specialty-contractor group.
Its services include light and power, medium- and high-voltage systems, data networks, security, audiovisual equipment, instrumentation, controls, technology systems and transit signals. The company works across commercial, residential, aviation, education, healthcare, public works, tunnels and mass-transit projects.
Five Star’s project portfolio includes electrical contracts at the World Trade Center, Hudson Yards, Madison Square Garden, East Side Access and New York City subway stations. The values published for several of these electrical packages run into hundreds of millions of dollars.
Why Five Star Electric is included: Its record on major towers, transport systems and public infrastructure makes it particularly suitable for complicated New York City projects.
- Corporate office: 101-32 101st Street, Ozone Park, NY 11416
- Official website: https://www.fivestarelectric.net/
3. O’Connell Electric
O’Connell Electric is an upstate New York-headquartered electrical contractor with offices serving Rochester, Albany, Buffalo and Syracuse. Its work extends across New York and other northeastern markets.
The company handles commercial electrical construction, utility transmission and distribution, substations, renewable energy, EV charging, data centres, manufacturing facilities and clean-room projects. It also provides engineering, procurement and construction services, BIM modelling, prefabrication, preventive maintenance and round-the-clock emergency support.
O’Connell is especially relevant when a project involves both building systems and utility infrastructure. Its teams can work from the main electrical service through to the final outlet or fixture while also handling high-voltage and substation requirements.
Why O’Connell Electric is included: Its broad upstate network and strength in utilities, industrial facilities, data centres and renewable energy make it one of New York’s most versatile contractors.
- Corporate headquarters: 830 Phillips Road, Victor, NY 14564
- Other New York offices: Rochester, Schenectady, Lancaster and North Syracuse
- Official website: https://www.oconnellelectric.com/
4. Haugland Group
Haugland Group is a family-owned infrastructure company headquartered in Melville. Its affiliated businesses provide energy, civil construction, engineering, marine logistics and material services.
Its electrical capabilities include overhead and underground transmission, substations, power plants, battery-storage systems, renewable-energy infrastructure, electrical maintenance, fibre-optic networks and emergency storm response. Haugland companies have participated in major projects such as the South Fork Wind development, Champlain Hudson Power Express and transmission improvements across Long Island and New York City.
The company reports more than 1,300 employees, 23 locations and 15 affiliated businesses. Its integrated structure can be useful on projects requiring electrical construction, excavation, heavy equipment, marine transport and civil work through one group.
Why Haugland Group is included: Its strength in transmission, substations, renewable energy and heavy infrastructure makes it a leading choice for large energy projects.
- Headquarters: 336 South Service Road, Melville, NY 11747
- Official website: https://hauglandgroup.us/
5. Hatzel & Buehler
Hatzel & Buehler is one of America’s long-established union electrical contractors. It maintains offices in Manhattan and Hauppauge and serves commercial, financial, healthcare, pharmaceutical, industrial, higher-education and data-centre clients.
Its services include electrical construction, preconstruction planning, prefabrication and VDC or BIM modelling. The company’s New York project experience includes Brookfield Place, 550 Madison Avenue, 230 Park Avenue, the United Nations General Assembly Building and major broadcast and financial facilities.
Hatzel & Buehler may be particularly suitable for occupied facilities where electrical upgrades must be performed without severely disrupting business, healthcare or broadcasting operations.
Why Hatzel & Buehler is included: Its specialist experience in commercial interiors, mission-critical buildings and complicated renovation work gives it a strong New York presence.
- Manhattan office: 340 Madison Avenue, Suite 2200D, New York, NY 10173
- Long Island office: 375 Oser Avenue, Hauppauge, NY 11788
- Official website: https://www.hatzelandbuehler.com/
What Should Project Owners Compare?
Request evidence of experience with projects of a similar size and type. A contractor known for office interiors may not be the best choice for a substation, hospital or railway signalling project.
The proposal should explain labour, materials, permits, testing, temporary power, equipment procurement and commissioning. Owners should also verify insurance, bonding capacity, safety performance and responsibility for design coordination and change orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are these companies suitable for small home electrical repairs?
A: Generally, no. Most specialise in large commercial, industrial, utility or infrastructure projects. Homeowners should hire a licensed residential electrician serving their local city or county.
Q: What is a design-build electrical contract?
A: Under design-build, one team coordinates electrical design and installation. This can reduce communication gaps between engineers, contractors and the project owner.
Q: Why is prefabrication used in electrical construction?
A: Electrical assemblies can be prepared in a controlled facility and delivered ready for installation. This can improve consistency, reduce on-site congestion and shorten parts of the construction schedule.
Q: What does commissioning involve?
A: Commissioning checks whether electrical, emergency-power, lighting-control, fire-alarm and other systems operate according to the approved design before the building is fully occupied.
Q: Should the lowest electrical bid be accepted?
A: Not automatically. Compare equipment specifications, excluded work, labour assumptions, testing, warranties and completion schedules. A low bid can become expensive when essential items are later added through change orders.