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EXHIBIT NO. 4.1    
    

	

 	 	TRANSMERIDIAN EXPLORATION, INC.

  

2001 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN
 	 

1.    Purposes of the Plan.    

        The
purposes of this Plan are to (i) attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of responsibility within Transmeridian Exploration, Inc. (the "Company"),
(ii) provide additional incentives to Employees, Directors and Consultants (as hereinafter defined) of the Company, (iii) provide Employees, Directors, and Consultants of the Company
with an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company to encourage their continued provision of services to the Company, and to provide such persons with incentives and rewards for
superior performance more directly linked to the profitability of the Company's business and increases in shareholder value, and (iv) generally to promote
the success of the Company's business and the interests of the Company and all of its stockholders, through the grant of options to purchase Shares. 

        Options
granted hereunder may be either Tax-qualified Stock Options or Non-qualified Stock Options, or a combination of both (each as defined below). Subject to
the Plan, the terms and conditions of the Options granted shall be reflected in a written Option Agreement. No Option granted hereunder shall be effective until an Option Agreement with respect to
such Option is executed by both the Company and the Participant. 

2.    Definitions.    

        As
used herein, the following definitions shall apply: 

	2.1	 	"Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
	

2.2	
 	

"Change of Control" means a change in ownership or control of the Company effected through any of the following transactions:
	

 	
 	

(a)    the direct or indirect acquisition by any person or related group of persons (other than by the Company or a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) of
beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company's outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made directly to
the Company's shareholders, or other transaction, in each case which the Board does not recommend such shareholders to accept; or
	

 	
 	

(b)    a change in the composition of the Board over a period of 24 consecutive months or less such that a majority of the Board members (rounded up to the next whole number) ceases, by reason of one or more contested elections
for Board membership, to be comprised of individuals who either (i) have been Board members continuously since the beginning of such period or (ii) have been elected or nominated for election as Board members during such period by at least
a majority of the Board members described in clause (i) who were still in office at the time such election or nomination was approved by the Board; or
	

 	
 	

(c)    a Corporate Transaction as defined below.
	 	 	 

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2.3	
 	

"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
	

2.4	
 	

"Committee" shall mean the Committee, if any, appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4.1 of the Plan, if one is appointed.
	

2.5	
 	

"Company" shall mean Transmeridian Exploration, Inc. a Delaware corporation, and shall include any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company as defined in Sections 424(e) and (f), respectively,
 of the Code.
	

2.6	
 	

"Consultants" and "Advisors" shall include any third party (and/or employees or principals thereof) retained or engaged by the Company to provide ongoing
consulting services to the Company pursuant to a written contract, including any consulting company wholly owned by such person; provided that such consultant: (a) possess technical, business, management, or legal expertise of value to the
Company or an affiliate; (b) spends a significant amount of time and attention on the business and affairs of the Company; and (c) has a relationship with the Company or an affiliate that enables the individual to have knowledge concerning
the business and affairs of the Company.
	

2.7	
 	

"Corporate Transaction" means any of the following shareholder-approved transactions to which the Company is a party:
	

 	
 	

(a)    a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving entity, except for a transaction the principal purpose of which is to change the state in which the Company is incorporated;
	

 	
 	

(b)    the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or
	

 	
 	

(c)    any reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving entity but in which securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company's outstanding securities are transferred to a person or
persons different from the persons holding those securities immediately prior to such merger.
	

2.8	
 	

"Date of Grant" means the date specified by the Board or the Committee on which a grant of Options shall become effective.
	

2.9	
 	
"Disability" shall mean the inability of an Optionee to perform his or her duties and responsibilities for a period of 90 consecutive days or an aggregate period of 180 days in any two
year period.
	

2.10	
 	

"Director" shall mean a member of the Board.
	

2.11	
 	

"Effective Date" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.
	

2.12	
 	

"Employee" shall mean any employee or Officer of the Company. For purposes of Section 7 hereof, the term "Employee" shall also include Directors, Consultants and Advisors.
	

2.13	
 	

"Exchange Act" shall mean the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
	 	 	 

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2.14	
 	

"Fair Market Value" shall mean, with respect to the date a given Option is granted or exercised, the value of the Shares determined by the Board or the Committee in such manner as it may deem equitable
for Plan purposes but, no less than is required by applicable laws or regulations; provided, however, that where there is a public market for the Shares, the Fair Market Value per share shall be the
average of the closing bid and asked prices of the Shares on the Date of Grant, as reported in the Wall Street Journal (or, if not so reported, as otherwise reported by the National Association of
Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System—Small Cap or National Markets or the National Association of Security Dealers Over the Counter Bulletin Board).
	

2.15	
 	

"Non-qualified Stock Option" means an Option that is not intended to qualify as a Tax-qualified Option (as defined in the Code) and granted pursuant to the Plan.
	

2.16	
 	
"Officer" shall mean any officer of the Company.
	

2.17	
 	

"Option" means the right to purchase Shares from the Company upon the exercise of a Non-qualified Stock Option or a Tax-qualified Option granted pursuant to this Plan.
	

2.18	
 	

"Option Agreement" shall mean the written agreement between the Company and the Participant relating to Options granted under this Plan.
	

2.19	
 	

"Option Price" means the purchase price payable upon the exercise of an Option.
	

2.20	
 	

"Optioned Stock" shall mean the Shares subject to an Option.
	

2.21	
 	

"Option Term" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 7.3.
	

2.22	
 	

"Optionee" shall mean an Employee, Director, Consultant or Advisor of the Company who has been granted one or more Options.
	

2.23	
 	

"Parent" shall mean a "parent corporation," whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
	

2.24	
 	

"Participant" means a person who is selected by the Board or a Committee to receive benefits under this Plan and (i) is at that time an Employee, Officer, Director, or a Consultant or Advisor, to
the Company, or (ii) has agreed to commence serving in any such capacity.
	

2.25	
 	

"Plan" shall mean this 2001 Incentive Stock Option Plan, as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.
	

2.26	
 	
"Relationship Status" means a Participant's status as an Advisor, Consultant, Director or Employee of the Company.
	

2.27	
 	

"Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3, as promulgated and amended from time to time by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act, or any successor rule to the same
effect.
	

2.28	
 	
"Securities Act" shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
	

2.29	
 	

"Shares" shall mean (i) shares of the Common Stock, $.0006 par value, of the Company described in the Company's Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and (ii) any security into which Common
Shares may be converted by reason of any transaction or event of the type referred to in Section 8 of this Plan, in each case as the same may be adjusted pursuant to Section 8 of this Plan.
	

2.30	
 	

"Subsidiary" shall mean a "subsidiary corporation," whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
	 	 	 

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2.31	
 	

"Tax Date" shall mean the date an Optionee is required to pay the Company an amount with respect to tax withholding obligations in connection with the exercise of an Option.
	

2.32	
 	
"Tax-qualified Option" shall mean an Option granted hereunder the terms of which are intended to qualify for tax treatment under specified provisions of the Code.
	

2.33	
 	

"Termination Date" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 11.
	

 	
 	

 

3.    Shares Subject to the Plan.    

        Subject
to the provisions of Section 8 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned and sold or otherwise awarded under the Plan is  5,000,000 Shares. Any Shares available for
grants and awards at the end of any calendar year shall be carried over and shall be available for grants and
awards in the subsequent calendar year. For the purposes of this Section 3: 

        3.1    Treatment of Shares Under an Expired Option.    Upon expiration or cancellation of any
Option granted under this Plan, any Shares that were covered by such Option shall again be available for issuance or transfer hereunder. 

        3.2    Treatment of Shares Under an Exercised Option.    Shares covered by any Option granted
under this Plan shall be deemed to have been issued, and shall cease to be available for future issuance in respect of any other Option granted hereunder, at the earlier of the time when they are
actually issued or the time when dividends or dividend equivalents are paid thereon. 

4.    Administration of the Plan.    

        4.1    Procedure.    

        (a)   The
Board shall administer the Plan; provided, however, that the Board may appoint a Committee consisting solely of two (2) or more "Non-Employee
Directors" to administer the Plan on behalf of the Board, in accordance with Rule 16b-3. 

        (b)   Once
appointed, the Committee shall continue to serve until otherwise directed by the Board. From time to time the Board may increase the size of the Committee and
appoint additional members thereof, remove members (with or without cause), appoint new members in substitution therefor, and fill vacancies however caused;  provided, however, that at no time may any person serve on the Committee if that person's membership
would cause the committee not to satisfy the requirements of Rule 16b-3. 

        (c)   A
majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and the acts of the members of the Committee who are present at any meeting thereof at which a quorum is present,
or acts unanimously approved by the members of the Committee in writing, shall be the acts of the Committee. 

        (d)   Any
reference herein to the Board shall, where appropriate, encompass a Committee appointed to administer the Plan in accordance with this Section 4. 

        4.2    Power of the Board or the Committee    

        (a)   Subject
to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall have the authority, in its discretion: (i) to grant Options to Participants; (ii) to determine, upon
review of relevant information and in accordance with Section 2.14 of the Plan, the Fair Market Value of the Shares; (iii) to determine the Option Price per share of Options to be
granted, which Option Price shall be determined in accordance with Section 7.4 of the Plan; (iv) to determine the number of Shares to be represented by each Option; (v) to
determine the Participants to whom, and the time or times at which, Options shall be granted; (vi) to interpret the Plan; (vii) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations
relating to the Plan; (viii) to determine the terms and provisions of each Option granted (which need not be identical) and, with the consent of the Optionee thereof, modify or 

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amend
such Option; (ix) to accelerate or defer (with the consent of the Optionee) the exercise date of any Option; (x) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any
instrument required to effectuate the grant of an Option previously granted by the Board; (xi) to accept or reject the election made by an Optionee pursuant to Section 7.5 of the Plan;
(xii) to impose such additional conditions, as it deems advisable, as to the vesting and exercise of any Options granted pursuant to the Plan, including, but not limited to performance
criteria, and (xiii) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. 

        (b)   The
Board or a Committee may delegate to an Officer of the Company the authority to make decisions pursuant to this Plan, provided that no such delegation may be made
that would cause any award or other transaction under the Plan to cease to be exempt from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. A Committee may authorize any one or more of its members or any
Officer of the Company to execute and deliver documents on behalf of the Committee. 

        4.3    Effect of Board or Committee Decisions.    All decisions and determinations and the
interpretation and construction by the Board or a Committee of any provision of this Plan or any agreement, notification or document evidencing the grant of Options and any determination by the Board
or a Committee pursuant to any provision of this Plan or any such agreement, notification or document, shall be final, binding and conclusive with respect to all Participants and/or Optionees and any
other holders of any Option granted under the Plan. No member of the Board or a Committee shall be liable for any such action taken or determination made in good faith. 

5.    Eligibility.    

        Consistent
with the Plan's purposes, Options may be granted only to such Directors, Officers, Employees, Consultants and Advisors of the Company as determined by the Board or a
Committee. Subject to the terms of the Plan, a Director, Officer, Employee, Consultant or Advisor who has been granted an Option may, if he or she is otherwise eligible, be granted an additional
Option. Tax-qualified Options may be granted only to those Participants who meet the requirements applicable under Section 422 of the Code. 

6.    Board Approval; Effective Date.    

        Subject
to the approval of the Company's stockholders, the Plan shall take effect on October 10, 2001 (the "Effective Date"), the date on which the Board approved the Plan. No
Option may be granted after the Termination Date as hereinafter defined. 

7.    Options.    

        The
Board or the Committee may from time to time authorize grants to Participants of Options to purchase Shares upon such terms and conditions as the Board or the Committee may determine
in accordance with the following provisions: 

        7.1    Options to be Granted; Terms.    

        (a)   Options
granted pursuant to this Section 7 may be Non-qualified Stock Options, Tax-qualified Options, or combinations of both. The Board
or the Committee shall determine the specific terms of Options. 

        (b)   Each
grant shall specify the period or periods of continuous employment, or continuous engagement of the consulting or advisory services, of the Optionee by the Company
or any Subsidiary, or such other conditions as the Board or the Committee may provide, that are necessary before the Options or installments thereof shall become exercisable. 

        (c)   Any
grant of a Non-Qualified Stock Option may provide for the payment to the Optionee of dividends equivalent thereon in cash or Shares on a current,
deferred or contingent basis, or the 

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Board
or the Committee may provide that any dividend equivalents shall be credited against the Option Price. 

        (d)   The
granting of Tax-qualified Options to Participants who directly or indirectly beneficially own 10% or more of the Company's issued and outstanding Shares
or who is an affiliate of
such person must be approved by the requisite vote of shareholders in accordance with applicable securities and tax regulatory requirements. 

        7.2    Number of Shares Subject to Options.    Each grant shall specify the number of Shares
to which it pertains. Successive grants may be made to the same Optionee regardless of whether any Options previously granted to the Optionee remain unexercised. 

        7.3    Term of Option; Earlier Termination.    Subject to the further provisions of this
Section 7, unless otherwise provided in the Option Agreement, the term (the "Option Term") of each Option shall be five (5) years from the Date of Grant, provided that no grant shall be
effective until the Company and the Participant have executed and delivered an Option Agreement. Notwithstanding the above, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who, at
the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns ten percent (10%) or more of the Common Stock as such amount is calculated under Section 422(b)(6) of the Code ("Ten Percent Stockholder"),
the term of the Incentive Stock Option shall be five (5) years from the Date of Grant thereof or such shorter time as may be provided in the Option Agreement. 

        7.4    Exercise Price.    Each grant shall specify an Option Price per Share for the Shares to
be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option, which shall be determined by the Board or the Committee, and, in the case of Tax-qualified Options, shall be no less than the Fair Market Value
per share on the Date of Grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who, at the time of the grant of such Incentive Stock Option, is a ten
percent stockholder, the per share exercise price shall be no less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value per share on the Date of Grant. 

        (b)   With
respect to Tax-qualified Options, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the respective Date or Dates of Grant) of Shares for which one or
more options granted to any Optionee under this Plan may for the first time become exercisable as Tax-qualified Options under the federal tax laws during any one calendar year (under all
employee benefit plans of the Company) shall not exceed $100,000. To the extent that the Optionee holds two or more such options which become exercisable for the first time in the same calendar year,
the foregoing limitation on the exercisability of such options as Incentive Stock Options under the deferral tax laws shall be applied on the basis of the order in which such options are granted.
Should the number of Shares for which any Tax-qualified Option first becomes exercisable in any calendar year exceed the applicable $100,000 limitation, then that Option may nevertheless
be exercised in such calendar year for the excess number of Shares as a Non-qualified Stock Option under the applicable federal tax laws. 

        7.5    Payment for Shares.    The Option Price of an exercised Option and any taxes
attributable to the delivery of Shares under the Plan or portion thereof, shall be paid as follows: 

        (a)    Forms of Payment.    Each grant shall specify the form of consideration to be paid in
satisfaction of the Option Price and the manner of payment of such consideration, which may include (i) cash in the form of United States currency or check or other cash equivalent acceptable
to the Company, (ii) non-forfeitable, unrestricted Shares, which are already owned by the Optionee, (iii) any other legal consideration that the Board or the Committee may
deem appropriate, including without limitation any form of consideration authorized pursuant to this Section 7 on such basis as the Board or the Committee may determine in accordance with this
Plan, or (iv) any combination of the foregoing. 

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        (b)    Deferred Payment.    Any grant may allow for deferred payment of the Option Price
through a sale and remittance procedure by which an Optionee shall provide concurrent irrevocable written instructions to (i) a Company-designated brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale of
the purchased Shares and remit to the Company, out of the sale proceeds available on the settlement date, sufficient funds to cover the aggregate Option Price payable for the purchased Shares, and
(ii) the Company to deliver the certificates for the purchased Shares directly to such brokerage firm to complete the sale transaction. 

        (c)    Tender of Shares.    The Board or Committee shall determine acceptable methods for
tendering Shares as payment upon exercise of an Option and may impose such limitations and prohibitions on the use of Shares to exercise an Option as it deems appropriate. 

        7.6    Rights as a Stockholder.    Until the issuance (as evidenced by the appropriate entry
on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company) of the stock certificate evidencing such Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a
stockholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of an Option. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or the right thereto for which the record date is prior
to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 8 of the Plan. 

        7.7    Loans or Installment Payments; Bonuses.    

        (a)   The
Board or the Committee may, in its discretion, assist any Optionee in the exercise of one or more awards under the Plan, including the satisfaction of any federal,
provincial, local and foreign income and employment tax obligations arising therefrom, by (i) authorizing the extension of a loan from the Company to such Optionee; or (ii) permitting
the Optionee to pay the Option Price for the purchased Shares in installments; or (iii) a guaranty by the Company of a loan obtained by the Participant from a third party; or
(iv) granting a cash bonus to the Optionee to enable the Optionee to pay federal, state, local and foreign income and employment tax obligations arising from an award. 

        (b)   Any
loan or installment method of payment (including the interest rate and terms of repayment) shall be upon such terms as the Board or the Committee specifies in the
applicable Option Agreement or otherwise deems appropriate under the circumstances. Loans or installment payments may be authorized with or without security or collateral. However, the maximum credit
available to the Optionee may not exceed the Option Price of the acquired Shares (less the par value of such Shares) plus any federal, state and local income and employment tax liability incurred by
the Optionee in connection with the acquisition of such Shares. The amount of any bonus shall be determined by the Board or the Committee in its sole discretion under the circumstances. 

        (c)   The
Board or the Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine that one or more loans extended under this Section 7.7 shall be subject to forgiveness by the
Company in whole or in part upon such terms and conditions as the Board or the Committee may deem appropriate; provided, however, that the Board or the
Committee shall not forgive that portion of any loan owed to cover the par value of the Shares. 

        (d)   Any
Shares purchased and paid for as provided in this Section 7.7 must be held by a trustee duly appointed by the Company until such time as the Shares have been
paid for in full. 

        7.8    Exercise of Option.    

        (a)    Procedure for Exercise.    

          (i)  Any
Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Board or the Committee, including performance criteria
with respect to the Company and/or the Optionee, and as shall be permissible under the terms of 

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the
Plan. Unless otherwise determined by the Board at the time of grant, an Option may be exercised in whole or in part. 

         (ii)  An
Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice of such exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Option by the person
entitled to exercise the Option and full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised has been received by the Company. Full payment may, as authorized by the Board, consist of
any consideration and method of payment allowable under Section 7.5 of the Plan. 

        (iii)  Exercise
of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in the number of Shares which thereafter may be available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale
under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised. 

        (b)    Termination of Optionee's Relationship Status.    Unless otherwise provided in an
Option Agreement, if a Participant's Relationship Status is terminated, by the Company, for cause, then the Option, to the extent not exercised, shall terminate on the date on which the Optionee
receives notice that his Relationship Status has been terminated by the Company. If the termination of an Optionee's Relationship Status is voluntary, without cause, or occurs due to retirement with
the consent of the Board, then Optionee may after the date such termination, exercise his or her Option at any time within twelve (12) months after the date his Relationship Status is
terminated, but only to the extent that he was entitled to exercise it on the date of such termination. To the extent that the Optionee was not entitled to exercise the Option at the date of such
termination, or if the Optionee does not exercise such Option (which he was entitled to exercise) within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate. 

        (c)    Disability.    Unless otherwise provided in the Option Agreement, notwithstanding the
provisions of Section 7.8(b) above, in the event an Optionee is unable to continue his or her Relationship Status with the Company as a result of his or her disability, the Optionee may
exercise his Option at any time within eighteen (18) months after the date of termination, but only to the extent the Optionee was entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination. To
the extent that the Optionee was not entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination, or if the Optionee does not exercise such Option (which he was entitled to exercise) within the time
specified herein, the Option shall terminate. 

        (d)    Death.    Unless otherwise provided in the Option Agreement,, notwithstanding the
provisions of Section 7.8(b) above, if an Optionee dies during the term of the Option and at the time of his death his Relationship Status had not been otherwise terminated, the Option may be
exercised at any time within eighteen (18) months following the date of death by the Optionee's executor or other legal representative or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the
Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise the Option on the date of death, or if the Optionee's estate, or person who acquired the right to
exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, does not exercise such Option (which he was entitled to exercise) within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate. 

        7.9    Option Re-issuance.    The Board or the Committee shall have the authority
to effect, at any time and from time to time, with the consent of the affected Optionee, the cancellation of any or all outstanding Options under this Section 7 and grant in substitution new
Options under the Plan covering the same or a different number of Shares but with an Option Price which, in the case of Tax-qualified Options, shall be not less than the Fair Market Value
per share on the new Date of Grant. 

        7.10    Incentive Stock Options—Disposition of Shares.    In the case of an
Incentive Stock Option, a Participant who disposes of Common Shares acquired upon exercise of such Incentive Stock Option by sale or exchange (i) within two (2) years after the Date of
Grant of the Option, or (ii) within one 

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(1) year
after the exercise of the Option, shall notify the Company of such disposition and the amount realized upon such disposition. 

        7.11    Option Agreement.    Each grant of an Option shall be evidenced by an Option
Agreement, which shall be executed on behalf of the Company by any Officer thereof and delivered to and accepted by the Optionee and shall contain such terms and provisions as the Board or the
Committee may determine consistent with this Plan. 

8.    Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization or Merger.    

        Subject
to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered by each outstanding Option, and the number of Shares which have been authorized for
issuance under the Plan but as to which no Options have yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option, as well as Shares covered by each such
outstanding Option, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or
reclassification of the Shares, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Board or the Committee, whose determination in
that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of
any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof, shall be made with respect to the number Shares subject to an Option or the Option Price thereof. 

        In
the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all Options will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action unless otherwise provided
by the Board. The Board may, in the exercise of its sole discretion in such instances, declare that any Option shall terminate as of a date fixed by the Board and give each holder the right to
exercise his or her Option as to all or any part thereof, including Shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable. In the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company, or the merger of the Company with or into another corporation, the Option shall be assumed or an equivalent Option shall be substituted by such successor corporation or a parent
or subsidiary of such successor corporation, unless the Board determines, in the exercise of its sole discretion and in lieu of such assumption or substitution, that the holder shall have the right to
exercise the Option as to all of the Shares, including Shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable. If the Board makes an Option exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution
in the event of a merger or sale of
assets, the Board shall notify the holder that the Option shall be fully exercisable for a period of sixty (60) days from the date of such notice (but not later than the expiration of the term
of the Option), and the Option will terminate upon the expiration of such period. 

9.    Transferability.    

        Except
to the extent otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, the right to acquire Shares or other assets under the Plan may not be assigned, encumbered or otherwise transferred by an
Optionee and any attempt by an Optionee to do so will be null and void. No Option granted under this Plan may be transferred by an Optionee except by will or the laws of descent and distribution or
pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order as defined by the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended, or the rules thereunder or equivalent laws of the
Optionees jurisdiction of residence. Options granted under this Plan may not be exercised during a Participant's lifetime except by the Optionee or, in the event of the Optionee's legal incapacity, by
his or her guardian or legal representative acting in a fiduciary capacity on behalf of the Participant under applicable law and court supervision. 

9

 

10.    Time of Granting of Options.    

        The
Date of Grant of an Option shall, for all purposes, be the date on which the Board or Committee makes the determination granting such Option. Notice of the determination shall be
given to each Participant to whom an Option is so granted within a reasonable time after the date of such grant. 

11.    Amendment and Termination of the Plan.    

        11.1    The Board may amend Plan from time to time in such respects as the Board may deem advisable or otherwise terminate the
Plan.    

        11.2    Any such amendment or termination of the Plan shall not affect Options already granted and such Options shall remain in
full force and effect as if this Plan had not been amended or terminated, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the Board, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the
Optionee and the Company.    

        11.3    Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Plan shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) December 31, 2010 or such
earlier date as the Board shall determine, or (ii) the date on which all Options available for issuance in the last year of the Plan shall have been granted and have been fully exercised (the
"Termination Date"). Upon termination of the Plan, no further Options may be granted pursuant to the Plan, but all Options granted prior thereto and still outstanding on such date shall thereafter
continue to have force and effect in accordance with the provisions of the Option Agreements evidencing such Options.    

12.    Withholding Taxes.    

        The
Company is authorized to withhold income taxes as required under applicable laws or regulations. To the extent that the Company is required to withhold federal, state, local or
foreign taxes in connection with any payment made or benefit realized by an Optionee or other person under this Plan, and the amounts available to the Company for the withholding are insufficient, it
shall be a condition to the receipt of any such payment or the realization of any such benefit that the Optionee or such other person make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for payment of the
balance of any taxes required to be withheld. At the discretion of the Board or the Committee, any such arrangements may without limitation include relinquishment of a portion of any such payment or
benefit or the surrender of outstanding Shares. The Company and any Optionee or such other person may also make similar arrangements with respect to the payment of any taxes with respect to which
withholding is not required. 

13.    Corporate Transaction or Change of Control.    

        The
Board or the Committee shall have the right in its sole discretion to include with respect to any award granted to an Optionee hereunder provisions accelerating the benefits of the
award in the event of a Corporate Transaction or Change of Control, which acceleration rights may be granted in connection with an award pursuant to the agreement evidencing the same or at any time
after an award has been granted to an Optionee. 

14.    Miscellaneous Provisions.    

        14.1    Plan Expense.    Any expenses of administering this Plan shall be borne by the
Company. 

        14.2    Construction of Plan.    The place of administration of the Plan shall be in Houston,
Texas or such other cities as the Board of Directors may designate, and the validity, construction, interpretation, administration and effect of the Plan and of its rules and regulations, and rights
relating to the Plan, shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas and the laws of the United States of America applicable therein without regard to conflict of law principles
and, where applicable, in accordance with the Code. 

10

 

        14.3    Other Compensation.    The Board or the Committee may condition the grant of any award
or combination of awards authorized under this Plan on the surrender or deferral by the Participant of his or her right to receive a cash bonus or other compensation otherwise payable by the Company
or a Subsidiary to the Participant. 

        14.4    Continuation of Employment or Services.    This Plan shall not confer upon any
Participant any right with respect to continuance of employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary and shall not interfere in any way with any right that the Company or any Subsidiary
would otherwise have to terminate any Participant's employment or other service at any time. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company or any Subsidiary from adopting other or additional
compensation arrangements for its Employees. 

        14.5    Certain Terminations of Employment or Consulting Services, Hardship and Approved Leaves of
Absence.    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, in the event of termination of employment or consulting services by reason of death,
disability, normal retirement, early retirement with the consent of the Company, termination of employment or consulting services to enter public or military service with the consent of the Company or
leave of absence approved by the Company, or in the event of hardship or other special circumstances, of an Optionee who holds an Option that is not immediately and fully exercisable, the Board or the
Committee may take any action that it deems to be equitable under the circumstances or in the best interest of the Company, including without limitation waiving or modifying any limitation or
requirement with respect to any award under this Plan. 

        14.6    Binding Effect.    The provisions of the Plan and the applicable Option Agreements
shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the Company and its successors or assigns, and the Participants, their legal representatives, their heirs or legacies and their permitted assignees. 

        14.7    Exchange Act Compliance.    With respect to persons subject to Section 16 of
the Exchange Act, transactions under this Plan are intended to comply with all applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3 or its successors under the Exchange Act. To the extent any
provisions of the Plan or action by the Board or the Committee fails to so comply, they shall be deemed null and void, to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Board or the
Committee. 

        14.8    Conditions upon Issuance of Shares.    

        (a)   Shares
shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless the exercise of such Option and the issuance and delivery of such Shares pursuant thereto shall
comply with all relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the,
applicable securities regulations in an other jurisdiction (including, but not limited to, the jurisdiction in which an Optionee resides), and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the
Shares may then be listed, and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance. Subject to the Company's filing of a registration statement with the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission to register the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Options, certificates representing any Shares issued prior to such registration statement shall be
imprinted with a legend substantially as follows: 

        "These securities have not been registered under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") and accordingly, may only be sold or otherwise
transferred except pursuant to an effective registration statement as to the securities or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Act as evidenced by an opinion of counsel
reasonably acceptable to the Company."

        (b)   As
a condition to the exercise of an Option, the Company may require the person exercising such Option to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the
Shares 

11

 

are
being purchased or otherwise acquired only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company such a representation is
required by any of the aforementioned relevant provisions of law. 

        (c)   Inability
of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the
lawful issuance and sale of any Share hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have
been obtained. 

        14.9    Fractional Shares.    The Company shall not be required to issue any fractional Shares
pursuant to this Plan. The Board or the Committee may provide for the elimination of fractions or for the settlement thereof in cash. 

        14.10    Reservation of Shares.    The Company will at all times reserve and keep available
such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan. 

        14.11    Indemnification.    In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may
have as members of the Board, the members of the Board and of the Committee shall be indemnified by the Company against all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with any
action, suit or proceeding to which they or any of them may be party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan or any Option, and against all amounts paid by
them in settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel selected by the Company) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or
proceeding, except a judgment based upon a finding of bad faith; provided that upon the institution of any such action, suit or proceeding a Board member or Committee member shall, in writing, give
the Company notice thereof and an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before such Board member or Committee member undertakes to handle and defend it on his own behalf. 

        14.12    Gender.    For purposes of this Plan, words used in the masculine gender shall
include the feminine and neuter, and the singular shall include the plural and vice versa, as appropriate. 

        14.13    Use of Proceeds.    Any cash proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Shares
under the Plan shall be used for general corporate purposes. 

        14.14    Regulatory Approvals.    

        (a)   The
implementation of the Plan, the granting of any awards under the Plan and the issuance of any Shares shall be subject to the Company's procurement of all approvals
and permits required by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the Plan, the awards granted under it and the Shares issued pursuant to it. 

        (b)   No
Shares or other assets shall be issued or delivered under this Plan unless and until there shall have been compliance with all applicable requirements of federal,
provincial and applicable foreign securities laws, 

        14.15    Other Tax Matters.    Reference herein to the Code and any described tax consequences
related to the Plan or the granting or exercise of an award hereunder pertain only to those persons (including the Company) subject to the tax laws of the United States of America or any state or
territory thereof. 

12

QuickLinks

EXHIBIT NO. 4.1EXHIBIT 10.1

                                 FIFTH AMENDMENT

         FIFTH  AMENDMENT (this  "Amendment"),  dated as of May 27, 2003, to the
Credit Agreement, dated as of May 22, 2001 (as further amended,  supplemented or
modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among Integrated Electrical
Services,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation  (the  "Borrower"),  certain  financial
institutions  which are or may become  parties  thereto (the  "Banks"),  Bank of
Scotland and LaSalle Bank National  Association,  as  syndications  agents,  and
JPMorgan  Chase  Bank,  as   administrative   agent  (in  such   capacity,   the
"Administrative Agent").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                               - - - - - - - - - -

         WHEREAS,  pursuant  to the Credit  Agreement,  the Banks have agreed to
make,  and have  made,  certain  loans  and  other  extensions  of credit to the
Borrower;

         WHEREAS,  the Borrower has requested that the Administrative  Agent and
the Banks amend a certain provision of the Credit Agreement; and

         WHEREAS, the Administrative Agent and the Banks are willing to agree to
the requested amendment on the terms and conditions contained herein;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

         I. Defined Terms. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein
shall  have the  meanings  given to them in the  Credit  Agreement,  as  amended
hereby.

         II. Amendments to the Credit Agreement.

         1. The definition of "Annual Aggregate  Acquisition Limit" set forth in
Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement (Certain Defined Terms) is hereby amended to
read in its entirety as follows:

                  "Annual  Aggregate  Acquisition  Limit" means  $30,000,000 for
         each of the fiscal years ending September 30, 2003, September 30, 2004,
         September 30, 2005 and September 30, 2006, respectively.

         2. The  definition  of "EBIT"  set forth in  Section  1.1 of the Credit
Agreement  (Certain  Defined Terms) is hereby amended to read in its entirety as
follows:

                  "EBIT" means, with respect to any Person and for any period of
         its determination, the consolidated net income (excluding extraordinary
         gains and losses) of such Person for such period, plus the consolidated
         interest  expense  and income  taxes of such  Person  for such  period;
         provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, for the
         purpose of calculating  EBIT, (i) impairment to goodwill  calculated in
         accordance with FASB Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangibles,
         shall be  disregarded  and (ii)

<PAGE>

         losses  from  non-cash  write  downs of the  investments  described  on
         Exhibit K hereto shall be disregarded.

         3. The  definition  of "EBITDA"  set forth in Section 1.1 of the Credit
Agreement  (Certain  Defined Terms) is hereby amended to read in its entirety as
follows:

                  "EBITDA" means,  with respect to any Person and for any period
         of  its   determination,   the  consolidated   net  income   (excluding
         extraordinary  gains and losses) of such Person for such  period,  plus
         the  consolidated  interest expense and income taxes of such Person for
         such period,  plus the  consolidated  depreciation  and amortization of
         such Person for such period;  provided that,  notwithstanding  anything
         herein to the  contrary,  for the purpose of  calculating  EBITDA,  (i)
         impairment to goodwill calculated in accordance with FASB Statement No.
         142,  Goodwill and Other  Intangibles,  shall be  disregarded  and (ii)
         losses  from  non-cash  write  downs of the  investments  described  on
         Exhibit K hereto shall be disregarded.

         4. The definition of "Net Worth" set forth in Section 1.1 of the Credit
Agreement  (Certain  Defined Terms) is hereby amended to read in its entirety as
follows:

                  "Net Worth"  means,  with  respect to any Person and as of any
         date of its determination,  the excess of (a) the assets of such Person
         over (b) the liabilities of such Person; provided that, notwithstanding
         anything  herein to the contrary,  for the purpose of  calculating  Net
         Worth,  (i) adjustments to goodwill  calculated in accordance with FASB
         Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangibles, shall be disregarded
         and (ii) losses from non-cash write downs of the investments  described
         on Exhibit K hereto shall be disregarded.

         5. The  definition  of  "Revolving  Loan  Maturity  Date"  set forth in
Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement (Certain Defined Terms) is hereby amended to
read in its entirety as follows:

         "Revolving Loan Maturity Date" means May 22, 2006.

         6. Section 2.5(a) of the Credit Agreement  (Commitment  Fees) is hereby
amended to read in its entirety as follows:

                  (a)   Commitment   Fees.   The  Borrower   shall  pay  to  the
         Administrative  Agent for the ratable  benefit of the Banks a per annum
         unused  commitment  fee on the  average  daily  amount by which (i) the
         aggregate  amount of the Revolving  Loan  Commitments  exceeds (ii) the
         aggregate  outstanding  amount of the Revolving Loan plus the Letter of
         Credit  Exposure equal to the percentage  amount set forth in the table
         below opposite the applicable ratio of (a) the consolidated  Total Debt
         of the Borrower as of the end of the fiscal  quarter then most recently
         ended  to (b) the  consolidated  EBITDA  of the  Borrower  for the four
         fiscal quarters then most recently ended:

                                       2
<PAGE>

                Total Debt to EBITDA                  Commitment Fee
                --------------------                  --------------

                     < 2.00                               0.375%
                     -
                     > 2.00                                0.50%

         provided,  however, that on each day that less than twenty-five percent
         (25%) of the Revolving Loan Commitments shall be utilized,  such unused
         commitment  fee  percentage  shall  be  increased  by  0.125%  over the
         applicable  percentage shown above. The unused  commitment fee shall be
         due and payable in arrears on the last day of each calendar quarter and
         on the Revolving Loan Maturity Date.

         Determination  of Total Debt to EBITDA for purposes of calculating  the
         commitment fees payable under this Section 2.5(a) shall be based on the
         same  calculation  applied in Section  5.5(b)(ii)  using the applicable
         Compliance  Certificate and the adjusted financial reports contained in
         Schedule B of such Compliance Certificate.

         7. Section  5.5(b)(ii) of the Credit  Agreement  (Maximum Total Debt to
EBITDA Ratio) is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

                  (ii) Maximum Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio. As of the last day of
         each fiscal quarter of the Borrower,  the Borrower shall not permit the
         ratio of (a) the  consolidated  Total Debt of the Borrower as of end of
         such  fiscal  quarter  minus,  so  long  as  there  are no  outstanding
         Revolving Loans as of such date, cash on the consolidated balance sheet
         of the Borrower as of such date to (b) the  consolidated  EBITDA of the
         Borrower  for the  preceding  four fiscal  quarters  then ended,  to be
         greater  than the  applicable  ratios  set forth  below as of the dates
         indicated:

                  Fiscal Quarter Ending                           Ratio
                  ---------------------                           -----

                  March 31, 2003                              4.00 to 1.00
                  June 30, 2003                               3.75 to 1.00
                  September 30, 2003                          3.75 to 1.00
                  December 31, 2003                           3.50 to 1.00
                  March 31, 2004                              3.50 to 1.00
                  June 30, 2004 and each
                    fiscal quarter thereafter                 3.25 to 1.00

         Compliance  with this Section  5.5(b)(ii)  shall be  determined  in the
         applicable  Compliance  Certificate  based upon the adjusted  financial
         reports contained in Schedule B of such Compliance Certificate.

         8. Section 5.5(c) of the Credit Agreement  (Minimum  Interest  Coverage
Ratio) is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

                  (c) Minimum  Interest  Coverage  Ratio.  As of the last day of
         each fiscal quarter, the Borrower shall not permit the ratio of (i) the
         consolidated  EBIT  of the

                                       3
<PAGE>

         Borrower for the preceding four fiscal  quarters then ended to (ii) the
         consolidated  Interest  Expense of the  Borrower (to the extent paid in
         cash) for the  preceding  four  fiscal  quarters  then ended  minus any
         income of the Borrower or any of its consolidated  Subsidiaries  during
         such period which is  attributable to any Interest Hedge Agreement plus
         any  expenses of the Borrower or any of its  consolidated  Subsidiaries
         during  such  period  which  is  attributable  to  any  Interest  Hedge
         Agreement,  to be less than the applicable ratios set forth below as of
         the dates indicated:

                  Fiscal Quarter Ending                           Ratio
                  ---------------------                           -----

                  March 31, 2003                              2.00 to 1.00
                  June 30, 2003                               2.00 to 1.00
                  September 30, 2003                          2.25 to 1.00
                  December 31, 2003                           2.25 to 1.00
                  March 31, 2004 and each
                    fiscal quarter thereafter                 2.50 to 1.00

         Compliance  with  this  Section  5.5(c)  shall  be  determined  in  the
         applicable  Compliance  Certificate  based upon the adjusted  financial
         reports contained in Schedule B of such Compliance Certificate.

         9. Section 5.9(c)(ii) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to read
in its entirety as follows:

         (ii)     At any time after the Subordinated Debt Event, the Borrower or
                  any  Subsidiary of the Borrower may make any  Acquisition  (by
                  purchase  or merger)  provided  that (A) the  Borrower or such
                  Subsidiary  of the  Borrower  is the  acquiring  or  surviving
                  entity,  (B) the  aggregate of all  consideration  (other than
                  common stock of the Borrower) paid by the Restricted  Entities
                  in connection with any Acquisition does not exceed $15,000,000
                  without  the prior  consent  of the  Majority  Banks,  (C) the
                  aggregate of all consideration (other than common stock of the
                  Borrower) paid by the Restricted  Entities in connection  with
                  all  Acquisitions  during any fiscal  year does not exceed the
                  Annual  Aggregate  Acquisition  Limit for the applicable  year
                  without  the  prior  consent  of the  Majority  Banks,  (D) no
                  Default or Event of Default exists and the  Acquisition  would
                  not  reasonably  be  expected  to cause a Default  or Event of
                  Default after giving pro forma effect  thereto  (including any
                  default  under  Section  5.5 with  respect to  historical  and
                  future  pro  forma  financial  status  and  results),  (E) the
                  acquired assets are in substantially  the same business as the
                  Borrower,  and (F) as of the  last day of the  fiscal  quarter
                  then  most  recently  ended  prior  to the  date  of any  such
                  Acquisition for which financial statements have been delivered
                  to the Banks  pursuant  to Section  5.2,  the ratio of (a) the
                  consolidated  Total Debt of the Borrower as of the end of such
                  fiscal  quarter  minus,  so long as there  are no  outstanding
                  Revolving  Loans  as of such  date,  cash on the  consolidated
                  balance  sheet  of the  Borrower  as of  such  date to (b) the
                  consolidated  EBITDA of the  Borrower for the  preceding  four
                  fiscal  quarters  then  ended,   shall  not  exceed  than  the
                  applicable ratios set forth below as of the dates indicated:

                                       4
<PAGE>

                  Fiscal Quarter Ending                           Ratio
                  ---------------------                           -----

                  March 31, 2003                              3.75 to 1.00
                  June 30, 2003                               3.50 to 1.00
                  September 30, 2003                          3.50 to 1.00
                  December 31, 2003                           3.25 to 1.00
                  March 31, 2004                              3.25 to 1.00
                  June 30, 2004 and each
                    fiscal quarter thereafter                 3.00 to 1.00

                  Compliance with this Section  5.9(c)(ii) shall be based on the
                  same  calculation  applied  in  Section  5.5(b)(ii)  using the
                  applicable  Compliance  Certificate and the adjusted financial
                  reports   contained   in   Schedule   B  of  such   Compliance
                  Certificate.

         10.  Section  5.10 of the Credit  Agreement  (Distributions)  is hereby
amended to read in its entirety as follows:

                  5.10 Distributions.  The Borrower shall not (a) declare or pay
         any dividends;  (b) purchase,  redeem,  retire or otherwise acquire for
         value any of its capital stock now or hereafter  outstanding;  (c) make
         any  distribution  of assets to its  stockholders  as such,  whether in
         cash,  assets or in  obligations  of it; (d) allocate or otherwise  set
         apart any sum for the payment of any  dividend or  distribution  on, or
         for the  purchase,  redemption  or  retirement  of,  any  shares of its
         capital  stock;  or (e) make any other  distribution  by  reduction  of
         capital or  otherwise  in respect of any shares of its  capital  stock;
         except that the  Borrower  may make  payments of dividends on Qualified
         Preferred Stock;  provided,  however,  that the Borrower may repurchase
         from the holders  thereof capital stock of the Borrower and/or purchase
         or repay Subordinated Debt of the Borrower so long as:

                  (i)      no Default is continuing or would result therefrom;

                  (ii)     the aggregate  amounts applied to repurchase  capital
                           stock or to purchase or repay Subordinated Debt after
                           May 27,  2003  shall not  exceed the lesser of (1) if
                           there are no outstanding  Revolving Loans at the time
                           of the applicable repurchase,  purchase or repayment,
                           $70,000,000   and  if  there   are  any   outstanding
                           Revolving   Loans  at  the  time  of  the  applicable
                           repurchase, purchase or repayment, $50,000,000 or (2)
                           sum of  $30,000,000  plus fifty  percent (50%) of the
                           cumulative  quarterly  consolidated  net income (less
                           100% of the cumulative  consolidated net loss) of the
                           Borrower  for each  fiscal  quarter  of the  Borrower
                           commencing  with the fiscal  quarter  ending on March
                           31,  2003 and  ending  on the last day of the  fiscal
                           quarter then most recently ended prior to the date of
                           any such  repurchase  of capital stock or purchase or
                           repayment of  Subordinated  Debt for which  financial
                           statements  have been delivered to the Banks pursuant
                           to Section 5.2,

                                       5
<PAGE>

                  (iii)    the aggregate  amounts applied to repurchase  capital
                           stock   after  May  27,   2003   shall   not   exceed
                           $20,000,000, and

                  (iv)     as of the last day of the  fiscal  quarter  then most
                           recently   ended  prior  to  the  date  of  any  such
                           repurchase  of capital stock or purchase or repayment
                           of Subordinated  Debt for which financial  statements
                           have been  delivered to the Banks pursuant to Section
                           5.2, the ratio of (a) the consolidated  Total Debt of
                           the  Borrower  as of the end of such  fiscal  quarter
                           minus, so long as there are no outstanding  Revolving
                           Loans  as of  such  date,  cash  on the  consolidated
                           balance  sheet of the Borrower as of such date to (b)
                           the  consolidated  EBITDA  of the  Borrower  for  the
                           preceding four fiscal quarters then ended,  shall not
                           exceed than the applicable  ratios set forth below as
                           of the dates indicated:

                           Fiscal Quarter Ending                     Ratio
                           ---------------------                     -----

                           March 31, 2003                        3.75 to 1.00
                           June 30, 2003                         3.50 to 1.00
                           September 30, 2003                    3.50 to 1.00
                           December 31, 2003                     3.25 to 1.00
                           March 31, 2004                        3.25 to 1.00
                           June 30, 2004 and each
                             fiscal quarter thereafter           3.00 to 1.00

                           Compliance with this Section  5.10(iv) shall be based
                           on the same calculation applied in Section 5.5(b)(ii)
                           using the applicable  Compliance  Certificate and the
                           adjusted financial reports contained in Schedule B of
                           such Compliance Certificate.

         11.  Schedule  I-A to the  Credit  Agreement  is hereby  amended  to be
identical  to Schedule I-A attached  hereto.  Banks agree that,  notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth in the Credit  Agreement,  any Bank may agree
to an increase of its Revolving Loan Commitment and any new Bank may agree to an
new Revolving Loan  Commitment,  in each case with the prior written  consent of
the Borrower and the Administrative  Agent (but without necessity for consent by
any Bank or other  Bank,  as the case may be), so long as the  aggregate  of all
Revolving Loan Commitments,  after giving effect to any such increase,  does not
exceed $150,000,000.

         12. A new Exhibit K is hereby added to the Credit  Agreement,  such new
exhibit to be identical to Exhibit K attached hereto.

         IV. Conditions to Effectiveness.  This Amendment shall become effective
on the  date on  which  (i) this  Amendment  shall  have  been  executed  by the
Borrower,  the  Administrative  Agent and the Banks and the Borrower  shall have
executed and delivered to the Administrative such additional Notes or other Loan
Documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require,  (ii) the Borrower
shall have paid to the Administrative Agent, for disbursement to each Bank, such
commitment fees as the Borrower and the  Administrative  Agent shall have agreed

                                       6
<PAGE>

upon and (iii) the  Administrative  Agent shall have  received  an opinion  from
Borrower's  counsel  in  form  and  substance   reasonably   acceptable  to  the
Administrative Agent.

         V. General.

         1. Representations and Warranties. The Borrower represents and warrants
that the  representations  and  warranties  made by the  Borrower  in the Credit
Documents  are true and correct in all  material  respects on and as of the date
hereof,  after giving effect to the effectiveness of this Amendment,  as if made
on and as of the date  hereof,  and no Default or Event of Default has  occurred
and is continuing.

         2. Payment of Expenses.  The  Borrower  agrees to pay or reimburse  the
Administrative  Agent for all of its out-of-pocket costs and reasonable expenses
incurred in connection  with this  Amendment,  any other  documents  prepared in
connection herewith and the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without
limitation,   the  reasonable   fees  and   disbursements   of  counsel  to  the
Administrative Agent.

         3. No Other  Amendments.  This  Amendment  shall not be  construed as a
waiver or consent to any  further or future  action on the part of the  Borrower
that would  require a waiver or consent of the  Administrative  Agent and/or the
Banks.  Except  as  expressly  amended  hereby,  the  provisions  of the  Credit
Agreement are and shall remain in full force and effect.

         4.  Syndication  Agents.  From and  after  the  effective  date of this
Amendment,  Bank of Scotland and LaSalle Bank National  Association shall be the
Syndication Agents under the Credit Agreement.

         5. Governing Law; Counterparts.

         (a) This Amendment and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto
shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws
of the State of New York.

         (b) This  Amendment  may be  executed  by one or more of the parties to
this  Amendment  on any  number  of  separate  counterparts,  and  all  of  said
counterparts  taken  together  shall be  deemed to  constitute  one and the same
instrument.  This  Amendment may be delivered by facsimile  transmission  of the
relevant signature pages hereof.

                                       7
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be
duly  executed and  delivered  by their  respective  proper and duly  authorized
officers as of the day and year first above written.

Schedule I-A -Commitments
Exhibit K - Certain Investments

                                      INTEGRATED ELECTRICAL SERVICES, INC.

                                      By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                      Name:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                      Title
                                           -------------------------------------

                                       8
<PAGE>

                                      JPMORGAN CHASE BANK,
                                      as Administrative Agent and as a Bank

                                      By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                      Name:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                      Title
                                           -------------------------------------

                                       9
<PAGE>

                                      BANK OF SCOTLAND,
                                      as Syndications Agent and as a Bank

                                      By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                      Name:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                      Title
                                           -------------------------------------

                                       10
<PAGE>

                                      LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                                      as Syndications Agent and as a Bank

                                      By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                      Name:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                      Title
                                           -------------------------------------

                                       11
<PAGE>

                                      U. S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                                      (formerly known as FIRSTAR BANK, N.A.)

                                      By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                               Gregory L. Dryden, Vice President

                                       12
<PAGE>

                                      WELLS FARGO BANK TEXAS, N.A.

                                      By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                      Name:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                      Title
                                           -------------------------------------

                                       13
<PAGE>

                                      FIRST AMERICAN BANK, SSB

                                      By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                      Name:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                      Title
                                           -------------------------------------

                                       14
<PAGE>

                                      FIRST BANK & TRUST

                                      By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                      Name:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                      Title
                                           -------------------------------------

                                       15
<PAGE>

                                      SOUTHWEST BANK OF TEXAS, N.A.

                                      By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                      Name:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                      Title
                                           -------------------------------------

                                       16
<PAGE>

The  undersigned  hereby join in this  Amendment  to evidence  their  consent to
execution by Borrower of this  Amendment,  to confirm that each Credit  Document
now or  previously  executed by the  undersigned  applies and shall  continue to
apply to the  Credit  Agreement,  as amended  hereby,  and to  acknowledge  that
without  such  consent  and  confirmation,  the  Banks  would not  execute  this
Amendment.

                                  1ST GROUP TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                                  ACE/PUTZEL ELECTRIC, INC.
                                  ALADDIN WARD ELECTRIC & AIR, INC.
                                  AMBER ELECTRIC, INC.
                                  ANDERSON & WOOD CONSTRUCTION CO., INC.
                                  ARC ELECTRIC, INCORPORATED
                                  BACHOFNER ELECTRIC, INC.
                                  BEAR ACQUISITION CORPORATION
                                  BRINK ELECTRIC CONSTRUCTION CO.
                                  BRITT RICE ELECTRIC, INC.
                                  BRITT RICE MANAGEMENT LLC
                                  BRYANT ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.
                                  BW CONSOLIDATED, INC.
                                  BW/BEC, INC.
                                  CANOVA ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING, INC.
                                  CARROLL MANAGEMENT LLC
                                  CARROLL SYSTEMS, INC.
                                  CHARLES P. BAGBY COMPANY, INC.
                                  COLLIER ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.
                                  COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS, INC.
                                  CROSS STATE ELECTRIC, INC.
                                  CYPRESS ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS, INC.
                                  DANIEL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS, INC.
                                  DANIEL ELECTRICAL OF TREASURE COAST INC.
                                  DANIEL INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
                                  DAVIS ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTORS, INC.
                                  DELCO ELECTRIC, INC.
                                  DKD ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.
                                  ELECTRO-TECH, INC.
                                  EMC ACQUISITION CORPORATION
                                  ERNEST P. BREAUX ELECTRICAL, INC.
                                  FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.
                                  FLORIDA INDUSTRIAL ELECTRIC, INC.
                                  GENERAL PARTNER, INC.
                                  GOSS ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.
                                  H.R. ALLEN, INC.

                                  17
<PAGE>

                                  HATFIELD REYNOLDS ELECTRIC COMPANY
                                  HOLLAND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
                                  HOUSTON-STAFFORD ELECTRIC, INC.
                                  HOUSTON-STAFFORD MANAGEMENT LLC
                                  HOWARD BROTHERS ELECTRIC CO., INC.
                                  ICS HOLDINGS LLC
                                  IES COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                                  IES CONTRACTORS MANAGEMENT LLC
                                  IES ENC, INC.
                                  IES ENC MANAGEMENT, INC.
                                  IES OPERATIONS GROUP, INC.
                                  IES PROPERTIES MANAGEMENT, INC.
                                  IES PROPERTIES, INC.
                                  IES RESIDENTIAL GROUP, INC.
                                  IES SPECIALTY LIGHTING, INC.
                                  IES VENTURES INC.
                                  INTEGRATED ELECTRICAL FINANCE, INC.
                                  INTELLIGENT BUILDING SOLUTIONS, INC.
                                  J.W. GRAY ELECTRIC CO., INC.
                                  J.W. GRAY MANAGEMENT LLC
                                  KAYTON ELECTRIC, INC.
                                  KEY ELECTRICAL SUPPLY, INC.
                                  LINEMEN, INC.
                                  MARK HENDERSON, INCORPORATED
                                  MENNINGA ELECTRIC, INC.
                                  MID-STATES ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.
                                  MILLS ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS, INC.
                                  MILLS MANAGEMENT LLC
                                  MITCHELL ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.
                                  M-S SYSTEMS, INC.
                                  MURRAY ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS, INC.
                                  NEAL ELECTRIC MANAGEMENT LLC
                                  NEW TECHNOLOGY ELECTRICAL
                                   CONTRACTORS, INC.
                                  NBH HOLDING CO., INC.
                                  NEWCOMB ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.
                                  PAN AMERICAN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.
                                  PAN AMERICAN ELECTRIC, INC.
                                  PAULIN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.
                                  POLLOCK ELECTRIC INC.
                                  PRIMENET, INC.
                                  PRIMO ELECTRIC COMPANY
                                  RAINES ELECTRIC CO., INC.
                                  RAINES MANAGEMENT LLC
                                  RKT ELECTRIC, INC.
                                  ROCKWELL ELECTRIC, INC.

                                  18
<PAGE>

                                  RODGERS ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.
                                  RON'S ELECTRIC, INC.
                                  SPECTROL, INC.
                                  SEI ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR, INC.
                                  SUMMIT ELECTRIC OF TEXAS, INC.
                                  T&H ELECTRICAL CORPORATION
                                  TECH ELECTRIC CO., INC.
                                  TESLA POWER G.P., INC.
                                  THOMAS POPP & COMPANY
                                  VALENTINE ELECTRICAL, INC.
                                  WRIGHT ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING, INC.
                                  RIVIERA ELECTRIC LLC
                                  IES CONTRACTORS, INC.

                                  By:
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                     William Reynolds, Chief Financial Officer

                                  BRITT RICE HOLDINGS LLC
                                  BW/BEC, L.L.C.
                                  CARROLL HOLDINGS LLC
                                  HOUSTON-STAFFORD HOLDINGS LLC
                                  IES HOLDINGS LLC
                                  J.W. GRAY HOLDINGS LLC
                                  MILLS ELECTRICAL HOLDINGS LLC
                                  POLLOCK SUMMIT HOLDINGS INC.
                                  RAINES HOLDINGS LLC
                                  TESLA POWER (NEVADA), INC.

                                  By:
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                      Victor Duva, Manager

                                  IES CONTRACTORS HOLDINGS LLC
                                  BEXAR ELECTRIC II LLC
                                  BRITT RICE HOLDINGS II LLC
                                  BW/BEC II LLC CARROLL
                                  HOLDINGS II  LLC
                                  HOUSTON-STAFFORD HOLDINGS II LLC
                                  IES  HOLDINGS II LLC
                                  IES PROPERTIES HOLDINGS II LLC

                                       19
<PAGE>

                                  J.W. GRAY HOLDINGS II LLC
                                  MILLS ELECTRIC HOLDINGS II LLC
                                  POLLOCK SUMMIT HOLDINGS II LLC
                                  RAINES HOLDINGS II LLC
                                  TELSA POWER (NEVADA) II LLC

                                  By:
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                      John Seli, Manager

                                  IES REINSURANCE, LTD.

                                  By:
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                           David Miller, Vice President

                                  IES PROPERTIES HOLDINGS, INC.

                                  By:
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                           Victoria Garrett, President

                                  B. RICE ELECTRIC LP
                                  BEXAR ELECTRIC COMPANY, LTD.
                                  CARROLL SYSTEMS LP
                                  HAYMAKER ELECTRIC, LTD.
                                  HOUSTON-STAFFORD ELECTRICAL
                                    CONTRACTORS LP
                                  ICS INTEGRATED COMMUNICATION
                                    SERVICES LP
                                  IES FEDERAL CONTRACT GROUP LP
                                  IES MANAGEMENT LP
                                  IES PROPERTIES LP
                                  J.W. GRAY ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS LP
                                  MILLS ELECTRIC LP
                                  NEAL ELECTRIC LP
                                  POLLOCK SUMMIT ELECTRIC LP
                                  RAINES ELECTRIC LP

                                       20
<PAGE>

                                  TESLA POWER AND AUTOMATION, L.P.
                                  TESLA POWER PROPERTIES, L.P.

                                  By:      ITS GENERAL PARTNER

                                  By:
                                      ----------------------------------
                                           William Reynolds,
                                           Chief Financial Officer

                                       21
<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE I-A
                                  ------------

                           REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENTS
                           --------------------------

JPMorgan Chase Bank                                           $20,000,000

Bank of Scotland                                              $20,000,000

LaSalle Bank National Association                             $20,000,000

U. S. Bank National Association                               $15,000,000

Wells Fargo Bank Texas, N. A.                                 $15,000,000

First American Bank, SSB                                      $15,000,000

First Bank & Trust                                            $10,000,000

Southwest Bank of Texas, N.A.                                 $10,000,000

TOTAL                                                        $125,000,000

                                       22
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT K

1.       Current Investments in Energy Photovoltaics, Inc.

2.       Current  Investments  (and  future  Investments   pursuant  to  current
         commitments) in Entertech Capital Partners II L.P.

                                       23

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