What Should You Ask an Electrician Before Hiring Them?

Does the breaker in your kitchen constantly trip when you are cooking? Are you looking to upgrade your outlets or switches? Maybe you need an electrical panel upgrade or need a new circuit for an addition? No matter your electrical needs, here are the questions you should ask an electrician before hiring them. These eight questions will help make sure hour hire a trustworthy electrician and ensure you get exceptional service.

8 Important Questions to Ask An Electrician Before Hiring

Best Pick Reports takes the stress out of hiring an electrician with our rigorous prequalification process. While we stand behind our Certified Best Picks, you should still ask the following questions before hiring any electrician.

Whether you are hiring through us or calling an electrician on your own, you should always ask the following questions. Any reliable electrician will have no problem answering them. If they avoid answering or their replies are vague, you might want to get a second opinion.

The best time to ask these questions is after they give you a quote for their services but before you agree to hire them.

1. Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?

You should always ask any electrician about their credentials before hiring them. Any reputable electrician should be licensed, bonded, and insured.

Licensing requirements vary by state but typically require the electrician to prove they have completed proper training. Depending on the scope of the job, work performed by an unlicensed electrician may not meet code or state inspection requirements.

Most states require licensed electricians to hold either a Journeyman license or a Master Electrician license. The difference between the two is the years of experience. An electrical contracting company must hold an Electrical Contractor license.

A surety bond, commonly called “bonded,” is a type of insurance that covers you in the unlikely case that the electrician fails to complete the project. It also covers any damage they cause during the job or as a result of their work.

The amount of the surety bond varies by state, but they typically range in coverage from $2,500 to $25,000 or more. Electricians pay a certain percentage of the bond amount to ensure they can cover damages when needed.

Insurance covers the electrician in case of any accidents or injuries while working in your home. Insurances requirements also vary by state. Some states have specific policy limits or requirements for worker compensation insurance.

2. Are you experienced in this type of electrical work?

While electricians are skilled pros, you should always ask if they have the experience and expertise to handle your job. From replacing an outlet to rewiring your entire house, it is important to make sure they are familiar with this specific type of project.

Virtually every electrician can take care of replacing switches, installing lighting and ceiling fans, and even adding circuits. However, some might be less experienced in upgrading electrical panels or whole house rewiring.

Any qualified electrician will be honest if a job is too complex or too far outside their typical scope of work. If they cannot address your problem, they will likely be able to recommend a trustworthy electrician that can take care of your job.

3. Are are using any subcontractors on the job?

Most electrical jobs are easy enough for one person to complete, but they may need to use subcontractors in some cases. One of the most common reasons is for wall repairs and painting.

Since most of your electrical system is hidden inside walls, you may need drywall or ceiling repairs after the electrician is finished. However, there are any number of reasons they use subcontractors.

If the electrician is hiring a subcontractor to help with the job, you have the right to know who is working in your home. They should have the proper experience and licenses, bonding, and insurance.

Make sure that you ask how many subcontractors they are using, how long they have been working with them, and whether their livability insurance covers them as well.

Again, any reputable electrician will have no problem answering who they are using to finish your job. But be cautious if they are vague about who they are using.

4. Will this job require a permit or inspection?

Depending on the scale of your electrical project, you may also need permits or inspections.

Permits are a license that allows you to make electrical changes or upgrades. Requirements vary by state, but most states require permits when you are adding new electrical features or upgrading the panel. However, your normally do not need permits when repairing or replacing existing electrical systems.

Inspections verify that the electrical job is completed properly and everything is up to local building codes. In most cases, if you need a permit, you will also need an inspection. However, the exact inspection requirements vary.

In most cases, the electrician will take care of getting all permits and scheduling the inspections. Ask them in advance whether they are required and verify they will take care of them. Although rare, some electricians will have you get the permits or book the inspectors.

5. How long with it take and what is your expected work schedule?

You should always ask how long the electrical job will take. Replacing a switch or outlet might take less than an hour, while panel upgrades can take one to two days.

The time it takes also depends on the size of their crew. For example, a crew can rewire your house in a few days, while it can take one or two electricians up to two weeks or more.

For most small jobs, they can start work immediately. However, they may need to set up a work schedule if the repairs or installation will take longer than a day. They will also accommodate your schedule as best as they can.

If the project is going to take longer than one day, ask for a written timeline and schedule of work.

6. Do you need to shut off the power and for how long?

For most electrical work to be done safely, the power needs to be turned off to either the entire house or to the room where the work is being done. Ask your electrician what your job requires so that you can prepare accordingly.

Due to the nature of electricity, they will almost always need to switch off the power at least temporarily. But you should always ask how long they need to shut it off while working.

For example, they usually only need to shut off one circuit to replace a switch, outlet, light, or fan. You can continue using the electricity in the rest of your house safely while they work.

Whereas they will usually turn off all the power when adding a new electrical circuit for addition or rewiring the whole house. In the case of electrical panel upgrades, they may even need the utility company to temporarily stop service.

7. Do you offer a warranty or service guarantee?

Another thing to ask about before hiring an electrician is whether they offer a service guarantee or warranty. The two most common types of coverage they offer are labor or service guarantees and material warranties.

Labor warranties vary from electrician to electrician, but they cover you if there is a problem with their work. In the unlikely case that something does happen, they will fix the issue or make the necessary repairs.

They also usually honor manufacturers’ warranties on electrical components. While failures are rare, they do still happen. The exact coverage depends on your electrician, but most will replace the item and then work with the manufacturer separately.

But different electricians offer different guarantees. Talk with your contractor about their terms and policies regarding warranties and guarantees.

8. Will you perform an electrical safety inspection during the job?

Periodic safety inspections are very important to ensure that everything electrical in your house (including smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide detectors) is working correctly. If your job is involved enough, your electrician may do everything normally included in an electrical safety inspection as part of the job. If not, however, don’t be afraid to ask. There may be a nominal extra charge, but your safety is priceless.

No matter the type of electrical service you need, Best Pick Reports has local electrical pros near you. We thoroughly vet every electrician so you can hire with confidence, knowing they will get the job done right. From minor updates to major electrical renovations, we have you covered. Find an expert in your area today.