What should I verify before hiring someone to perform electrical work in my home?

Quick answer

Before hiring someone for electrical work, verify their active license, insurance (general liability and workers’ comp), ability to pull permits and schedule inspections, relevant experience for your specific job, solid references, a detailed written estimate/scope, clear warranty terms, and safe work practices. Confirm they will label circuits, follow the current NEC (or your local code), and provide documentation at completion.

Why this matters

Electrical mistakes can cause shocks, fires, and expensive rework. A licensed, insured electrician who works under permit and inspection protects your home, your finances, and your safety. You’re also more likely to get neat, code-compliant work that won’t cause nuisance tripping or fail future resale inspections.

What to verify (and how)

• License and standing
  • Ask for their license number and verify it on your state/local licensing website.
  • Confirm the license matches the business name on the estimate.
  • Check for complaints or disciplinary actions.
• Insurance and bonding
  • Request a Certificate of Insurance sent directly from their insurer naming you as certificate holder.
  • Look for: General Liability (commonly $1M) and Workers’ Compensation.
• Permits and inspections
  • Ask who will pull the permit (the contractor should) and who schedules inspections.
  • Avoid anyone suggesting to “skip the permit.”
• Relevant experience
  • Match their portfolio to your task: panel upgrades, EV charger circuits, older homes with knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring, generator interlocks/transfer switches, smart switches, low-voltage.
• References and reviews
  • Ask for 2–3 recent customers with similar projects and call them.
  • Look for consistent praise on timeliness, cleanliness, and passing inspection first try.
• Written scope and price
  • Detailed, itemized estimate: materials brand/model, breaker sizes, number of devices, patch/paint responsibility, cleanup.
  • Clarify pricing structure: fixed bid vs. time & materials, plus a cap if T&M.
  • Reasonable payment schedule (e.g., 10–25% deposit, progress draws, remainder after inspection).
• Warranty
  • Typical labor warranty is 1 year; materials per manufacturer (Leviton/Lutron/Square D/Eaton/Siemens, etc.). Get it in writing.
• Safety practices
  • Ask how they de-energize and verify circuits (lockout/tagout, meter use), how they protect your home (drop cloths, dust control), and PPE for panel work.
• Documentation
  • Confirm you’ll receive an updated, legible panel directory, permit approval, and photos of concealed junctions before drywall closes.

Step-by-step hiring checklist

1. Define your scope (e.g., “Add a 50A 240V circuit for EVSE in garage, surface EMT, GFCI breaker”).
2. Get 2–3 site visits and estimates.
3. Verify license and insurance online. Request COI.
4. Call references; ask if the job passed inspection the first time and if the price matched the estimate.
5. Compare estimates for apples-to-apples materials (brand/series of breakers, tamper-resistant receptacles, AFCI/GFCI where needed).
6. Select contractor; confirm they’ll pull the permit and the timeline.
7. Sign a written contract with scope, price, payment schedule, and warranty.
8. After completion, verify labeling, test devices, and keep all documentation.

Tools and materials you might use as a homeowner

• Notebook and phone camera (document panel labels and pre/post conditions)
• Non-contact voltage tester (for basic user checks, never for confirmation of de-energized circuits)
• Plug-in receptacle/GFCI tester (for quick outlet checks)
• Circuit tracer/toner (optional for mapping circuits)
• Label maker or panel directory sheets (for neat, permanent labeling)

Browse ToolStash for testers, labelers, and circuit tracers if you want to verify work after the pro leaves.

Safety considerations

• Don’t remove panel covers yourself; that’s for the electrician.
• Never allow work on live circuits unless absolutely necessary and with proper PPE and procedures.
• Insist on permits for panel changes, new circuits, and most permanent wiring.
• Protect kids/pets from the work area; ask for daily cleanup and safe cord routing.

Tips for best results

• Ask for a load calculation for panel upgrades or large new loads (per NEC 220).
• Specify device brands/finishes up front (e.g., Lutron Maestro dimmers, Leviton Decora outlets) to avoid mismatches.
• For garages/exteriors, request in-use bubble covers and weather-resistant (WR) receptacles.
• Have the electrician label cables at both ends and update the panel directory legibly.
• Get change orders in writing before extra work begins.

Common pitfalls

• Hiring purely on the lowest price.
• Vague estimates (“install outlets”) without counts, locations, or device types.
• Cash-only deals and no permit.
• Large upfront deposits.
• No mention of patching/painting responsibility after fishing wires.

Rough cost guide (labor, varies by region)

• Service call/diagnostic: $100–$200
• Add standard 15/20A outlet: $100–$250 each (more if walls need fishing/patching)
• Dedicated 240V circuit (e.g., EVSE): $500–$1,500
• Panel upgrade (100A to 200A): $2,000–$4,500+
• Whole-home rewire: $8,000–$20,000+
• Permit fees: $50–$300+

When you should definitely hire a pro

• Panel work, service mast/meter upgrades, or main bonding/grounding
• Repeated breaker trips, burning smells, scorch marks
• Wet or flood-damaged wiring
• Aluminum branch circuits, knob-and-tube, or unknown/DIY legacy wiring
• Any work requiring a permit or inspection

Quick code checkpoints you can ask about

Breaker/wire pairing:
- 15A circuits: 14 AWG copper
- 20A circuits: 12 AWG copper

Protection locations:
- GFCI: bathrooms, kitchens (within 6 ft of sink), garages, exterior, basements, laundry areas
- AFCI: most habitable rooms (bedrooms, living, etc.) per local adoption of NEC

Devices:
- Tamper-resistant (TR) receptacles in living areas
- Weather-resistant (WR) receptacles outdoors, with in-use covers

Asking an electrician to explain how your project meets these checkpoints is a fast way to gauge their code fluency.