You never want to cut corners when hiring an electrician in California. Doing so can lead to costly — perhaps even dangerous — mistakes. And because California enforces strict state codes and environmental rules, choosing an electrician can be even harder for residents of the Golden State than homeowners living in some other areas.
So, whether you’re upgrading an electric panel, installing new light fixtures, or in need of emergency repairs, you simply must do your homework to find the best electrician for the job. We’ll try to help you do exactly that below, by sharing a number of questions you’ll want to ask any electrician you intend to hire.
13 Essential Questions California Residents Should Ask Electricians Before Hiring Them
When you first start trying to find a California electrician, you may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available to you. So, start by trying to whittle down your list to two or three leading candidates by scanning the online reviews left by past clients on Google, Yelp, and similar platforms.
Then, once you’ve narrowed your focus to a few of the best, ask the following questions to find the right electrician for your needs.
1. How long have you been working as an electrician?
You never want to hire an electrician who’ll be learning on the job. Instead, you want an experienced electrician who has put in the time and effort to gain the necessary knowledge and perfect his or her craft. Additionally, the more experience an electrician has, the more likely he or she will be able to foresee and avoid potential problems before they occur and make adjustments when necessary.
2. Are you licensed?
It’s important to insist that any electrician working in your home is licensed. This is not only a legal requirement, but it also helps ensure that the work will be performed correctly and — most importantly — safely.
In the state of California, all electricians must be certified by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE). However, to operate independently (rather than beneath another electrician), electricians must also obtain a C-10 Electrical Contractor License from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB).
Unlike some other states, California does not officially recognize “master electricians.” In California, a C-10 license is the functional equivalent of the master electrician title.
Licensed electricians should have no difficulty providing you with a copy of their license. If a potential contractor is vague or evasive about doing so, look elsewhere.
3. Are you insured?
Even professional electricians can make mistakes, which may cause injuries or significant damage to your home. Accordingly, all electricians should have general liability insurance. This kind of insurance coverage will help ensure that any damages the electrician causes will be paid for.
It’s also important that the electrician carries a workers’ compensation insurance policy to protect you from being forced to cover the medical expenses and lost wages for any employee who becomes injured while working in your home or business.
4. Have you worked on projects that are similar to mine?
It’s certainly important for electricians to be experienced — that was the very first question we recommended asking potential contractors. However, it is equally important that your electrician has experience with the specific type of work you need to have completed.
This may not be possible if you need unique or highly customized work performed, but you’ll still want to know that the electrician has performed work that is broadly similar in scope.
5. Who will perform the actual work?
A lot of homeowners don’t realize that the electrician who shows up to provide an estimate may not be the electrician to carry out the work. That’s not necessarily a deal breaker, but it is important that the electrician discloses this. You have a right to know who will be coming to your home and completing the work you need.
If the electrician who provides the estimate or fields your call is not the one who’ll be doing the work, be sure to verify that the electrician who will be completing the work is experienced, licensed, and insured.
6. Do you provide free estimates?
Most reputable contractors will gladly provide a free, written estimate for the work you need completed. The estimate should be itemized and include all of the materials and labor costs associated with the work.
Some electricians may charge for the initial visit to provide the estimate, but then deduct this cost from any services you have performed. This is understandable, as the contractor simply doesn’t want to spend hours providing free estimates to customers who don’t have the work completed. But providing free estimates is simply one of the costs of doing business, and most electricians understand this.
8. How long will the project take?
Any professional electrician should be able to provide you with an estimated timeline for the work. Sometimes, unforeseen circumstances may cause a job to take a little longer than initially anticipated, but the timeline provided should be relatively accurate.
For example, it’s generally no big deal if a 3-hour job turns into a 4-hour job. But a one-day project should never turn into a week-long job, unless there are extraordinary circumstances.
9. What’s your policy on change orders or unexpected issues?
Things don’t always go exactly as planned. Sometimes customers change their minds about the work they want completed, and unexpected issues occasionally arise. So, it is important to discuss these issues with any potential electrical contractor beforehand.
How would the electrician charge you for a change order? How much would it cost? What happens if he or she discovers that you need additional work performed to complete the job safely? These are all issues to discuss before signing on the dotted line.
10. How do you communicate during the job?
If the work you need completed is extensive (and therefore time-consuming) or you won’t be present while the electrician is working, you’ll likely need to communicate with the contractor from time to time to receive updates or approve changes to the plan. So, ask the electrician how he or she intends to communicate during the process.
Ideally, the electrician will be willing to communicate in your preferred manner, be it texts, emails, or phone calls. However, some electricians have systems designed to rely on a particular type of communication. There are no “right” or “wrong” answers here, but it is important to select a contractor who’s willing to communicate in a manner you are comfortable with.
11. Do I need a permit?
It’s wise to ask the electrician if a permit will be necessary for the electrical work. A permit will be required for the vast majority of electrical system repairs, installations, and upgrades in California. However, it is wise to ask before selecting the contractor.
Be wary of electricians who are willing to skate around the need for permits, as this may land you in hot water down the line or force you to have additional work completed.
12. Will you handle pulling the necessary permits for the work?
Knowing that you need a permit for the electrical work you want completed is one thing, but you also want to know if the electrician will pull the permit for you. Generally speaking, most homeowners will not be interested in going through the effort required to obtain the permit, so most reputable electricians are willing to do this on their customers’ behalf.
Additionally, mistakes during the permit application process can cause delays and other problems. And because the average homeowner may not be familiar with the intricacies of the permitting process, it is wise to simply allow your electrician to handle everything for you.
If a potential electrician is not willing to obtain any permits you need, look elsewhere.
13. Do you offer a warranty on your work?
Most professional electricians will warranty their work, though the terms offered may vary a bit. In fact, California state law requires electricians to provide certain minimal warranty protections, including a 1-year warranty on both the materials and labor, as well as a 4-year warranty for latent issues related to code requirements.
Nevertheless, some electricians will provide warranties that go above and beyond these minimum requirements. Just be sure to ask about the warranty coverage the electrician provides and get the answer in writing (most will have a standard form they provide, outlining their warranty policies).
More Questions About California Electricians: FAQ
Still have questions about picking a residential electrician in California? Wondering about other issues relating to electrical work in the state? We’ve rounded up some of the most common questions residents have below!
Why is it important to choose a licensed electrician?
Hiring a licensed and knowledgeable electrician is the best way to ensure the safety of both your home and family. It also helps ensure that the entire process will proceed smoothly and that you won’t have problems with a city inspector down the line.
Why is permitting important when working on your home’s electrical systems?
Permitting is important because it helps to ensure that the work is conducted in accordance with modern building and electrical codes. These codes are designed to help ensure the electrical safety of any work conducted, and they also help ensure that the work you have completed achieves the desired results.
Who governs permits in California?
In California, cities and counties handle permitting. The requirements of these permits are set forth at the state level, but some municipalities enforce even stricter requirements, which electricians must satisfy when completing any electrical project.
What credentials are required to be a licensed and insured electrician?
Electricians who work for a company in California must have an Electrician Certification through the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE). Electricians who want to work for themselves must obtain a C-10 Contractor License from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB).
As for insurance, electricians in California must have a general liability policy, a workers’ compensation policy (if they have any employees), and a surety bond valued at $25,000 or more.
How many electricians are there in California?
As of 2023 (the last year for which data is available), there were approximately 73,000 electricians working in the state of California. Nearly 20,000 of these work in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area, and another 10,000 work in the Bay Area.
Can a handyman do electrical work in California?
No, unless they are a licensed C-10 Electrical Contractor or a certified electrician working under a licensed C-10 contractor. In fact, handymen in California are prohibited from doing most types of specialized work, like electrical repairs.
Alpha Omega Electric: The Electricians California Homeowners Can Trust!
As you can see, there are a lot of questions you’ll want to ask before hiring a commercial or residential electrician. This is the only way to be sure that you’re hiring a professional who’ll not only carry out the work properly but also treat you the way you deserve.
But we can make things easy for you: Simply contact Alpha Omega Electric for all of your California electrical needs! One of our customer service representatives will be happy to schedule your free, on-site estimate and answer any of the questions you may have – including the ones listed above!
Find out why so many California homeowners have placed their trust in Alpha Omega Electric. Contact us today!
