Eight questions to ask every electrician
Run this list with every contractor before you sign. Most legitimate pros will answer in under five minutes and appreciate that you're doing your homework — a pro who pushes back on these questions is telling you something important about how they do business.
- What is your state license classification (journeyman, master)?
- Do you carry general liability insurance and workers' comp?
- Will the work be permitted and inspected by my municipality?
- Can you provide a written, line-itemed estimate?
- What is your warranty on labor and on the breaker / panel manufacturer parts?
- Will you bring the panel and circuits up to current code, even if not strictly required?
- How long will the power be off, and can you schedule around medical equipment if needed?
- Are you familiar with my service utility's coordination requirements for panel upgrades?
Red flags to walk away from
If any of the following come up during a quote, stop the conversation and call a different electrician. The cost of restarting the process is almost always less than the cost of fixing a botched or unpermitted job after the fact.
- ⚠ Refusal to pull a permit on a panel upgrade, EV charger circuit, or service entrance work.
- ⚠ No proof of insurance or a license the state board cannot confirm.
- ⚠ Cash-only pricing.
- ⚠ A quote that omits inspection fees or claims "we don't need an inspection."
- ⚠ A pro who plans to use aluminum wire on a residential branch circuit (banned in most jurisdictions).
The 60-second license check
Every U.S. state lets you verify a contractor license online for free — usually through the state's contractor licensing board, the secretary of state, or the department of labor. Search "[your state] contractor license lookup" and enter the license number the pro gave you. The lookup will show whether the license is active, what trades it covers, when it expires, and whether there are any open complaints or disciplinary actions. A fresh same-day check the morning of your appointment costs you nothing and catches recent suspensions.
Getting multiple quotes
Contact two or three local electricians directly and compare written quotes before you sign anything. For pricing context, see our electrical cost guide; for after-hours work, see our emergency electricians guide.