Short answer
Confirm the contractor's licence with the state licensing board, ask for proof of insurance, and get the scope and the price in writing. Licensing rules differ by state. This site introduces electricians. It does not employ them or guarantee their work.
On this page
Licence
Electrical licensing is a state and local matter. There is no single national licence that covers every job in every state. Ask for the licence name and number, then check it on the state board's own register. A business card or a logo on a website is not the register.
As one example, North Carolina publishes contractor licensing through the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. Other states have their own boards and their own categories of work. Use the board for the state where the property is.
Insurance and who is on site
Ask for evidence of liability insurance and whether the person who attends is the licence holder or working under that licence. You are hiring a contractor, not a brand name on a listing.
Scope, permit and price
- What will be done, and what is excluded.
- Who obtains the permit, where one is required. Many panel changes and new circuits need a local permit. Confirm that for your city or county.
- Whether the price is a fixed figure or time and materials, and what happens if the fault is larger than expected.
- How making good, disposal and inspection fees are treated.
Do not pay the full price in cash before any work has started. A deposit for ordered equipment can be reasonable. Get a receipt that names the contractor.
What this site does
A request on this site is passed to electricians who may offer to do the work. It is not a statement that a particular firm serves your address, and it is not a check of their licence. The checks above are still yours to make. NFPA's guidance is to have electrical work done by a qualified electrician.
Start with the service that matches the job, such as an emergency electrician, electrical repairs or an electrical inspection.
Sources
Questions
Is a contractor listed here already vetted?
No. A listing or a response to your request is not a licence check. Use the state board for that.
Should I choose the cheapest reply?
Compare the scope first. A lower price that excludes the permit, the circuit or making good is not the same job.
Need this done? Read the Emergency electrician guide, or start a request.
Electrical problem? Find an electrician near you.
From tripping circuit breakers and faulty outlets to urgent electrical repairs, finding the right professional starts with explaining the problem.