Hiring an electrician: what to ask and how to check them

Some electrical problems have simple answers. A tripped breaker, a GFCI outlet that needs resetting or a worn-out switch can all be handled by a careful homeowner. But electrical work is the one area where a mistake can look fine for years and then start a fire. When the fix goes beyond swapping a device, call a licensed electrician.

Here is what an electrician does, which jobs to hand off, how to check a license and how to describe the problem so the quote is accurate.

What an electrician does, and doesn't do

Electricians install and repair the wiring, panels, circuits and devices that carry power through your house. Typical jobs:

Tracking down why lights flicker or a breaker keeps tripping
Adding circuits and outlets, including for new appliances or EV chargers
Replacing or upgrading the electrical panel
Installing ceiling fans and fixtures where there's no existing support box
Repairing damaged wiring and outlets
Installing hardwired smoke alarms and whole-house surge protection

Electricians generally don't repair the appliances themselves (that's an appliance repair technician), work on refrigerant or furnace controls (an HVAC technician) or patch the drywall they open up, though some will.

Electrical jobs you shouldn't DIY

Anything inside the panel. Parts of the panel stay live even with the main breaker off.
New circuits and new wiring runs. Wire size, breaker size and code rules all have to match.
A breaker that trips again right after reset. That's a warning sign, not a nuisance.
Aluminum wiring, cloth-covered wiring or scorched wires. Older systems need an expert eye.
Outdoor, pool, hot tub and EV charger wiring. Water and high current raise the stakes.
Anything where you aren't sure the power is off.

Homeowner-level fixes worth trying first: reset a tripped breaker, GFCI outlet not working, replace a light switch, fix a wobbly ceiling fan and flickering lights. Each one says clearly when to stop. Before touching any wiring, turn off the breaker and confirm power is off with a non-contact voltage tester.

Electrical licensing

Nearly every state licenses electricians, electrical contractors or both, often with levels such as apprentice, journeyman and master. In some states the license is issued locally instead. Many cities and counties also require a permit and inspection for new circuits, panel changes and similar work. Rules vary by state and by town, so check yours.

To check a license, search for your state's licensing board (your state name plus "electrical license lookup"), and look up the electrician or company by name or license number. Make sure the license is active and the name matches the business that's quoting you.

In South Carolina, for example, the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) licenses residential electrical contractors through its Residential Builders Commission. You can confirm a license with LLR's online Licensee Lookup. Our guide to checking a contractor license covers other states.

What drives the cost

Diagnosis time. Intermittent problems like flickering can take a while to trace.
Access. Finished walls, plaster, tight attics and crawl spaces add labor.
Permits and inspections. Required for many jobs, with fees passed on.
Panel capacity. Adding big loads may mean the panel or service needs an upgrade.
Materials. Wire, breakers, devices and fixtures, and their quality.
Timing. After-hours and emergency calls usually cost more.

Questions to ask before hiring

What's your license number, and what level is it?
Do you carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation? Can you send the certificate?
Will this job need a permit? Will you pull it and schedule the inspection?
Will you be doing the work yourself, or someone on your crew? Are they licensed?
Is your quote a flat price, or time and materials?
Will you patch any holes you make in the walls or ceiling?
What warranty do you offer on the work?

How to describe the problem for an accurate quote

What happens, exactly. "Kitchen lights flicker when the microwave runs."
Which rooms or outlets. Use your panel's labels if you have them (see read your breaker panel).
How often. Constant, daily, or only when certain things run?
Any warning signs. Buzzing, warm plates, burning smells, scorch marks.
House details. Roughly how old the house is and whether the panel has been replaced.
For new work. What you want added, where, and what it will power.
Photos. Of the panel label and door (don't remove the cover), the outlet or fixture, and the area around it.

Get the estimate in writing, and for bigger projects get more than one. See how to compare quotes.

After the job is done

Ask the electrician to walk you through what they changed. Test the outlets, switches or fixtures they worked on while they're still there. If they replaced or added breakers, make sure the panel directory is labeled clearly so you can find them in a hurry later.

If a permit was pulled, don't make the final payment until the inspection passes, and keep the signed-off permit with your house records. Inspection paperwork can matter when you sell the house or file an insurance claim.

If you rent, report electrical problems to your landlord rather than hiring an electrician yourself. Wiring is part of the building, and a scorched outlet or tripping breaker is something the owner needs to know about quickly.

Next steps

Unsure whether you can handle it? Try the fix-or-call quiz. When you're ready, read contractor red flags, or send a free match request to hear from licensed electricians near you.

Common questions

When is an electrical problem an emergency?

A burning smell, smoke, sparks, a hot or scorched outlet or switch plate, or a breaker that trips again right after you reset it. Turn off power at the breaker if you can do it safely, and call an electrician. If there is smoke or fire, get out and call 911.

Do electricians need a license?

Nearly every state licenses electricians or electrical contractors, and many local governments require permits and inspections for new circuits and panel work. Check the license with your state board before work starts.

Can I replace a light switch myself?

Many homeowners can, if they turn off the breaker and confirm the power is off with a non-contact voltage tester. Some places limit what homeowners may do, so check local rules. If the wiring looks damaged or confusing, stop and call an electrician.

Will an electrician pull the permit?

A licensed electrician usually pulls any required permit and schedules the inspection. Ask before you sign, and get it in writing.