Only hire a licensed electrician
Electrical contracting is licensed at state level, and unlicensed work can void your home insurance and fail at resale. Get the license number and verify it on the state register before anyone touches your panel.
Know when a permit is needed
Panel upgrades, new circuits, rewires and most service changes need a permit and an inspection. The electrician should pull the permit themselves. If they suggest skipping it to save money, that is the end of the conversation.
How electricians price work
Small jobs are often a flat rate; larger jobs are quoted after a site visit.
- A service call fee for the visit and diagnosis
- Flat rates for common jobs such as outlets, fixtures and fans
- Quoted prices for panels, rewires and new circuits
- Permit and inspection fees, which should be listed separately
Signs you need an electrician sooner rather than later
Some symptoms are genuinely urgent.
- Breakers that trip repeatedly
- Warm or discoloured outlets and switch plates
- A burning smell near the panel
- Lights that dim when appliances start
- Two-prong outlets or an old fuse panel
Get the scope in writing
Ask for a written quote that names the work, the materials, whether a permit is included and what the warranty covers. For a panel replacement, ask how long the power will be off.