Always! You should never hire an unlicensed electrician, even if the work done is small in nature. Wiring is tricky, and a small mistake can cause issues with the breaker and in more severe cases it can even cause a fire. Definitely recommend using a licensed electrician.
Always
Yes any sub working under a master permit already open should be licensed.
Electrical work should always be done by a licensed electrical contractor. There are a few areas that are associated with life safety concerns.
The first would be the structural contractor. Obviously a collapse could be a big issue.
Second would be any gas work. This would include plumbing or heating and cooling contractors. An explosion or gas leak can both prove to be fatal.
Last but not least would be electrical. A short circuit or overloading an circuit, using the wrong size wire for the load, loose connections, the wrong type or size of wire nut or breaker can cause fires that start behind a wall. Any element of the electrical system can be overloaded. Even down to how many wires traveling through a hole in a framing member can cause enough heat build up to cause a fire.
Be careful who you choose…License, insurance and references are the bare minimum requirements to look for.
Good luck
When hiring an electrician…please, please, please select a licensed, experienced and qualified professional.
First off, almost all electrical work is completed before closing walls, so if the rough electrical is not installed correctly, then fixing the problem will take much longer than other trades such as drywall, paint, tiler, etc. The solution will also cost more money. Secondly, the probability for a major damage to occur is more probable with electrical work. For instance, if a 20 amp breaker is installed on a 15 amp max circuit, then the line could draw more voltage than it is suppose to, which would create heat and potential fire. That is a very, very simple example of a mistake an untrained or unlicensed electrician could make. Finally, you want assurance that the professional you hired is covered in case anything goes wrong. When an electrician passes the license test and applies for a license, he/she must meet certain requirements such as company standing (LLC, Proprietor), insurance, workman comp, etc.; so, when you hire a licensed electrician, you also get the coverage. Therefore, choose the licensed professional every time in this trade.
Absolutely. A small problem can quickly escalate if electrician is not licensed and maintains up to date with changes in the local, regional and national codes.
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Yes! If the contractor is not licensed, you could be liable for any issues!
It is your property!
Make sure they are licensed and insured before they start the work!
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You can have anybody you want to, do your electrical work, but most counties require a permit and inspection by a licensed electrician. It’s smart for them to be insured and have workers comp too!
Always use a licensed professional.
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Yes!
Make sure they are licensed and insured before they start the work!
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Yes, absolutely. If a contractor in Washington State is to perform any electrical changes other than changing a light bulb or an outlet, he has to be a licensed journeyman electrician.
In some cases I have seen where a builder was also the home owner. In these cases the builder can do the electrical work, but would have to live in the residence and won’t be able to sell the property until a certain number of years due to insurance (to make sure the home doesn’t burn down).
So, even when a property owner pulls permits, it is better to have qualified subs do the specialty work or have licensed journeymen in their employ.
There is no such thing as “Light Electrical” (which is sometimes advertised by Handyman Services). All Electrical work is to be done by a State Licensed Electrician, no matter the size of the project. A license number is something that every responsible consumer should ask for prior to any Trade Work performed (Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC). Local Building Departments are the enforcement team - and they are there to protect property owners from potential disaster. Always investigate before investing.
Yes! How can you be sure the work being done is correct? The electrical code changes every 3 years. In order to maintain and renew your electrical license, you must complete a course on all the new changes to the code. Hiring licensed electricians ensures that your wiring will be completed to the most up-to-date codes. Don’t forget to always ensure that all work is done with permits!
Yes always.
Definitely! This is required in the state of Tennessee.