Top Questions to Ask an Electrician

If you’re planning electrical work for your home or business, hiring a licensed and reliable electrician is essential.

But how can you tell who’s truly qualified, experienced, and trustworthy?

Knowing the right questions to ask an electrician before signing any contract can help you make an informed decision that ensures safety, quality, and code compliance.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the most important electrician questions, why they matter, and what kind of answers to expect.

Whether you’re hiring an electrician for a Tesla EV charger installation, a full-home rewire, or smart home electrical upgrades, this checklist will help you choose the right pro for the job.

Why It’s Crucial to Vet Your Electrician

Electrical work is not only technical but potentially dangerous. Poorly executed wiring can lead to fire hazards, electrocution, and costly repairs. Colorado also has specific electrical code requirements and licensing standards, so hiring someone qualified isn’t optional. It’s the law.

To protect your home, family, and investment, it’s vital to ask the right electrical safety questions up front.

Are You Licensed and Insured?

This is an important question. In Colorado, all electricians must be licensed through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). Ask for:

• Their electrical license number
• Proof of general liability insurance
• Workers’ compensation coverage (if they have a team)

If they hesitate or can’t produce documentation, it’s best to move on.

Why it matters: A license confirms formal training and electrical code knowledge. Insurance protects you from liability if someone is injured on the job.

What Type of Work Do You Specialize In?

Some electricians focus on residential work, while others may specialize in commercial, industrial, or solar installations. Be specific about your needs:

• Do they install EV chargers like the Tesla Wall Connector?
• Are they experienced with smart home systems or lighting automation?
• Do they handle panel upgrades or whole-home rewiring?

Why it matters: Hiring someone with specific experience ensures they understand the unique requirements of your electrical systems and your particular electrical projects.

Related: EV Charger Installation in Colorado

Can You Provide References or Reviews?

A reputable electrician should have no problem sharing reviews or references from past clients. Also, check:

• Google Reviews
• Yelp or Angi
• Better Business Bureau ratings
• Nextdoor

Ask if they’ve completed similar jobs in your area.

Why it matters: Real customer experiences give you insight into their reliability, work ethic, and professionalism. A good electrician should have a strong reputation among clients and other electrical contractors.

Will You Be Doing the Work Yourself or Using Subcontractors?

Some companies send out third-party contractors instead of in-house electricians. Clarify:

• Who will be performing the work?
• Are they licensed and insured?

Why it matters: You want accountability. The person who gives the estimate should ideally oversee the work, especially for complex or high voltage jobs.

What’s Included in the Estimate?

Always request a detailed, written estimate. Ask:

• Is this a flat rate or hourly?
• Does it include materials?
• Are permits and inspections covered?

Why it matters: Transparency up front avoids hidden charges and confusion during the course of your electrical project.

How Do You Handle Permits and Inspections?

In Colorado, many electrical jobs require permits and final inspections by local authorities. Confirm:

• Who pulls the permit?
• Will they schedule inspections?

Why it matters: Pulling permits ensures the job complies with current electrical code requirements. Avoid any contractor who suggests skipping this essential step.

What’s Your Warranty or Guarantee?

A professional electrician should stand behind their work. Ask about:

• Labor warranty (typically 1 year)
• Manufacturer warranties for parts

Why it matters: This protects your investment and gives you peace of mind if problems arise later.

How Do You Stay Current with Code and Technology?

The electrical industry evolves rapidly, especially with smart home technology and renewable energy systems. Ask:

• Do you take continuing education courses?
• Are you familiar with the latest NEC updates?

Why it matters: Staying updated ensures safer, more efficient, and code-compliant work across a wide range of electrical systems.

Related: Smart Home Electrical Upgrades for 2025

What Safety Protocols Do You Follow?

Ask about:

• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Lockout/tagout procedures
• Protocols for working with high voltage equipment

Why it matters: Professionalism includes keeping your property and family safe during the job. Proper safety procedures should be a top priority.

Do You Offer Emergency Services?

Especially important for critical systems like panels, generators, or major outages. Ask:

• Do you offer 24/7 emergency service?
• What’s your average response time?

Why it matters: Electrical emergencies can’t wait. A reliable electrical contractor will be ready to respond when it matters most.

Bonus: Questions That Show You Know Your Stuff

Here are a few extra questions that can help you further vet an electrician:

• Do you recommend arc-fault or ground-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs/GFCIs)?
• Can you help reduce my home’s energy consumption?
• What surge protection do you recommend?
• Should I upgrade my circuit breaker panel?

These electrician questions not only get you better results but also show the electrician you care about long-term value, efficiency, and safety.

Choose a Qualified, Transparent Electrician

Knowing the right questions to ask an electrician can help you avoid costly mistakes, ensure code compliance, and get the best value for your money.

At The Electricians, we welcome these questions because we know that informed clients are our best partners.

Looking for expert electrical services in the Denver metro area? Contact us today or explore our range of residential services.