Questions to Ask Before Hiring: Electrical

Updated November 6, 2026

What Should You Ask an Electrician Before Hiring?

Before hiring an electrician, confirm they take commercial work, get a certificate of insurance and any required state license number, and ask for a written quote showing the full scope, rates, response times and warranty. Facilities usually schedule electricians yearly for panel checks and emergency lighting, plus repairs as needed. Compare at least two quotes for the same scope.

Updated November 6, 2026 · Source: maintenance.broker guide (common practice); confirm with your local authority and contractor.

Illustration for the guide: Questions to Ask Before Hiring: Electrical

Electricians for panels, lighting, generators, emergency lights and repairs. Use these questions on every call so the answers are comparable.

The Questions

  1. Do you take commercial work, and do you service buildings like ours?
  2. Can you send a certificate of insurance naming us as additional insured?
  3. Are you licensed in this state, and may we have the license number?
  4. Do you pull permits where the work needs them?
  5. Do you offer infrared (thermal) scans of panels?
  6. Can you test and service emergency and exit lighting?
  7. Do you service our generator or transfer switch?
  8. Who is the master or supervising electrician on this job?
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Tips From Common Practice

How Often to Schedule

Facilities usually schedule electricians yearly for panel checks and emergency lighting, plus repairs as needed. Your lease, insurer, local code and equipment manuals can require more, so check them first and add the dates to your preventive maintenance schedule.

Then line up offers in the quote comparison tool, and see how to verify a license and insurance.

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Listings: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Data last updated November 6, 2026 · Sources & method