Get Quotes from Top Electricians in Tucson, AZ

What to Ask Before Hiring an Electrician in Tucson 

With over 300 days of sunshine a year, this big university city, with its small-town and modern appeal, is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Foodies, cyclists, hikers, and retirees make up a huge percentage of the seven million visitors to Tucson every year. This is no doubt a city that needs a lot of electricity to stay cool and keep its growing industries powered. In this regard, Tucson has over a thousand licensed and insured electricians to help you with any electrical emergency, repair, maintenance, or upgrade.  

What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an Electrician in Tucson? 

The following situations require the services of an electrician: 

  • Circuit breaker issues  
  • Wiring or electric panel upgrades 
  • Code violation corrections 
  • Faulty/malfunctioning outlets and light switches 
  • Electric sparks and shocks  

Getting the right electrician to handle these issues is critical to ensure that the job is done safely and that any risks or damages posed or caused by the electrical problem are avoided and fixed. As such, you should always make sure that any electrician you hire in Tucson is conversant with the National Electric Code, its local amendments, and adheres to the provisions of this code when providing his services. Doing this goes a long way in guaranteeing that your Tucson electrician solves your electrical problem safely and effectively.    

Are You Licensed as an Electrician in Tucson? 

Tucson electricians must obtain an occupational license from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) before operating in the city. This agency offers three licensing classifications for electrical work, namely: 

  • R-11 Electrical: this classification authorizes the electrician to work on residential electrical systems  
  • C-11 Electrical: this classification authorizes the electrician to work on electrical systems and equipment that generate, transmit, or utilize electrical energy less than 600 volts 
  • CR-11 Electrical: electricians with this classification can perform any electrical work authorized by the R-11 and C-11 electrical licenses  

You can verify your prospective Tucson electrician's license status using the ROC’s Contractor Search portal. It is advisable to do this before concluding hiring arrangements with the electrician to ensure that they are legit and qualified for the type of electrical work you need.  

Please note that providing electrical services without an appropriate ROC-issued license is unlawful and punishable by civil penalties, including a fine of at least $1,000 for first offenders.   

What Rates Do You Charge for Your Electrical Services in Tucson? 

You can expect to pay a range of $40 - $100 per hour for electrical services in Tucson. Note that the overall cost of electrical jobs in the city is determined by variables like: 

  • The type and scope of the requested electrical service 
  • The cost of permits and materials, like fixtures and wires, needed for the job 
  • The urgency of the job and your location within the city 
  • Your preferred electrician’s local reputation and level of expertise   

We recommend you compare rates for your required electrical services from up to three electricians in the city. Doing this is an effective way to ascertain the current market prices for your intended project and also to steer clear of electricians with inflated prices.  

Are You a Master Electrician in Tucson? 

Tucson electricians can be categorized into three distinct groups based on their knowledge and expertise: 

  • Apprentice Electricians: apprentice electricians are just starting out in the electric trade. These electricians can perform only basic electrical tasks and must always be supervised by a master electrician. 
  • Journeyman Electricians: journeyman electricians have undergone extensive theoretical and hands-on training and achieved substantial proficiency in electrical work. 
  • MasterElectricians: master electricians in Tucson have reached a minimum of four years of hands-on experience, passed an exam, and have subsequently obtained a state-issued license to perform residential, commercial, or dual combination electrical work. 

You should always hire master electricians for your electrical projects in Tucson and make sure that the electricians you choose have the right kind of license for the type of electrical work you need to be done.   

Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in Tucson? 

You must get a building permit from the Tucson Planning and Development Services Department (PDSD) for your electrical projects in the city, except for electrical work that involves: 

  • Reinstalling switches or receptacles in the same location 
  • Replacing circuit breakers or fuses with the same rating and in the same location 
  • Low-voltage electrical work involving devices or equipment that operate at less than 25 volts and are incapable of supplying more than 50 watts 

Note that it is your responsibility as a home or property owner to ensure that all required permits for your project are obtained.   

You can contact the PDSD at (520) 791-5550 or via email to get additional information or direct inquiries about building permits for electrical projects in Tucson.  

What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in Tucson? 

Tucson electricians offer several types of electrical services, from installing new electrical systems to repairing and upgrading existing ones. These include:  

Outlet and Fixtures Installation/Replacement
$100 - $250 
Circuit Breaker Switch Replacement
$120 - $250 
Electrical Panel/Wiring Upgrade
$1,100 - $4,500 
Home Wiring/Rewiring
$2,500 - $10,000 
General Repair Work
$40 - $300 
Electrical Inspection
$100 - $250 
Service equipment upgrades
$450 - $6,500 
Emergency Electrical Services (on top of regular charges)
$100 - $200 per hour

Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the Electrical Work in Tucson? 

You will unlikely need more than one skilled electrician to handle your residential electrical jobs. However, large projects, like installing wiring in newly built commercial buildings and apartment complexes or troubleshooting and upgrading service equipment in industrial facilities, may require the services of two or more electricians. Therefore, when making hiring arrangements with any electricians in Tucson, be sure to find out if they will need to subcontract parts of the project to a third party. If this is the case, always take the following steps: 

  • Find out who will do the work and confirm that they are experienced and qualified 
  • Check their bond and insurance coverage 
  • Get a lien waiver to protect yourself from being held liable if the electrician fails to pay these subcontractors on time 

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Tucson Electrician? 

Tucson electricians must maintain a contractor’s bond of between $4,250 and $50,000 (more in the case of electricians with dual licenses) throughout the validity period of their state-issued licenses. Note that the electrician's license classification and estimated work volume determine the precise amount needed for these bonds. Tucson electricians with employees must also maintain workers' compensation insurance for these employees. You should also ensure that your prospective electrician has adequate liability insurance coverage for third-party bodily injury and property damage. 

So, before hiring any electricians in the city, always get proof of their bonding and insurance. You can learn more about Tucson electricians' bond and insurance requirements by calling the Arizona Registrar of Contractors at (602) 542-1525 and (877) 692-9762.   

Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Electrical Work in Tucson? 

Always confirm that you will receive a warranty covering labor and materials used when making hiring arrangements with Tucson electricians. Never hire any electrician that does not offer warranties or tries to downplay their importance.

While the duration of these warranties typically varies from electrician to electrician, make sure that any warranty you are offered is valid for at least one year. Lastly, get a written copy of the warranty and ensure that you read its terms and conditions thoroughly.  

How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your Electrical Services in Tucson? 

You can file a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General's Office regarding unsatisfactory electrical services and electrician scams in Tucson, either online or by submitting a consumer complaint form to this office via email, fax to (602)-542-4579, or regular mail to: 

Office of the Attorney General Consumer Information and Complaints 400 W. Congress South Building Suite 315 Tucson, AZ 85701-1367

You can also file these complaints with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors through its Online Customer Portal. Be aware that you must register a user account on the portal to use this option.