Get Quotes from Top Electricians in Fresno, CA

What to Ask Before Hiring an Electrician in Fresno

As California’s fifth most populous city, Fresno is a major global agricultural center in a county with nearly 200 million acres of farming land providing some 300 premium crops. It is thus no surprise to say the city needs a lot of electricity to keep the lights on in those facilities to keep the produce fresh. Fresno’s pool of over 1,400 electricians is always ready to help with simple problems like tripped circuit breakers at home or in the office to more complex ones like electric panel and service equipment upgrades on your farm or resolving outages that affect only your property.

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

Safety should be of utmost concern when dealing with electrical issues because even small mistakes like incorrect wiring and using incompatible components can produce dangerous results. Therefore, you should always call on a qualified electrician who is well-versed with the National Electrical Code requirements and applicable local electrical regulations to handle any electrical issues you may have, regardless of how minor they may seem. Examples of these types of situations include: 

  • Wiring newly built houses or renovated homes 
  • Upgrading or replacing circuit breakers and electrical panels  
  • Installing, repairing, and replacing outlets and lighting fixtures 
  • Investigating the source of sparking, buzzing in walls, and burning wires 
  • Obtaining permits and correcting code violations 
  • Resolving power outages that affect just your home 

Are You Licensed as an Electrician in Fresno? 

Fresno electricians must get a C-10 Electrical Contractor License from the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) before offering or providing electrical services worth $500 or more, cost of labor and materials inclusive.  

You can verify that your Fresno electrician has been appropriately licensed to provide the electrical services you need by contacting the CSLB at (800) 321-2752 or using its Check a Contractor License platform. 

It is advisable to do this before committing to any electrician in the city, regardless of your project's scope or total value. Notice that providing electrical services in Fresno without a valid CSLB-issued license is a misdemeanor punishable by jail time of up to six months and fines of up to $15,000. 

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

Professional electricians in Fresno typically charge from $50 to $120 per hour for their services. Note that these charges are generally determined by factors like: 

  • The nature and scope of the job 
  • Your location within the city 
  • The complexity of the job 
  • The cost of necessary permits and materials like surge protectors, fixtures, and wires 
  • The electrician’s reputation 

Consider getting and comparing quotes from several electricians in the city before deciding to help you get a fair idea of current rates and to spot electricians that fraudulently inflate their charges.   

Are You a Master Electrician in Fresno? 

Fresno-based electricians are generally grouped into three main categories, namely: 

  • Apprentice Electricians: these are trainee electricians that are still undergoing an apprenticeship program. Apprentice electricians must always work under the supervision of a licensed and experienced electrician.
  • Journeyman Electricians: these electricians have undergone sufficient training and demonstrated substantial competence and proficiency in electrical work. Fresno journeyman electricians must gain at least 8,000 hours or four years of on-the-job experience before obtaining a state-issued license. 
  • Master Electricians: this is the highest level of experience attainable as an electrician. Fresno master electricians are sometimes called Electrical Contractors, Primary Electricians, or Class A Electricians, and they are skilled enough to provide any electrical service regardless of its complexity. Master electricians also often work in supervisory roles. 

Always ensure that the electricians working on your project have a suitable level of experience to match the complexity of the task.  

Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in Fresno? 

A city-issued permit is required for any project that involves installing, altering, repairing, converting, or replacing electrical systems in Fresno. The permitting process is handled by the Fresno Building and Safety Services Division. Bear in mind that permits for electrical works are usually only issued to state-licensed contractors, property owners, or their authorized agents. Also, all permitted work must begin no later than 180 days after the permit is issued; otherwise, it will be considered expired, and the applicant will be required to start the permitting process again. 

You can get more information on the permitting procedure for electrical works in Fresno by contacting the city's Building and Safety Services Division at (559) 621-8084 or (559) 621-8082. 

What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in Fresno? 

Licensed and experienced Fresno electricians offer a variety of electrical services to interested city residents, like: 

Outlet and Fixtures Installation/Replacement
$100 - $250 
Circuit Breaker Switch Replacement
$150 - $250
Electrical Panel/Wiring Upgrade
$1,100 - $4,500 
Home Wiring/Rewiring
$3,500 - $10,000 
General Repair Work
$50 - $300 
Electrical Inspection
$100 - $250 
Service Equipment Upgrades
$500 - $6,250
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 Fresno? 

A single experienced electrician can usually complete most residential electrical work in Fresno. However, large projects like newly built home rewiring and projects involving commercial and industrial properties may have to be handled by multiple electricians, especially if they have a nearby estimated project completion date. As such, always confirm if your electrician will be subcontracting any part of your work when negotiating with them, and ensure to do the following if this is the case: 

  • Find out who will be involved in the work 
  • Verify their license status and level of experience  
  • Confirm that they have adequate bond and insurance coverage 
  • Get a lien waiver from the electrician to ensure that you are not held liable for non-payments on their part  

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Fresno Electrician? 

Fresno-based electricians must post surety bonds of at least $25,000 and carry worker’s compensation insurance for their employees or get an exemption for this where needed. Similarly, these electricians must inform homeowners whether they have commercial general liability insurance or not before working on their property.  

As such, always ask any electrician you intend to hire in Fresno for proof of insurance before reaching agreements with them. You can get additional information on Fresno-based electricians' bond and insurance requirements by contacting the California Contractors State License Board at (800) 321-2752.  

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

A professional Fresno electrician usually offers a work warranty for their services. Thus, you should consider it a red flag if any electrician you wish to hire does not do this. Be aware that the terms and conditions of these work warranties vary by the electrician who issues them. Nonetheless, ensure your warranty is valid for at least one year.  

You should also request a written copy of the warranty to allow you to review its terms and conditions properly.  

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

You can file a complaint concerning unsatisfactory electrical services and fraudulent electricians in Fresno by submitting a Consumer Protection Fraud Form to the Consumer and Environmental Protection Division of the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, either via email or mail-in to:  

Financial Crimes P.O. Box 389 Fresno, CA93708  Queries concerning this office’s consumer complaint submission and resolution process can also be directed to: 2100 Tulare Street Fresno, CA 93721 Phone: (559) 600-3141

You can also report matters involving licensed and unlicensed electricians in Fresno by utilizing the options provided by the California Contractors State License Board via its Filing a Construction Complaint webpage.