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What to Ask Before Hiring an Electrician in Arlington

From Little Five Points to the exclusive neighborhoods of Buckhead, Atlanta is a flourishing city for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals alike. Home to over 498,000 residents, the world's busiest airport, and big brands like Coca-cola, UPS, Home Depot, and Delta Air Lines, this city in a forest is also gaining fame as the nation’s new tech hot spot. Thriving cities like Atlanta require hundreds of qualified electricians to help keep their factories running, bars bubbling, and homes cooling. Whether upgrading an electrical system, repairing broken circuit breakers, replacing an electrical fixture, or wiring a new building, you can count on Atlanta’s top electricians.

However, before hiring an electrician in the city, you should ensure that their insurance and occupational license status are up to date. Doing so can help minimize the chances of being provided subpar service or scammed. Also, consider other factors that may impact the total cost you pay.

In light of the above, there are questions you should ask before hiring an electrician in Atlanta. Take the following as pointers for your query:

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

Electricians in Atlanta typically charge around $40 to $100 an hour for their work. However, how much your preferred electrician will charge you is influenced by a variety of factors, such as:

  • Nature and scope of the electrical work
  • The cost of necessary permits and materials
  • The electrician's reputation and level of experience
  • Your location within the city
  • The urgency of the job
  • The labor intensity of the job

Before making your final hiring decision, ensure you get and compare the cost estimates of at least three electricians. Doing so will help prevent an electrician from overcharging or defrauding you.

Are You Licensed as an Electrician in Arlington?

Electricians working on projects in Arlington must first get a license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Applicants can apply for a number of electrician licenses including apprentice, journeyman, and master electrician licenses. Applicants are informed if they’re authorized to take the licensing exam once their completed license application is evaluated and the application fee received. The applicant has one year from the date of the application to fulfill all conditions, including passing the test, to be able to get a license.

Working as an electrician in Arlington without a license is an offense that is punishable by fines up to $5,000 depending on the class of violation. To ensure that your electrician is duly licensed, use the TDLR License Data Search site. For more information, contact the TDLR at (800) 803-9202 and (512) 463-6599 or mail-in to:

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Electricians Program PO Box 12157 Austin, TX 78711

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

Electricians in Atlanta typically charge around $40 to $100 an hour for their work. However, how much your preferred electrician will charge you is influenced by a variety of factors, such as:

  • Nature and scope of the electrical work
  • The cost of necessary permits and materials
  • The electrician's reputation and level of experience
  • Your location within the city
  • The urgency of the job
  • The labor intensity of the job

Before making your final hiring decision, ensure you get and compare the cost estimates of at least three electricians. Doing so will help prevent an electrician from overcharging or defrauding you.

Are You a Master Electrician in Arlington?

There are several categories for electrical workers depending on their experience level:

  • Apprentice Electricians: These are entry-level electrical workers who usually work under the supervision of a licensed electrical contractor.
  • Journeyman Electricians: These individuals do not need a license. Nonetheless, they can only provide electrical services under the supervision of a licensed electrical contractor. Journeyman electricians usually have yet to reach the licensed electrical contractor license eligibility age of 21 years.
  • Master Electricians/Electrical Contractors: This is considered the highest level of expertise an electrician can have in Atlanta. To obtain a master electrician license, the applicant must be at least 21 years old, have at least four years of hands-on experience, and pass an examination.

Make sure to hire a master electrician when you require electrical services and confirm their license classification is appropriate for your project.

Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in Arlington?

Electrical projects involving installing, modifying, or repairing electrical systems require a permit. The Atlanta Department of City Planning (DCP) is responsible for issuing trade permits, such as electrical permits. Application for a permit can be completed online via the DCP's citizen access portal. Note that only a licensed electrical contractor can apply for an electrical permit.

Contact the Atlanta Department of City Planning at (404) 330-6150 for more information on obtaining electrical permits.

  • Apprentice Electrician: These are beginners who an experienced electrician is often mentoring while they learn the ropes.
  • Journeyman Electrician: These are future electricians who have proven to have a thorough understanding of how all electrical systems operate. Before applying for a license in Arlington, a journeyman electrician must complete at least 7,000 hours of on-the-job training.
  • Master Electrician: These Arlington electricians have at least 12,000 hours of practical experience and are frequently prepared to provide any type of electrical assistance.
  • Special Electrician: The main difference between a special electrician and a master electrician is that a special electrician is limited to working on particular types of urban structures.

In general, it is advisable to choose a master electrician to provide electrical services in Arlington for you because of their substantial knowledge and experience. This will ensure you get the best service possible.

What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in Arlington?

Atlanta electricians provide various types of residential and commercial electrical services to residents. These include, but are not limited to:

Outlet and Fixtures Installation/Replacement
$100 - $260
Circuit Breaker Switch Replacement
$140 - $250
Electrical Panel/Wiring Upgrade
$1,200 - $4,550
Home Wiring/Rewiring
$2,500 - $10,500
General Repair Work
$40 - $300
Electrical Inspection
$115 - $250
Service Equipment Upgrades
$450 - $6,500
Emergency Electrical Services per hour (on top of regular charges)
$100 - $200

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

Although many electricians in Atlanta can complete most of their tasks independently, industrial or commercial projects may require the services of additional electricians. So, before hiring any electrician in the city, confirm if they will outsource all or part of the work. If outsourcing were to take place, then you should do the following:

  • Confirm the electrical subcontractors are qualified and experienced by validating their licensing status and other credentials.
  • Confirm their insurance coverage is adequate.
  • Get a lien waiver, which will prevent you are held liable to the outsourced electricians if the primary electrician fails to make timely payments.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Arlington Electrician?

Before electricians can legally provide their services to Atlanta residents, they must post a contractor's bond and have insurance coverage. The amount of the bond that the electrician needs is determined by the volume of work they will do. Electrical contractors in Atlanta must have a general liability insurance coverage of $1,000,000. Besides liability insurance, these professionals must carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees, if any.

It is essential for electrical contractors to carry general liability insurance coverage to protect you from incurring liability in case of property damage and bodily injuries while providing their services. Hence, before hiring an Atlanta electrician, ensure they have adequate liability insurance coverage. You can also contact the Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board through their online contact form to get more information about their bonding and insurance requirements.

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

Many reputable Atlanta electricians provide work warranties for the materials they will use and the electrical services they will provide. Nonetheless, confirming that your preferred electrician will provide work warranties for their services is still essential. Also, consider that although the electrician determines the terms and conditions of the warranty, you should verify that the warranty’s validity is of at least one year.

Finally, ensure you have a copy of the warranty to understand its terms and conditions to avoid voiding it.

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

You can contact the Consumer Protection Division of the Georgia Attorney General's Office to report issues related to electrician scams and electrical services in Atlanta. You can file a complaint online or mail in the printed online complaint form to:

Consumer Protection Division2 Martin Luther King Junior DriveSuite 356Atlanta, GA 30334Phone: (404) 651-8600Toll-Free: (800) 869-1123

You can also file a complaint against an Atlanta electrician with the Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Boardonline or by submitting a written complaint with all the necessary information by mail to:

237 Coliseum DriveMacon, Georgia 31217-3858Phone: (404) 424-9966Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.