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

Indianapolis residents should always hire the services of experienced and licensed electricians when it comes to their electrical work. These individuals ensure they follow the National Electrical Code and the Building Standards and Procedures of the Consolidated City of Indianapolis when working. Note that doing these types of tasks yourself or hiring an electrician who is not experienced can have detrimental consequences for you and your loved ones.

Typical electrical projects that an experienced and licensed Indianapolis electrician can handle include the following:

• EV charging station installation
• Electric panel installation and repair
• Wiring of new buildings and renovated homes
• Service equipment troubleshooting and maintenance
• Permit pulling and code violation correction
• Indoor and outdoor lighting installation, maintenance, and repair
• Electric switches, receptacles, and outlets installation, replacement, and repair

Are You Licensed as an Electrician in Indianapolis?

An electrician in Indianapolis must be licensed by the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (IDBNS) when carrying out the following electrical work:

• Installing, replacing, servicing, or modernizing an electrical power distribution system
• Connecting electrical power for onsite construction
• Servicing equipment supplying power to factory-constructed dwellings in a mobile home park
• Installing, altering, replacing, servicing, or repairing a system distributing electrical power

Any electrician who fails to adhere to this licensing requirement will be subject to a fine of not more than $2,500 and other civil actions initiated by the city. Regardless of the cost of the electrical work that you're planning on doing, it's important to hire a licensed electrician with good skills.

You can verify whether your prospective Indianapolis electrician has a valid license by checking the Licensed Electrical Contractors List provided by the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (IDBNS).

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

In Indianapolis, an electrician typically charges between $50 to $100 an hour for their work. However, the cost of electrical projects can vary depending on several factors, such as:

• The nature and scope of your requested electrical services
• The urgency of the job
• Your location within the city
• The complexity and labor intensity of the job
• Your preferred electrician's local reputation and level of expertise
• The cost of necessary permits and materials

It is always advisable to get and compare cost estimates for your electrical work from multiple electrical contractors in Indianapolis before making your final hiring choice. This will allow you to make an informed decision and avoid getting ripped off by dishonest electricians who fraudulently overcharge for their services.

Are You a Master Electrician in Indianapolis?

Indianapolis has three main categories of electricians with varying levels of experience:

• Apprentice Electricians: these electricians are enrolled in an apprenticeship program. They are typically only skilled enough to carry out basic electrical work under the supervision of an experienced electrician.
• Journeyman Electricians: these individuals have completed the training necessary to become licensed electricians in Indianapolis. These professionals must demonstrate their expertise and knowledge by passing a state-administered licensing exam. To take the exam in Indianapolis, the electrician must have a completed application and a notarized employer letter from an employer to prove six years of experience in the trade.
• Master Electricians: master electricians in Indianapolis are highly experienced and skilled individuals who can provide a wide range of electrical services. They are also responsible for supervising the apprentices. As master electricians, they have to demonstrate competency and more years of work experience than journeyman electricians.

When choosing an electrician in Indianapolis, ensure they have the necessary skills and experience to handle your electrical needs.

Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in Indianapolis?

An electrical permit must be obtained from the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (IDBNS) for nearly all electrical work relating to an electrical power distribution system in Indianapolis. However, there are some exceptions to this permit requirement like when installing household appliances or a single-phase circuit in a building with a building permit that involves the modernization, installation, service, replacement, or repair of a space heating or cooling equipment, heating system, cooling system, a water heater, or a food waste disposer. Nevertheless, the department issues two categories of permits for electrical works within the city: Class 1 permits for commercial developments and Class 2 permits for residential developments.

Queries regarding the process of obtaining a permit or permit-related questions can be directed to the Department at (317) 327-8700 or visit in person at:

What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in Indianapolis?

Residents of Indianapolis can count on experienced and skilled electricians to provide them with various electrical services, including:

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

While most of the electrical work in Indianapolis can be handled by a single skilled and experienced electrician, they may also have to outsource specific projects, especially for time-bound large projects like new building electrical system installations or renovated home rewirings. This also often applies to industrial and commercial electrical work, as these typically have a broader scope than residential projects.

Ask the electrician if they will subcontract certain parts of your work. If they do, take the following necessary steps:

• Request that the electricians get approval from you before hiring subcontractors
• Verify each subcontractor's license, bond, and insurance status, as well as their level of experience
• Make sure to ask for a lien waiver. This will protect you from liability should the primary electrician fail to pay the subcontractors.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Indianapolis Electrician?

Electricians in the city are required to post a bond of $10,000 and carry general liability insurance of $100,000 for property damage and $500,000 for bodily injury or death or a combined coverage of not less than $500,000 for both. They must also carry worker's compensation insurance if they have at least one employee. Before beginning work on your property, you must always verify that any electrician you intend to hire possesses adequate insurance cover and bond. This is because hiring an uninsured electrician may make you incur liability for any work-related injury or unforeseen accidents that occur when the project is being executed.

You can verify the insurance coverage of any electrician you hire by requesting a copy of their insurance certificate and contacting the stated insurance provider to confirm its validity. Contact the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (IDBNS) at (317) 327-8700 to get more information on Indianapolis electricians' mandatory bond and insurance requirements.

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

Many reputable electricians in Indianapolis offer warranties for their work. You should consider it a red flag if your prospective electrician refuses to do so or tries to downplay the importance. Note that the coverage and validity of these warranties will be determined by the electrician who provides them. Therefore, you should ensure that the warranty you receive is in writing and that you can thoroughly review its terms and conditions.

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

You can file a complaint concerning shoddy electrical services, electrician scams, and deceptive business practices to the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Indiana State Attorney General by filling out an Online Consumer Complaint Form or by downloading and completing a Printable Consumer Complaint Form, and sending this form to: