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What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an Electrician in Charlotte

It is essential to hire a competent electrician who works under the provisions of the National Electrical Code and the North Carolina Electrical Code when installing, repairing, and maintaining electrical systems; this will ensure that your project is handled safely and efficiently. On the other hand, hiring an inexperienced individual for these tasks or attempting them yourself can be dangerous and adversely affect the efficiency of your electrical systems and equipment.

Therefore, always call on a professional Charlotte electrician in any of the following situations:

• Conducting electrical safety inspections
• Wiring a newly built residence
• Obtaining electrical permits
• Replacing faulty circuit breakers, switches, and electrical panels
• Replacing or repairing faulty outlets and fixtures.

Are You Licensed as an Electrician in Charlotte?

Electricians who wish to work and provide services in Charlotte must obtain an Electrical Contractor License from the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEB). The NCBEEC offers different license classifications, each with specific requirements that must be met before being obtained by interested electricians.

You can verify your intended electrician's license status using the NCBEEC's Verify License Search platform. It is advisable to do this before signing off contracts with them, as this ensures that they are legitimate and qualified for the type of electrical project you need.

Note that performing electrical works in Charlotte without appropriate licensing where required is considered a Class 2 misdemeanor. This offense also carries administrative sanctions that may include a $1,000 fine.

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

Charlotte electricians generally charge about $50 to $120 per hour for their services. However, the overall cost of hiring an electrician and doing electrical work in the city is determined by several factors, including:

• The cost of materials required
• The urgency and labor intensity of the job
• The electrician's reputation and experience
• Your location within the city
• Permit fees

It is recommended that you get quotes for your electrical services from several electrical contractors and compare their rates before settling for an electrician. This is an effective way to get an idea of the current rates for your electrical projects and saves you from being conned by dishonest electricians.

Are You a Master Electrician in Charlotte?

While there are different types of electricians in Charlotte, they may be essentially classified into three categories:

• Limited Electricians: these are electricians who are under training, and they are sometimes called apprentice electricians. Limited electricians with at least 3000 hours of experience can apply for an electrical license; however, they must still work under the supervision of a licensed master electrician.
• Intermediate Electricians: intermediate electricians (sometimes referred to as journeyman electricians) have acquired at least 5,750 hours of experience under the supervision of master electricians and have subsequently been licensed to perform electrical works and obtain electrical permits.
• Unlimited Electricians: these are highly skilled and experienced electricians (sometimes referred to as master electricians) who are licensed to perform electrical works, obtain electrical permits, and supervise the work of other electricians. They have acquired at least 9,000 hours of experience and are qualified to take on larger or more complex electrical projects.

You should always hire master electricians for your electrical projects in Charlotte, as they are more competent and skilled than other electricians. It is also a good idea to ascertain the electrician's area of specialization and verify that it's relevant to the type of electrical work you need. Here are some common areas of specialization among Charlotte master electricians:

• Residential Electricians: these electricians specialize in residential electrical services.
• Low-voltage Electricians: these electricians specialize in installing, maintaining, and repairing low-voltage systems like fire alarms, telecommunication systems, and security systems.
• Electric Sign Electricians: these electricians specialize in the installation, maintenance, and repair of lighting technologies such as electronic message boards, illuminated signs, and signage.
• Swimming Pool Electricians: these are electricians who specialize in electrical services related to swimming pools, like pool lighting, controls, heaters, and pumps.
• Elevator Electricians: these electricians specialize in the Installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical systems within elevators like cables, control panels, safety systems, and motors.

Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in Charlotte?

Permits issued by the Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement Department (CED) are required for projects that involve the installation, maintenance, replacement, and repair of electrical systems and equipment in Charlotte. However, exemptions may be made for electrical projects that cost $20,000 or less, provided the project does not involve adding to, replacing, or changing the design of an existing electrical system and using materials not permitted by code.

You can get additional information on Charlotte electrical permits and issuance processes by contacting the Code Enforcement Department at:

What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in Charlotte?

Licensed electrical contractors in Charlotte typically offer a broad range of electrical services. These include, but are not limited to:

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

Professional electricians in Charlotte usually handle most electrical work themselves; however, situations such as the scope of the project or time constraints may see the electrician outsourcing the project to other electricians. Therefore, when engaging the services of a Charlotte electrician, always verify if any part of your project will be outsourced. If the electrician confirms this, you should take the following actions:

• Find out who will do the work and verify that they are licensed and experienced.
• Verify their bond and insurance coverage.
• Get a lien waiver (this protects your property if the primary electrician fails to pay these subcontractors on time).

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Charlotte Electrician?

Even though electricians in Charlotte are not mandated to carry general liability insurance, it is recommended that you hire an electrician with proper insurance coverage. Failing to do this can make you liable for any property damage or injuries that may occur during or as a direct result of your electrical project. Note that, per state law, electricians in Charlotte with employees are required to maintain active workers' compensation insurance for these employees.

Therefore, always verify the insurance status of your electricians by requesting copies of their insurance certificates and authenticating these documents with the appropriate insurance company.

Queries concerning Charlotte electricians' workers' insurance requirements can be directed to the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) at (800) 688-8349

Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Electrical Services in Charlotte?

Warranties are essential to any service, and reputable electricians will always offer you a warranty on their workmanship and the materials used during the provision of their services. You should be wary of any electrician who doesn't do this or attempts to minimize its importance.

Although the duration of these warranties typically differs, ensure that any warranty you are offered is valid for at least one year. It is also a good idea to request a written copy of the warranty and thoroughly review its terms and conditions.

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

You can file complaints about unsatisfactory electrical services and other electrician-related issues in Charlotte with the North Carolina Attorney General's Office via an online consumer complaint form.

You can also resolve matters involving Charlotte electricians by filing a complaint with the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors.