Get Quotes from Top Electricians in Bakersfield, CA

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

Electrical work in Bakersfield should always be handled by licensed and experienced electricians familiar with and who strictly adhere to the California Electrical Code, locally adopted by the city, when providing their services. Attempting to work on these tasks yourself or hiring an inexperienced electrician can have disastrous results for you, your loved ones, and the general public.

Some typical electrical works that licensed and experienced Bakersfield electricians handle include:

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

Are You Licensed as an Electrician in Bakersfield?

Bakersfield electricians must obtain a state-issued C-10 Electrical Contractor License from the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) before doing any work worth $500 or more, including the cost of labor and materials.

Electricians not adhering to this licensing requirement are subject to misdemeanor charges and face statutory and administrative penalties, including jail time of up to six months and monetary fines of up to $15,000. It is always best to hire an appropriately licensed electrician, regardless of the total cost of your intended electrical work, since CSLB licensing is generally a sign of the electrician's proficiency and dependability.

You can verify whether your prospective Bakersfield electrician has a valid CSLB-issued license by contacting the board's Licensing Information Center at (800) 321-2752 or through its Check a Contractor License portal.

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

While electricians in Bakersfield generally charge between $50 and $105 per hour for their services, the overall cost of the electrical work will depend on several variables, including:

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

It is always a good idea to get and compare cost estimates for your electrical work from at least three electricians in the city before making your final hiring choice. This will help you get a general idea of your planned electrical project's cost and protect you from dishonest electricians who fraudulently overcharge for their services.

Are You a Master Electrician in Bakersfield?

Bakersfield-based electricians are typically divided into three categories according to their varied levels of experience:

• Apprentice Electricians: electricians still enrolled in apprenticeship programs fall under this category. Apprentice electricians are usually only skilled enough to perform basic electrical-related tasks and must always be supervised by a more experienced electrician.
• Journeyman Electricians: these electricians have completed the minimal acceptable training necessary for obtaining a state-issued electrician’s license. This training usually entails gaining at least four years of hands-on electrical work experience. Journeyman electricians must prove their proficiency and acquired expertise by passing a state-administered licensing exam.
• Master Electricians: master electricians are highly skilled and experienced electricians that have acquired several years of theoretical and practical electrical work experience after obtaining their state-issued licenses. Consequently, these electricians are generally capable of providing any type of electrical service and are usually responsible for supervising apprentice electricians. Bakersfield master electricians are sometimes called Electrical Contractors, Primary Electricians, or Class A Electricians.

Always ensure any Bakersfield-based electrician you intend to hire is aptly experienced to handle your electrical job competently and satisfactorily.

Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in Bakersfield?

A building permit issued by the Building Division of the Bakersfield Development Services Department is typically required for any work that involves installing, altering, replacing, removing, or modifying electrical systems in Bakersfield. The specific requirements for obtaining these permits greatly depend on the scope of the work to be done. They may include preparing and submitting building drawings, plans, and calculations signed and stamped by a state-licensed engineer.

Queries related to the process and requirements for obtaining permits for electrical work in Bakersfield can be directed to the city’s Building Division at (661) 326-3720 or via email.

What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in Bakersfield?

Skilled and experienced electricians in Bakersfield are very capable of providing a broad range of electrical services to interested city residents. These services include:

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

While skilled and experienced Bakersfield electricians generally only need to outsource some of the residential electrical work they get hired to do, they may have to outsource for large projects like new building electrical system installations or renovated home rewirings, especially if the project is time-bound. The same often applies to commercial and industrial electrical work, as it usually has a broader scope than residential work.

Nevertheless, always find out if any parts of your electrical work will be subcontracted when making hiring arrangements with your prospective electrician. If the response is positive, take the following actions:

• Require the electrician to inform you before hiring any subcontractors
• Confirm each subcontractor's license, bond, and insurance status, as well as their level of expertise
• Ask for lien waivers. This ensures that you are not held liable if the primary electrician fails to make agreed-on payments to the subcontractors

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Bakersfield Electrician?

Bakersfield electricians must maintain surety bonds of $25,000 and carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees, if any. Also, even though it is not mandatory, it is advisable to ensure that your electrician has general liability insurance to cover third-party bodily injuries and property damage.

Always ask prospective electricians for proof of bond and insurance coverage before they start any work on your property. Note that Bakersfield electricians are legally required to inform consumers of their liability insurance status before performing any residential work. Contact the California Contractors State License Board at (800) 321-2752 to get additional information on the mandatory bond and insurance requirements for Bakersfield electricians.

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

Professional and trustworthy Bakersfield electricians always offer warranties for their services. You should consider it a red flag if the electrician you plan to hire refuses to do so or attempts to dismiss them as unnecessary.

Be aware that the specific electrician that offers these warranties determines their validity and coverage. Make sure that any warranty you are given is valid for at least one year and that you get it in writing to review its terms and conditions carefully.

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

Matters concerning subpar electrical services, electrician scams, and other similar deceptive or unfair business practices involving Bakersfield electricians can be reported to the Kern County District Attorney’s Office by mailing a Consumer Complaint Form to:

Alternatively, you can report these matters by filing a construction complaint with the California Contractors State License Board.