Get Quotes from Top Electricians in Riverside, CA

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

While it is important to address electrical issues as quickly as possible, getting qualified electricians to do this is equally important. Acting otherwise exposes you and others to potentially fatal hazards. Hence, whenever you need electrical services, you should always contact a licensed and experienced Riverside electrician that provides their services in compliance with the California Electrical Code. Some common scenarios that demand the attention of qualified Riverside electricians include the following: 

• You have defective breakers, electric panels, or subpanels that need replacing. 
• You smell burning wires. 
• You need to upgrade your home's wiring, lighting fixtures, or outlets. 
• Your property has a code violation that has to be fixed. 
• Your home has sustained water damage, especially around electrical outlets and fixtures. 

Are You Licensed as an Electrician in Riverside? 

Riverside electricians must obtain a C-10 Electrical Contractor License from the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) before bidding for or performing electrical works worth $500 or more. Failing to comply with this licensing requirement is a misdemeanor offense. Violators can receive statutory and administrative penalties of up to $15,000 in fines, jail time of up to six months, or a combination of fines and jail time.  

You should confirm that your prospective Riverside electrician has been duly licensed by the CSLB, regardless of the total cost of your required electrical works. You can do this by contacting the board’s Licensing Information Center at (800) 321-2752 or via its Check a Contractor License portal.  

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

Riverside electricians generally charge average hourly rates of $60 - $120 per hour for their services. Nevertheless, the actual cost of electrical services in Riverside is determined by certain factors, including the following:  

• The type and scope of the work 
• The complexity of the job 
• The cost of required permits and materials 
• The electrician’s local reputation and level of experience 
• The urgency of the job 
• Your location within the city 

Always request and compare cost estimates from at least three electricians before making your final decision. By doing so, you can identify dishonest electricians overcharging  unwary customers and get a fair estimate of the market rate for your required electrical services. 

Are You a Master Electrician in Riverside? 

In Riverside, electricians are typically divided into three categories according to their levels of experience and expertise: 

• Apprentice Electricians: These are unlicensed individuals still engaged in a training or apprenticeship program. Apprentice electricians must always be supervised by licensed electricians. 
• Journeyman Electricians: Journeyman electricians have successfully completed training or apprenticeship programs and have gained sufficient knowledge and expertise to perform a range of electrical works without supervision. These electricians typically need to have at least four years of electrical work experience and pass an examination before being licensed.  
• Master Electricians: Master electricians are highly skilled and experienced individuals that have worked as licensed journeyman electricians for several years and are, thus, generally qualified to perform any type of electrical work, no matter its scope or complexity.  

Always ensure that any Riverside electrician you hire is licensed and has the right level of experience to do the job effectively and satisfactorily.   

Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in Riverside? 

Electrical permits obtained from the Riverside Building and Safety Division are generally required for projects that involve installing, altering, repairing, converting, replacing, or removing electrical systems in the city. The timeline for obtaining these permits usually depends on the project's scope. As such, permits for relatively simple tasks like residential service meter upgrades may be issued the same day, while permits for works requiring plan checks and reviews usually take longer. 

Contact the Riverside Building and Safety Division at (951) 826-5800 for more information on permits for electrical projects in the city.   

What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in Riverside? 

Professional Riverside electricians are generally equipped to provide a variety of electrical services, including the following: 

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

Professional Riverside electricians are usually capable of handling many electrical tasks by themselves. However, these electricians may outsource some of the work to subcontractors for large projects, especially those with strict timelines. As such, it is always a good idea to find out if your electrician will employ any subcontractors if you are undertaking a large project. If the electrician confirms this, you should consider taking the following actions: 

• Establish the number of subcontractors that will be involved. 
• Confirm that each subcontractor is appropriately licensed, experienced, insured, and bonded. 
• Obtain lien waivers to avoid being held liable for late or non-payment on the primary electrician’s part. 

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Riverside Electrician? 

Riverside electricians must post and maintain $25,000 surety bonds, carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees, and disclose their commercial general liability insurance status to homeowners before working on their property. Note that even though liability insurance coverage is not mandatory for these electricians, it is strongly recommended. 

For this reason, when negotiating for electrical services, always ask for and authenticate copies of your potential electrician's insurance and bond certificates.  

To learn more about bond and insurance requirements for Riverside electricians, contact the California Contractors State License Board at (800) 321-2752. 

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

Professional Riverside electricians always offer warranties. You should be wary of any electrician in the city who does not offer a work warranty that covers labor and materials or who is reluctant to do so. 

Furthermore, although electrical work warranties typically have different terms and conditions, make sure that the warranty you are offered is valid for at least one year. For this purpose, always request written copies of warranties to review their terms and conditions properly.  

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

You can report matters involving subpar electrical services, unlicensed electrical work, and electrician scams in Riverside to the California Contractors State License Board using the resources provided on its Filing a Construction Complaint webpage.  

These complaints can also be filed locally with the Riverside County District Attorney's Office by submitting a Special Prosecution Complaint Form to