Get Quotes from Top Electricians in San Diego, CA

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

Licensed and professional electricians in San Diego typically comply with the provisions of the California Electrical Code (which has been locally adopted and amended by the city) when providing their services. This, in turn, ensures that electrical works are done safely, competently, and with minimized risks of injuries and property damage. Never attempt electrical work on your own, even if it's a relatively simple issue like fixing a faulty outlet or determining the source of electrical sparks; always get a licensed electrician for the job.

Common situations that an experienced San Diego electrician can help you handle include:

• Electrical shocks
• Replacing faulty circuit breakers/switches and electrical panel parts
• Wiring a newly built or renovated home
• Repairing or replacing faulty fixtures and outlets
• Repairing low-pressure heating plants
• Installing transformers rated at 1,000VA or less
• Obtaining permits and inspecting buildings

Are You Licensed as an Electrician in San Diego?

Individuals who wish to offer electrical services in San Diego costing more than $500, including the cost of labor and materials, must obtain a C-10 Electrical Contractor license from the California Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB). Nonetheless, it is always in your best interest to hire licensed electricians for your projects, no matter their total cost; this way, you can rest assured that the work will be done by competent professionals.

You can verify your prospective electrician's license by using the CSLB's Check a License portal.

Note that electricians who provide services worth $500 or more without a CSLB license face civil and criminal penalties, including a fine of up to $10,000, a jail sentence, or both.

What Rates Do You Charge for Your Electrical Services in San Diego?

San Diego electricians typically charge between $60 to $150 per hour for their services; however, a number of factors influence the overall cost of hiring these electricians. These factors include:

• The nature of the job
• Amount of labor and time required to complete the job
• Your location within the city
• The cost of necessary materials, like lighting fixtures, wires, and surge protectors
• The electrician's local reputation

It is advisable to get and compare quotes from three or more electricians before hiring. This helps you prevent dishonest electricians from defrauding you.

Are You a Master Electrician in San Diego?

Electricians in San Diego are generally classified into three categories based on their level of experience:

• Electrical Apprentice: these electricians train to repair and maintain electrical systems under the supervision of a qualified journeyman electrician.
• Journeyman Electricians: these electricians have attained significant on-the-job experience but still need to work under the supervision of a master electrician until they get a state-issued electrical contractor's license. This license is typically only issued to journeyman electricians who have attained at least 8,000 hours or four years of on-the-job experience and passed a licensing examination.
• Master Electricians: these are licensed electricians who have attained several years of electrical knowledge and on-the-job experience. This is the highest level of experience an electrician can attain. Master electricians are also authorized to supervise both journeymen electricians and electrical apprentices.

It is recommended that you use a master electrician for your electrical services in San Diego. This assures you that you are getting optimal services from a competent individual.

Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in San Diego?

A permit issued by the San Diego Development Services Department (DSD) is required before any electrical wiring, device, appliance, or equipment is installed, repaired, replaced, or altered in the city. There are, however, electrical tasks that can be performed without a permit, like fixing fuses, replacing electrical sockets that are not more than 25 volts, and repairing or replacing dishwashers, washing machines, and other hardwired appliances within residential units.

Home or property owners and licensed electrical contractors can apply for electrical permits online; you can make inquiries concerning the permit issuance process by contacting the DSD at (619) 446-5000.

What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in San Diego?

Professional San Diego electricians offer a wide range of services, ranging from installing new electrical systems to repairing and maintaining existing ones. Some common examples of these services include:

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

You do not typically need to hire more than one professional electrician for residential and small-scale commercial electrical jobs. However, for large-scale projects like rewiring renovated apartment complexes and installing electrical systems in newly constructed commercial or industrial buildings. Your electrician may need to outsource work to other professionals. Nevertheless, always confirm if your work is going to be outsourced before committing to any electrician in the city. If you confirm that the job will be outsourced, you should protect yourself from potential liabilities by taking the following actions:

• Find out who the work is being outsourced to
• Confirm that they are appropriately licensed and experienced
• Confirm that they are adequately insured and bonded
• Get a lien waiver that releases you from liabilities if the electrician fails to pay these third parties on time

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded San Diego Electrician?

All licensed electrical contractors or applicants seeking contractor licensing in San Diego must have worker's compensation insurance (or get an exemption where applicable) and maintain a $25,000 bond. It is also recommended that you look out for electricians with general liability insurance, even though it is not mandatory. This protects you from liabilities that may arise from work-related accidents and property damage.

Therefore, always request proof of insurance and bonding before hiring any San Diego electrician. Contact the California State License Board (CSLB) at (800) 321-2752 with any questions you might have regarding insurance requirements for San Diego electricians.

Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Electrical Work in San Diego?

Professional and reliable San Diego electricians always offer warranties - these warranties cover their services and the materials used during the electrical work. While the scope of coverage for these warranties varies from one electrician to the other, they are typically valid for one year.

Do not hire any electrician who does not offer warranties. It is also a good idea to ask for a written copy of any warranties you are offered and read their terms and conditions - this helps you understand its specific scope of coverage and validity.

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

You can report unsatisfactory services by an electrician in San Diego to the San Diego City Attorney's Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit via an online complaint form or by calling (619) 533-5800.

You can also resolve electrician-related issues in San Diego by filing a construction complaint with the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) by mailing a Citizen Report and Informal Complaint Form, along with any relevant documentation, to the San Diego County District Attorney's Consumer Protection Unit at: