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

Installing, repairing, maintaining, or replacing electrical systems and equipment without adequate competence or skill is not only dangerous but can also severely affect the efficiency of these systems and equipment. As such, it is always in your best interest to hire a professional and reputable electrician to provide these services; this ensures that the work is done safely, efficiently, and per the provisions of the Ohio Electrical Code.

Some common situations where you should call on a professional Columbus electrician include the following:

• You need to obtain electrical permits
• You need to replace faulty circuit breakers and electrical panel parts
• You need to fix or replace faulty outlets and fixtures
• You need to wire a new or remodeled residence
• You need to conduct electrical safety inspections

Are You Licensed as an Electrician in Columbus?

Electricians require a state-issued license from the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) to work in Columbus (they must also register this license with the city's Department of Building and Zoning Services before they can legitimately provide electrical to interested city residents).

You can verify your prospective electricians' license status via the eLicense Ohio Professional License System portal. You can also confirm the registration status of these electricians via the List of City-Licensed Contractors maintained and provided by the Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services; ensure this is done before committing to them.

Note that performing electrical works in Columbus without adequate licensing is an offense punishable by fines of up to $1,000, jail time of up to 180 days, or a combination of both.

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

While electricians in Columbus typically charge average labor rates between $60 to $150 per hour for their services, the overall cost of hiring an electrician and doing electrical work in the city is determined by several factors, such as:

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

It is advisable to get quotes from several electricians and compare their rates before deciding on which contractor to hire for your project. This way, you can get an idea of your project's cost and detect fraudulent contractors who may want to rip you off.

Are You a Master Electrician in Columbus?

Electricians in Columbus are generally grouped into the following categories based on their level of competence and expertise:

• Apprentice Electricians: these are electricians who are still in training. Apprentices typically work under the guidance and supervision of an experienced master electrician.
• Journeyman Electricians: these are electricians who are licensed to perform electrical works and obtain electrical permits; however, they are not allowed to supervise the work of other electricians in the city.
• Maintenance Electricians: these electricians are licensed to perform maintenance jobs on electrical systems and equipment.
• Residential Electricians: these electricians specialize in residential electrical services
• Low-voltage Electricians: these electricians specialize in installing, maintaining, and repairing low-current devices and systems like security systems, fire alarms, and telecommunication systems.
• Industrial Electricians: they specialize in installing, repairing, and maintaining electrical systems and equipment used in industrial settings.
• Master Electricians: these electricians are licensed to perform electrical works and obtain electrical permits in the city. They also supervise the work of other electricians.

It is in your best interest to hire a master electrician for your electrical projects, as they are more experienced and qualified than other electricians.

Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in Columbus?

An electrical permit issued by the Department of Building and Zoning Services is required for any work that involves installing, replacing, or repairing electrical systems and equipment in Columbus. However, exemptions are usually made for minor electrical jobs, like:

• Repairing flush and snap switches and replacing fuses
• Changing lamp sockets and receptacles, repairing drop cords, and taping bare joints
• Repairing electrical portions of appliances, installing battery-powered detectors or alarm systems for electrical assemblies
• Installation of low-voltage, stand-alone home security or intrusion system that is not part of a fire alarm system.

You can get additional information on Columbus electrical permit issuance and requirements by contacting the city's Department of Building and Zoning Services at (614) 645-7433.

What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in Columbus?

Licensed Columbus electricians offer a broad range of electrical services to residents, such as:

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

Professional Columbus electricians usually handle most electrical work by themselves; however, situations involving large-scale electrical projects and time constraints may require your electrician to outsource the work to other electrical contractors or subcontractors. Therefore, when engaging Columbus electricians, it is important to confirm whether your electrical project will be handled by the contractor you are negotiating with or will be subcontracted to third parties. If the electrician confirms this, you should take the following actions:

• Verify their bond and insurance coverage.
• Get a lien waiver to protect yourself from being held liable if the primary electrician fails to pay these subcontractors on time.
• Find out who will do the work and verify that they are licensed and experienced.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Columbus Electrician?

Engaging the services of an insured and bonded electrician is crucial; their insurance and bond coverage protects you financially and legally if any accidents, injuries, or property damage occurs during your project. To this end, electricians in Columbus are required to maintain a $25,000 bond and carry liability insurance with minimum limits of at least $500,000 per occurrence.

Therefore, you should request proof that they provide copies of insurance certificates and authenticate these documents with the appropriate insurance company.

You can also get additional information on the mandatory insurance requirements for electricians in Columbus by contacting the Ohio Department of Commerce at (614) 466-3636.

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

Professional and reputable electricians in Columbus will always provide warranties for their services. However, the scope and validity duration of any warranty you are offered will be determined by the electrical contractor, the scope of the work, and the materials and equipment involved in the project.

Although the duration of these warranties generally varies, you should ensure that any warranty you are offered is valid for at least one year. Also, request a written copy of the warranty and thoroughly read its terms and conditions. Be wary of electricians who seem hesitant to provide a written copy of their warranty or outrightly refuse to offer you one.

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

You can file complaints about unsatisfactory electrical services and other issues involving Columbus electricians with the city's Department of Building and Zoning Services' Code Enforcement Unit via its 311 platform.

You can also file a complaint against these electricians with the Ohio Attorney General's office online or by submitting a Consumer Complaint Form to: