Get matched with top electricians in Santa Cruz, CA

It’s important to ask an electrician a few questions before you commit to hiring them so you can make an informed decision as a consumer. If you’re getting estimates or considering hiring an electrician, ask them these questions:

• Are you a full-time electrician?

• Are you bonded, licensed, and insured?

• What level of experience do you have as an electrician?

• Can you please share three references?

• Do you do residential or commercial electrical work?

• What kinds of electrical work are you most familiar with?

• Will any subcontractors be performing the work?

• Are permits and inspections required?

• Who is responsible for obtaining permits and inspections?

• What is your schedule?

• Do you offer a guarantee or warranty on your work?

• Will you sign a do-not-exceed clause to keep the job within the budget?

Tipping an electrician is not a requirement nor is it expected, as they build a fair wage into the price of the job. It’s up to your discretion. There are no set rules for tipping electricians, but if they did a great job and you’re so inclined to tip 10% to 15%, it will likely be received with thanks.

Yes, you should get a quote or an estimate from an electrician. Most electricians offer free estimates or quotes. When getting quotes, do your research and verify each electrician’s license. Get quotes from three different electricians to compare. If the prices or items listed appear different on the quotes, ask the electrician to clarify. Learning as much as you can about the electrical work you want done will help you get the most accurate estimate. 

Qualified, licensed electricians will charge from $50 to $100 per hour. The cost to hire an electrician for emergency visits may range from $100 to $200 per hour because this urgent service usually takes place during off hours and may require an electrician to leave or reschedule jobs they’re currently working on. Scheduling work on holidays or during periods of high customer demand, like after a major storm, will also lead to higher rates or extra fees.

Yes, although there are different types of electricians, they must be licensed, certified, and in most cases insured. States have different requirements for electrician licensing and certifications. In some cases, there may be licensing requirements at the local level, but not the state level. It’s always a good practice to confirm requirements with your local municipality. If licensing is not required in your area, you may pay more for a licensed electrician with experience than one who is not licensed or certified, but you’re likely to get a better end result for your project.

As you browse our pro listings, take note of the “Angi Approved” badge. Angi Approved businesses meet our standards for certification which include: 

• The owner, principal, or relevant manager passed a criminal background check

• Required to have applicable state and local licenses

• Maintain an average star rating of 3.0 or better on our network, if they have at least one review

• Paying to advertise their services

• Meeting any other eligibility criteria required by Angi

Keep in mind licensing is different from certifications. A license is a legal requirement to operate a business, while certifications are voluntary.