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

Electrical work in Boston is best left to licensed and trained electricians who understand and strictly adhere to the provisions of the Massachusetts Electrical Code for installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical systems. Always hire a licensed electrician, no matter how small or inconsequential the issue may seem; this protects you and your loved ones from potentially fatal injuries and costly property damage.

Some common electrical situations that licensed and experienced Boston electricians can help you out with:

• Wiring a newly built home
• Investigating electrical shock
• conducting electrical safety inspections
• Repairing or replacing faulty fixtures and sockets
• Rewiring renovated buildings
• Replacing defective circuit breakers/switches and electrical panel parts
• Repairing low-pressure heating plants

Are You Licensed as an Electrician in Boston?

Electricians in Boston are licensed by the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians, and it is illegal for any electrician to perform electrical work in the city without a valid electrical license obtained from this board. Electricians who violate this licensing requirement face fines of up to $2,500, jail time of up to six months, or a combination of both.

You can verify your Boston electrician's license using the Check a License tool provided by the Board of State Examiners of Electricians. Always do this before committing to the electrician.

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

Boston electricians typically charge between $40 - $120 per hour for their services. Note that there are several factors that influence the total cost of hiring these electricians, like:

• The nature of the job
• The cost of necessary materials, like sockets, wires, and surge protectors
• Your location within the city
• The electrician's local reputation

You should get and compare estimates from several electricians before deciding on who to hire. This helps you get a good idea of current market rates and exposes fraudulent electricians who overcharge for their services.

Are You a Master Electrician in Boston?

There are three categories of Boston electricians based on their level of experience:

• Apprentice Electricians: these electricians are unlicensed and still learning to perform electrical work properly. They must always work under the supervision of an appropriately licensed electrician.
• Journeyman Electricians: these electricians have completed at least 600 hours of state-mandated classroom training on electrical work and passed a licensing exam authorizing them to install, repair, or maintain electrical wiring devices or apparatus. Journeyman electricians in Boston typically hold a Certificate B license.
• Master Electricians: these electricians have spent at least 12 months as licensed journeymen and subsequently demonstrated their competence and proficiency through a state-administered licensing exam. Master electricians are authorized to independently install, repair, and maintain electrical wiring, conduits, and fixtures used within an appliance or electrical system. They can also employ journeymen to perform these jobs under their supervision. Master electricians in Boston typically hold a Certificate A license, which is the highest level of licensure attainable.

It is in your best interest to always hire a master electrician for your electrical work, as this assures you that the work will be done by a highly skilled and competent professional.

Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in Boston?

A permit is required before any electrical systems in Boston are installed, altered, repaired, or modified. These permits are issued by the Boston Inspectional Services Department, and they come in two types, depending on the nature of the electrical job:

• Short-form permits: these are issued for minor projects that do not change a building's use and exit, living space, and fire protection.
• Long-form permits: these are issued for new construction, renovations, and structural repairs that change the capacity of the building.

Contact the Inspectional Services Department at (617) 635-5300 or via email for further queries concerning permits for electrical projects in Boston.

What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in Boston?

Licensed Boston electricians offer a wide range of electrical services to city residents, such as:

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

Electricians in Boston usually handle electrical jobs on their own. However, extenuating circumstances like the magnitude of a project or a tight project completion timeline may make the electrician outsource parts of a project to other electricians or contractors. However, before hiring any electricians in the city, always get clarification on whether any parts of your work will be subcontracted to other electricians. If this is confirmed, you should take the following precautions:

• Find out who the work is being outsourced to and confirm that they are appropriately licensed, insured, and bonded.
• Get a lien waiver that protects you from liabilities if the primary electrician fails to pay these third parties on time.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Boston Electrician?

Individuals or businesses that offer electrical services in Boston are required to obtain worker's compensation insurance from the Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents. You should also check whether your intended electrician carries general liability insurance; even though this is not mandatory, it offers you valuable protection from liabilities in case of third-party injuries or property damage during your project.

To this end, always request proof of insurance from any electrician you intend to hire and validate it with the appropriate insurance provider before hiring. You can contact the state's Department of Industrial Accidents at (617)727-4900 for additional information on Boston electricians' insurance requirements.

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

Professional electricians in Boston will typically offer warranties that cover their services and materials used. You should be wary of any electrician that does not offer them. Note that the validity period of work warranties varies from one electrician to another. However, any work warranty you are offered should be valid for at least one year.

Always ask for a written copy of any warranties you are offered to review their terms and conditions.

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

You can file complaints about unsatisfactory services rendered by an electrician or any other issues with the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL) online using the division's ePLACE Portal. Alternatively, you can download DOL's complaint form, fill it out, and mail the completed form to: