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What to Ask Before Hiring an Electrician in Jacksonville

Situated at the St. Johns River and Atlantic Ocean converge point, Jacksonville is a coastal city known for its beautiful beaches, southern charm, and hospitality. The city is also home to Jacksonville Jaguars and supports multiple military bases in addition to its full-time population of over 1.7 million residents. Definitely, here is a city with high demand for electrical services. Luckily, Jacksonville's 3,000-plus electricians are up to the task of meeting all needs for electrical issues. They assist with various tasks, including obtaining an electrical permit, wiring a new structure, upgrading an electrical system, fixing malfunctioning circuit breakers, and replacing broken switches.

As such, it is wise to ask the following questions before hiring an electrician in Jacksonville:

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

Attempting electrical work yourself or hiring an unqualified and ill-equipped person for the job can be quite dangerous, no matter how little the issue appears to be. Engaging a qualified and licensed electrician for your electrical troubles in Jacksonville makes all the difference in the quality of the electrical work and ensures that your electrical services will be done satisfactorily. These electricians must comply with the guidelines of the Jacksonville Electrical Code when building, repairing, maintaining, or replacing electrical systems and equipment, thereby guaranteeing that the work is done efficiently and safely.

Some services these professionals commonly provide include:

  • Wiring a newly built residence
  • Obtaining electrical permits
  • Replacing faulty circuit breakers, switches, and electrical panels
  • Replacing or repairing faulty outlets and fixtures

Are You Licensed as an Electrician in Jacksonville?

Electricians require one of the following state-issued license types from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to operate in Jacksonville:

  • A certified license: electricians who wish to obtain this license must pass a DBPR-administered examination; these electricians will subsequently be eligible to provide electrical services in any jurisdiction across Florida.
  • A registered license: electricians who wish to obtain this license must first comply with local examination and licensing requirements determined by the Jacksonville Construction Trades Qualifying Board; these electricians can only ply their trade in Jacksonville.

Certified and registered must also choose a license category based on their intended scope of services. You can confirm your prospective electricians' license status online via the DBPR's Verify a Licensee platform. Always do this before committing to the contractor; this ensures you hire an appropriately qualified professional and also avoid a possible $5,000 fine that comes with hiring unlicensed electricians.

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

Electrical services in Jacksonville generally cost about $55 - $150 per hour. Nevertheless, the overall cost of hiring an electrician and doing electrical work in the city is determined by variables such as:

  • The nature of your required services
  • The urgency of the job and your location within the city
  • Your preferred electrician's local reputation and level of expertise
  • The type and scope of the requested electrical service
  • The cost of permits and materials, like fixtures and wires, needed for the job

You should obtain and compare quotes from several electricians before choosing one so you can get a sense of what the going rate is for the services you need. This method is also useful for identifying electricians who demand excessive prices.

Are You a Master Electrician in Jacksonville?

In Jacksonville, electricians can be grouped into four categories based on their level of experience:

  • Apprentice Electricians: Apprentice electricians are individuals who are in the process of learning and gaining practical experience in the electrical trade. Apprentice electricians are often enrolled in an electrical apprenticeship program, which combines on-the-job training with classroom instruction.
  • Registered Electrician: This is the entry-level license. To obtain this license, electricians must complete a state-approved electrical apprenticeship program.
  • Journeyman Electrician: The journeyman electrician license signifies a higher level of expertise and experience. To qualify for this license, electricians must have at least four years of practical experience as a registered electrician or equivalent.
  • Master Electrician: The master electrician license represents the highest level of electrician licensing in Jacksonville. To qualify for this license, electricians must have at least seven years of practical experience, with at least three years as a journeyman electrician or equivalent.

A master electrician is the best option for any electrical work you need to do because they are often more knowledgeable and experienced than other electricians.

Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in Jacksonville?

A permit is required to install, replace, or modify electrical systems and equipment in Jacksonville, except for minor electrical repairs, which can be done with the building official's approval. Jacksonville's Building Inspection Division is the department in charge of issuing electrical permits.

Keep in mind that only contractors who are certified to carry out the kind of work for which a permit is being requested may submit permit applications. The contractor must also have a valid certificate of competency issued by the city's Construction Trades Qualifying Board when needed.

For additional information on Jacksonville electrical permits, you can contact the city's Building Inspection Division at:

Building Inspection Division
City of Jacksonville
214 North Hogan Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Phone: (904) 255-8500

What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in Jacksonville?

Jacksonville electricians typically provide a variety of electrical services, including:

General Repair Work:
$40 - $350
Electrical Inspection:
$100 - $300
Electrical Panel/Wiring Upgrade:
$1000 - $5,500
Home Wiring/Rewiring:
$2000 - $10,000
Outlet and Fixtures Installation/Replacement:
$80 - $240
Emergency Electrical Services (per hour):
$50 - $200
Service Equipment Upgrades:
$400 - $6000
Circuit Breaker Switch Replacement:
$100 - $250

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

Although Jacksonville's electricians can typically complete the majority of electrical work on their own, certain factors, such as the size of the project or time constraints, may require the electrician to outsource some of the work to other electrical contractors or subcontractors. As a result, you must always confirm whether any project components will be outsourced before signing any contracts with local electricians. Following the electrician's confirmation, you ought to do the following:

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

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Jacksonville Electrician?

Per state requirements, Jacksonville electricians must carry liability insurance of at least $300,000 per occurrence, $500,000 for property damage, $100,000 per person, or $800,000 combined single limit.

Confirm that your prospective electrician has complied with these requirements before signing off on them. You can do this by requesting a copy of their insurance certificate and validating it with the appropriate issuer. You can also contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation at (850) 487-1395 or online to get additional information on the state-mandated insurance requirements for Jacksonville electricians.

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

Reputable Jacksonville electricians offer warranties on their services, and you should never work with an electrician who doesn't provide warranties or tries to downplay their importance.

The length of these warranties normally varies from one electrician to the next; however, make sure that any warranty you are offered is valid for at least a year. As such, always request a written copy of any warranty you are offered and read its terms and conditions carefully.

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

You can file complaints about unsatisfactory electrical services involving Jacksonville electricians with the city's Office of Consumer Affairs online (please note that you must register a user account on the portal to use this method) or by calling (904) 630-2489 to speak with a consumer affairs investigator.

You can also file complaints against Jacksonville electricians with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation via its Online Services Portal or by completing and submitting a Citizen Services Contact Form to the state's Attorney General's Office online.

Lastly, if you seek full compensation for what you lost to the contractor, you can file a civil action against the contractor. If the claim is valued at less than $8,000, you should take your claim to the Duval County Small Claims Court.