Get Quotes from Top Electricians in St Petersburg, FL

What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an Electrician in St. Petersburg? 

Licensed and experienced professionals should handle every electrical issue you experience. This puts your mind at rest, knowing that the work will be carried out satisfactorily, and also ensures your and other people's safety. Also, before hiring a professional electrician, confirm they are familiar with the provisions of the National Electrical Code and its local amendments. Listed below are examples of services a licensed electrician in St. Petersburg can provide: 

• Building rewiring 
• Electrical panel repairs and upgrades 
• New electrical system installations 
• Electrical safety checks and troubleshooting 
• Electrical outlets and receptacles installation, repair, and replacement 

Are You Licensed as an Electrician in St. Petersburg? 

Electrical contractors operating in St. Petersburg must have a license issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) before providing their services. The department offers two main licensing options: 

• Registered Licenses: This license allows electrical contractors to provide services only in Pinellas County. However, they must meet the licensing requirements of the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board. 
• Certified Licenses: This type of license allows electrical contractors in St. Petersburg to provide services in various areas in Florida. They must first pass a licensing exam administered by the state. 

If you hire an unlicensed electrician in St. Petersburg, you could face up to $5,000 in fines. Likewise, any electrician operating without proper licenses commits a misdemeanor of the first degree and can face up to one year in jail and fines of up to $1,000. 

So, before agreeing to work with an electrician in St. Petersburg, confirm that they have the necessary licenses through the DBPR's Verify a Licensee and the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board's Find a Licensed Contractor platforms. You can direct questions regarding the licensing process of electricians in St. Petersburg to the DBPR and the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board at (850) 487-1395 and (727) 582-3100, respectively. 

What Rates Do You Charge for Your Electrical Services in St. Petersburg? 

In St. Petersburg, electricians charge about $25 to $80 per hour. However, the overall cost of electrical services can be influenced by various factors, such as the following: 

• The labor intensity/complexity of the job 
• Your location within the city 
• The nature and scope of the electrical work 
• The cost of permits, materials, and other items needed for the job 
• Your selected electrician's experience level and local reputation 

Ensure you get multiple quotes from different electricians in St. Petersburg before making your final hiring decision. This will allow you to compare their rates and get the best deal. It will also help you avoid being overcharged by a fraudulent electrician.  

Are You a Master Electrician in St. Petersburg? 

When hiring an electrician in St. Petersburg, ensure they have the proper experience and license to handle your job. There are three types of electricians in the city based on their level of experience: 

• Apprentice Electricians: These individuals are usually enrolled in electrical training programs. They are only allowed to carry out basic electrical work under the supervision of a master electrician. 
• Journeyman Electricians: These individuals have the necessary skills and experience to carry out electrical work. To become a journeyman electrician in St. Petersburg, an electrician must pass an exam and prove they accumulate 8,000 hours of verifiable experience and have taken at least 144 hours of classroom instruction per year. 
• Master Electricians: Master electricians have the knowledge and expertise to handle any electrical project. Anyone wanting to become a master electrician must have been certified as a journeyman electrician for two years and pass a master electrician certification exam. 
• Electrical Contractors: Being an electrical contractor in St. Petersburg allows you to have your business and hire other master electricians and journeymen for your projects. 

Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in St. Petersburg? 

A building permit is required to perform certain electrical jobs in St. Petersburg, such as installing, modifying, or removing electrical systems. However, certain electrical tasks are exempted from a permit. Below are some examples: 

• Repairs on switches, control devices, and contact components. 
• Reinstalling attachment plug receptacles but not the outlets. 
• Fixing or replacing overcurrent devices in the same location. 
• Replacing or repairing electrodes or transformers of gas tubes or sign systems with the same size and capacity. 

The St. Petersburg Planning & Economic Development Department, through its Construction Services & Permitting branch, issues building permits to electricians with a state-issued registered license. You can get more information about the permitting process in St. Petersburg by calling this city's Department at (727) 893-7231.  

What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in St. Petersburg? 

Residents of St. Petersburg can rely on experienced and licensed electrical contractors to provide various high-quality services, including the following: 

Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the Electrical Work in St. Petersburg? 

Most of the time, experienced electrical contractors in St. Petersburg can handle residential electrical jobs independently. However, they often need the help of other electrical specialists for large projects such as installing new systems and remodeling houses. So, before hiring an electrician for a large project, ask them if any part of the project will be outsourced to other electricians. If the answer is yes, then take the following steps: 

• Make sure that the subcontractors have the necessary licenses and insurance coverage. 
• Confirm they have the experience and expertise to handle your project. 
• Get a lien waiver to protect you from being held liable for any late or non-payment by the primary electrician to the subcontractors. 

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded St. Petersburg Electrician? 

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) requires all licensed electrical contractors in St. Petersburg to carry liability insurance. This covers property damage, $300,000 for each occurrence, $100,000 for each person, $500,000 for property damage, and a combined limit of $800,000. 

As such, when choosing an electrician, ensure they carry insurance coverage and confirm the coverage is adequate for the type of work they will do. For more information about the insurance requirements of licensed electricians in St. Petersburg, contact the DBPR at (850) 487-1395. 

Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Electrical Work in St. Petersburg? 

Although many reputable and professional electrical contractors in St. Petersburg provide work warranties, verifying this with your intended electrician before signing any contract is critical. Avoid hiring an electrician that downplays the importance of warranties or refuses to provide one. Note that the terms and conditions of these warranties are typically determined by the electrician who offers them. 

Also, request a written copy of any warranty you are offered to read and understand its terms and conditions before signing. 

How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your Electrical Services in St. Petersburg? 

If you have a complaint concerning electrical services or electrical scams in St. Petersburg, you can file it through the following methods: 

• Report to the Florida Department of Professional Regulation via its Online Services Portal. 
• Report to the Consumer Protection Division of the Florida Attorney General's Office via its online Citizen Services Contact Form or by sending a completed complaint form to: