The gap between a good electrician and a bad one isn't skill — it's habits. Licensed, permitted, insured, and organized on paper. Here's how to check every one of those in about ten minutes before you write a check.
1. Verify the C-10 license
In California, electrical contractors must hold a C-10 license from the Contractors State License Board. You can look up any contractor at cslb.ca.gov by name or license number in about 30 seconds. Confirm the license is active, the classification includes C-10, and there are no recent disciplinary actions.
If the person you're hiring is doing the work but only holds a certified electrician card (not a contractor license), they legally can't quote or take payment for a job — they have to work under a licensed contractor.
2. Confirm they carry general liability and workers' comp
Ask for a certificate of insurance, or COI. A legitimate contractor can send one to you within a business day, made out to your address. If they can't or won't, that's the entire answer.
Workers' comp matters more than most homeowners realize. If someone on the crew gets injured on your property and the contractor isn't carrying comp, your homeowner's policy is next in line.
3. Get a written scope, not just a price
The single biggest predictor of a smooth job is a written scope that names the equipment, describes what's included, and calls out what happens if we find something unexpected. Verbal quotes are where mid-job surprises come from.
4. Ask about permits by name
Panel upgrades, service changes, EV chargers, and any work that adds circuits require a permit in Fresno. Ask: 'Will you pull the permit and coordinate the inspection?' A yes should be followed by a permit number after the job starts. A no or a 'we don't need one for this' should end the conversation.
5. Red flags that keep coming up
- Cash-only or wire-transfer-only payments
- Full payment upfront (10–30% deposit is normal; full payment before the work is done is not)
- No physical business address or truck signage
- License number that doesn't match the name on the quote
- Pressure to sign today for a discount
- Vague line items like 'materials' or 'electrical' with no breakdown
6. Ask for two things at the end of the job
Before final payment: the permit sign-off card from the city, and a paid receipt that lists warranty terms. If either is missing, hold final payment until they arrive. That's your only leverage; use it.
Questions worth asking on the phone
- What's your C-10 license number?
- Are you the person doing the work, or subbing it out?
- Do you pull the permit or do I?
- What's your warranty on labor?
- How long have you been working in Fresno specifically?
Our license number is on every quote, every truck, and every business card. Same with our workers' comp. If you can't find those on your contractor's paperwork in under a minute, you have your answer.