Get Quotes from Top Electricians in Boise, ID
What to Ask Before Hiring an Electrician in Boise
Hiking trails, mountain biking, kayaking, fly fishing, and a vast green landscape are some of the many attractions that make Boise the destination for adventurers and residents alike. The city has other site attractions, including Idaho’s 15-acre botanical garden, Julia Davis park, the Old Idaho Penitentiary State Historic Site, and the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial. Boise also has a booming nightlife and is home to corporate headquarters and businesses. Unsurprisingly, the city attracts several professionals, including the over 2,000 electricians available to address its residential, commercial, and industrial electrical needs.
Whether you need to fix a faulty outlet, rewire your home or office, install a new electrical system, or upgrade it to an energy-efficient one, Boise's top electricians are ready to serve you. Nevertheless, note that electricians have different licensing levels and may charge by their years of experience, the nature of the job, and other factors.
Therefore, to make the right hiring decision for your project, it is recommended you get answers to the following questions:
- What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an Electrician in Boise?
- Are You Licensed as an Electrician in Boise?
- What Rates Do You Charge for Your Electrical Services in Boise?
- Are You a Master Electrician in Boise?
- Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in Boise?
- What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in Boise?
- Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the Electrical Work in Boise?
- Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Boise Electrician?
- Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Electrical Work in Boise?
- How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your Electrical Services in Boise?
What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an Electrician in Boise?
You need the services of a professional electrician if you notice or need to handle the following problems:
- A faulty circuit breaker
- Fixture installations or repairs
- Home rewiring
- Electrical sparks and shocks
- High power bills and usage
- Flickering lights
- Electrical inspections and maintenance
- Any concerning electrical issue
Hiring a professional electrician guarantees your safety and quality of service. Qualified electricians also understand the standards and requirements of the Boise Electrical Code and will ensure the job procedures are Code compliant. Note that all electrical jobs in Boise must comply with this Code, and penalties for non-compliance include fines up to $1,000, a 180-day imprisonment term, or both.
Are You Licensed as an Electrician in Boise?
Offering electrical services in Boise without a valid electrician license is illegal. Penalties include an administrative fine of up to $1,000 for each day of provided unlicensed services. City officials may also issue a stop-work order to project owners that hire unlicensed contractors and revoke issued permits. In conclusion, ensure your prospective electrician is licensed.
The Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional LIcenses (DOPL) issues electrical licenses to eligible applicants. There are seven types of licenses with different ranges of authorized jobs. You can confirm your electrician’s license through the Idaho Division of Building Safety’slicenses search portal. If your electrician is licensed, confirm that their license authorizes them to provide the service you need. You can contact the DOPL at (208) 334-3950 for inquiries and clarification on licensing matters.
What Rates Do You Charge for Your Electrical Services in Boise?
Professional electricians in Boise charge between $23 and $30 per hour for their services. Depending on the service you need, some electricians charge a flat fee, and others charge above the average hourly estimate. Other factors that may influence the final cost of hiring an electrician include:
- On-the-job hazards
- Necessary equipment and labor
- The timeframe for the job, if any
- Permit requirements
- The electrician’s license type and skill
- Your location
- Cost of replacement materials
These elements influence each electrician’s cost differently. An effective way to find the average cost for your project and make an informed decision is to compare estimates from multiple electricians.
Are You a Master Electrician in Boise?
Depending on their license type, professional electricians in Boise are classified into seven categories. These are:
- Apprentice Electricians: These are professionals learning to become journeyman electricians. They must be under constant on-the-job supervision by a qualified journeyman electrician.
- Journeyman Electricians: This license authorizes professionals to undertake electrical jobs but under the supervision of a master electrician. Journeyman electricians may also supervise apprentice electricians.
- Master Electricians: These are journeymen electricians with at least four years of on-the-job experience under the supervision of an electrical contractor. Master electricians are typically more skilled than journeyman electricians.
- Electrical contractors: Besides undertaking electrical jobs, this license authorizes license holders to submit bids and provide electrical contracting services.
The other license types are:
- Limited Trainee Electrician
- Limited Electrical Installer
- Limited Electrical Contractor
These licenses are intended for specialized electrical jobs, and license holders have a limited range of work they can do.
In any case, confirm the license type of your prospective electrician and if they can lawfully undertake your electrical project.
Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in Boise?
The Boise Department of Planning and Development Services (DPDS) processes permit applications and issues electrical permits to eligible applicants. Obtaining an electrical permit before starting any electrical project is mandatory unless the type of project is exempted under the Boise Electrical Code. Examples of exempted projects include minor repair works such as replacing the same or similar lamps without alteration or relocation.
Applicants may submit their permit applications online. Alternatively, they may complete an Electrical Permit Application form and fax it to (208) 384-3753 or mail it to:
Planning and Development Services,P.O. Box 500Boise, ID 83701-0500Applicants may also submit the completed form in person at:
Boise City Hall,150 North Capitol BoulevardBoise, ID 83701-0500For assistance and permit application inquiries, applicants may contact the DPDS at (208) 608-7070.
What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in Boise?
Some of the electrical services electricians in Boise typically offer include:
Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the Electrical Work in Boise?
Professional electricians in Boise mostly handle and supervise electrical jobs by themselves. However, sometimes they outsource parts of the project when undertaking complex tasks or outsource projects that are time-sensitive or specialized to ensure the client’s satisfaction.
Therefore, you should confirm with your electrician if they will outsource parts of your project. If so, ensure that the professionals your project will be outsourced to hold relevant licenses and insurance and will comply with the requirements and standards of the Electrical Code. Also, get a lien waiver to protect you from liability if the primary electrician fails to pay the subcontractors.
Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Boise Electrician?
Insurance requirements for electricians in Boise depend on their license type. For example, Electrical Contractors must obtain liability and workers’ compensation insurance, while Journeyman Electricians have no insurance requirements. Where required, insurance amounts are typically outlined on the respective license application form.
Nonetheless, hiring fully insured and bonded electricians for your projects is best. Insurance and bonds help protect you from full financial liability if injury or damage occurs because of your project. You may confirm your electrician’s insurance and bond status by requesting certificates of insurance and bonding. Verify such certificates with the issuing agency.
Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Electrical Work in Boise?
Boise electricians typically assure residents of the quality of their services by offering warranties. They guarantee that their service is standard and fits the required specifications. Warranties are typically written and last fora year, although this validity period may be extended.
Always request warranties from your electrician, especially if they do not offer them. You should reconsider working with an electrician that refuses or is reluctant to provide them.
How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your Electrical Services in Boise?
Any customer aggrieved by the services or conduct of a professional electrician in Boise can submit a complaint to the Electrical Board of the Idaho DOPL or the Idaho Attorney General Office’s Consumer Protection Division (CPD). These major regulatory agencies oversee electricians and their service delivery in Boise.
You may submit your complaint with the Electrical Board online using the DOPL’s Building, Construction, and Real Estate Bureau Complaint Form. The CPD also receives complaints online. Complainants can submit by mail instead by completing a Consumer Complaint Form and mailing it to:
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERALConsumer Protection Division954 West Jefferson, 2nd FloorP.O. Box 83720Boise, ID 83720-0010You can contact the DOPL at (208) 334-3950 for inquiries on submitting consumer complaints and related assistance. Similarly, you can contact the CPD at (208) 334-2424.
Table of Contents
- What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an Electrician in Boise?
- Are You Licensed as an Electrician in Boise?
- What Rates Do You Charge for Your Electrical Services in Boise?
- Are You a Master Electrician in Boise?
- Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in Boise?
- What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in Boise?
- Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the Electrical Work in Boise?
- Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Boise Electrician?
- Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Electrical Work in Boise?
- How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your Electrical Services in Boise?