Electrical

What the work involves

• Assessing the panel's capacity and existing wiring
• Running new circuits and boxes
• Installing devices, fixtures and required protection (GFCI/AFCI)
• Panel upgrades and utility coordination
• Testing and labeling circuits

What should happen, step by step

Use this as a checklist while the job is underway. If a step is skipped, ask why.

1. Load review & scope - Electrician checks the panel, service size and existing wiring; writes a scope. Typical: 1 visit
2. Permit - Electrical permit pulled by the licensed contractor. Typical: Days
3. Rough-in - Boxes and wire installed in open walls or fished through finished walls. Typical: 1 day to a week+
4. Rough inspection - Inspector checks wiring before walls are closed. Typical: Scheduled; usually within days
5. Trim-out - Devices, fixtures, breakers installed; circuits labeled. Typical: 1-2 days
6. Final inspection & utility - Final inspection; utility reconnects for service upgrades. Typical: Days to weeks for utility scheduling

Durations are typical planning ranges from Corky's field experience, not guarantees. Weather, inspections, material lead times and surprises behind walls change them.

How long it usually takes

Small device work is often a few hours to a day. Panel upgrades often take a day of work plus scheduling with the utility and inspector. Whole-house rewires can take a week or more plus drywall repair.

Plan your dates with the Project Timeline Planner

General guidance only. Your contractor's written schedule is what counts.

Inspections to expect

• Electrical rough-in inspection
• Service/panel inspection and utility release for upgrades
• Final electrical inspection

Which inspections apply depends on your city or county. Ask your contractor to share each passed inspection result. Understanding permits & inspections

What drives the cost

• Number of circuits and devices
• Panel capacity and service upgrades
• Access through finished walls and attics
• Code-required upgrades triggered by the work
• Utility company coordination

See a ballpark range in the free calculator · Look up material prices

What a good bid includes

Check off each item on the bids you receive:

• Every circuit/device/fixture listed
• Panel or service changes
• Permit and inspection fees
• Utility coordination
• Drywall patching responsibility
• Fixture allowances
• Labeling and testing

How to read a bid · Have one in hand? Second Look Review (from $25)

Payment schedule

Deposit, payment after rough inspection passes, balance after final inspection.

• Pay a modest deposit, then progress payments tied to finished, visible milestones (e.g., 'rough-in passed inspection'), never to dates alone.
• Keep payments at or behind the work completed - you should never have paid for much more than has been done and delivered.
• Hold the final payment until the final inspection is passed, the punch list is finished and you have lien waivers.
• Avoid cash. Pay by check or card so there is a record, and get a receipt for every payment.
• Deposit limits vary by state: California, for example, caps a home improvement down payment at 10% of the price or $1,000, whichever is less. Arizona has no single statewide percentage cap that we are aware of, so negotiate it and put it in the contract. Check your state's rules.

Payment schedules & lien waivers

Questions to ask before you sign

1. Are you a licensed electrician, and who pulls the permit?
2. Does my panel have capacity for this?
3. What code upgrades will this trigger?
4. Is drywall patching included?
5. Will you label the panel?
6. Will you give me a copy of the passed inspection?
7. Which circuits get GFCI/AFCI protection under the code used here?

Get the answers in writing, in the contract. Always ask for the contractor's license number and proof of insurance, and check the license with your state or local licensing agency. How to hire a contractor · Quick question? Contractor's Desk ($5)

Warranty

Ask for a workmanship warranty; devices and fixtures carry manufacturer warranties.

Expect two kinds of warranty: the manufacturer's product warranty (shingles, windows, fixtures, equipment) and the contractor's workmanship warranty on the installation. Get both in writing with the length, what is covered and how to make a claim. Many product warranties require registration or installation per the manufacturer's instructions. In Arizona, a homeowner can file a workmanship complaint against a licensed contractor with the Registrar of Contractors within two years of the last work performed on a remodel or repair.

DIY vs. hire out

Some work legally requires a licensed contractor and a permit even on your own home. Check your state and city rules.

Permits to expect

Most electrical work beyond replacing a like-for-like device needs a permit and inspection in most areas. Permit rules are set by your city, county and state, so they vary a lot. Call or check the website of your local building department before work starts. When a permit is required, the licensed contractor usually pulls it in their own name.

General information, not legal advice. Requirements vary by location.

Sources

• Electrical Safety Foundation International ESFI
• National Fire Protection Association NFPA
• How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam Federal Trade Commission
• Buyer's Remorse: The FTC's Cooling-Off Rule May Help Federal Trade Commission
• Before You Hire a Contractor Arizona Registrar of Contractors
• Contracting in Arizona? Here's What You Need to Know Arizona Registrar of Contractors
• What should I look for in a contract? California Contractors State License Board
• 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 1 (R105 Permits) International Code Council

Check a contractor license: search your state's contractor licensing board, or find your state consumer protection office. External sites open in a new tab; Corky's MHS™ is not affiliated with them.