Get Quotes from Top Electricians in New Orleans, LA
What to Ask Before Hiring an Electrician in New Orleans
Despite suffering more than $100 billion in damages and losing a significant amount of its population from 2005 to 2011, New Orleans has regained its status as one of the country's fastest-growing cities after launching numerous post-Hurricane Katrina recovery plans. Today, the city has over 370,000 residents, several petrochemical and manufacturing plants, recreation centers, two airports, a seaport, and modern medical schools. A thriving economic center, it is no surprise that the services of professional electricians are in high demand in New Orleans.
- What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an Electrician in New Orleans?
- Are You Licensed as an Electrician in New Orleans?
- What Rates Do You Charge for Your Electrical Services in New Orleans?
- Are You a Master Electrician in New Orleans?
- Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in New Orleans?
- What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in New Orleans?
- Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the Electrical Work in New Orleans?
- Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded New Orleans Electrician?
- Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Electrical Work in New Orleans?
- How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your Electrical Services in New Orleans?
What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an Electrician in New Orleans?
Before hiring an electrician, confirm the individual is familiar with the citywide regulations for electrical work. The National Electrical Code regulates all electrical work in New Orleans, and electricians in the city must provide services per the Code’s provisions. We recommend that you always hire a licensed electrician familiar with the city's electrical code if facing any of the following problems:
- Your breaker needs maintenance.
- You have overcrowded outlets.
- You’re dealing with wet wiring.
- You need to install safety switches
- Your lights are flickering, or your outlets are sparking.
- You live in a house that is more than 25 years old.
- There’s a burning smell coming out of your outlets.
Are You Licensed as an Electrician in New Orleans?
Professional electricians in New Orleans must obtain the appropriate electrical license before providing their services. Journeymen and maintenance electricians in the city are licensed by the city's Department of Safety and Permits. On the other hand, electricians who wish to perform projects worth $50,000 or more must obtain an electrical contractor license from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC). Be aware that working as an electrical contractor without a license is a misdemeanor that attracts a fine of up to $2,000 per day of violation, three months in prison, or both. To ensure your electrician is duly licensed, contact the city's Department of Safety and Permits at (504) 658 - 7100 or search for the electrical contractor on the LSLBC's contractor search portal. This will ensure you do not engage unscrupulous individuals posing as licensed electricians.
What Rates Do You Charge for Your Electrical Services in New Orleans?
Professional electricians in New Orleans typically charge between $28.01 and $130 per hour depending on the size of the project and other variables like the following:
- The type of electrical work
- Your location within the city
- The amount of labor and time required to complete the job
- The cost of parts and materials, such as wiring and lighting fixtures
- The electrician's reputation
It is recommended that you get and compare quotes from up to three electricians in the city before choosing whom to work with. This will ensure you get a fair price for the service you receive.
Are You a Master Electrician in New Orleans?
Electricians in New Orleans are classified into four categories based on their experience level and the type of services they can provide:
- Electrician Trainee: These are entry-level electricians just starting in the trade.
- JourneymanElectricians: These electricians have at least two years of experience and have passed the International Code Council Examination.
- Masters Electricians: These electricians have at least four years of experience working as journeyman electricians and have passed the International Code Council Examination or the Louisiana State Licensing Board of Contractors Examination.
- Maintenance Electricians: These electricians are similar to journeyman electricians in terms of qualifications. However, they focus on providing only maintenance services.
When searching for an electrician near you, we recommend hiring a master electrician. These individuals are more experienced than their counterparts and can handle any type of electrical work in the city.
Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in New Orleans?
Except for replacing light bulbs and fuses, an electrical permit is required if you plan to install, repair, replace, or alter any electrical system or equipment in New Orleans. The city's Department of Safety and Permits issues these permits, and only electricians with Class A electrical licenses can apply for them.
An electrical permit can be obtained by downloading, completing, and submitting an electrical permit application form at
1300Perdido Street New Orleans, LA 70112For more information about the electrical permit application process and requirements, contact the city's one-stop permit and licenses center at (504) 658 - 7100.
What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in New Orleans?
Electricians in New Orleans offer a variety of electrical services to city residents. The following are some of these services:
Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the Electrical Work in New Orleans?
Electricians in New Orleans can outsource part or all of the electrical work for several reasons like the following:
- To meet up with deadlines
- The job requires more personnel
- The job includes an area that is not the electrician's specialty
Finding out if any part of your electrical project will be outsourced by your prospective electrician and taking preventive measures if it will helps you avoid liabilities resulting from poor workmanship or failure to do the job. Below are some preventive measures you can take if your electrician will outsource any part of your project:
- Find out who the work is being outsourced to and verify their professional qualifications.
- If the primary electrician is outsourcing to a company, confirm the company’s licensing and insurance.
- Request a lien waiver that guarantees you will not be held responsible if your electrician fails to pay the subcontractors or company they are outsourcing your project to.
- Find out if outsourcing would attract extra costs.
- Confirm the actual contract between your electrician and the third-party company.
Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded New Orleans Electrician?
New Orleans electricians must carry general liability insurance of not less than $500,000 and workers' compensation insurance if they have at least one employee.
It is always best to request proof of insurance from any New Orleans electrician you intend to hire. Verify your electrician's document by contacting the appropriate insurance agency.
Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Electrical Work in New Orleans?
Professional electricians in New Orleans provide warranties that insure the quality of their work and the materials they use. So, you should be wary if your intended electrician refuses to provide a warranty covering their labor and materials.
Be aware that the duration of work warranties varies by electricians. Hence, you should discuss the terms and conditions of any warranty you are given before signing a contract. For this purpose, you can request a written copy to review its terms and conditions carefully. Ensure that your work warranty will be valid for at least one year.
How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your Electrical Services in New Orleans?
Local and state agencies such as the city's Department of Safety and Permits, the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Economic Crimes Unit, and the State's Licensing Board for Contractors handle complaints involving subpar electrical services, fraud, and deceptive practices.
Incidents involving permit or code violations by an electrician can be reported to the city's Department of Safety and Permits by calling (504)658-7100. However, if the incident involves contractor fraud, you should consider filing a complaint with the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Economic Crimes by calling (504) 822-2414.
Finally, If the electrician you wish to report is a licensed electrical contractor in Louisiana, you should consider filing a complaint with the State's Licensing Board for Contractors. You can do so online or by downloading, completing, and mailing a consumer complaint form to
Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors 600 North Street Baton Rouge, LA 70802Table of Contents
- What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an Electrician in New Orleans?
- Are You Licensed as an Electrician in New Orleans?
- What Rates Do You Charge for Your Electrical Services in New Orleans?
- Are You a Master Electrician in New Orleans?
- Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in New Orleans?
- What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in New Orleans?
- Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the Electrical Work in New Orleans?
- Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded New Orleans Electrician?
- Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Electrical Work in New Orleans?
- How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your Electrical Services in New Orleans?