Hiring an electrician is not like hiring a handyman. Electrical work done wrong is a fire hazard, a code violation, and a liability when you sell your home. Here's exactly what to look for — and what to avoid — when hiring an electrician in St. Louis.

1. Verify Their Missouri Electrical License

Missouri requires electricians to be licensed at the state level. You can verify any electrician's license through the Missouri Division of Professional Registration. Ask for the license number before you hire and look it up. If they can't provide a license number, move on.

There are also local licensing requirements in St. Louis City and St. Louis County — some jobs require county-specific permits in addition to state licensing.

2. Confirm They Carry Insurance

Any electrician working in your home should carry:

  • General liability insurance — covers damage to your property if something goes wrong
  • Workers' compensation — covers injuries to workers on your property

Ask for a certificate of insurance before work begins. A reputable electrician will provide one without hesitation. If they won't — or can't — that's a major red flag.

3. Always Get a Permit

Any significant electrical work in St. Louis — panel upgrades, new circuits, EV charger installation, generator installation — requires a permit and inspection. A permit protects you: it ensures the work is inspected by a third party and meets code.

If an electrician offers to skip the permit to save money or time, decline. Unpermitted work creates problems when you sell your home, can void your homeowner's insurance, and — most importantly — means nobody checked the work for safety.

💡 Tip: The cost of a permit is typically included in a reputable electrician's quote. If it's not listed, ask whether permits are included.

4. Get Multiple Written Estimates

For any job over $500, get at least two written estimates. Make sure each estimate specifies:

  • Exactly what work will be done
  • What materials are included
  • Whether permits are included
  • Payment terms and timeline

Be cautious of estimates that are dramatically lower than others. Electrical work has real material and labor costs — a suspiciously low bid often means shortcuts.

5. Check Reviews — But Read Them Critically

Google reviews, Yelp, and the BBB are useful. Look for patterns — not just the star rating. A company with 4.7 stars and 200 reviews is more reliable than one with 5.0 stars and 8 reviews. Pay attention to how the company responds to negative reviews.

6. Red Flags to Avoid

  • Requests for full payment upfront before any work
  • Can't provide a license number or certificate of insurance
  • Offers to skip permits "to save you money"
  • No written estimate — just a verbal quote
  • Pressure to decide immediately
  • No business address or website

Questions to Ask Before Hiring

  1. Are you licensed in Missouri? Can I have your license number?
  2. Do you carry general liability and workers' comp insurance?
  3. Will permits be pulled for this job?
  4. Is everything in writing before work starts?
  5. What's your timeline and what happens if the job runs long?

At ElectricSTL, we're happy to answer all of these questions before you commit. Call (314) 408-5647 for a free estimate and straight answers.