Get Quotes from Top Electricians in Minneapolis, MN
What to Ask Before Hiring an Electrician in Minneapolis
Besides being St. Paul's Twin City and sharing a corridor with it along the Mississippi River, Minneapolis is famous for many beautiful things: its chain of lakes, stone arch bridge, ice fishing, hockey, Juicy Lucy cheeseburgers, proximity to the Mall of America, Minnesota Nice attitude, and New York-like vibe whence the nickname the “Mini Apple” comes. Keeping this friendly city warm throughout the year for its more than 425,000 residents and about 77 million annual visitors is a mission over 6,600 electricians in the Minneapolis metro area are ready to take on their shoulders.
- What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an Electrician in Minneapolis?
- Are You Licensed as an Electrician in Minneapolis?
- What Rates Do You Charge for Your Electrical Services in Minneapolis?
- Are You a Master Electrician in Minneapolis?
- Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in Minneapolis?
- What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in Minneapolis?
- Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the Electrical Work in Minneapolis?
- Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Minneapolis Electrician?
- Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Electrical Work in Minneapolis?
- How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your Electrical Services in Minneapolis?
What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an Electrician in Minneapolis?
Licensed electricians should always handle electrical work, regardless of how small or insignificant the issue may seem. This ensures that the work is done per the Minnesota Electrical Codes and Standards, which all electrical work in Minneapolis must adhere to, and safeguards you and your loved ones from electrical hazards. Some common electricity-related scenarios where you should always call a licensed and experienced Minneapolis electrician include the following:
- Electric sparks and burnt outlets
- Installing and maintaining electrical wiring
- Replacing faulty fixtures and defective circuit breakers/switches
- Upgrading electric panels and service equipment
- Obtaining permits for electric work
- Correcting code violations
Are You Licensed as an Electrician in Minneapolis?
Electricians in Minneapolis must either be licensed or registered with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry(DLI) before doing electrical work in the city. Performing electrical work without being licensed or registered with this department, or providing services outside the authorized scope of your DLI-issued license or registration, is considered a misdemeanor. This offense is punishable by jail time of up to 90 days, fines of up to $1,000, or both.
You can verify Minneapolis electricians’ licensing or registration status using the DLI's License and Registration Lookup platform. Always do this before concluding hiring agreements with any electrician in the city; otherwise, you risk engaging an unqualified electrician or falling victim to an electrical scam.
What Rates Do You Charge for Your Electrical Services in Minneapolis?
Minneapolis electricians typically charge anywhere from $50 to $110 per hour for their services. However, the total cost of the services provided by these professionals will depend on the nature and scope of the electrical work and additional variables like the following:
- The electrician’s level of experience, expertise, and local reputation
- Your location within the city
- The labor intensity of the job
- The urgency of the job
- The cost of permits and materials required to complete the job
You should consider getting and comparing cost estimates from up to three electricians before making your hiring decision to get a better idea of the average rates for your projected electrical work. This is also an effective technique for identifying dishonest electricians who fraudulently overcharge unsuspecting clients.
Are You a Master Electrician in Minneapolis?
Electricians in Minneapolis are generally grouped into five categories based on their level of experience and the scope of work they are authorized to do:
- Apprentice Electricians: These individuals are just starting in the trade and still undergoing training or apprenticeship programs.
- Registered Unlicensed Electricians: These individuals have attained basic electrical knowledge but do not have a state-issued electrical license. Registered unlicensed electricians cannot bid for electrical services independently, are limited to employer-specified electrical tasks, and must always work under the direct supervision of licensed electricians.
- Journeyman Electricians: Also referred to as Class A Journeyworker Electricians, these are individuals that have attained at least four years of experience in wiring for, installing, and repairing electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment. Although journeyworker electricians are licensed, they may have to be supervised by a master electrician when performing certain electrical works.
- Maintenance Electricians: These individuals are similar to journeyworker electricians, but their scope of services is generally limited to maintaining and repairing electrical wiring, apparatus, and equipment.
- Master Electricians: Also referred to as Class A Master Electricians, these are highly skilled electricians generally capable of performing any type of electrical work without supervision. Note that master electrician licenses are only issued to individuals that have either completed a four-year electrical course from an approved institution, have at least one year of licensed journeyworker experience, or have at least five years of hands-on experience in planning for, laying out, supervising, and installing wiring, apparatus, or equipment for electrical light, heat, and power.
Always confirm your prospective electrician’s experience level and authorized scope of work before committing to them to ensure you receive a satisfactory service.
Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in Minneapolis?
Permits for electrical projects in Minneapolis are issued at the state level by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry through its Board of Electricity. While these electrical permits are typically required for all electrical work in the city, exemptions are possible for minor repair work like replacing defective receptacle outlets, light switches, and worn or faulty circuit breakers in panelboards.
For more information concerning Minneapolis electrical permits, you can contact the state’s Board of Electricity via email or by calling (651) 284-5026.
What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in Minneapolis?
Minneapolis electricians generally offer interested clients a broad range of electrical services, including the following:
Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the Electrical Work in Minneapolis?
Although Minneapolis electricians can typically handle electrical works independently, they often have to subcontract additional electricians for large projects, especially ones with fixed deadlines. Still, you should always confirm if your electrician will be outsourcing all or parts of your electrical project, regardless of the project's scope. If subcontractors or the electrician's employees will be involved, always take the following actions:
- Confirm that each person involved is properly licensed or registered, aptly experienced, and has adequate insurance coverage.
- Get a lien waiver that ensures you are exempt from responsibility if the primary electrician does not make timely payments to these third parties.
Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Minneapolis Electrician?
Per state law, any electrical contractor in Minneapolis must maintain a $25,000 bond and liability insurance with limits of at least $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate limit for bodily injury, and $50,000 in property damage coverage.
So, always ask any Minneapolis electrician you plan to hire for proof of bond and insurance coverage before finalizing any arrangements.
You can contact the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry at (651) 284-5034 or via email for additional information on Minneapolis electricians’ bond and insurance requirements.
Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Electrical Work in Minneapolis?
Reputable Minneapolis electricians always offer warranties for their electrical work. Therefore, consider it a red flag if your prospective electrician does not. Also, note that the scope of these warranties varies across electricians. So, always confirm that any warranty you offer is valid for at least a year and request a written copy to review its scope and conditions adequately.
How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your Electrical Services in Minneapolis?
The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office is Minneapolis’s primary consumer protection agency. You can file complaints concerning electricians in the city with this office via its Online Consumer Assistance Request Form or matters involving electrical scams via its Fraud Report Form.
Alternatively, you can file complaints with the Minneapolis Department of Labor and Industry by submitting a Consumer Complaint Form to this department via fax to (651) 284-5746, email, or mail to:
MN Dept. of Labor and Industry CCLD – Enforcement Services 443 Lafayette Road North St. Paul, MN 55155Table of Contents
- What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an Electrician in Minneapolis?
- Are You Licensed as an Electrician in Minneapolis?
- What Rates Do You Charge for Your Electrical Services in Minneapolis?
- Are You a Master Electrician in Minneapolis?
- Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in Minneapolis?
- What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in Minneapolis?
- Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the Electrical Work in Minneapolis?
- Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Minneapolis Electrician?
- Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Electrical Work in Minneapolis?
- How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your Electrical Services in Minneapolis?