Get Quotes from Top Electricians in St Paul, MN
What to Ask Before Hiring an Electrician in St. Paul
St. Paul is Minneapolis' older twin city, with a urban suburban mix feel and Victorian and French-influenced architecture. Home to the Cathedral of Saint Paul, it is a major education, health care, government, financial, and industrial center. With over 300,000 residents, 121,000 homes, and hundreds of businesses, the city has a high demand for electrical services. Thankfully, over 6,000 electricians serve the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington area and are ready to assist with any electrical emergency at home or commercial site.
- What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an Electrician in St. Paul?
- Are You Licensed as an Electrician in St. Paul?
- What Rates Do You Charge for Your Electrical Services in St. Paul?
- Are You a Master Electrician in St. Paul?
- Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in St. Paul?
- What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in St. Paul?
- Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the Electrical Work in St. Paul?
- Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded St. Paul Electrician?
- Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Electrical Work in St. Paul?
- How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your Electrical Services in St. Paul?
What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an Electrician in St. Paul?
If you are experiencing any of the following issues, contact a licensed electrician:
- Your breaker needs replacement.
- Your electrical system is old.
- You have wet wiring.
- Your outlets are emitting a smell.
- Your outlets are sparking, or your lights are flickering.
- You live in a house more than 25 years old.
- There is a burning odor coming out from your outlets.
It is advisable to leave all electrical issues at home or business, whether you consider them serious or not, to skilled electricians. These professionals can handle every electrical system installation, repair, and maintenance in compliance with the St. Paul Electrical Code to keep everyone safe from the risks of electricity,
Are You Licensed as an Electrician in St. Paul?
To operate as an electrician in St Paul, professionals must obtain an electrical license from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. The Department has different licensing requirements for various electrician categories like master, journeyworker, maintenance, lineman, Class A and B installer, and power limited technician. Electricians in St. Paul must apply and schedule a license examination to obtain a license. Operating without a license in St. Paul is considered a misdemeanor.
To verify the license of your St. Paul electrician, use the DLI’s license and registration lookup platform. For more information concerning electrical licenses in St. Paul, contact the DLI at (651) 284-5034, (651) 284-5031, or via email.
What Rates Do You Charge for Your Electrical Services in St. Paul?
Professional electricians in St. Paul typically charge customers between $71.83 - $87.30 per hour. Still, the factors listed below could influence the overall cost of hiring an electrician:
- The electrician's reputation
- The price of the materials and equipment needed, like wiring, surge protectors, and lighting fixtures
- The pricing system used
- The amount of time needed to complete the task
- The nature of the task
- Where you are in the city
Always compare the estimate you receive from an electrician with those of up to three additional contractors before deciding whom to hire. This will make it easier to tell the difference between trustworthy electricians and those who overcharge.
Are You a Master Electrician in St. Paul?
There are typically four categories of electricians in St. Paul according to their experience level:
- Apprentice Electricians: These newcomers frequently receive mentoring from an experienced electrician as they learn the ropes of the trade.
- Journeyworker Electricians: These aspiring electricians have demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of how electrical systems function. A journeyworker electrician must have at least 48 months of experience before applying for a license.
- Master Electrician: These electricians must accumulate at least 60 months of experience. St. Paul master electricians are generally ready to offer any type of service for electrical systems.
- Special Electrician: The main difference between a master and a special electrician is that the former is only allowed to work on specific urban projects.
Because of their extensive knowledge and experience, it is typically advised to hire a master electrician to handle your electrical project in St. Paul. Doing so guarantees optimal service delivery.
Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in St. Paul?
Electrical permits and inspections are required depending on the nature and scope of your electrical work in St. Paul. The St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) issues these permits. An Electrical Permit Application must be completed, submitted, and the required fee must be paid to obtain the permit. Permits can also be obtained online. For required inspections outside of normal business hours or re-inspection fees, you can contact the electrical inspectors at (651) 266-9003.
For more information regarding electrical permits in St. Paul, contact the Department of Safety and Inspections at
Department of Safety and Inspections 375 Jackson Street, Suite 220 St Paul, MN 55101-1806 Phone: (651) 266-8989What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in St. Paul?
The following are just some of the many electrical services available to St. Paul residents from licensed electricians:
Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the Electrical Work in St. Paul?
St. Paul electricians may outsource their work to other electricians for industrial or commercial projects, especially those with short deadlines. Even if yours is a residential electrical project, always ask your electrician if they will outsource any part of the job and, if so, who will be involved. Take the following additional steps if your electrician plans to hire subcontractors to complete your project:
- Verify the subcontractors’ credentials and licenses.
- Look into their insurance and bonding.
- Obtain a lien waiver that releases you from responsibility if the primary electrician fails to make timely payments to these third parties.
Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded St. Paul Electrician?
Electrical Contractors in St. Paul must have liability insurance with the following minimum limits:
- $100,000 per person
- $300,000 per occurrence
- $50,000 for property damage
St. Paul electricians must also maintain a $25,000 electrical contractor bond. Finally, all St. Paul electricians must carry workers' compensation for themselves and their employees.
Always ask any St. Paul electrician you are considering hiring for proof of insurance. To confirm the policy's validity, you can contact the insurance provider that issued it.
Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Electrical Work in St. Paul?
Consider it a red flag if the St. Paul electrician you choose does not offer a warranty covering their work and materials. On the other hand, if you are offered a work warranty, check that it will be valid for at least a year. Be aware that each electrician often has a different policy regarding the validity period of their warranty.
Ask for a written copy of the warranty, and ensure you understand all its terms and conditions. This will help you avoid signing up for a bad contract.
How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your Electrical Services in St. Paul?
The primary agency in charge of safeguarding the legal rights of St. Paul citizens as consumers is the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General. The Office deals with consumer complaints and provides remedies in cases of electrician scams and subpar electrical services. Call (651) 296-3353 or (800) 657-3787 to report these cases. You can also submit a complaint via an online form.
Table of Contents
- What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an Electrician in St. Paul?
- Are You Licensed as an Electrician in St. Paul?
- What Rates Do You Charge for Your Electrical Services in St. Paul?
- Are You a Master Electrician in St. Paul?
- Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in St. Paul?
- What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in St. Paul?
- Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the Electrical Work in St. Paul?
- Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded St. Paul Electrician?
- Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Electrical Work in St. Paul?
- How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your Electrical Services in St. Paul?