Questions to Ask Before You Hire an Electrician
Last verified: September 2026
A transfer switch is only as good as who installs it. Here are the questions to ask a licensed electrician — and the red flags to watch for — so you hire someone you can trust. Need a name? (330) 200-8042.
Hiring an Electrician, at a Glance
A transfer switch is only as safe as the person who installs it. Ask every electrician: Are you licensed and insured? How much transfer-switch experience do you have? Will you pull the permit? Get a written, itemized quote from two or three, ask for a hands-on walk-through, and trust your gut — never let anyone rush you. There's a printable 29-page version up top.
Common Questions
1 How do I know an electrician is qualified for this?
Confirm they're licensed and insured, ask about their transfer-switch experience (and well-pump experience if you have one), check references, and make sure they'll pull the permit. Clear, unhurried answers are a good sign.
2 What's the biggest red flag when hiring?
Offering to skip the permit, being cagey about a license, or pressuring you to decide fast. Any of these means keep looking, no matter how friendly the pitch.
3 Should I get more than one quote?
Yes — get two or three written, itemized quotes for the same scope. It shows the fair range and lets you compare approach and comfort, not just price.
4 What technical questions should I ask?
Whether they recommend essential-circuits or whole-panel and why, how they'll match the switch to your generator, where the inlet should go, and whether your panel needs work first. Listen for clear answers.
5 What if I feel pressured or unsure?
Trust that feeling. You never have to decide on the spot — say you need to think about it and get another opinion. Honest pros respect that; only scammers push. Or call Bill to talk it through.
6 Should I ask them to show me how to use it?
Absolutely — ask for a hands-on walk-through before they leave. It's the most valuable few minutes of the project, so make sure it's part of the deal.
Would You Rather I Just Help?
Finding and vetting a good electrician is one of the most valuable things I do — with nothing to sell and no referral fees. I'll help you prepare your questions, compare quotes, and can point you to a licensed electrician I trust. $99 flat for a visit.
Would you rather I just do this for you?
No shame in it — plenty of folks would rather hand it off, and that's what I'm here for. I'll come to your home, set it up right, and make sure it's working before I leave. Flat $99 per visit — no jargon, no upsell, and every visit is 30-day come-back-free.
Not a hardware job? I can often fix it remotely for $49 — a secure screen-share, up to 2 hours, that you watch the whole time and can end whenever (included free for $39/mo Support Plan members, and it counts toward the $99 if it turns out I need to come out).