How to choose the right electrician.

Start with licensing

In Tennessee, electrical contractors must be licensed through the Tennessee Electrical Contractors Licensing Board. A licensed electrician has passed experience and exam requirements that verify they know the National Electrical Code and how to apply it safely.

Ask for the license number and verify it through the state licensing board before work starts. A legitimate contractor will give you this without hesitation.

Ask about insurance

An electrical contractor should carry both general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. Liability insurance protects your property if something is damaged during the job. Workers' comp protects you from being held liable if a worker is injured on your property.

Ask for a certificate of insurance before work begins. If they don't have it or won't provide it, that's a serious red flag.

The permit question

Ask directly: "Will you pull a permit for this job?" For panel replacements, new circuits, significant remodel work, and equipment installations, the answer should be yes — if the work is in a jurisdiction covered by the Tennessee state electrical program.

Contractors who skip permits to save time or avoid scrutiny aren't doing you a favor. They're creating a liability you'll deal with at resale and potentially leaving work unreviewed that should have been inspected.

Questions to ask before hiring

• Are you licensed in Tennessee? And can I have your license number?
• Do you carry liability and workers' comp insurance? Can you provide a certificate of insurance?
• Will you pull a permit for this work? What does the permit and inspection process look like for this job?
• Who will actually be doing the work? Is it you, or a subcontractor I haven't met?
• Can you walk me through the scope before you start? What exactly will be done, and what won't be included?
• What do you need from me to get started? And what's your typical timeline for a job like this?

Red flags to watch for

• Reluctance to pull permits. "We don't need a permit for that" is sometimes true — but if it's said to avoid inspection, it's a problem.
• Significantly lower bids with no clear explanation. Cheap bids usually mean one of three things: lower-quality materials, skipped steps (like permits), or a contractor who underestimates the scope and changes the price later.
• Vague scope communication. A professional electrician can explain what they're going to do and why before starting. If they can't or won't, that uncertainty will follow you through the job.
• Pressure to start immediately without a written scope. Urgency tactics and verbal-only agreements are common in low-quality contracting. Get the scope in writing.
• No references or verifiable track record. A contractor with no online presence, no references, and no history is a contractor you can't evaluate before hiring.

The difference between a licensed electrician and a handyman

Handymen can legally do minor repairs in Tennessee — outlet replacements, fixture swaps, and similar tasks — without an electrical license, depending on the scope. They cannot legally do panel work, run new circuits, or perform work that requires a permit under the state electrical program.

For anything beyond a simple fixture or outlet swap — especially work that involves your panel, new wiring, or circuit additions — hire a licensed electrical contractor. The accountability difference is significant.