How to Choose a Licensed Electrician in San Diego
Electrical work is the one trade where cutting corners can kill someone — including, eventually, the homeowner. Here's exactly how to vet a San Diego electrician before you sign anything.
Plumbers leak. Roofers leak. Electricians burn houses down. That's not melodrama — it's the basic asymmetry of the trade. Vet harder than you would for any other contractor.
The non-negotiable five
- 01Active California C-10 electrical contractor license (verify at cslb.ca.gov)
- 02Workers' compensation insurance (current, on file with CSLB)
- 03$15,000 contractor bond (current, on file with CSLB)
- 04General liability insurance — ask for a certificate (COI)
- 05Willingness to pull the permit in their company name
If a contractor balks at any of the above, walk away. The CSLB lookup takes 30 seconds; the contractor either has the credentials or they don't.
Red flags to walk away from
- —"You don't need a permit for this" — yes, for almost any meaningful electrical work, you do
- —Cash-only or significant discount for cash — usually means no books and no comp insurance
- —Asks for more than 10% deposit before any materials are delivered (California cap)
- —Refuses to put the scope of work in writing
- —Vehicle has no company markings, no license number visible
- —Quote is dramatically below others — usually means uninsured, unpermitted, or both
- —Pushes a panel upgrade without doing a load calculation
Questions to ask before signing
- —What's your C-10 license number? (Look it up while they're on the phone.)
- —Will you pull the permit in your company's name?
- —Can you email me your COI and workers' comp certificate?
- —Who is the journeyman or master electrician supervising my project?
- —What is your written warranty on the work?
- —What's the change-order process if you find something behind the wall?
What a fair San Diego quote looks like
- —Itemized scope of work — not a one-line total
- —Materials specified by brand and model where it matters (panel, breakers, EV charger)
- —Permit fees broken out separately
- —Clear warranty (1-year labor minimum is standard; manufacturer covers materials)
- —Written change-order policy
How we work
All Lights Electrical Service is a licensed California C-10 contractor with 30+ years serving San Diego County. Every quote is itemized, every permit is pulled in our name, every install is inspected. Free estimates throughout San Diego and surrounding cities — call 951-545-8822 or 951-351-2020.
Quick answers, straight up.
How do I verify an electrician's California license?
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Go to cslb.ca.gov and enter the contractor's name or license number. The lookup shows whether the C-10 license is active, expired, or suspended, plus the status of their bond, workers' comp, and any disciplinary actions. It takes about 30 seconds.
What is a C-10 license?
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C-10 is California's electrical contractor license classification. Any contractor performing electrical work over $500 in California must hold an active C-10 (or the broader C-7 low-voltage in some cases). No C-10 means they cannot legally pull permits or perform real electrical work.
How much deposit should I pay an electrician up front?
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California Business & Professions Code §7159 caps home improvement deposits at 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less. Any contractor asking for more is in violation of state law.
How do I know if an electrician is reputable?
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Verify active C-10 license, current workers' comp and bond at cslb.ca.gov, ask for a certificate of insurance, check that they will pull the permit in their company's name, and confirm they put the scope of work in writing. Cross-check Google reviews — look for specific, recent reviews mentioning permits and inspections passing.
