Get Quotes from Top Electricians in Buffalo, NY

What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an Electrician in Buffalo?

Professional electricians typically adhere to the provisions of the New York State Uniform Code when performing electrical work in Buffalo. Therefore, hiring the services of these electricians for your electrical projects is the only way to guarantee that the job will be done safely, effectively, and with minimal risks to you and your loved ones. As such, no matter how minor the issue may seem, always call on a licensed Buffalo electrician when dealing with electrical issues, like:

• Electric shocks and sparking outlets
• Tripping circuit breakers and broken fixtures
• Faulty electric panels
• House rewiring and whole-building electrical system installations
• Service equipment upgrades

Are You Licensed as an Electrician in Buffalo?

Electricians that wish to operate in Buffalo must first obtain a locally-issued license from the Buffalo Department of Permit and Inspection Services (DPIS). This department offers two license options based on the electrician’s level of expertise:

• Master Electricians: These electricians are authorized to perform any type of electrical work
• Journeyman Electricians: These electricians cannot bid for work themselves and must be employed and supervised by a master electrician

By contacting the DPIS at (716) 851-4972 or using its Licensed Contractors Search tool, you can confirm if your preferred electrician has a valid locally-issued license. Always do this before contracting with any electricians in Buffalo.

Note that it is an unclassified misdemeanor to operate as an electrician in Buffalo without appropriate licensing. This offense is punishable by fines of up to $1,000, jail time of up to 60 days, or a combination of both.

What Rates Do You Charge for Your Electrical Services in Buffalo?

Depending on their license type, professional electricians in Buffalo are classified into seven categories. These are:

• The scope, complexity, and urgency of the job
• Your location within the city
• The electrician’s level of expertise and local reputation
• The cost of required permits and materials

Getting and comparing quotes from several electricians before making your hiring selection can give you a clear picture of the current market rates for your electrical project and is also an effective way to avoid being overcharged for the job by a fraudulent electrician.   

Are You a Master Electrician in Buffalo?

Buffalo electricians are generally grouped under three main classifications based on their level of experience and expertise:

• Apprentice Electricians: These are beginner-level electricians still enrolled in trade schools and apprenticeship programs.
• Journeyman Electricians: These electricians have completed an apprenticeship program satisfactorily, passed a locally-administered examination to ascertain their proficiency, and subsequently been licensed to perform electrical work. Note that journeyman electricians must always work under the supervision of master electricians.
• Master Electricians: These are highly skilled electricians with proven knowledge, competence, and proficiency in electrical works, including electrical contracting, construction and installation work, and electrical wiring. Master electricians are generally qualified to bid for and perform any type of electrical work and are also responsible for supervising work done by journeyman electricians.

Always verify that the electrician you plan to hire is a duly licensed master electrician. Furthermore, ensure that any electricians they intend to work with on your project are also appropriately licensed and experienced.

Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in Buffalo?

You must obtain a permit issued by the Buffalo Department of Permit and Inspection Services before commencing any electrical work in Buffalo. Exemptions are possible for minor electrical work in existing one and two-family dwellings and commercial buildings. These exempted works include:

• Repairs of lighting fixtures, exhaust fans, electrical devices, and components of less than 30 volts
• In-kind replacements of lamps, light fixture lenses and ballasts, surface-mounted fixtures and fans, and electrical devices and components of less than 30 volts
• Installation of listed portable electrical equipment or appliances

You can contact the Electrical Division of the Buffalo Department of Permits and Inspection Services at (716) 851-4600 to direct further inquiries on pulling permits for electrical work in Buffalo.

What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in Buffalo?

Professional electricians in Buffalo generally offer a broad scope of electrical services to city residents, including:

Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the Electrical Work in Buffalo?

While professional Buffalo electricians are ordinarily capable of completing electrical work by themselves, they may need to subcontract to additional electricians for large-scale projects, particularly those with set deadlines. Nevertheless, it is advisable to find out from your prospective electrician if some or all of your electrical work will be outsourced, regardless of the scale or scope of the project. Always take the following steps if additional electricians will be involved in your electrical project:

• Confirm that everyone involved is appropriately licensed, has the necessary expertise, and is adequately insured.
• Get a lien waiver that frees you from liability if the primary electrician fails to pay the additional electricians and other subcontractors on time.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Buffalo Electrician?

Electricians in Buffalo do not currently have any mandatory occupation-specific bond or insurance obligations they must comply with. However, note that electricians with employees must carry state-mandated workers' compensation insurance. Nonetheless, you should always ensure that your prospective electricians are appropriately bonded and have sufficient liability insurance to cover any bodily injuries or property damage that may occur during the electrical work.

Ask any electrician you plan to hire to provide you copies of their bond and insurance certificates before finalizing agreements with them. Also, check with the electrician’s insurance provider to confirm that the electrician’s coverage limits will be sufficient for the scope of your project.

Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Electrical Work in Buffalo?

Reputable electricians in Buffalo always offer warranties for their electrical services. Hence, consider it a red flag if any electrician you plan to hire seems hesitant to do this or tries to downplay the importance of warranties. Note that these electrical work warranties' scope of coverage is primarily determined by the electricians issuing them and the materials covered.

Therefore, always ask for a written copy of any warranty you are offered to review its terms and conditions properly. Also, ensure the warranty will be valid for at least a year.

How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your Electrical Services in Buffalo?

You can file complaints on matters concerning electrician scams, subpar electrical services, and other electrician-related issues in Buffalo through the following methods:

• Contacting the Buffalo Department of Permit and Inspection Services at (716) 851-4972
• Submitting a Consumer Protection Complaint Form to the Erie County Office of Consumer Protection online
• Contacting the New York Attorney General’s Buffalo Regional Office at (716) 853-8404 or submitting a complaint form to this office at: