Get Quotes from Top Electricians in Portland, OR

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

Minor electrical issues can have dangerous consequences if not handled properly. It is thus important to hire a professional electrician to address any electrical problem you may be experiencing. A competent electrician is usually well-versed with the National Electrical Code and Portland's electrical regulations. A professional electrician will obtain permits and avoid violating applicable regulations. They can also handle different types of electrical problems, such as when: 

• There are visible damages to your home's electrical infrastructure. 

• There are visible damages to the cables and sockets. 
• Your home's fuse board constantly trips. 
• You smell a burning odor coming from electrical fixtures. 
• Your lights are constantly blinking. 
• There is a sparking electrical breaker or fixture. 
• You get shocked when in contact with an electrical system component, such as an outlet or light switch. 
• Your walls are constantly buzzing with the sound of electrical activity. 

Are You Licensed as an Electrician in Portland? 

Before an electrician can provide electrical services in Portland, they must obtain a license. In Portland, there are various electrical licenses depending on the professional's level of experience and training. Interested individuals can apply to the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) for non-contracting electrical licenses and the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) for construction electrical contractor licenses.  

You can confirm if an electrician in Portland has the proper licenses by:  

• Contacting the BCD at (503) 373-1268 or using its online license holder search platform 
• Contacting the CCB at (503) 378-4621 or using its online contractor search platform 

It is critical that you confirm the licensing status of your preferred electrician in the city before completing the hiring process. In Portland, electricians who fail to obtain licenses from the appropriate organization may have their licenses revoked, pay a fine of up to $5,000, or both. 

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

A professional electrician can charge between $45 and $110 for their services in Portland. Nonetheless, their actual charges are influenced by several factors, such as: 

• The cost of permits and various materials like wires and fixtures 
• The nature and scope of the job 
• Your location within the city 
• The complexity of the job 
• The electrician's reputation 

Getting and comparing quotes from at least three electricians in Portland is advisable before making your final hiring decision. This will help you find a suitable deal and spot potential fraudulent electricians who may inflate their rates.  

Are You a Master Electrician in Portland? 

Portland-based electricians are generally grouped into the following categories: 

• Apprentice Electricians: These are individuals training as electricians through an apprentice program. An apprentice electrician must always work under the supervision of a licensed electrician. 
• General Journeyman Electrician: These individuals work under the supervision and direction of a general supervising electrician. To become a licensed general journeyman electrician in Portland, the professional must have completed an approved apprenticeship program. 
• Limited Journeyman Electrician: These individuals must be supervised by a limited supervising electrician when installing or repairing electrical equipment. Limited journeyman electricians in Portland must have completed an approved apprenticeship program to obtain a state-issued license. 
• General Supervising Electrician- These professionals have the highest level of experience and are authorized to supervise or control electrical service installation. They must hold a journeyman electrician license and accumulate at least 8,000 hours of job experience. 
• Limited Supervising Electrician: A licensed supervising electrician is responsible for designing, planning, and executing electrical work in an existing facility or commercial building. They must have a valid limited journeyman electrician license and at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job experience.  

Ensure that the electrician handling your project has the necessary experience and skills to provide a good service.  

Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in Portland? 

In Portland, an electrical permit is required for any residential and commercial projects that involve replacing, altering, or installing electrical systems. The city's Bureau of Development Services (BDS) carries out the permitting process. Only licensed contractors and property owners are allowed to apply for electrical permits. 

The applicant can complete the application for an electrical permit online through the city's Development Hub PDX or send a completed PDF Electrical Permit Application form via email. Alternatively, an appointment can be scheduled to drop off the pdf application in person at: 

You can find more information about the electrical works permitting process in Portland by visiting the BDS address above or calling them at (503) 823-7300. 

What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in Portland? 

Residents of Portland can rely on experienced and licensed electrical contractors to provide the best possible services, including: 

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

A single licensed electrician will be able to handle most electrical work in Portland. However, large projects such as home remodeling and new construction may require multiple electricians, especially if working with a specific timeline. Hence, make sure to ask if your preferred electrician will be subcontracting any of the work while drawing up a work contract. If so, ensure you do the following: 

• Confirm the electricians that will be involved in your project. 
• Verify their insurance and bonding status. 
• Validate their licensing status and level of experience. 
• Get a lien waiver from your electrician to ensure that you are not liable for any unpaid bills they’re responsible for. 

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Portland Electrician? 

To obtain a construction electrician contractor license in Portland, an electrician must get a surety bond and a liability insurance policy. When handling a residential project, the electrician must post a surety bond of $20,000 and an insurance coverage of $500,000 per occurrence. For commercial projects, the electrician must post up to $75,000 as surety bond and insurance coverage of up to $2,000,000 aggregate. Electrical contractors must also carry worker's compensation insurance for their employees.  

Therefore, before hiring an electrician in Portland, ensure they are adequately bonded and have the necessary insurance coverage. For more information on bond and insurance requirements for electricians in Portland, you can contact the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) at (503) 378-4621. 

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

In Portland, a professional electrician typically provides a work warranty to their customers. You should consider it a red flag if your preferred electrician hesitates or refuses to provide a warranty. Be aware that the terms and conditions of work warranties vary depending on the electrician that issues them. 

Nonetheless, ensure the warranty you are provided is valid for at least one year. You should get a copy of the warranty to allow you to review its terms and conditions and thus prevent voiding it. 

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

You can report a fraudulent electrician or unsatisfactory electrical service in Portland to the Consumer Protection Division of the Oregon Department of Justice. You can file a complaint by contacting the division via its consumer hotline at 1-877-877-9392 or online. 

Correspondingly, you can file a complaint against an electrician through the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) enforcement program via email or contact them at (503) 378-3278.  Another way to file a complaint is with the Construction Contractors Board at (503) 378-4621.