Electrical work is one of the few home projects where the wrong hire can put your family at risk. Whether you need a repair in Mesa, a panel upgrade in Queen Creek or a full rewire in Scottsdale, choosing the right electrician is the first step toward a safe result.
Short answer: To choose an electrician in Arizona, confirm the contractor holds an active Arizona ROC license in the right class (R-11, C-11 or CR-11), ask for proof of bond and insurance, get a written estimate, and make sure they’ll pull permits when required. Check reviews and BBB status, and avoid anyone who asks you to skip the paperwork.
Here’s a simple checklist you can use with any electrician, including us.
How do I check an electrician’s license in Arizona?
In Arizona, electrical contractors are licensed by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC). Ask for the ROC license number, then look it up with the Contractor Search on the ROC website (roc.az.gov). The search shows whether the license is active, its classification, the business name and any complaint history.
Make sure the business name on the license matches the company on your estimate. A license number on a truck or website isn’t enough on its own. Look it up.
Which ROC license class does an electrician need?
The license class should match the job:
- R-11: residential electrical work
- C-11: commercial electrical work
- CR-11: dual license covering both residential and commercial electrical work
Henderson’s Electric Solutions holds ROC CR-11 #341452, so Randy can take on home projects as well as commercial tenant improvements.
Can a handyman do electrical work in Arizona?
Arizona has a limited handyman exemption for small, minor jobs. It doesn’t apply when the work requires a building permit, and most new circuits, panel work, rewiring and EV charger installs do. If the job involves your panel or new wiring, hire a licensed electrical contractor.
Why do bond and insurance matter?
Licensed Arizona contractors must carry a license bond. Liability insurance covers damage to your home, and workers’ compensation covers injuries to workers on your property. Ask for a certificate of insurance before work starts. A reputable contractor will send it without hesitation.
Hiring a licensed residential contractor also gives you access to the ROC complaint process if something goes wrong.
Will the electrician pull a permit?
Many electrical jobs need a permit and inspection from your city or county. That includes panel upgrades, new circuits, EV charger installation and whole-home rewires. Ask who pulls the permit and who schedules the inspection. An electrician who suggests skipping the permit is a red flag. Unpermitted work can cause problems with insurance claims, inspections and selling your home.
Some panel jobs also need coordination with SRP or APS to disconnect and reconnect power. Your electrician should handle that scheduling.
What should a written estimate include?
- The scope of work in plain language
- Materials and fixtures, or who supplies them
- Whether permits and inspections are included
- A rough timeline and start date
- How changes to the scope are handled
- Payment terms
If you’re comparing estimates, compare the scope, not just the bottom line. A much lower bid sometimes leaves out permits, materials or parts of the job.
Who will actually do the work?
Ask who will be at your home, and whether a licensed electrician is in charge of the job. At Henderson’s, Randy is our licensed electrician and he’s responsible for the work on every job we take.
How do I check reviews and reputation?
Read recent reviews on Google and other sites, and look for detailed reviews that describe the work, the communication and the cleanup. Check the company’s Better Business Bureau profile. Ask neighbors and HOA groups in Gilbert, Chandler and San Tan Valley who they’ve used. Look at the contractor’s own project stories, too.
What are red flags when hiring an electrician?
- No ROC license number, or a license that doesn’t match the business name
- Pressure to skip permits or pay in cash only
- No written estimate, or a vague one
- A large upfront payment before any work or materials
- No proof of insurance
- Pressure to decide on the spot
- Offers to work on your panel “on the side”
Do they answer emergencies?
Electrical emergencies don’t keep business hours. Ask how the electrician handles a burning smell, a sparking outlet or a panel that’s hot to the touch. We answer emergency calls 24/7.
When should I call an electrician right away?
If you smell burning, see sparks or smoke, or an outlet, switch or panel feels hot, stop using it and keep everyone away. Turn off the breaker only if you can reach it safely and the area is dry. If there’s smoke or fire, get out and call 911. Don’t try to open outlets or the panel yourself.
Hiring checklist
- Active Arizona ROC license, verified on roc.az.gov
- License class matches the job (R-11, C-11 or CR-11)
- Certificate of insurance received
- Permit and inspection plan confirmed
- Detailed written estimate in hand
- Licensed electrician in charge of the job
- Reviews and BBB profile checked
- Emergency availability confirmed
Serving Queen Creek and the East Valley
We work with homeowners and businesses in Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, Florence, Scottsdale, Apache Junction and Gold Canyon, Sun Lakes, Tempe, Cactus Forest, Coolidge, Paradise Valley and Ahwatukee.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if an electrician is licensed in Arizona?
Ask for the ROC license number and look it up with the Contractor Search on the Arizona Registrar of Contractors website. Check that the license is active, the class fits your job and the business name matches your estimate.
What is the difference between R-11, C-11 and CR-11?
R-11 covers residential electrical work, C-11 covers commercial electrical work and CR-11 is a dual license that covers both. Henderson’s Electric Solutions holds CR-11 #341452.
Can a handyman install a new outlet or circuit?
Arizona’s handyman exemption covers only small, minor jobs and doesn’t apply when a permit is required. New circuits, panel work and rewiring usually need a permit, so hire a licensed electrical contractor.
Should I get more than one estimate?
It can help on bigger projects. Compare the written scope, permits, materials and timeline, not just the total. Be cautious of a bid far below the others.
What questions should I ask an electrician before hiring?
Ask for the ROC license number, proof of insurance, who pulls the permit, who will do the work, what the estimate includes, the timeline and how emergencies are handled.
Is it safe to do my own electrical work?
Changing a light bulb or resetting a breaker once is fine. Anything involving wiring, outlets, switches or the panel should be done by a licensed electrician, for your safety and to meet code and permit requirements.
Ready to talk to an electrician?
Henderson’s Electric Solutions LLC is a family-owned electrical contractor in Queen Creek, owned by Randy and Tori Henderson. Randy is our licensed electrician (ROC CR-11 #341452), and we’re bonded, insured and BBB accredited. Ask us for our license number and insurance certificate. We’re happy to share them.
Call Randy at (480) 430-2775 or request an estimate online. Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 6 AM to 6 PM, and we answer emergency calls 24/7. Solutions Only - No Excuses.