To choose a licensed electrician in the East Valley or Scottsdale, look the contractor up on the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) Contractor Search, make sure the license covers electrical work, and get a written estimate that says who pulls the permit. Then ask for proof of insurance, check recent reviews, and pick someone who will explain what your home actually needs instead of pushing the biggest job.
We’re based in Queen Creek, and we get this question from homeowners across Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Tempe, Queen Creek, and San Tan Valley, especially after a bad experience with someone who wasn’t licensed. Here’s the checklist we’d use if we were hiring an electrician ourselves.
How do I check an electrician’s license in Arizona?
Use the free AZ ROC Contractor Search. Search by the company name or license number and look at three things:
- Is the license active today? The ROC suggests confirming it’s current on the day you sign.
- Does the license class cover electrical work? The ROC’s Before You Hire a Contractor page tells homeowners to “make certain the contractor’s license class allows for the work listed in the contract.”
- Is the person you’re talking to really with that company? The ROC suggests calling the phone number listed on the license record to confirm.
Our license is Arizona ROC CR-11 #341452, held by our licensed electrician, Randy Henderson. You’re welcome to look it up before you call us.
Why does hiring a licensed electrician matter?
Electrical mistakes don’t always show up right away. A loose connection, an undersized wire, or a missing ground can sit behind a wall for months before it causes a problem.
Hiring a licensed contractor also protects you. According to the Arizona ROC, if you hire an unlicensed entity, you have no recourse through the ROC. With a licensed contractor, residential property owners can file a complaint against the license within two years, and under certain conditions may be eligible for the ROC’s Residential Contractors’ Recovery Fund.
Who issues the electrical permit in my city?
For most new wiring, yes, a permit is required, but the office that issues it depends on your address. Be cautious if someone says, “We can skip the permit to save you money.” The ROC recommends that your estimate and contract spell out who is responsible for getting building permits. When Henderson’s does the work, we pull the permit where one is required and meet the inspector. On projects run by a general contractor, the GC usually holds the permit.
That covers jobs like a new circuit for an EV charger, a panel upgrade, a subpanel for a shop or casita, or wiring for a remodel. Swapping a light fixture on an existing box is often treated differently, depending on the city.
Here’s who issues permits in our focus cities, with a link to each office’s official page:
- Scottsdale: The City of Scottsdale issues the permit. An electrical permit is required “to install, alter, reconstruct or repair electrical wiring on any building, structure, swimming pool, or mechanical equipment.” See the City’s Permit Services page.
- Paradise Valley: The Town of Paradise Valley issues the permit. The Town’s electrical permit covers projects “including but not limited to panel upgrades, panel replacements, lighting changes, and establishing service.” See the Town’s Permits and Handouts page.
- Ahwatukee: Ahwatukee is part of Phoenix, so permits for Ahwatukee homes go through the City of Phoenix. Phoenix lists “electrical updates, rewiring and additions” among residential projects that need a permit. See the City’s Residential Projects page.
- Gilbert: The Town of Gilbert issues permits through Development Services. See the Town’s Permits, Applications & Checklists page, or call Development Services at 480-503-6700 for your specific project.
- Tempe: The City of Tempe issues the permit. Tempe lists an electrical permit for electrical wiring work such as new or additional branch circuits and installing or changing out a service entrance. See the City’s Permit Types page.
- Queen Creek: The Town of Queen Creek issues the permit. The Town lists “additions or modifications to electrical systems – excluding fixtures” among the work that needs a permit. See the Town’s When is a Permit Required? page, or call the Town at 480-358-3003 for your specific project.
- San Tan Valley: It depends on which side of the town line your property sits on. Since November 1, 2026, addresses inside Town of San Tan Valley limits go through the Town, not Pinal County. Unincorporated San Tan Valley addresses still permit through Pinal County. See the Town’s Building Safety page, or read our guide to who issues electrical permits in San Tan Valley.
Should an electrician be bonded and insured?
Yes, ask for both. Arizona requires a bond to get a contractor’s license. Insurance is different: the ROC notes that, apart from workers’ compensation, it doesn’t require insurance to be licensed, so “licensed, bonded and insured” in an ad isn’t proof by itself.
Henderson’s Electric Solutions is licensed, bonded, and insured. Ask us for our license number and insurance certificate anytime.
What should a good electrical estimate include?
A clear written estimate saves arguments later. Look for:
- The scope of work in plain language: what’s being installed, where, and what’s not included.
- Materials, including the panel or equipment brand when it matters. We usually install Square D or Eaton panels.
- The price and payment schedule. The ROC’s advice: never pay in cash, and don’t let payments get ahead of the work.
- Who pulls the permit and who schedules the inspection.
- Utility coordination if the job needs a shutoff. On panel and service work, we schedule the disconnect and reconnect with SRP or APS.
What are the red flags when hiring an electrician?
- They can’t give you a license number, or it doesn’t show up on the ROC search.
- They want cash only, or most of the money before work starts.
- They knocked on your door with a “today only” deal.
- They push a full panel upgrade without checking your load. Often a simpler fix works. For EV chargers, Randy usually recommends a power-monitoring, load-managing charger when panel capacity is tight.
- They tell you a permit isn’t needed for work your city clearly lists.
How do I know an electrician does good work?
Read recent reviews in customers’ own words, and look for an electrician who explains the “why” behind a recommendation. You can read what our customers say on our reviews page.
It also helps to hire someone who already works in your city. Our shop is in Queen Creek, and we handle permitted work across Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Tempe, Queen Creek, and San Tan Valley. If you’re in Queen Creek, our post on common electrical problems in Queen Creek homes covers what we see most.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if an electrician is licensed in Arizona?
Search the company name or license number on the free AZ ROC Contractor Search at azroc.my.site.com. Confirm the license is active and that its class covers electrical work.
Do I need a permit for electrical work in the East Valley or Scottsdale?
Usually, for new or changed wiring. The office that issues the permit depends on your address: the City of Scottsdale, the Town of Paradise Valley, the City of Phoenix (for Ahwatukee), the Town of Gilbert, the City of Tempe, the Town of Queen Creek, or, in San Tan Valley, either the Town or Pinal County. When we do the work, we pull the permit where one is required.
Is it okay to hire an unlicensed handyman for electrical work?
We don’t recommend it. According to the Arizona ROC, homeowners who hire an unlicensed entity have no recourse through the ROC if something goes wrong.
Do you handle emergencies in the East Valley and Scottsdale?
Yes. Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 6 AM to 6 PM, and we answer emergency calls 24/7, including nights and weekends, across our service area. An after-hours service fee applies.
Need a licensed electrician in the East Valley or Scottsdale?
Henderson’s Electric Solutions is a family-owned electrical contractor based in Queen Creek, led by licensed electrician Randy Henderson (ROC CR-11 #341452). We handle panel upgrades, EV charger installation, lighting, troubleshooting and repairs, and commercial tenant improvements across Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Tempe, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, and the rest of the East Valley. Call the office at (480) 228-3875, Randy at (480) 430-2775, or request an estimate.