Ever wondered what a commercial electrician actually does all day? It’s a mix of technical skill, problem-solving and teamwork, and no two days look the same. At Henderson’s Electric Solutions in Queen Creek, our team, Randy, Mikal, Justin and Tori, works on commercial projects across the East Valley. Here’s a look behind the sparks and wires.
Short answer: A commercial electrician installs, maintains and repairs the electrical systems in businesses, including power distribution, lighting and controls, equipment circuits and safety systems. The job means reading plans, following code, coordinating with other trades, troubleshooting problems and working safely around energized equipment, all to keep businesses open and running.
What does a day look like for a commercial electrician?
Days often start early. A typical morning might mean reviewing plans for a tenant improvement, checking materials and walking the site with the general contractor. From there, the work could be pulling wire through conduit, setting panels, mounting fixtures or terminating devices. Afternoons might bring an inspection, a meeting about a design change or a service call to track down a problem in an operating business.
How is commercial electrical work different from residential?
- Bigger systems: larger panels and services, and often three-phase power
- Conduit everywhere: commercial wiring is commonly run in metal conduit
- More trades to coordinate: architects, engineers, GCs, HVAC, plumbing, fire alarm and low voltage
- Specialty systems: emergency and exit lighting, lighting controls, kitchen equipment and data pathways
- Tighter schedules: a business opening date depends on the work getting done right
What kinds of commercial projects do we work on?
Variety is one of the best parts of the job. We handle commercial tenant improvements for restaurants, bars, offices and retail spaces, plus lighting upgrades, panel work and troubleshooting. One recent favorite was the Ponderosa House tenant improvement for a bar and restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale, which included a Lutron lighting system with a hub controller for dimming and scenes.
What skills does a commercial electrician need?
- Reading blueprints and electrical plans
- Knowing the National Electrical Code and local amendments
- Understanding electrical theory, from basic circuits to three-phase power
- Troubleshooting with meters and testers
- Bending and installing conduit
- Communicating clearly with clients and other trades
- Staying organized on busy job sites
How do commercial electricians troubleshoot problems?
Troubleshooting is detective work. A breaker that trips at the same time every day, lights that flicker when a compressor starts, or an outlet that stopped working after a remodel all have a cause. We test, narrow it down and fix the real problem, not just the symptom. Our electrical troubleshooting and repair page explains how we approach it.
How do commercial electricians stay safe?
Safety comes first on every job. That means de-energizing equipment and using lockout/tagout procedures before working on it, testing to confirm it’s dead, wearing the right personal protective equipment, and never cutting corners on ladders, lifts or confined spaces. Keeping up with code updates and safety training is part of the job.
How do you become a commercial electrician?
Most electricians start through an apprenticeship, combining on-the-job training under experienced electricians with classroom learning. In Arizona, electrical contracting businesses are licensed through the Registrar of Contractors (ROC). Henderson’s holds ROC CR-11 #341452, which covers both residential and commercial work, and Randy is our licensed electrician.
What do business owners need to know when hiring a commercial electrician?
- Check the contractor’s ROC license and class
- Ask for proof of insurance
- Share your plans and equipment list early
- Confirm who pulls permits and schedules inspections
- Ask how they’ll coordinate with your GC and keep you updated
Our guide on how to choose an electrician goes deeper.
When should a business call an electrician?
Call us when you’re planning a build-out or new equipment, and right away if breakers trip often, lights flicker, outlets or panels feel hot, or you smell burning. Keep people away, turn off the breaker only if it’s safe and dry to reach, and call 911 for any fire. We answer emergency calls 24/7.
Serving Queen Creek and the East Valley
We work with 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
What does a commercial electrician do?
A commercial electrician installs, maintains and repairs electrical systems in businesses, including power distribution, lighting and controls, equipment circuits and emergency lighting, following code and coordinating with other trades.
How is a commercial electrician different from a residential electrician?
Commercial work involves larger systems, often three-phase power, conduit, more trades to coordinate and specialty systems like emergency lighting and controls. Residential work focuses on homes.
What license does a commercial electrical contractor need in Arizona?
Electrical contractors are licensed by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. C-11 covers commercial electrical work, and CR-11 covers both residential and commercial. Henderson’s holds CR-11 #341452.
How do you become an electrician?
Most people start with an apprenticeship that combines on-the-job training with classroom learning, then build experience working under a licensed electrician.
Does Henderson’s do commercial work?
Yes. We handle commercial tenant improvements, lighting and controls, panel work and troubleshooting for restaurants, bars, offices and retail spaces.
Need a commercial 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. Our CR-11 license covers both residential and commercial work.
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.