Hiring
Choosing an Electrician for Your Upgrade
Hire a contractor with an active CSLB C-10 (Electrical) license, confirm who pulls the permit and who handles PG&E, and get a written quote that starts from a load calculation.
1. Check the license
The CSLB defines a C-10 electrical contractor as one who "places, installs, erects or connects any electrical wires, fixtures, appliances, apparatus, raceways, conduits, solar photovoltaic cells or any part thereof." Before you sign:
- Look up the license number at CSLB's license check: status active, classification C-10 (or B for a larger remodel).
- Check the bond and workers' compensation on the same page.
- Make sure the business name on the quote matches the license.
2. Ask about certified electricians
People doing electrical work for a C-10 contractor must hold California electrician certification, with limited exceptions such as registered apprentices (Labor Code §108.2). It's fair to ask who will be on site.
3. Settle permits and PG&E
Ask who pulls the permit (it should be the contractor) and who files and tracks the PG&E request. An unlicensed handyman is limited to jobs under $1,000 that need no permit (the threshold rose from $500 in 2025), so panel and service work isn't handyman work.
What a good quote includes
| Item | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Load calculation | The result and the method, especially if they recommend an upgrade |
| Panel | Brand, bus rating, main breaker size, number of spaces |
| Surge protection | Whole-house surge protector included or optional |
| Permit and inspection | Who pulls it; fees included or extra |
| PG&E coordination | Who files the request; who pays any advance (up to $5,000 single-family) |
| Meter, mast or underground work | Spelled out, not "as needed" |
| Patching and paint | Drywall, stucco and paint included or excluded |
| Timeline | Install date and the expected PG&E wait |
| Warranty | Workmanship and equipment, in writing |
| Deposit | No more than $1,000 or 10% of the price, whichever is less |
Red flags
- Asks you to pull an owner-builder permit for their work.
- No license number on the quote or contract.
- A large cash deposit before any work.
- Recommends a 200A upgrade without a load calculation, or says no permit is needed.
- Vague about who deals with PG&E.
Questions to ask
- Will you do a load calculation, and can I see it?
- Are there alternatives to an upgrade, like circuit sharing?
- Who files with PG&E, and what's your experience with their timeline?
- What's excluded from this price?
Next: what upgrades cost · PG&E steps · do you need it?
Hiring questions
Who can upgrade my electrical panel?
A contractor licensed by the CSLB in the C-10 (Electrical) classification, or a general contractor where electrical is part of a larger job, under a permit. PG&E handles its side of the meter.
Do electricians' employees need to be certified?
Yes. California requires people who perform electrical work for C-10 contractors to be state-certified electricians, with limited exceptions such as registered apprentices (Labor Code §108.2).
How much can a contractor ask for up front?
For home improvement contracts, California caps the down payment at $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less.
Can a handyman do small electrical jobs?
An unlicensed handyman is limited to jobs under $1,000 in labor and materials (raised from $500 in 2025) and only where no permit is required. Panel, service, EV charger and generator work needs a permit.
Sources
Next step
Request a quote for your project
Call to talk it through, or send the short form. A local electrician can follow up to look at your panel and service and give you a written quote.
Call (925) 722-6103Prefer to type? Use the form.