Hiring guide · CA
Hiring an EV charger electrician in Los Angeles, CA
A charger circuit is routine work for any competent electrician — which means your job isn't finding a genius, it's filtering for licensed, insured, permit-pulling, and honestly priced. Here's the filter.
Step zero
Verify the license (2 minutes, saves everything)
Typically the licensed electrical contractor files through PermitLA; LADBS also allows owner-occupants of their own dwelling to pull permits for work they perform themselves. Before comparing prices, look up each bidder's license: Contractors State License Board (verify a C-10 electrical license) . The number should appear on the quote itself. No number on the quote is answer enough.
The interview
Six questions that sort the field
"Is the permit included, and will you pull it?"
In Los Angeles, CA: LADBS Express Permit (electrical) — no plan check for standard residential installs, typical fee Set by the LADBS electrical fee schedule (LAMC §82-8); PermitLA shows the exact amount at checkout — budget roughly $150–$300 for a simple residential circuit. The right answer is an unhesitating yes, with the fee itemized. Not required for typical residential chargers — EVSE under 400A qualifies for Express Permit / over-the-counter issuance. Plan check applies to unusual scopes (service changes, engineered wiring, multifamily common areas).
"Can you price the outlet and hardwired options side by side?"
GFCI-breaker requirements changed this math — a pro quotes both without being defensive about it.
"Will you run a load calculation, and is it extra?"
Mandatory diligence on 100–125A panels. Many include it free; $75–$200 standalone is fair.
"Have you filed my utility's rebate paperwork before?"
Experienced installers know the local utility's photo and invoice requirements cold — that's weeks of back-and-forth saved.
"What wire gauge and breaker are you quoting for my amperage?"
You're not testing the answer — you're testing whether they explain it plainly (e.g. 6 AWG copper on a 50A breaker for a 40A charger).
"What's the warranty on your workmanship?"
One year written is the floor; many good shops offer more.
Walk away
Red flags, in order of severity
- "You don't really need a permit for this" — you do; unpermitted work surfaces at resale and in insurance claims
- No license number on the quote, or a "borrowed" license from an absent master electrician
- One lump-sum number with no line items — impossible to compare, easy to pad
- Quote sight-unseen without asking about panel size or wire distance
- Pressure to skip the GFCI breaker or undersize wire "to save you money"
- Cash-only, no written contract, or full payment up front
Compare quotes in Los Angeles, CA
Three itemized bids routinely differ by 40% for the identical scope — the hour spent comparing is the best-paid hour of the project.
Finding an installer yourself: ask for the contractor's state license number, proof of insurance, and at least two recent Level 2 installs. Get the permit number in writing.
Use the free permit checklistTimeline expectations in Los Angeles, CA: Express Permit: same-day (instant online issuance for eligible installs). Inspection: usually next business day after request. Whole permit cycle for a simple install: about 2–4 days. Request inspection through the LADBS website or 311 ((213) 473-3231 outside LA County); EV charger inspections follow an expedited track and can typically be scheduled for the next business day. LADWP performs its own additional check only if a new service or panel upgrade was involved.
Rules, rebates, and incentives change. Verify with the official program before applying.