Hiring Home Remodeling Electrician: A Greenville Guide
Are you planning a home renovation in Greenville County? You might be updating your kitchen, adding a new room, or giving your entire home a fresh look, and electrical work is likely part of your project. Finding the right electrician in Greenville for your remodeling needs is crucial for safety, code compliance, and long-term peace of mind. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about hiring a remodeling electrical contractor in South Carolina.
Why Licensed Electricians Are Required for Remodeling in South Carolina
Looking for an electrician in Greenville County for your remodeling project? You might wonder why hiring a licensed professional is necessary in the first place. The answer is simple: South Carolina law requires it for most electrical work. Whenever you're rewiring your home, performing new electrical installations, upgrading electrical panels, completing repairs, or installing new lighting, the state mandates that contractors be appropriately licensed to perform the work.
South Carolina defines electrical work and electricians as specialty trades. Any individual or business performing electrical services must be licensed or registered under state law. A residential contractor or remodeler working on your project must be registered with electrical classification. If you're hiring a dedicated electrician, they must be licensed under the Contractor's Licensing Board. This licensing process ensures that all electrical work meets state requirements and that the electrician has passed the necessary examinations.
What Electrical Work Can Homeowners Do Themselves?
There are limited cases where a licensed electrical contractor may not be necessary, and homeowners can perform electrical work themselves. This is especially important if you're tackling a DIY remodeling or renovation project. The South Carolina Residential Home Builders Act allows property owners to perform a few basic electrical tasks without needing a licensed professional.
As a homeowner, you can install temporary decorative lighting with a plug-in to an outlet. You're also allowed to replace an outlet device, but only if the existing wiring remains unchanged, meaning no location, function of the outlet, or circuit configuration is altered. Changing fuses or breakers and replacing overcurrent devices is permitted as long as you don't alter the location. Generally, homeowners can perform electrical work under 25 to 50 volts. Higher than 50 volts work requires a licensed professional to step in.
These restrictions limit the amount of electrical repairs a homeowner can safely and legally perform beyond basic tasks like changing a lamp or light bulb. Due to these limitations, an appropriately licensed and certified electrical contractor becomes essential for any substantial remodeling project. Additionally, South Carolina law prohibits homeowners from hiring an unlicensed electrical contractor to perform specialty work like electrical installations beyond the homeowner exemptions. If your electrical work's scope exceeds the standard described exemptions, a licensed professional is required by law.
Why Electrical Services Are Required To Be Performed Licensed Electrician
Remodeling projects in Greenville and Spartanburg counties frequently require specific electrical services that only licensed professionals can perform. These include adding or moving switches and outlets, wiring new circuits, upgrading an electrical panel, installing new circuits for appliances, and hardwiring new lighting fixtures or permanent lighting solutions.
South Carolina state law requires these electrical services to be performed by an appropriately licensed electrician or specialty contractor. Hiring a licensed remodel electrician ensures both code compliance if the property is examined or evaluated and public safety. These tasks involve high voltage that poses serious hazards and must meet local building codes to protect you and your family.
Verify Your Contractor's Electrical Licensing
If your remodeling project requires electrical work and you've already hired a local contractor, check with them about their specialty or electrical licensing. Confirm they're licensed and experienced to perform the electrical work your project requires. Partially, this is about code compliance, but more importantly, this is for your safety, the safety of your family, and the protection of your property.
We've met numerous homeowners in South Carolina who've hired unlicensed electricians, which has led to electrical system damages costing thousands of dollars or even damaged the property itself. Make sure the contractor you're working with is licensed or certified to perform any electrical work. Your safety is on the line.
Why Electrical Code Compliance Matters
What may not be immediately apparent is that your building may fail an inspection, whether that inspection happens in the future or right after the remodeling project is completed. Not passing an inspection will require correcting or removing the electrical work performed. This is especially critical if you're selling a home or completing a major renovation.
A licensed electrician in Greenville will know exactly how to perform the work to pass future inspections and ensure full compliance with local regulations. Even if your remodeling project is complete and electrical work was performed, a single inspection may force you to tear out finished walls, ceilings, or fixtures and correct the non-compliant installation or wiring. Electricians are hired to correct previous electricians' or DIY work more often than you might think.
In South Carolina, any electrical work performed must meet the state building code and electrical safety standards, which are based on the National Electrical Code. Compliance is enforced locally through permits and inspections. Your freshly remodeled or renovated building may fail to receive one of the most important documents: the Certificate of Occupancy. This certificate confirms a new or renovated building meets all building codes and is safe for use, allowing legal occupancy and utility hookups like power. It's especially crucial for business operations, insurance, and property sales.
How Unlicensed Electrical Work Affects Your Insurance
If electrical work on your remodeling project is not performed by a Greenville licensed electrician, your insurance claims can be denied. When electrical work causes damage and it wasn't code-compliant or done by a licensed electrician, insurance companies are likely to deny the claim.
This directly impacts your homeowners insurance. Fire damage caused by faulty wiring may not be covered, electrical damage claims are at risk of being rejected, and liability coverage may not apply if unlicensed work is performed. This also applies to Greenville commercial properties. Your commercial property insurance may be at risk, and claims for electrical fires, equipment damage, or business interruption are likely to be denied if an unlicensed electrician is hired.
Insurance companies may label your property as high risk, leading to increased premiums. Yes, unlicensed electrical work on commercial properties can result in higher premiums and cost you more money down the line. If you're a commercial property owner, pay attention: if an injury occurs on your property due to electrical work, liability insurance coverage may be limited or denied, and you may be personally held accountable.
The Impact on Property Sales
If you're selling a property, home inspectors are likely to flag unpermitted, non-compliant electrical installations or upgrades. This leads to price reductions or buyers demanding that compliant work be completed before closing.
This is why hiring a licensed electrical contractor for your remodeling project is essential. Remodeling projects frequently require numerous electrical tasks, making the electrical portion of your project critical. Prior to starting your home remodeling project in Greenville, determine if your project requires an electrician. You may not need an electrician at the start, but by the end, you may need one to connect wiring, install new outlets, add new lighting fixtures, or conduct a thorough electrical inspection afterward. Plan ahead by having a licensed electrician on standby.
Understanding Electrical Contractor’s Insurance
As part of the licensing process in South Carolina, an electrical contractor must obtain general liability insurance under the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. To maintain electrical licensing, electrical contractors in South Carolina must continuously maintain or renew their general liability coverage.
As a homeowner hiring a licensed electrical contractor in South Carolina, this usually means the contractor has general liability insurance. Even with just basic general liability insurance, your property is already protected from accidental damages and injuries caused by the contractor's work. This gives you confidence and protects you from costly expenses. Insurance means you personally won't be responsible if a contractor damages your property or their work leads to injuries. It gives both residential and commercial property owners peace of mind.
Types of Insurance Coverage Electrical Contractors Carry
What types of insurance do electrical contractors usually carry? Which insurance coverage should the electrical contractor you're hiring for a remodeling project have? Here are the main types:
General Liability Insurance is the most common coverage you'll see among electrical contractors in Greenville. It protects against property damage and injuries, providing simple protection that prevents you from being liable for the electrical contractor's work.
Worker's Compensation Insurance is required if an electrical contractor you're hiring has employees. This insurance covers employees' medical bills if they get injured on your property and covers lost wages due to injury. This insurance is helpful during larger electrical projects like commercial electrical installations or full home electrical system installations. As a homeowner, you should ask for this type of insurance because if someone gets hurt on your property, an electrical contractor can sue to hold you financially accountable. If you're performing a full home renovation requiring numerous electrical installations, ask your electrical contractor for Worker's Compensation insurance.
Surety Bond is another important protection. South Carolina requires that electricians provide a contractor surety bond, which often varies between $5,000 to $10,000 for licensed electrical specialty contractors. This bond provides a financial guarantee that the contract will be completed and gives you compensation if the contractor fails to meet contract terms. It's a backstop if the contractor abandons the job or does shoddy work. This isn't insurance but a valuable financial protection you're entitled to request. This can be helpful if you have doubts about your electrical contractor of choice or if your remodeling project requires significant work or expertise.
Professional Liability Insurance, also known as Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance, covers claims related to professional mistakes, design errors, or planning issues in electrical work. This insurance type is less common in South Carolina but can be helpful for homeowners planning large or full home renovations. It protects homeowners and contractors if an electrical installation or layout decision made during a remodeling project leads to problems, damages, or additional repair costs later on.
Why Insurance Protection Matters
We recommend only hiring an electrical contractor for your remodeling project who has at least general liability insurance. This gives you basic protection from liability for damages or injuries that may occur during the project's completion.
If you've contacted an electrician in Greenville and they've stated they don't have general liability insurance, they're also likely not licensed to perform electrical work. Beware! Insurance is key to protecting yourself and your property from damages. You never know what may happen during electrical installation or repairs, so always ask an electrician to show you proof of insurance.
How Electricians Support Home Remodeling Projects
The home renovation electrician is there to make sure your electrical system is fully prepared for the new layout, can handle the appliances, and that any electrical installations are code-compliant and meet South Carolina's safety standards. But what tasks do electricians usually perform during a home remodeling project? Where are they needed?
Kitchen and Bathroom Remodels are the most common projects requiring electricians. These projects often require new lighting fixtures or lighting installations, outlets or switches added or rewired, and electrical panels upgraded to handle the capacity of modern appliances.
Wall Removal or Addition frequently requires electrical work. When new walls are added or walls are removed inside your property, removal of walls may require rerouting the electrical wiring inside your home. One wall could hide essential electrical wiring that needs to be rerouted or moved.
Electrical Wiring Replacement often becomes necessary during remodeling. While doing the remodel or home renovation, you're likely to discover unsafe or old electrical wiring that needs replacement. A licensed electrical contractor can support your remodeling project by installing new electrical wiring or upgrading the current system to ensure efficient operation. Old or worn-out wiring poses serious hazard risks in the future.
Basement Remodeling and Home Additions are other common projects requiring electricians. Similar to kitchen and bathroom remodeling tasks, these projects need comprehensive electrical work. Even the smallest layout changes to your home may require an electrician stepping in or electrical upgrades to maintain efficiency of your electrical system and safe operations.
Electrical Services Typically Needed During Remodeling
Electricians perform several specific tasks during remodeling projects:
Wiring and Circuit Work: Remodel electricians reroute wiring to match new floor plans and room designs. They make sure outlet spacing meets South Carolina electrical codes. They can install recessed lighting, accent lighting, cabinet lighting, shower lighting, and other lighting types commonly associated with modern remodeling projects.
Electrical Panel Upgrades: If you're upgrading your home, you're likely upgrading appliances, adding new electrical features, or generally adding more modern electricity consuming features. This is why electrical panel upgrades are common in remodeling projects because more power is needed. A Greenville electrical contractor would upgrade outdated electrical panels, add new circuits for appliances or new rooms, and balance loads to prevent breaker trips. They ensure your electrical system can safely handle modern and new electricity demands.
Safety and Code Compliance: During a remodeling project, an electrician ensures safety and code compliance by installing GFCI and AFCI protection in required areas. They can also check the entire electrical system to ensure it meets electrical code standards, because previous work performed on your electrical panel may not be up to present codes.
Appliance and Electronics Installation: An electrician can help you install appliances and electronics like ovens, cooktops, dishwashers, garbage disposals, ceiling fans, and floor heating systems. They ensure these new features are safely connected to the electrical system and operate efficiently.
Final Inspection and Testing: A hired electrical contractor can coordinate a final electrical inspection. They can also perform final testing after the remodeling project is complete to make sure the electrical system operates safely and is ready to use.
Choose Us for Your Next Remodeling Project in Greenville
If you're located in Greenville and looking for an electrical contractor for your remodeling project, Redland Electric is a confident choice. We are a team of electricians fully licensed in the state of South Carolina. Each of our electricians undergoes careful screening, while each project is overseen by a master electrician and owner of Redland Electric, David Tkach himself. This ensures that each electrical project is performed with consistent quality and that your satisfaction and expectations are always met.
Each electrician is locally experienced. Our team has combined experience of over 25 years, serving residential and commercial properties throughout Greenville and Spartanburg Counties. Our electrical team is insured with general liability insurance to ensure your safety and the safety of your property. We are trained, equipped, and have enough local expertise to support even the largest electrical projects and home renovations. Electricians at Redland Electric proudly live and thrive in Greenville County. They are locals just like you.
One Contractor for All Electrical Needs During Your Remodeling Project
Redland Electric offers the widest selection of electrical services to support your remodeling project:
Custom Lighting Solutions: If your remodeling project requires custom lighting, we offer lighting fixture installations, cabinet lighting installations, ceiling lighting installations, wall-mounted lighting, and more.
Electrical Panel Upgrades and Wiring: If your remodeling project requires an electrical panel upgrade, our electricians can not only upgrade your current electrical panel but also add circuits and install new wiring.
Outlets and Switches: If your remodeling project requires new outlets or switches installed, our electricians install GFCI, AFCI, USB-style, and smart outlets that seamlessly integrate with the rest of your interior design.
Wiring Replacement and Safety Upgrades: If you discover that your home has outdated wiring, we can safely install new, modern wiring with safety upgrades like GFCI and AFCI protection.
Ceiling Fan Installations: If your remodeling project includes ceiling fans, our electricians perform professional ceiling fan installations.
Room Additions and Layout Changes: If you're adding a new room or changing floor plans, Redland Electric electricians can extend existing wiring, install new lighting, add outlets and switches, and safely integrate the newly built space into an existing electrical system. We make the process seamless for you.
Contractor Coordination: If you have a remodeling contractor hired, we can work closely with them to make sure the electrical side of the project is fully covered and installation is performed correctly.
How It Works
When we arrive at your property, we conduct a thorough inspection of your electrical system, discuss the remodeling project, changes that have already been made, and changes that will be made to the design, floor plans, or new interior installations. After thorough inspection and discussing project goals and services needed, we carefully determine if any electrical panel upgrades are needed to fulfill the requirements. If not, we get straight to work.
After performing the electrical services, we conduct testing and do a thorough electrical inspection to ensure all South Carolina local codes and safety standards are met.
Power Your Remodeling Project Today!
Redland Electric is a solid choice for your home remodeling project, no matter the size. We're a local electrical contractor you can trust with your project. Schedule consultation with one of our licensed electricians today, get your remodeling project electrically covered!