Get Quotes from Top Electricians in Tulsa, OK

What to Ask Before Hiring an Electrician in Tulsa 

Once referred to as the “oil capital of the world,” Tulsa remains an important oil and gas industry hub with a diversified economy that includes finance, aviation, telecommunications, and technology industries, a prominent cultural and arts scene, and a steadily growing population. This city needs a lot of electricity to sustain its increasing population and keep its numerous industries running. Whether your electrical project involves wiring a new home, replacing defective circuit breakers, upgrading electric panels, or resolving power outages, you can rely on Tulsa electricians to get the job done.  

What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an Electrician in Tulsa? 

Electrical work can be highly hazardous, and the dangers posed by electrical tasks significantly increase when handled by unqualified and ill-equipped individuals. As such, you should always hire licensed and experienced electricians conversant with the National Electrical Code to do all your electrical work, regardless of its nature or scope. Some electrical tasks that licensed and experienced Tulsa electricians commonly handle include the following:  

  • Outlet/Switch repairs 
  • Electrical panel repair/upgrade 
  • Electrical wiring installation, repair, and maintenance 
  • Faulty fixture and defective circuit breaker replacement  
  • Electrical safety inspections  
  • Permit pulling and code violation correction   

Are You Licensed as an Electrician in Tulsa? 

Tulsa electricians must obtain a state-issued license from the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB) before providing their services to interested city residents. The Board offers several licensing paths, and the type of license that can be obtained is determined by the applying electrician’s accumulated work or education experience. State-licensed electricians may also be required to register locally with the Tulsa Development Services Department.  

You can confirm whether your Tulsa electrician holds a valid state-issued license by using the CIB Verify a Licensee Search platform. Always do this before engaging any electricians in Tulsa for electrical projects, as licensing indicates the electrician’s proficiency and suitability to do the job properly. 

Note that providing electrical services in Tulsa without appropriate licensing is a misdemeanor punishable by statutory fines of up to $1,000, plus costs of prosecution. Violators also face separate administrative fines of up to $1,000.  

What Rates Do You Charge for Your Electrical Services in Tulsa? 

Tulsa electricians typically charge average hourly rates of $40 - $100 for their services. Nevertheless, the overall cost of electrical services in the city is usually dependent on factors like: 

  • The nature and scope of the task 
  • The complexity of the job 
  • The cost of permits and other required materials like fixtures, wires, and surge protectors 
  • Your location within the city and the urgency of the job 
  • Your prospective electrician’s level of experience, expertise, and local reputation 

Getting and comparing quotes from different electricians before deciding on a contractor for your electrical project is always a good idea. This way, you can get a clear idea of the current market rates for your required electrical services and spot dishonest electricians trying to scam unsuspecting clients. 

Are You a Master Electrician in Tulsa? 

Tulsa electricians can be grouped into four main categories based on their levels of experience and expertise: 

  • Student Electric Intern: These are individuals interested in the electrical industry enrolled in work-ready or similar state-approved programs. Student electric interns must work under the direct supervision of a journeyman or electrical contractor and are not allowed to work on high-voltage systems. 
  • Electrical Apprentice: These individuals are new to the electrical trade and must gain experience by working for and assisting a licensed electrical contractor who provides them with direct on-the-job supervision. They can also attain some of this experience through formal electrical education.  
  • Electrical Journeyman: These are electrical apprentices that have gained at least 4,000 – 8,000 verifiable hours of electrical work experience and passed a state-approved licensing examination.  While these electricians can engage in electrical work without supervision, they typically have to work for active, licensed electrical contractors. 
  • Electrical Contractor: These are master electricians that have gained 8,000 – 12,000 verifiable hours of electrical work experience, depending on their area of specialization. Note that at least 4,000 of these hours must be attained working as a licensed electrical journeyman. Electrical contractors are typically required to pass a licensing examination before getting this title, and they are generally skilled enough to perform any type of electrical work.  

You should always confirm your prospective electrician's level of experience and expertise and ensure that it is appropriate for the nature and scope of your electrical project.    

Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in Tulsa? 

Trade permits are required for projects that involve installing, modifying, altering, or repairing electrical systems in Tulsa. The Tulsa Development Services Department issues these trade permits through its Permit Center.  

Inquiries concerning trade permits for electrical work can be directed to the Tulsa Development Services Department by calling (918) 596-9656 or visiting the Permit Center in person at: 

City Hall 175 E. 2nd Street 4th floor Tulsa, OK 74103

What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in Tulsa? 

Electricians in Tulsa typically provide interested city residents with a wide range of electrical services, including: 

Electrical Panel/Wiring Upgrade
$1,000 - $4,500 
Outlet and Fixtures Installation/Replacement
$100 - $250 
Circuit Breaker Switch Replacement
$100 - $250 
Home Wiring/Rewiring
$3,500 - $10,000 
General Repair Work
$45 - $260 
Electrical Inspection
$100 - $225 
Service Equipment Upgrades
$500 - $6,500 
Emergency Electrical Services (on top of regular charges)
$100 - $200 per hour

Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the Electrical Work in Tulsa? 

Although Tulsa electricians are generally capable of completing electrical work on their own, they may need to outsource some of the work to third parties. This usually happens in large projects with set completion deadlines that the electrician can only meet through outsourcing. 

However, it is always a good idea to find out if your electrician will be outsourcing your electrical project, regardless of size or scope. You should strongly consider taking the following steps if the electrician confirms that part of your work will be outsourced: 

  • Verify that everyone involved is duly licensed, suitably experienced, and has sufficient insurance coverage. 
  • Get a lien waiver to release you from liability if the primary electrician fails to pay these third parties on time. 

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Tulsa Electrician? 

Electricians in Tulsa are statutorily required to maintain a $5,000 bond and carry general liability insurance of no less than $50,000 combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage. 

As such, you should always confirm that your Tulsa electrician has complied with these bond and insurance requirements before making hiring arrangements with them.  

Inquiries concerning state-mandated bond and insurance requirements for Tulsa electricians can be directed to the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board at (405) 521-6550 or (877) 484-4424.  

Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Electrical Work in Tulsa? 

Even though Tulsa electricians typically offer warranties for their services, you should always confirm this before hiring an electrician in the city. Do not hire any electrician that does not provide warranties or downplays their importance, as this is a strong sign of unprofessionalism and untrustworthiness on the electrician's part.  

Note that the scope and validity of electrical work warranties vary across electricians. As such, you should always request a written copy of any warranty you are offered to review its terms and conditions properly. You should also ensure the warranty will be valid for at least one year.  

How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your Electrical Services in Tulsa? 

You can file complaints concerning subpar electrical services, unscrupulous electricians, electrical scams, and other related matters in Tulsa by emailing a Consumer Complaint Form to the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit. Note that the subject of this email should read “complaint”.  Alternatively, the completed complaint form can be mailed to: 

Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office Consumer Protection Unit 313 NE 21st Street Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Contact the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit at (405) 521-2029 or 1-833-681-1895 for more information on its complaint submission and resolution process.