Picking the right rewiring electrician: what actually matters.
Rewiring is the largest electrical investment most Marin homes ever see. The cost of picking the wrong contractor — incomplete work, missed code, insurance non-acceptance, finish damage — is much larger than the cost of picking the right one. Here's what to look for.
By Steven Lockhart · Reviewed by Alex Towery, C-10 #989290
Updated 2026-06-16
Right rewiring electrician has: California C-10 license (active, with insurance), specific experience with vintage Marin housing stock, working relationships with local AHJ inspectors, documented insurance-coordination process, transparent quote structure with realistic timeline, and willingness to discuss scope alternatives. Red flags: vague quotes, no permit discussion, no references on vintage work, pressure to skip carrier coordination, lowest bid by significant margin.
01What to verify before signing.
Active California C-10 license
Verify at cslb.ca.gov — check license is active, in good standing, with no pending complaints or recent disciplinary actions. C-10 (electrical contractor) is the required classification.
Appropriate insurance
General liability minimum $1M, workers compensation as required by California law. Ask for current certificate of insurance; verify with the carrier listed if you want.
Vintage home experience
Specifically: pre-1965 Marin homes. Ask for references on rewires of homes similar in era and complexity to yours. Generalist electricians sometimes underestimate vintage scope; specialists know what to expect.
AHJ relationship
Electricians who work regularly with your specific AHJ have smoother permit and inspection experiences. Ask about specific projects in your AHJ within the last 12 months.
Insurance carrier coordination experience
Has the electrician worked with insurance carriers on remediation documentation? Can they describe what carrier-acceptable documentation looks like? Inexperience here costs you at the back end.
Written quote with scope detail
Specific scope (which circuits, which devices, what panel), specific timeline (week-by-week or at least phase-by-phase), specific cost (fixed price for defined scope with documented contingencies). Vague quotes mean expensive surprises.
References from vintage Marin clients
Three to five references is reasonable to ask for; talk to two or three of them. Specifically ask about: timeline accuracy, scope creep handling, finish quality, insurance documentation, post-completion support.
02Red flags that should stop the conversation.
Multiple red flags should disqualify a rewiring contractor: bid is significantly lower than other reasonable bids (20%+ under typical range — almost certainly missing scope), no discussion of permits or inspection (electrician planning to skip them, or doesn't understand why they matter), no questions about your insurance carrier or coordination needs (will leave you holding the documentation problem at the end), unwillingness to provide written scope detail (verbal quotes lead to expensive misunderstandings).
Also: cash-only or no contract preference (legitimate contractors offer normal payment terms and written contracts), pressure tactics ('decide today for this price'), bad-mouthing other electricians who quoted higher (legitimate competitors disagree professionally; high-pressure salespeople try to undermine alternatives), or vague answers about license number or insurance documentation. These patterns reliably correlate with poor outcomes. Trust the pattern; pick someone else.
03Questions to ask at the quote meeting.
| Question | What you're listening for |
|---|---|
| What's your CSLB license number? | Active C-10, no recent disciplinary |
| Can I see your insurance certificate? | Current, $1M+ liability, workers comp |
| Have you done rewires in [your AHJ] recently? | Yes, with specifics they can reference |
| What's the typical contingency for K&T discovery? | Specific dollar amount, not 'we'll see' |
| How do you document for insurance carriers? | Concrete process, not 'whatever you need' |
| What's your warranty? | Specific terms in writing |
| Who's the electrician on-site daily? | Named person, not 'one of our crew' |
| What's your pass rate on AHJ rough inspections? | Above 90% from any reputable electrician |
Common questions.
Is the cheapest quote ever the right choice?
Almost never on rewire work. Cheapest quotes usually win by cutting scope — fewer circuits replaced, lower-grade materials, less wall access work, less inspector relationship investment. The 'savings' show up as scope problems during work (change orders pushing total higher) or quality problems after work (failed inspection, insurance documentation gaps, callbacks). The right quote is usually neither the cheapest nor the most expensive — middle-of-the-range from a contractor with the right experience profile.
How do I compare quotes that look very different?
Quotes that look very different usually ARE very different in scope. Ask each contractor to itemize: which circuits are being replaced, what materials grade (NM-B vs metal-clad, copper vs aluminum, standard vs commercial-grade devices), what's included in panel scope, what wall opening/patching is included, what contingencies exist for discoveries. Once apples-to-apples, the comparison usually becomes clear. Get all bidders to the same scope definition before comparing prices.
Should I get more than three quotes?
Three is usually enough; five is the upper bound of useful. Beyond five, the marginal information from each additional quote diminishes — you mostly see the same three or four scope variations repeated. Time spent getting endless quotes is time the wiring is still old. Three to four quotes from contractors with the right profile gives you what you need to make a decision.
What's a reasonable warranty for rewire work?
California requires minimum warranty on workmanship per CSLB; most legitimate contractors offer more. Industry standard for rewire is 2-5 years on workmanship, lifetime on parts (manufacturer-backed). Some contractors offer longer workmanship warranties as a competitive differentiator. We offer 5 years on workmanship and lifetime on parts. Specific terms should be in writing in the contract — verbal warranty promises are usually unenforceable.
What if I'm not happy with the work after completion?
Reputable contractors stand behind their work — call them, describe the issue, give them opportunity to address it. Most issues get resolved through direct communication. If communication breaks down, escalation paths exist: CSLB complaint process (for licensed contractor issues), AHJ inspector consultation (for code-related concerns), small claims court (for disputes under $10,000). Document everything in writing throughout the process. Choosing the right contractor up front almost always means these escalation paths never get used.
How do you handle pricing — flat fee or hourly?
Both, depending on scope. Routine service calls and predictable scope (panel replacement, EV charger install, transfer switch install, fixture replacement) are flat-fee quoted up front. Diagnostic visits and emergency scope are hourly because we don't know what we'll find. Either way, you get a written quote before work starts on anything significant, and we don't proceed beyond the quote without your sign-off.
How quickly can you schedule?
Depends on scope and season. Emergency dispatch: same-day across Marin County (1-3 hours business hours, 1-4 hours after-hours). Same-day standard service: 3-6 hours from call when capacity allows; otherwise next business day. Scheduled service work: 1-3 weeks typical. Larger projects requiring permits and PG&E coordination: 4-12 weeks depending on scope. We're upfront about timeline at the quote stage.
What warranty do you offer on work?
Our standard residential warranty: 2 years on labor, manufacturer warranty on parts (varies by product — typically 1-10 years). Major installs (panels, generators, EV chargers) often have longer manufacturer warranties (5-10 years). If there's an issue with our work in the warranty period, we come back and fix it at no cost. We also stand behind work past warranty — repeat customers and referrals matter more than a transactional fix.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. California State License Board C-10 Electrical Contractor #989290, in good standing. Carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance as required by California law. Bondable on projects requiring it. Happy to provide proof of insurance to clients or property managers on request. License lookup: cslb.ca.gov.
Talk to a licensed electrician in Marin.
Family-run, C-10 #989290, 20+ years in the trade. Honest scoping, fair pricing, work that lasts.