Get Quotes from Top Electricians in Kansas City, MO

What to Ask Before Hiring an Electrician in Kansas City

Kansas City is a fast-growing Midwest metro planning to add 10,000 new, low-income housing units by 2027 and end homelessness. Millennials, professionals, and over 24 million annual visitors are drawn to this city for its family-friendly neighborhoods, job opportunities, top-rated universities, pro sports events, and vibrant art scene, including its legacy of jazz. This “City of Fountains,” so named for having the most fountains of any city in the nation, continues to place increasing demand on electrical services. Thankfully, Kansas City’s electricians are always ready to solve all residential, commercial, and industrial electrical problems, like installations, repairs, maintenance, or upgrades of any electrical system or securing electrical permits for new buildings.

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

Electrical work is complex and poses significant dangers if done incorrectly or without adequate training and experience. Therefore, you should always call a licensed and experienced electrician to handle any electrical issues at home, office, or industrial facility. It is equally important to ensure that the electrician you hire for the job is familiar with the provisions of the National Electric Code, particularly the requirements of this code that pertain to the nature and scope of your projected electrical work. Common examples of electrical tasks addressed by licensed and experienced Kansas City electricians include the following: 

  • Electrical panel/Breaker box upgrades 
  • Building wiring/rewiring 
  • Outlets and fixtures installation and replacements 
  • Electrical safety inspections 
  • Indoor and outdoor lighting installation 
  • Solar panel inspections  

Are You Licensed as an Electrician in Kansas City? 

Electricians that wish to ply their trade in Kansas City must obtain a locally issued contractor license from the KC City Planning and Development Department (CPDD). The Department offers interested electricians three licensing categories: 

  • Electrical Contractor I: These electricians can perform any type of electrical work 
  • Electrical Contractor II: These electricians can perform limited electrical work 
  • Electrical Contractor III: These electricians can only perform low-voltage electrical work 

Always make sure that any Kansas City electrician you hire holds a valid city-issued license before committing to them; otherwise, you risk getting subpar services or even falling victim to an electrical scam. You can confirm your intended electrician’s license status online using the city’s Find KCMO Licensed Contractors portal.  

Note that non-compliance with the city’s licensing requirements for electrical work is unlawful and punishable by fines of up to $500, imprisonment in a municipal correctional institution for up to six months, or a combination of both.   

What Rates Do You Charge for Your Electrical Services in Kansas City? 

Electricians in Kansas City generally charge between $50 and $120 per hour for their services. However, certain factors determine the total cost of getting electrical work done in the city, including the following: 

  • The type and scope of the job 
  • The urgency of the task 
  • Your location within the city 
  • The cost of materials and required permits  
  • Your electrician’s level of experience and local reputation 

It is advisable to ask up to three electricians for cost estimates and compare their rates before making your hiring decision. This will help you understand the current market rates for your required electrical services and prevent dishonest electricians from taking advantage of you.  

Are You a Master Electrician in Kansas City? 

Kansas City electricians are generally grouped into three categories based on their experience levels: 

  • Apprentice Electricians are newcomers to the electrical industry who are still undergoing entry-level training and apprenticeship programs. Apprentice electricians must always work under the supervision of a licensed and certified electrician and are typically capable of handling only basic jobs. 
  • Journeyman Electricians are electricians with significant experience and proficiency in electrical work, making them eligible to apply for a locally-issued occupational license. 
  • Master Electricians are licensed electricians deemed properly skilled and qualified to perform a wide range of electrical work without supervision. Requirements for becoming a master electrician in Kansas City include being at least 21 years old, having no less than three years of electrical trade experience, one of these years being in either commercial or industrial electrician work, and passing a licensing exam. 

Ensure that any Kansas City electrician you hire possesses the experience required for your electrical project and is appropriately licensed.   

Will My Electrical Project Require a Permit in Kansas City? 

While electrical permits are typically required for most electrical projects in Kansas City, exemptions are possible for some electrical works. Tasks that are permit exempted include replacing snap switches, receptacles, and fixtures, except ceiling fans, without altering or extending any existing circuits and other similar minor repair work.  

The KC City Planning and Development Department (CPDD) issues Kansas City electrical permits. You can direct inquiries concerning the procedure and requirements for obtaining these permits to the CPDD’s Permit Center at (816) 513-1500. 

What Type of Electrical Services Do You Offer in Kansas City? 

Professional Kansas City electricians offer several types of residential, commercial, and industrial services, including the following: 

Outlet and Fixtures Installation/Replacement
$100 - $300 
Circuit Breaker Switch Replacement
$120 - $250 
Electrical Panel/Wiring Upgrade
$1,100 - $4,500 
Home Wiring/Rewiring
$2,500 - $12,000 
General Repair Work
$45 - $350 
Electrical Inspection
$100 - $300 
Service Equipment Upgrades
$450 - $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 Kansas City? 

A Kansas City electrician can usually complete most residential electrical works alone. However, large projects, like installing electrical systems in newly built houses, rewiring renovated homes, or upgrading electrical panels and service equipment in industrial facilities, may need to be handled by more than one electrician. This is especially true when these projects have strict deadlines. 

Nevertheless, always ask your prospective electrician if your electrical project will be outsourced. If this is the case, take the following steps to avoid problems with subcontractors: 

  • Verify each subcontractor’s license and experience level. 
  • Ensure that each subcontractor is adequately insured. 
  • Get a lien waiver that releases you from liability if the primary electrician fails to make timely payments to the subcontractors. 

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Kansas City Electrician? 

There are currently no local mandatory insurance or bond requirements for Kansas City electricians. However, it is always best to ensure that any electrician you hire is adequately insured and bonded; otherwise, you will be held liable for any injuries or property damage that occurs because of your electrical project.  

Therefore, always request proof of insurance and bonding from your prospective electricians and authenticate this with the issuing agency before they start any work. Be sure to check with the insurance issuer that the electrician's coverage will be adequate for the scope of your project.  

Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your Electrical Work in Kansas City? 

Always confirm if you will receive a warranty for the electrical work and materials used when making hiring arrangements with electricians in Kansas City. Reputable professionals always offer these warranties, so you should never hire any electrician who does not. 

Additionally, confirm that any warranty offered to you is valid for at least a year. For this purpose, request a written copy and thoroughly review its terms and conditions.  

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

You can report unsatisfactory electrical services, dishonest electricians, electrical scams, and other similar matters in Kansas City to the Missouri Attorney General’s Office through an online complaint or by mailing a consumer complaint form to 

Missouri Attorney General’s Office Consumer Protection Unit P.O. Box 899 Jefferson City, MO 65102

You can also file consumer complaints with this office by calling its Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222 or by contacting its regional office at 

615 E. 13th Street Suite 401 Kansas City, MO 64106 Phone: (816) 889-5000