# How to choose an electrician: 8 questions to ask 1. [Home](https://arlite.co/) 2. [Support](https://arlite.co/support/) 3. [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) 4. How to choose an electrician: 8 questions to ask **Browse support** [Support home](https://arlite.co/support/) [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) - [How does a solar power system work in a Brisbane home?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/how-does-a-solar-power-system-work-in-a-brisbane-home/) - [How do I turn off a solar inverter safely?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/turn-off-solar-inverter-safely/) - [Do solar panels work during a blackout?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-during-power-outage/) - [Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/add-battery-to-existing-solar-system/) - [Hail or storm damage to solar panels: what to do](https://arlite.co/support/solar/hail-storm-damaged-solar-panels-what-to-do/) [Air conditioning](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/) - [Why is my air conditioner not cooling or heating properly?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-not-cooling-or-heating/) - [Why is my air conditioner leaking water inside?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-leaking-water-inside/) - [Why does my air conditioner smell musty or like dirty socks?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-smells-musty-dirty-socks/) - [Can solar panels run my air conditioner at night?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/can-solar-panels-run-my-air-conditioner/) - [What should I ask before getting an air conditioner installed?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/questions-to-ask-before-air-conditioner-installation/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) - [How to choose an electrician: 8 questions to ask](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/how-to-choose-an-electrician/) - [Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/circuit-breaker-keeps-tripping/) - [Why does my safety switch keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-keeps-tripping/) - [Burning smell or hot power point: what to do right now](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/burning-smell-hot-power-point/) - [Why is there no hot water? Electrical faults explained](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/no-hot-water-electrical-checks/) [Costs and finance](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/) - [How does interest-free finance work for home energy upgrades?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/interest-free-finance-home-energy-upgrades/) - [What affects the cost of a home battery in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/what-affects-home-battery-cost-brisbane/) - [Can I get compensation for a power outage in Queensland?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/power-outage-compensation-energex/) - [How much does an electrician cost per hour in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/electrician-cost-brisbane/) - [What affects switchboard upgrade cost?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/switchboard-upgrade-cost/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) Check the licence, ask about insurance and paperwork, get a written quote, and be wary of cash-only offers and pressure to decide. By Aaron Midgley, Arlite Energy Last reviewed 30 October 2026 4 minute read **No DIY.** Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. Never open, repair, test or modify electrical equipment yourself, even if it looks simple. This guide explains what is happening; it is not a how-to. **On this page** 1. What should I ask before hiring an electrician? 2. What does a good quote look like? 3. What are the red flags? 4. Is an emergency job different from a planned one? 5. Should I choose a local business? 6. What should I keep after the job? 7. A simple process for choosing 8. Frequently asked questions To choose an electrician, check their Queensland licence number first, then ask about insurance, a written quote and the compliance certificate you will receive. Be wary of cash-only offers, missing licence numbers or pressure to decide on the spot. The eight questions below help you compare calmly. ## What should I ask before hiring an electrician? These questions work for planned jobs like new fittings, a switchboard upgrade or an EV charger. 1. **What is your licence number?** Electrical work in Queensland must be done by a licensed electrician. Look the number up on the Electrical Safety Office Queensland licence search. 2. **Does the licence suit this job?** Licences come in classes, so ask whether theirs covers the work. 3. **Do you carry insurance?** Consumer guides suggest asking about public liability cover. A reputable business answers plainly. 4. **Can I have a written quote?** It should describe the work, what is included and what could change the price. 5. **What is and is not included?** Ask about materials, testing, clean-up and after-hours work. 6. **What certificate will I get?** A licensed contractor gives you a certificate after work. Ask which one and when. 7. **Who will do the work?** The person who arrives should match the name and licence you checked. 8. **What happens if something goes wrong afterwards?** Ask how the business handles questions or problems after the job. - [Electrical Safety Office, licence search](https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/electrical-license-search) Emergencies are different If there is smoke, fire, sparks or anyone has had a shock, leave the building and call 000. Do not touch the equipment, and keep children and pets away. For other urgent faults such as a burning smell, a hot power point or exposed wiring, stay away from it and contact a licensed electrician straight away rather than comparing quotes. ## What does a good quote look like? A good quote is written, specific and easy to compare. It should name the business and licence number, describe the work in plain language, list what is included, and explain how extras are handled. Vague quotes make comparison hard and disputes more likely. ## What are the red flags? - No licence number, or a reluctance to give one. - Cash-only payment with no invoice or paperwork. - Pressure to decide today or a deal that is only available right now. - A quote that is far lower than the others with no explanation. - No mention of a certificate after the work. If you see these, pause. You can always say you will think about it and check the details first. ## Is an emergency job different from a planned one? Yes. For planned work you have time to compare. For an urgent fault, safety comes first, and you should still ask for the licence number and check it when you can. Do not try to investigate the fault yourself while you wait. ## Should I choose a local business? A local business is easier to reach if you have a question after the job, and its reputation in your area matters to it. That is a point in its favour, not a guarantee. The checks still apply to every electrician, however well recommended. Read recent reviews, but treat them as one input rather than proof of licensing or quality. ## What should I keep after the job? Keep the written quote, the invoice and the compliance certificate together with your home records. If you ever sell, renovate or claim on insurance, they are the evidence of what was done and by whom. ## A simple process for choosing 1. Shortlist two or three — Ask friends, neighbours or local community groups, then check each business online. 2. Check each licence — Look up every licence number before you invite anyone to quote. 3. Give the same brief — Describe the job the same way to each, with photos taken without touching or opening anything. 4. Compare written quotes — Look at scope and inclusions, not only the total. 5. Keep your paperwork — After the job, keep the invoice and certificate. See our article on certificates of compliance. ## Frequently asked questions - Not necessarily. A very low price should prompt questions about licensing, insurance and what is left out. - It can help. Past customers can tell you about communication, tidiness and how the business handled problems. - A written quote is still a good idea, because it records what was agreed and what is included. - Treat that as a red flag. Ask for an invoice and your compliance paperwork, and check the licence before proceeding. - Search the licence number on the Electrical Safety Office Queensland licence search. Our separate article covers the steps. [Learn about Electrical](https://arlite.co/services/electrical/) ## Official guidance For the rules and safety information that apply to your home, go to the regulators and industry bodies directly. - [Electrical Safety Office Queensland](https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/) - [Energex](https://www.energex.com.au/) Was this helpful? Written by the team at Arlite Energy, a Brisbane business that designs and installs solar, air conditioning and electrical work for homes and businesses. We write these guides in plain English so you know what is happening in your home. ## Related articles - [ElectricalHow do I check my electrician is licensed in Queensland?Ask for the electrician's licence number and look it up on the Electrical Safety Office Queensland's online licence search before work starts.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/check-electrician-licence-queensland/) - [ElectricalWhat is a certificate of compliance for electrical work?A licensed electrician gives you a certificate after electrical work in Queensland; keep it, because you may need it later.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/electrical-certificate-of-compliance-queensland/) - [Costs and financeHow much does an electrician cost per hour in Brisbane?Electrician pricing in Brisbane depends on call-out, hourly or fixed quotes, timing and materials, so compare written quotes like for like.](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/electrician-cost-brisbane/) - [ElectricalCan I do my own electrical work in Queensland?No: in Queensland electrical work must generally be done by a licensed electrician, with only narrow exceptions for minor tasks.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/diy-electrical-work-legal-queensland/) ## Still stuck? Tell us what is going on and we can arrange a call-out. [Book a call-out](https://arlite.co/contact/) On this page 1. What should I ask before hiring an electrician? 2. What does a good quote look like? 3. What are the red flags? 4. Is an emergency job different from a planned one? 5. Should I choose a local business? 6. What should I keep after the job? 7. A simple process for choosing 8. Frequently asked questions --- **Arlite Energy**, Unit 1, 1468 Anzac Avenue, Kallangur QLD 4503. Phone [(07) 3062 9299](tel:+61730629299), email [info@arlite.co](mailto:info@arlite.co). Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm. Page: https://arlite.co/support/electrical/how-to-choose-an-electrician/ Site index for agents: [llms.txt](https://arlite.co/llms.txt), [sitemap](https://arlite.co/wp-sitemap.xml), [developer resources](https://arlite.co/developers/).