Contractor Questions
Questions to ask contractors
Get the answers you need before you hire someone to do your home electrification upgrades.
Protect Yourself
Asking the right questions makes all the difference
A contractor is critical to the success of any home improvement project, especially when it comes to home electrification. This person can make or break your project—and your budget. When considering replacing your gas appliances with electric or heat pump alternatives, it’s crucial to select a contractor with the necessary expertise and reliability.
Below, we provide important questions to ask your contractor before signing any contracts with them. If you’re just getting started on your home electrification project or you need to find a contractor, you can visit our contractor page.
The Right Questions
What to ask potential contractors
Here is a list of questions for contractors, broken down by topic.
By asking these questions, you will gather the information you need to make an informed decision and find a reliable contractor to complete your project.
Questions to Ask
General Questions
Licensing & certifications
Insurance & bond
Experience
References
Subcontractors
Disposal
Cleanliness
Communication
How often will you communicate with me throughout the project? Will you provide updates on progress and address any concerns I may have? How will you communicate with me (e.g., text, email, phone)?
Guarantee
Questions to Ask
Project-specific questions
Assessment
Efficiency
Permits & inspections
Timeline
Cost
Payment terms
Questions to Ask
Appliance-specific questions
Compatibility
Rebates & incentives
Maintenance
Warranty
Emergency services
Questions to Ask
Panel replacement & service upgrade questions
If your contractor says that you need to replace your panel or upgrade your service, ask them these questions before they do the work.
Your home's electrical system & appliances
Questions to determine if you need to replace your electrical panel to accommodate a new appliance
Power requirements
Current circuit breaker capacity
What is the amperage of the existing circuit breaker that would serve the appliance?
Panel capacity
Upgrades and costs
Questions about replacing the panel and its associated expenses
Cost breakdown
Alternatives
Permit & inspection fees
Timeline
Panel upgrade support
If you're still unsure about upgrading your panel, contact us. We have experts who can help you assess your needs, and we provide this service for free.
Questions to Ask
The contractor's experience
Questions about the contractor’s experience level and recommendation for a panel upgrade.
Contractor Details
Questions about the contractor’s experience level and recommendation for a panel upgrade
Experience
Recommendations
Warranty
Rebates & Financing
Keep the cost of your electrification project to a minimum
You may qualify for money-saving rebates and financial assistance toward your upgrades.
Going from gas to electric isn’t something you have to pay for all on your own. As a PCE customer, you have access to a range of eligibility based rebates, incentives, and zero-percent financing with no money down.
If you’re looking for rebates, you can use our search tool to find money-saving programs and incentives for going electric. Look for opportunities that apply to your situation.
Approved Contractors
Find a licensed contractor
Support
Need more help?
If you have any questions about going electric, contractors, or rebates, we have experts available to help at no cost to you.
Newsletter
Keeping up with PCE
Would you like to stay informed about PCE’s efforts to bring clean, affordable electricity to your home?