Serving Boston, MA and surrounding areas
In business since 1999
Free estimates
Credit card accepted
"JT was great. He came early. Was efficient , saved me from replacing entire electrical panel. Was told by another electrician that it needed replacing and JT looked at it And said it was perfectly fine. Saved me thousands of dollars. Thank you Would hire again"
+23
Serving Boston, MA and surrounding areas
In business since 2017
Free estimates
Emergency services offered
"Dominic Electrician, LLC was prompt on our meeting and completed my project in a timely manner.. he checked all my outlets and had to replace one with a dual plug and changed all the batteries in for the smoke detectors/ Co2 models on each apartment!! I would recommend Dominic for your electrical needs! Thanks again and I will contact soon..."
Serving Boston, MA and surrounding areas
In business since 2004
Free estimates
Emergency services offered
"I couldn't be happier with Ioannis and my experience with TSD Electric! I would STRONGLY RECOMMEND this service to anyone looking for an electrician. I have worked with two electricians in the past and didn't have great experiences with either- I am very glad I finally met Ioannis, I will always hire him for any future electrical work I need done. He was so professional, polite, patient, and friendly- he always showed up on time (or 5 minutes early!) and was very responsive to communication via email or phone. He was honest and upfront about everything, he did a great job on the walk-through and gave a very accurate and appropriate estimate of what the project would entail (his estimate was also spot on in terms of how long the work would take and how much it would cost- you will know what you are getting into if you hire Ioannis and TSD Electric!). Ioannis worked to fit us in as soon as he could, and was great at communicating regularly to let me know what his schedule as looking like and when he might be able to come by to work. He completed all of the work we needed in about 8 hours and everything was done perfectly. His work was fast, high quality, and carefully done. We came home that day to a perfectly clean home with all the electrical projects perfectly done. I was especially thrilled with the amazing job he did hanging my new kitchen light fixture- the fixture is very heavy and has multiple lights hanging down, and must have been very difficult to move and hang centered over the kitchen island (see picture). But it looks exactly how I wanted it to look, and it's very reassuring to know that it was installed correctly by someone who knows what they are doing! Ioannis did a great job on everything and it was a pleasure working with someone so respectful and considerate. I could not be happier with the experience I had working with him and TSD Electric. Thank you, Ioannis!"
Serving Boston, MA and surrounding areas
In business since 1999
Free estimates
Credit card accepted
"Victor came in, took one look at the job and was ready to go. Very professional and Great value for money. I will certainly use Victor for any future electrical project."
Serving Boston, MA and surrounding areas
In business since 2007
Free estimates
Credit card accepted
"I hired Wingman Plumbing and he recommended Jeff as the electrician. He updated my circuit box and installed a switch to my new electric water heater. He arrived promptly and left the area spotless. His price was reasonable."
Serving Boston, MA and surrounding areas
In business since 2017
Free estimates
Credit card accepted
"Adam is very professional, polite and easy to communicate with. Adam did outstanding work he walked me through exactly what I needed done kept me informed throughout the process and finish the project within a timely matter. I would recommend him to anyone needing any professional electric work done in their home."
Serving Boston, MA and surrounding areas
In business since 2007
Free estimates
Emergency services offered
"Chris was very professional and I could tell he takes the quality of his work seriously. He replaced all the outlets in my house and installed a new fixture. Everything looks great!"
Serving Boston, MA and surrounding areas
In business since 2021
Credit card accepted
Offers commercial services
"Ryan was quick to respond, visited the job site and gave a fairly accurate cost estmate. He was punctual, polite and very informative concerning details about the job. I definitely recommend his service and plan to use him again for future electrical work."
Serving Boston, MA and surrounding areas
In business since 2017
Free estimates
Emergency services offered
Here at Doherty Electric we provide our electrical services to residential and commercial properties. We get the job done right and we strive to keep our customers happy. Our customer service is a key aspect that keeps our business growing by word of mouth. Feel free to give us a call and get a free estimate. Our prices always put a smile on our clients faces!
Serving Boston, MA and surrounding areas
In business since 2009
Free estimates
Emergency services offered
"Awesome. Carlos worked while our kitchen was in the midst of a rennovation. He worked around the kitchen cabinet installation crew and around our new hardwood floor refinishing. I have used Carlos in the past."
+8
There is often some confusion about the type of work these professionals do. They only work on electrical systems such as outlets, lighting fixtures and electrical panels – they aren’t appliance repairmen.
There are three types of electricians: Master, Journeyman and Apprentice. Electrical licensing varies quite a bit by state. Some have licenses for apprentices and some do not. Some have a master’s rank while others stop at journeyman. Despite the differences, they all require a minimum amount of experience and usually classroom time.
Apprentice electricians aren’t usually licensed and spend 4 years learning the trade. Throughout that time, they work on a wide range of projects to learn to become a Journeyman. They’ll do basic work like installing fixtures and replacing outlets all the way to assisting in wiring a home. Regardless of the type of project, they must always be supervised by a Journeyman or Master electrician.
Journeymen work without supervision. In a few states, this is the highest level available and they can do all levels of work from wiring a new home to installing a light. In some states, they need a separate electrical contractor license to run a business. In places with a master’s level, a journeyman can do all work besides design new electrical systems.
Master electricians usually manage a shop, design new electrical systems in new construction and oversee both Journeyman and Apprentices. They typically bid new projects. Though they focus on larger projects, it’s not unheard of for a homeowner to request a Master Electrician for a house call. If you do, expect to spend up to 25% more for the visit.
Generally, you don’t tip electricians, but that’s not to say they don’t appreciate it if you do. You can offer them something to drink or eat, like coffee and donuts. Most will appreciate it if you do.
The education and certifications required to become an electrician vary by state, though they generally follow this list:
Apprentice
Does not always require a license depending on the state.
Learns on the job under Journeyman and Master Electricians.
Usually needs 4 years on-the-job training before they can test for a Journeyman license. Many states also require a technical degree to advance.
Always require supervision.
Journeyman
Needs between 8,000 to 10,000 hours of on-the-job training and usually 500 to 1,000 hours of classroom experience.
Can usually supervise apprentices.
They can diagnose and repair electrical problems.
Master
Achieved after an additional two years (4,000 hours) working as a Journeyman and taking the Master Electrician Exam.
Besides diagnosing and repairing electrical systems, they also design them. In most places they run shops and inspect Journeyman and Apprentice work.
Not a recognized rank in all states.
Electrical Contractor License is an optional license in some states for a Master Electrician to run a business. Some states have this instead of the Master license.
Electricians make an average of $26 per hour but it ranges with experience and licensing. An apprentice may make about half that while a Master Electrician may hit closer to $40 per hour. This figure represents how much they make; not how much they bill. Their salary is only one component of their costs. They must also figure in overhead, taxes, equipment, insurance and several other expenses.
Leave electrical work to the professionals. Electrical systems are complex and potentially hazardous when not handled and installed correctly. If it were easy, it wouldn’t take 4 years to become a journeyman or 6 years for a master’s license. If you are determined to forge ahead yourself, understand home electrical safety before beginning any project.Even for simple common electrical projects, a licensed pro is best. Not only is it safer, but contractors guarantee and insure their work. Hire a professional to keep your home’s electrical systems functioning properly and safely.
Use our comprehensive electrician directory page to find local, licensed contractors. You can browse ratings, reviews and pricing of top professionals in your area. Sign up to receive quotes or let us match you to an electrician near you.
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