Permits and safety
Which jobs need a permit, who applies for it and what to watch for at home.
What needs a permit
Rules differ by town, but in Springfield (sample) these jobs need a permit and an inspection:
New circuits and panel changes
Permit
EV chargers and generator inlets
Permit
Remodel wiring behind walls
Permit
Swapping a fixture or outlet like for like
No permit
When to call an electrician
Most electrical faults give a warning first. These are the six we are called about most, and what to do before we arrive.
A burning smell or a hot outlet
Heat at a loose or overloaded connection, behind the wall or in the panel.
Switch that circuit off and call the 24-hour line.
A breaker that trips again after a reset
The circuit is overloaded or has a fault that the breaker is catching.
Leave it off and book a visit this week.
Lights that flicker or dim
A loose connection, or a big appliance sharing a circuit with the lights.
Book a check, sooner if it is getting worse.
Outlets with two holes and no ground
Common in homes wired before the 1960s; nothing protects you from a shock.
Ask about grounding or GFCI protection.
No GFCI outlets near water
Kitchens, bathrooms, laundry, garage and outside need them under today’s code.
We fit them in an hour or two.
Buzzing from a switch or the panel
Arcing or a failing breaker. It does not fix itself.
Book a visit; do not open the panel cover.
Get a written price
Tell us about the job. An electrician visits, looks at the panel and gives you a fixed price before any work starts.