Get matched with top electricians in Eagle, NE

Yes, electricians must be licensed, certified, and in most cases, insured. Licensing requirements vary by state and local municipality, but most U.S. municipalities require electricians to hold an electrical contractor’s license. It's always a good practice to confirm requirements with your local municipality. Even if licensing is not required in your area, hiring a licensed and experienced electrician often leads to a better end result.

A license is a legal requirement to operate a business and is necessary for pulling project permits. Certifications, on the other hand, are typically voluntary and demonstrate a certain level of expertise. In some cases, a certified electrician may send an apprentice or journeyman to perform the work, but they must operate under a primary electrician who holds the proper license.

Before hiring, you should verify the electrician's license, insurance coverage, and any third-party certifications. You can use Angi’s contractor licensing search to confirm a pro's license status. Additionally, businesses with the “Angi Approved” badge on our platform meet strict criteria, including having the required state and local licenses, passing a background check, and maintaining a high average rating.

For more complex electrical projects, it’s often most efficient and cost-effective to hire an electrician rather than trying to figure it out yourself (and risking electrical problems). Electricians know exactly what a project requires, and can often find supplies or parts for cheaper than the average homeowner. That can save money compared to going it alone.

Leaving lights on raises the electric bill, but not as much as having high-wattage light bulbs. The best way to save on electric costs is to swap your light bulbs to LED or CFL bulbs that use far fewer watts. You can also use smart lights and light switches to control usage via a smartphone or voice-controlled device.

Yes, wires are still hot, even if the light switch is off. The only way to ensure the wire is no longer live and that you can work with it safely is to open your circuit breaker, locate the breaker for the outlet you’re working with, and turn off the breaker for that outlet.