What questions should I ask before hiring an electrician in New Brunswick?

Key Questions to Ask Before Hiring a New Brunswick Electrician

Hiring the right electrician in New Brunswick starts with asking the right questions before any work begins. Whether you're in Moncton, Saint John, or Fredericton, taking 15 minutes to interview potential electricians can save you thousands of dollars and prevent serious safety issues down the road.

Licensing and Insurance Questions

The most important question is "Are you licensed through the Technical Safety Authority of New Brunswick (TSANB)?" Every electrician working in the province must hold a valid TSANB certification. Unlike Ontario, New Brunswick doesn't have a public online database where you can verify this yourself, so ask to see their actual licence card or certificate. A legitimate electrician will have no problem showing you proof.

Follow up with these essential questions:

• Do you carry liability insurance? Ask for a minimum of $2 million in general liability coverage. Request a certificate of insurance — your homeowner's insurance may require this before electrical work begins.
• Do you have WorkSafeNB coverage? This protects you from liability if a worker is injured on your property. Without it, you could be held personally responsible for workplace injuries.
• Will you pull the necessary permits? In New Brunswick, electrical permits are required for most work beyond basic fixture swaps. The permit costs typically range from $50 to $200 depending on the scope of work, and the electrician should handle the application process.

Experience and Specialization Questions

• How many years have you been working in New Brunswick? Local experience matters because Maritime homes have unique challenges — older Moncton and Saint John homes often have 60-amp services, knob-and-tube wiring, or aluminum branch circuits from the 1960s and 1970s that require specific expertise.
• Have you done this type of work before? A residential electrician may not be the best choice for commercial work, and vice versa. Ask for 2-3 references from similar projects completed in the last 12 months.
• Are you familiar with the current Canadian Electrical Code requirements? New Brunswick follows the CEC with provincial amendments. The 2024 code cycle introduced changes to AFCI requirements, EV charger installations, and outdoor receptacle spacing that affect residential work.

Project-Specific Questions

• Can you provide a detailed written estimate? Get itemized quotes from at least 3 electricians. In New Brunswick, a typical residential service call ranges from $85 to $150 per hour, with most projects requiring a minimum 2-hour charge. The estimate should break down labour, materials, permit fees, and HST (15% in New Brunswick).
• What is your timeline for completion? Electrical contractors in the Moncton-Dieppe area are often booked 2-4 weeks out. Fredericton and Saint John typically have similar wait times, while rural areas may have longer lead times due to fewer available electricians.
• Do you offer a warranty on your work? Most reputable New Brunswick electricians provide a 1-year warranty on labour. Materials typically carry the manufacturer's warranty separately.
• Will the work require a TSANB inspection? Most permitted electrical work in New Brunswick requires a follow-up inspection. Your electrician should coordinate this — the inspection fee is usually included in the permit cost.

Red Flags to Watch For

Be cautious if an electrician refuses to show their TSANB licence, won't provide a written estimate, asks for full payment upfront (a 10-25% deposit is reasonable), or significantly undercuts other quotes. In New Brunswick, unlicensed electrical work can void your home insurance and create serious liability issues if a fire occurs.

Always get everything in writing before work begins, including the scope of work, total cost, payment schedule, and expected completion date.

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