Electrical Repairs in Irving, TX: Hiring and Permits

Describe the problem before booking

Tell the contractor which outlets, lights or appliances have lost power, when you noticed the problem, and whether it affects one room or several. Mention recent electrical work and storm damage. Clarify whether the appointment covers diagnosis alone or includes repairs you authorize during the visit.

For an outlet, switch or recurring circuit problem, request troubleshooting before approving a particular replacement. Have the electrician explain what they found and which work they recommend. Agree on a spending limit for diagnosis and require your approval before they expand the repair.

If you see a downed power line, stay away, keep others away and call 911. At an Oncor-served home, report an outage to Oncor at 888.313.4747. Describe damaged service equipment from a safe location; do not approach it to collect photographs for a quote. [3]

Check the business and its insurance

Request the company's electrical contractor license number, its Master Electrician of Record and confirmation of Irving registration. TDLR requires an electrical contractor to employ a licensed Master Electrician. Irving recommends checking contractor registration, insurance and references, and says it verifies applicable state licensing during permit applications. [2] [4]

TDLR requires electrical contractors to maintain business liability coverage of at least $300,000 per occurrence, $600,000 aggregate for property damage and bodily injury, and $300,000 aggregate for products and completed operations. Request a current insurance certificate that identifies the business named on your quote. [4]

Find out who will attend, who will supervise the repair and whom you should contact if the fault returns. Request written warranty terms and exclusions. Speak with references who hired the company for work similar to yours, and ask how the contractor handled changes to the original scope.

Compare quotes with the same repair scope

Have each contractor separate the diagnostic charge, repair labor, materials and permit handling. Request the proposed parts or equipment, exclusions for concealed wiring, and charges for a return visit if parts need ordering. For an urgent call, confirm the callout charge before booking.

Irving's published schedule lists $65 for specified electrical single-trade work, $75 for reinspections and a $130 minimum for after-hours inspections. These city fees exclude contractor labor, materials and diagnosis; request a written repair quote. Ask which city fee category applies to your scope and whether the quote includes it. [1]

Before approving additional work, request the revised scope and total in writing. For a proposed service change, agree on a plan covering the power interruption, permit, inspections and reconnection coordination. Identify who will update you if the repair or restoration schedule changes.

Plan permits and service restoration

Confirm whether your specific repair requires a permit with Irving Inspections before work begins. For a permitted job, have the contractor obtain the permit and show you the issued document. Irving tells homeowners to monitor inspection records and provides online access to permit and inspection information. [2]

At an Oncor-served home, distinguish the electric meter from its enclosure. Oncor maintains the meter, service lines and other utility equipment. The homeowner maintains the meter base, weatherhead and customer wiring. Oncor cannot repair equipment it does not own or reconnect service until the necessary customer-equipment repairs are complete. [3]

For damaged or detached customer equipment at an Oncor-served home, Oncor directs customers to call 888.313.6862 for a temporary hazardous disconnect, then contact a licensed electrician. Some communities require an inspection before restoration. Confirm Irving's requirements for your repair and agree on who will arrange any inspection release and request reconnection. [2] [3]

Selected Irving electrical and inspection fees

Choose the next step for your repair

Your hiring checklist

1. Write down affected rooms, devices, symptoms and when the problem began.
2. Request the business license number, Master Electrician of Record, city registration confirmation and current insurance certificate.
3. Agree on the diagnostic charge and an approval limit before repairs begin.
4. Compare written scopes, proposed parts, exclusions and return-visit charges.
5. Confirm applicable permits and city fees, and have the contractor obtain required permits.
6. For service equipment work, agree on disconnect, inspection and reconnection responsibilities.
7. Clear access to the work area without handling damaged equipment.
8. Keep the invoice, warranty terms, permit and applicable inspection results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every electrical repair require an Irving permit?

Confirm whether your specific repair requires a permit with Irving Inspections before work begins. The city lists an electrical single-trade fee for specified work, including service changes and utility releases. That category does not establish a permit requirement for every outlet or switch replacement. [1] [2]

Will Oncor repair a damaged meter base?

At an Oncor-served home, the homeowner maintains the meter base and a licensed electrician repairs it. Oncor owns and maintains the electric meter. Oncor says it cannot restore service until necessary customer-equipment repairs are complete, with an inspection where required. [3]

Can I use the city fee schedule to budget the entire repair?

Use it to identify applicable municipal charges. These city fees exclude contractor labor, materials and diagnosis; request a written repair quote. Have the contractor identify which city fees the quote includes and explain any additional charges before you authorize work. [1]

Should I obtain the permit to help the contractor start sooner?

Irving advises against obtaining a building permit for a hired contractor. The city warns that signing for the permit makes you responsible for correcting the contractor's work if it fails city code requirements. Have the contractor handle the required permit and show you the issued document. [2]