🎁 Welcome offer10% off your first booking — new to Genie? Use code WELCOME10 at checkoutClaim it ›

Home › Guides › Licensed electrician vs handyman: which do you need?

Guide

Licensed electrician vs handyman: which do you need?

Some electrical jobs are fine for a handyman; others legally require a licensed electrician. Here's how to tell.

🧞 Rather not do it yourself? Book Electrical on Genie.
Vetted, background-checked local pros · upfront price · your payment is held until you approve the work.
Book ElectricalSee prices ›

Handyman-friendly jobs

Swapping a light fixture or a plug-in fixture, or mounting where no new wiring is needed, is often fine.

Licensed electrician jobs

New circuits, panel upgrades, EV chargers, rewiring and anything behind the wall need a licensed pro and permits.

Vetted pros, protected jobs Built into every Genie job.
Genie verifies pros and protects your payment.

Why it matters

Unpermitted electrical work can be unsafe and cause insurance and resale problems. When in doubt, use a licensed pro.

⏱️ Short on time? Book Electrical on Genie — a vetted pro at an upfront price, paid only when you approve.

How Genie helps

Genie verifies licensing and insurance for electrical work, so the right pro is matched to the job.

Get it done with Genie

Everything in this guide, handled by a vetted Genie pro: book Electrical in a couple of minutes, see the price before you confirm, message your pro in the app, and approve the job before anyone is paid.

New to Genie? Code WELCOME10 takes 10% off your first booking.

Book ElectricalBrowse all services ›

FAQ

Can a handyman do electrical work?

Minor fixture swaps are often fine, but new wiring, circuits and panels need a licensed electrician. Genie routes these to licensed pros.

Do I need a permit for electrical work?

Often yes for new circuits, panels and EV chargers. A licensed electrician handles the permit and inspection.

Related guides

10 questions to ask a contractor before you hire
The questions that separate a great contractor from a risky one — licensing, insurance, timeline, payment and more.
House cleaning checklist: what to do before your cleaner arrives
A quick prep checklist so your cleaner spends time cleaning, not tidying — and you get the best result.
Moving checklist: 6 weeks to moving day
A week-by-week moving checklist so nothing slips — packing, utilities, movers and change-of-address.
Winter home maintenance checklist (Canada)
Get your home ready for a Canadian winter — furnace, gutters, pipes, roof and snow plans.

Get it done on Genie

Browse services