Tips for Hiring a Qualified Electrician on a Home EV Charging Project

Purchasing an electric vehicle (EV) is an exciting investment that offers both financial savings on fuel and vehicle maintenance and a reduced environmental footprint, and with 80% of EV owners benefiting from the convenience of at-home charging, you’ll likely want to plan for and install a Level 2 EV charger at home.

However, before you can begin work on installing this high-powered appliance, it’s crucial to ensure your home is properly equipped with the necessary electrical upgrades to safely support a Level 2 EV charging station.

As you plan your home EV charger installation, you’ll likely consider factors such as cost and quality while reviewing quotes from contractors.

While cost is a significant factor, determining who is most qualified for the job can help you save more money in the long term and ensure the safety and efficiency of your at-home EV charger for years to come.

A general contractor may be able to do simple electrical work, but here’s why EV charger installations require specialized expertise for quality, safety, and compliance reasons.

Can a General Contractor Do Electrical Work?

In most jurisdictions in 2026, no, a general contractor cannot legally perform significant electrical work unless they also hold a specialized Electrical Contractor License.

While GCs may handle incidental tasks in some states (like swapping a light fixture), any project involving a new circuit, panel upgrade, or high-voltage equipment—such as a Level 2 EV charger—requires a licensed electrician.

Hiring an unlicensed GC for electrical work can lead to:

• Denied Insurance Claims: Many policies void coverage for fires caused by unlicensed work.

• Permit Rejections: Local building departments typically only issue electrical permits to licensed masters.

• Safety Hazards: GCs often lack the specialized training (like EVITP) required for continuous-load high-voltage installations.

In fact, even general electricians are often not equipped with the specialized knowledge required to safely install a Level 2 EV charging station as it requires different techniques and the right materials.

Minor Work vs Specialized Knowledge

In many jurisdictions now, any work involving a dedicated circuit (which a Level 2 charger requires) legally requires a licensed electrical contractor, not just someone who can do minor work (aka a handyman). Minor work usually refers to replacing a light fixture or outlet, not adding a high-voltage circuit.

Installing a Level 2 charger is very different from most electrical projects since these chargers run on dedicated 240V circuits that handle continuous high-voltage loads.

With your EV charger drawing a continuous electrical load between 15 and 80 amps, it’s important that your electrician performs a load calculation prior to beginning any work to fully understand the impact installing an EV charging station will have on other pre-existing circuits.

Safety Considerations

Using a certified and trusted installer ensures your at-home EV charger is installed safely. On the other hand, opting for an underqualified contractor or cutting costs with cheaper materials might help you save money on upfront costs, but can jeopardize both safety and compliance, costing you more in the long run.

The National Electrical Code (NEC) sets specific compliance requirements for at-home EV chargers to reduce the risks of overloading your electrical infrastructure and creating a fire hazard. In 2026, most states have adopted the 2023 or 2026 code, which includes stricter requirements for GFCI protection and load management systems.

In addition to creating potential risks in your home, hiring someone who isn’t properly licensed to install an EV charger or attempting to do it yourself with a DIY EV charger installation can void your home insurance, leaving any damages to your electrical infrastructure, personal property, or even medical injuries resulting from any electrical hazards that arise completely uncovered.

Code Compliance

Installing a Level 2 charger is considered a significant home upgrade that often requires a permit to install an EV charger from the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), in addition to an inspection by a local building department official once the work is completed.

A professional electrician specializing in EV charger installation will ensure the installation is compliant with NEC and any local code requirements, if applicable. They will look at key details, such as the gauge of the wiring used, the presence of a shutoff switch if your charger has a capacity of 60 amps or more, and generally ensure the overall safety of your charger.

A certified EV charger installer will be familiar with all these requirements and can save you time and money on potential upgrades that might be needed if the installation doesn’t pass the inspection.

Can a General Contractor Install an EV Charger?

No—unless they are also a licensed electrician or subcontract one. Installing an EV charger is classified as electrical work under NEC Article 625 and state licensing laws, which generally require the work to be performed by a licensed electrician (or a qualified person under NEC 2026), not a general contractor alone.

Feature	General Contractor	Licensed Electrician	Qmerit Certified Installer
Pull Electrical Permits	No	Yes	Yes
Install to NEC Compliance	Maybe	Maybe	Yes
Conduct Load Calculation	Rare	Maybe	Yes + EV Optimized
Knowledge of State & Local EV Charging Rebates	No	Sometimes	Yes

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