5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an EV Charger Installer
Published February 21, 2026
Hiring the right EV charger installer can save you money, avoid code problems, and give you years of hassle-free charging. Hiring the wrong one can mean delays, change orders, and expensive rework.
If you are comparing installers in 2026, do not just ask for the lowest price. Ask better questions first. The five questions below help homeowners quickly separate qualified pros from risky bids.
Need options in your area? Start here: Search EV charger installers.
Why Interviewing Installers Matters More Than Ever
Home charging demand keeps rising, but not every electrician has deep EVSE experience. A contractor may be excellent at general residential work but less familiar with EV-specific load calculations, utility programs, or charger commissioning.
A short interview protects your budget and timeline—and your safety.
Question 1: Are You Licensed and Insured for This Type of Electrical Work?
This is non-negotiable.
What to ask
- What is your electrical license number?
- Is your license active in my state/city?
- Do you carry general liability insurance?
- Do you carry workers’ compensation coverage?
Why it matters
Licensing and insurance are your first line of protection if something goes wrong. They also indicate a baseline of professionalism and legal compliance.
Red flags
- “We can do it without pulling permit paperwork.”
- Vague answers about insurance certificates.
- Pressure to pay cash without documentation.
Question 2: How Much EV Charger Installation Experience Do You Have?
Experience with EV charging projects reduces surprises.
What to ask
- How many EV charger installs have you completed?
- Which charger brands/models do you install most?
- Have you worked on homes similar to mine (older panel, detached garage, condo, etc.)?
Why it matters
Installers with real EVSE experience are better at forecasting scope issues early—panel constraints, conduit routing, permit requirements, and commissioning steps.
Pro tip
Ask for 2–3 recent project examples with brief scope descriptions. You want pattern recognition, not just confidence.
Question 3: What Exactly Is Included in Your Quote?
Two quotes can differ by thousands because one includes permit handling and one does not.
What to ask
- Is permit filing included?
- Is inspection scheduling included?
- What charger amperage and circuit size are included?
- Are patch/paint, trenching, or wall repairs included?
- What conditions trigger extra charges?
Why it matters
A detailed scope prevents the classic “low quote, high final invoice” problem.
Request a line-item breakdown
At minimum, ask for:
- Labor
- Materials
- Permit/inspection costs
- Optional upgrades (load management, panel upgrade)
Question 4: What Warranty and Post-Install Support Do You Offer?
Good installers stand behind their work.
What to ask
- Workmanship warranty length
- What is covered vs excluded
- Response time if charger faults after install
- Who handles manufacturer warranty claims support
Why it matters
Even clean installations can have early issues: breaker nuisance trips, app setup problems, firmware quirks, or connector concerns. You want a contractor who does not disappear after payment.
Question 5: What Timeline Should I Expect from Quote to Charging?
Homeowners often underestimate permitting and scheduling time.
What to ask
- Earliest site visit date
- Quote turnaround time
- Permit filing timeline
- Installation day duration
- Inspection and final activation timing
Why it matters
A clear timeline helps you plan vehicle delivery, budget windows, and backup charging arrangements.
Bonus Questions That Help You Choose Faster
If you are comparing top candidates, ask these too:
Do you perform a formal load calculation?
This determines whether your panel can safely handle new charging demand.
Can you offer load management options?
Load management may avoid expensive panel upgrades in some homes.
Are you familiar with local incentives or utility rebates?
Installers who know local programs can help you avoid missing savings.
Will you provide final documentation?
Ask for permit number, signed inspection, photos, and final invoice details.
How to Compare Bids Fairly
Use an apples-to-apples scorecard with categories:
- Compliance (license, insurance, permit plan)
- Technical fit (load calc, charger recommendation)
- Scope clarity (line-item quote)
- Warranty/support quality
- Timeline realism
- Total cost
Lowest price is only one category.
Common Homeowner Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing based on first available appointment only
- Accepting vague “all-in” pricing without scope details
- Buying a charger before confirming panel capacity
- Skipping permit and inspection questions
- Not keeping installation documentation
Simple Hiring Checklist
Before signing, confirm all of the following in writing:
- Active license and insurance
- Charger model and amperage target
- Circuit and panel assumptions
- Permit and inspection responsibility
- Total price and change-order rules
- Warranty terms
- Project timeline
If a contractor hesitates to put details in writing, keep shopping.
Final Takeaway
The best EV charger installer is not just someone who can “do electrical work.” It is someone who can deliver a safe, compliant, clearly scoped EV charging project on time.
Use these five questions to screen candidates quickly, then compare detailed quotes from qualified pros in your area: Find and compare installers, or drill into local pages like Los Angeles installers and Houston installers.