For residents of New Jersey

• Contact the Board of Examiners of Electrical
  Contractors to make sure you are hiring a licensed
  electrical contractor who has a current license and
  business permit and is in good standing. The
  number to call is 973-504-6410.
• Do comparison shopping before hiring an
  electrical contractor. Solicit at least two or three
  bids, based on the same materials, labor and time
  needed to complete the project.
• Be sure to get everything in writing and read all
  contracts carefully before signing anything. Your
  contract should state that the work is to be
  performed in accordance with all applicable
  building codes.
• Do not sign a partial or blank contract.
• Excluding down payments, pay only for
  completed work. Discuss with your electrical
  contractor the stages of work to be done, and pay
  as the work is finished.
• Check with your local building department and
  the electrical subcode official, before the job is
  started, to find out if a permit is required and who
  is responsible for obtaining the permit.
• In addition to being licensed, electrical contractors
  have a business permit which shows their
  business name and business permit number. Ask