Questions to ask an EV charger installer
A clean website signal gets a company on this directory. Your call still has to separate a real Level 2 crew from a vague “we do electrical” shop.
Licensing and insurance
- Who holds the electrical license for this address?
- Can you email license number, insurance certificate, and permit puller name?
- Will subcontractors do any of the work, and under whose license?
Scope and electrical design
- Will you perform a load calculation before recommending a panel upgrade?
- Is the quote hardwired, NEMA 14-50, or either?
- What continuous amp rating are you designing for, and why?
- If capacity is tight, is listed load management an option before a service upgrade?
Permits, timeline, warranty
- Who pulls the permit and schedules inspection?
- What is included vs change-order territory (trenching, panel, outdoor pedestal)?
- What warranty covers labor vs the EVSE manufacturer?
- Can you share two recent local Level 2 installs with similar scope?
Red flags
- Cash-only, no permit, “inspection is optional”
- Quote that never mentions load calculation or continuous load
- Indoor-only unit proposed for outdoor mounting
- Brand certification claimed with no paperwork path
Ready to find who to call?
Open your state page or search by ZIP for a distance-sorted list.
Straight answers
Common questions
- What is the single most important question?
- Ask who holds the electrical license for the work and whether a written load calculation is included before you approve a panel upgrade or load-management add-on.
- Should I require manufacturer certification?
- Helpful when claimed with evidence, not magic. Ask what the certification covers (install, warranty labor, network commissioning) and how they prove it. Do not treat a logo as a substitute for a license.