Electrician vs. handyman: who to hire in San Diego
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Hire a licensed C-10 electrician for electrical-only work in San Diego County. A licensed Class B general building contractor isn't an unlicensed handyman. A B can take a prime electrical job if they hold C-10. They can also subcontract that electrical work to a C-10. An unlicensed person fits only when every 7048 condition is true, including a total under $1,000 and no building permit.
Who to hire, side by side
| Decision | Licensed C-10 electrician | Licensed Class B contractor | Unlicensed person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who they are | C-10 electrician on CSLB | Class B general contractor, not an unlicensed handyman | No contractor license |
| Electrical-only prime job | Yes | Only if the B holds C-10 or, as prime, subcontracts electrical to a C-10 | No if a building permit is required |
| City of San Diego permit | Authorized licensed contractor, or owner or lessee | Same if authorized for electrical, or owner or lessee | No-Plan is still a permit. 7048 fails if a permit is required |
| Check before you hire | CSLB status, business name, and C-10 | CSLB Class B, and who will do the electrical | Every 7048 condition, including ads as a contractor or as qualified to contract |
Match the hire to the job
Someone offering electrical work may be a C-10, a Class B, or unlicensed. Ask which, then check CSLB.
Moving outlets in a City of San Diego house is listed as Simple No-Plan, subject to eligibility. No-Plan is still a permit, so 7048 doesn't apply. Hire a C-10, or a Class B prime who holds C-10 or subcontracts electrical to a C-10.
A kitchen with electrical and plumbing can be a Class B prime job if two unrelated trades besides framing and carpentry are required, or the B holds the specialty or subcontracts it. Framing and carpentry don't count toward those two trades. On that job the B need not personally hold C-10.
If the B is hired only as an electrical subcontractor, they need C-10. The two-trade path applies when that subcontract itself requires two unrelated trades besides framing and carpentry.
Ask for written scope, who does the work, who pulls the permit, an itemized quote, and insurance papers.
State licensing is not a City permit
CSLB licensing is statewide. City of San Diego electrical permits apply only in the City. Don't copy City exemptions onto a Chula Vista or El Cajon house.
C-10 is the CSLB class for electrical wiring, fixtures, appliances, raceways, and related gear that generate, transmit, transform, or use electrical energy.
7048 can exempt work from the contractor licensing chapter only when every condition below is true. It doesn't exclude electrical work by name. A required building permit means the dollar amount doesn't create the exemption.
Unless 129.0303 exempts it, City installation, alteration, addition, or replacement needs an electrical permit. 129.0303(a) can cover minor replacement or repair of switches, breakers, lampholders, luminaires, ballasts, or receptacles of the same size and general type as the originals, done under that article. That isn't a statewide task list, a blanket handyman authorization, or proof a fixture, fan, or GFCI swap always qualifies. 129.0303(g) says a permit exemption doesn't authorize violating electrical or other laws.
The City may issue the permit to an authorized California-licensed contractor or to the property owner or lessee. Simple No-Plan examples include adding circuits, outlet relocation or rewiring, and EV chargers in private garages, subject to eligibility. Not every EV charger needs a new circuit.
- Casual, minor, or inconsequential, on one undertaking or project.
- Aggregate price for labor, materials, and all other items is less than $1,000. Exactly $1,000 doesn't qualify.
- No building permit required.
- Not part of a larger or major operation, same or different contractor.
- Not split into contracts under $1,000 to evade the law, or otherwise.
- Doesn't employ anyone to perform or assist.
- Doesn't advertise or put out a sign, card, or other device that might indicate to the public that the person is a contractor or qualified to engage in the business of a contractor.
California 7048 checklist and the permit line
Hiring questions
If a quote totals $1,000 even, does 7048 apply?
No. The aggregate for labor, materials, and all other items must be less than $1,000. Exactly $1,000 is outside the exemption. A lower total still fails if any other 7048 condition fails, including a required building permit.
They'll add a circuit on Simple No-Plan for under $1,000. Can I hire an unlicensed person?
No. Simple No-Plan is still a permit. 7048 doesn't apply when a building permit is required. Hire a C-10, or a Class B prime who holds C-10 or subcontracts the electrical to a C-10.
Sources
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