Bell Electric LLC

In Texas, electrical contractors and many electricians must hold state licenses (issued through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation or local municipality) and carry insurance. Ask the contractor for their license number and proof of insurance (general liability and proof of workers’ compensation or a waiver if applicable). Verify the license through the TDLR license lookup or the City of San Antonio if the electrician is locally licensed, and confirm the insurance policy is current and lists the company name. Also ask for references and a written estimate before work begins.

Most electrical work in San Antonio — including new circuits, panel changes, major rewiring, meter or service changes, and many additions — requires a permit and inspection from the city. Licensed electrical contractors commonly pull the permits and schedule inspections, but you should confirm who will do that in writing. Permits ensure the work follows the adopted electrical code (based on the National Electrical Code plus local amendments) and that a city inspector signs off for safety and insurance purposes.

Have a licensed electrician perform a load calculation and inspect the panel, breakers and wiring. In hot San Antonio summers, air conditioning draws significant continuous load and may require a dedicated 240V circuit and adequate service capacity. EV chargers also usually need a 240V circuit and may trigger a service upgrade if the existing panel is near capacity. The electrician will check panel amperage, breaker condition, wiring size, grounding and bonding, and whether modern safety devices (AFCI, GFCI, surge protection) are required. If an upgrade is needed, the contractor should provide options, costs, permit requirements and a timeline.