How to Choose an EV Charger Installer (Without Getting Burned)

EV charger installation is a small job for a qualified electrician and a genuinely risky one for anyone else — it’s a continuous high-amperage load that runs for hours, often overnight. Here’s the five-check process we’d use ourselves.

1. Verify the license — don’t take their word for it

In Texas, the company doing the work must hold an active Electrical Contractor (EC) license from TDLR, and the person on site must be a licensed electrician. Anyone can print “licensed and insured” on a business card. Verification takes two minutes at the TDLR license search, or use our listings — every contractor on VoltVetted shows a license number, its status, and the date we verified it against state records.

2. Demand an itemized quote

A single-number quote hides where the money goes. You want line items for: the circuit run (wire gauge and length), breaker, the charger itself (if supplied), permit and inspection, and any panel work. Three itemized quotes will show you immediately who’s padding.

3. Ask how they’ll handle the load calculation

A competent installer performs a load calculation before promising a 60-amp circuit. If your panel can’t take it, the honest answers are a panel upgrade ($1,500–$3,500) or a load-management device (often a few hundred dollars). An installer who never mentions panel capacity either has X-ray vision or isn’t planning to pull a permit.

4. The permit is non-negotiable

Most Texas cities require a permit and inspection for a new 240V circuit (details by metro). The permit protects you: an unpermitted install can void home insurance claims and complicates resale. A contractor who suggests skipping it is telling you how they work.

5. Warranty on labor, not just hardware

Charger makers warranty the device; your installer should warranty the workmanship — one year is common. Get it in writing on the invoice.

Cost expectations

Know the typical cost ranges before collecting quotes, and check available rebates — Austin Energy alone covers up to half the install.

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