New Customer Onboarding Checklist for Electricians

If a customer smells ozone or sees sparks, this is a high-priority emergency that requires immediate dispatch to prevent a house fire.

Knowing if it is a $1,500 EV charger install or a $150 outlet repair helps you prioritize your schedule and truck stock.

Tools like SkipCalls answer the phone while your hands are in a 240V panel, so you never lose a $5,000 job to the guy down the street just because you couldn't pick up.

Homes built before 1970 may have knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring, which drastically changes the estimate and safety requirements.

A clear photo of the panel and breakers can tell you if it is a simple circuit addition or a mandatory $4,000 service upgrade before you even drive out.

Ensure the customer has cleared the area around the panel; you cannot legally or safely work if there is a stack of boxes blocking your 36 inches of required clearance.

Major work like service upgrades or new sub-panels requires a permit; failing to do this can lead to massive fines and liability issues.

If you are doing a panel swap, the homeowner needs to know they will be without lights, Wi-Fi, and refrigeration for 4 to 8 hours.

Certain brands like Square D or Eaton can have supply chain gaps; confirm you have the specific AFCI/GFCI breakers needed for the job.

Always ensure the circuit you are working on is locked out so a well-meaning homeowner doesn't flip the breaker while you are handling the wires.

Use a non-contact voltage tester or multimeter on every wire, every time, even if you think the main is off.

A quick text or update halfway through the day keeps the customer calm while they sit in a dark house.

Take high-resolution photos of your neat conduit runs and wire dressing to show the customer the quality of your work behind the walls.

Never leave a panel with 'Bedroom 1' written in pencil; use a professional label maker so the customer knows exactly what shuts off what.

Close out the permit so the homeowner doesn't have issues when they try to sell the house later.

For service calls under $500, collect on-site to avoid chasing invoices while you're busy on the next job.

Electricians live and die by Google reviews; send a link immediately after the lights turn back on and the customer is happy.