A homeowner recently shared their EV charger install experience online — and it went viral for all the wrong reasons. They came home to find 18 holes cut in their walls, ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 feet wide, drywall dust covering their appliances and driveway, a sagging ceiling, and an unsealed junction box.
Their question: Is this normal?
The short answer is no. Not even close. Here's what a proper EV charger installation actually looks like — and the three questions you must ask before hiring any electrician.
How Many Holes Should an EV Charger Install Actually Require?
In a typical home, a Level 2 EV charger installation requires running a new 240V circuit from your electrical panel to the garage. The number of drywall cuts needed depends on your home's layout — specifically how the walls and ceilings are configured between the panel and the garage.
For most homes, a professional electrician can complete the run with 1 to 4 small access cuts — enough to fish wire through walls and secure conduit where needed. The goal is always to find the most direct, least disruptive path.
18 holes ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 feet wide is not a sign of a complex install. It's a sign of poor planning, inexperienced work, or a contractor who simply didn't care about your home.
A good electrician walks the job first, maps out the routing, and explains exactly what cuts will be needed before any work begins. If they can't tell you that upfront, that's a warning sign.
What About Cleanup?
This is non-negotiable. Any professional contractor should:
- Lay drop cloths or plastic sheeting before cutting any drywall
- Contain drywall dust to the immediate work area
- Vacuum and sweep before leaving
- Secure any drywall cuts that were made — no sagging, no open gaps
- Leave the space in the same condition they found it
At R.E. Clarke Electrical, we bring our own drop cloths, we vacuum after every job, and we don't leave until the space is clean. It's not a premium add-on — it's just how the job should be done.
The Unsealed Junction Box Problem
This one is particularly concerning. A junction box installed on unsealed drywall isn't just a cosmetic issue — it can create a fire hazard over time as dust and debris accumulate in an unsealed cavity. Every junction box should be properly mounted on solid, finished material and covered with an appropriate faceplate.
Permitted work gets inspected. An inspector would catch an improperly installed junction box before the job is signed off. This is one of many reasons why pulling a permit — even when it's not strictly required — protects you as a homeowner.
The 3 Questions to Ask Before Any EV Charger Install
Before you hire anyone to install your EV charger, ask these three questions. A qualified electrician will answer all three without hesitation.
Question 1: How many drywall cuts do you anticipate, and what size?
A good electrician will walk the job with you and give you a realistic answer before work starts. If they say "I won't know until I get in there" without any explanation, push back. They should be able to give you a reasonable estimate based on your home's layout.
Question 2: Who is responsible for patching the drywall?
Most electricians handle the electrical work but not the drywall finishing — that's normal. What matters is that this is discussed upfront, in writing, so there are no surprises. You should know exactly what you're responsible for before anyone picks up a tool.
Question 3: What does your cleanup process look like?
Ask specifically: Do you bring drop cloths? Do you vacuum before you leave? The answer tells you a lot about how the contractor operates. Anyone who hedges on this question is telling you something.
Get the answers to all three in writing — even just in an email — before work begins. It protects you and sets clear expectations for the contractor.
What to Do If Your Install Went Wrong
If you've already had a bad experience similar to what's described above, here's what to do:
- 1Document everything with photos now — before anything is repaired or disturbed. Photograph every hole, every mess, every unsealed junction box.
- 2Send a written demand via email — put your request for them to return and make it right in writing. This creates a paper trail if you need to escalate.
- 3Check if the work was permitted — contact your local building department and ask if a permit was pulled for the job. Unpermitted work may void your homeowner's insurance.
- 4File a complaint if needed — in Maryland, you can file a complaint against a licensed contractor with the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC).
Getting an EV Charger Installed in Glen Burnie or Hanover?
We do clean installs, pull all permits, and don't leave until the job is done right. Free estimate — no obligation.
