You've found an electrician. The quote looks reasonable. The work gets done in two days. You pay in cash. Then, six months later, your home insurance claim for water damage from an electrical fire is rejected. Reason: the electrical work was done by an unlicensed technician, which voids your policy entirely.
🚩 The Scam in 3 Lines
The electrician has no Ejari trade license — meaning they're unlicensed and unvetted. Your insurance won't cover work done by unlicensed electricians. If something goes wrong (fire, shock, system failure), you're liable for 100% of repairs, and the electrician vanishes.
How the Scam Works
Unlicensed electricians operate on Facebook groups, WhatsApp chains, and word-of-mouth. They're usually fast, cheap, and willing to work nights or weekends (which licensed electricians can't do on most residential jobs). Here's the trap: when they finish, you have no warranty, no documented compliance with DEWA standards, and no proof anyone licensed ever touched your electrical system.
Then comes a fire, a short circuit, or a building inspection. Your insurance investigator pulls your building file from the DED. No Ejari license. No DEWA approval. No documented work. Claim denied. The electrician is already gone. You're out thousands in repairs.
How to Spot It in 30 Seconds
What to Do Instead
✅ Hiring Checklist
- Ask for Ejari number. Call DED on 04 308 3333 or use the DED online portal to verify the license is current and covers electrical work.
- Demand a written quote and contract with scope, timeline, warranty period (minimum 1 year), and proof of DEWA compliance post-work.
- Require building NOC before work starts. Your building management office issues this — any licensed electrician will handle it.
- Check insurance coverage. Before paying, ask your insurer if the electrician's license is in their system. Don't just assume — confirm.
💡 The Real Cost
An electrical fire in a villa can cost 300K–500K AED in repairs — rewiring, water damage, structural fixes. Your insurance won't touch it if unlicensed work is found. Saving 500 AED on the original job costs you everything.
Questions
What if the electrician already finished work without Ejari?
Contact your building management immediately. You may be able to hire a licensed electrician to inspect and certify the work retroactively (they'll charge, but it protects your insurance). If structural work was done (pulling new circuits, installing panels), a licensed electrician will likely need to redo it to meet DEWA code. Document everything — photos, invoices, correspondence.
Is there a public database to check if an electrician is licensed?
Yes. The DED online portal (dubai.gov.ae/en/services) lets you search by Ejari number, company name, or owner name. You can also call DED directly: 04 308 3333. Cross-reference the license with DEWA records to ensure they're approved for electrical installations in your building category (residential, commercial, industrial).
Can I report an unlicensed electrician?
Yes. Report to Dubai Municipality's inspection division (04 206 6666) or file a complaint with DED directly. If work is dangerous or incomplete, the authorities will investigate and can issue fines or force corrective action. If you've already paid and been scammed, the Dubai Police Economic Department handles fraud cases — file a report at any police station.
.png)
