Looking to hire an electrician to repair electrical problems or upgrades to your home?
You’re wise to hire a professional. Lots of tasks around the home can be done yourself, but electrical work is not one of them. The safety and legal risks are just too great to do-it-yourself.
But how do you know what you’re getting when you hire an electrician? How do you find the best person for the job?
Read on as we discuss five essential qualities to look for when you need an electrician.
Professionalism
How an electrician conducts themselves when you’re vetting them plays an important factor in your hiring process.
First impressions go a long way. Is the person on time for appointments? Are they courteous? If your initial meeting with an electrician gets off on the wrong foot that may be an indicator of things to come.
Just as importantly, does the contractor listen to you? The success of any job depends on how well your electrician is on the same page as you. They should be attentive and offer helpful suggestions in simple language any layperson can understand.
Credentials
It’s important to hire a professional electrician who possesses the proper licensing. They should also be bonded and insured. These should be non-negotiable hiring requirements as they protect you in case something goes wrong.
Many companies provide ongoing training to their employees or hire only those who already have extensive electrical background and skills. Ask what type of training they possess to make sure they are well equipped for the job.
Word-of-Mouth
Make sure the electrical company you hire has been in business for awhile. This is a good indicator they do good work otherwise they wouldn’t be in business. And if they do good work, you should have no problem finding positive referrals for them.
The internet does a good job of curating reviews for companies. As a starting point, look up the company on Google, Facebook and Yelp and you should find several reviews.
It’s recommended to consider the middle-of-the-road reviews. In other words, if a review is based on a five star system, what do the people who give three stars have to say? These are often your most objective reviews and give insight into what a company does well and where they come up short.
Even better is to ask for feedback from people you trust who have ever worked with any company you consider hiring. They can often provide the best insight because they have your best interest at heart.
Who Will Be Performing the Work?
Take notice of who will be doing the work you need done.
Will the company do it themselves or use subcontractors? If they work with subcontractors, make sure they are also licensed and bonded to protect yourself.
Will any apprentices be working on the job? If so, who will be supervising them?
Make sure an experienced electrician is in charge of any work done in your home and that someone licensed and bonded is responsible for anything that could go wrong.
Is There a Warranty?
Remember, any good residential electrician stands behind their work. Inquire about their warranty and get it in writing.
Ask if the work performed will meet code. Will the company fix any work which does not comply with National Electrical Code (NEC) standards?
A warranty is a fine detail that often goes overlooked. But if your project goes south for any reason, you want to make sure you have recourse.
The Bottom Line When You Need an Electrician
Electrical upgrades and repairs are not the ideal DIY projects. The work is potentially dangerous and the consequences are too dire to take unnecessary risks.
When you need an electrician, protect yourself, and your home, by using an experienced professional electrician who is licensed and bonded.
Check their credentials and make sure their reviews are positive. Make sure the warranty ensures your job will be completed to code and get it all in writing.
If you liked this article, please see other helpful home-related blog content.