What you Need to Consider When Selecting a new Electrical Contractor
When deciding on an electrical contractor for your next job several factors need to be considered such as price, experience and availability.
If you want a successful outcome on any project then hiring someone with extensive knowledge and the right credentials is crucial.
Consider the Size of the Company
The size of the company is an important factor to consider before hiring an electrical contractor.
Most larger companies will have several licensed electricians on staff and can be a great choice when you need a job done at a reasonable price. Because electrical work can be dangerous, you’ll want to hire an electrician who is up to date and can provide proof of their credentials.
A company that has been in business for a long time will have acquired the knowledge necessary to provide its clients with the safest and most efficient work. It’s also critical to ensure that the company you choose is insured and properly licensed.
The size and scope of the job will play a significant role in this decision.
Ask for References From Previous Customers
Asking for references from previous customers with whom they have worked is a good way to see if a company lives up to its name and reputation.
This can be advantageous because it will provide you with an idea of what to expect from the company. If the company can provide you with a list of satisfied customers who have previously used their services, this can be a good indication that they are willing to stand behind their work.
Don’t forget to look at the company’s website for reviews and testimonials as well. It is critical to work with a professional electrician who can meet and exceed your expectations.
It’s crucial to collect references from prior clients, but don’t forget to examine and verify their credentials as well. Checking if they have the necessary licensing and insurance will offer you some assurance of quality.
A licence indicates that they are qualified to perform the electrical services that you require. It’s critical that the electrician you employ has a professional electrical licence.
Check With Your Local Better Business Bureau to see if there are any Complaints Against Them
Check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to verify if the company you’re considering hiring hasn’t received any previous complaints.
They can give you information to assist you in determining whether or not the electrician is legitimate. You can search for complaints filed against the company on their website.
This might assist you in determining whether or not there are any issues with their service or workmanship. After you’ve completed your proper checks, you’ll be able to pick a competent electrician with honesty, experience, and a good reputation.
The benefits of doing so are many, particularly when you consider that hiring a qualified electrician can help you avoid any accidental mishaps or damage to your house or business as well as your personal property.
Confirm That They Have a Licence and Insurance in Place
Before you choose an electrician, be sure he or she is licensed and insured for general liability.
This guarantees that they are adequately covered in the event that something goes wrong. It also protects you from liability if anything ever turns out badly with your property while they’re working on it.
Uninsured electricians cannot lawfully practise since they are not licensed. As a result, if an accident occurs on your property, you will be held financially liable for any injuries, property damage, or accidents that occur.
It’s worthwhile to go the extra mile and see if the electrician can provide proof of general liability insurance. Insurance verification is frequently included in the contract’s terms.
However, if your policy is missing, make sure to demand proof of insurance from your electrician. After you’ve double-checked your electrician’s credentials and insurance, the last step is to double-check their licence.
A building contractor’s licence is required for all electricians. Some, on the other hand, are required to obtain additional credentials.
Find out how Long They’ve Been in Business
Before hiring an electrician, be sure to learn how long they have been in the trade.
Electricians who have worked in the industry for a long time are more likely to be reliable, dependable, and highly professional. In addition, these professionals have likely received more training, allowing them to work more efficiently and effectively than less experienced electricians.
It is worth noting though, that not all new companies will be inexperienced or do the job less effectively, they just haven’t had as much time to build a reputation for themselves yet, so it’s probably worth asking around your local area, or friends and family for recommendations on companies they have used. Some advantages to this could be that the company works just as efficiently as someone who has been in business a long time, but they might have more competitive prices to offer or offer discounts like package deals on work.
But, as long as you do your research beforehand, you should be able to find an electrician who fits your needs, whether that be a more experienced professional or one who has been around a short time and still meets all of the required criteria.
Determine if Their Work is Guaranteed or not and Whether it’s Backed by a Warranty or Not
We all live in a world where we try to minimise taking unnecessary risks, especially where money is involved.
We don’t want to pay for something only to discover that we’ll have to pay for it again because the job wasn’t done properly the first time. And as a result, you should check to see if your electrician provides any warranties for their work.
They are, after all, the ones in charge of ensuring the safety of your home or business when working on any electrical systems. Additionally, you should choose an electrician that has a warranty for their services.
That way, if something goes wrong and something needs to be redone, or if your product breaks right after it’s been installed, they will replace it. A warranty means you can feel confident in hiring an electrician, knowing that they have made the effort to establish themselves in the business.
Of course, you should also ask what the warranty covers, but at least you’ll feel a bit more at ease knowing that the work is guaranteed.
Also, Consider Talking to Your Local Utility Company for References for the Electrical Contractor They Have Used in the Past
Once you’ve determined that your contractor has all of the necessary qualifications, and has passed all their training courses, you might want to ask about them personally.
Most, if not all, electrical companies will have many business contacts that you can speak to, who will be able to tell you firsthand about their experience. But, you can also try asking your local utility company.
Even large companies will usually have a list of contractors that they recommend to their customers, so you should be able to get ideas about local electricians from your utility company, especially if you own a business. That way, should you ever need to hire someone in the future, you’ll already have a list of company names you can look into, instead of starting from scratch.
If Possible it’s Recommended That you get at Least Three Quotes From Different Contractors Before Selecting One
There are many elements that go into getting a good quote, so in order to save you some time, we’ve put together the following list of tips to help you get the best quotes:
- Don’t be afraid to shop around.
- Try to get reviews from several different businesses.
- Check the age and experience of the company.
- Don’t just accept the first offer and buy based on price.
- Ask the company to provide you with some references.
- Contact information of the companies of the clients who they have previously worked with.
- Check the company’s website for reviews and testimonials, and look for any projects and case studies.
- Proof that the company has insurance documents.
This list isn’t extensive, but these are our top tips that should help you get a better quote when shopping around, and of course, as mentioned above, don’t be afraid to ask the right questions either.
Make Sure They are Available to Answer any Questions or Concerns After Their Work is Complete
Once a job has been completed, you will want to make sure that the electrician is available to answer any questions that may arise, or at least that they will be easy to contact.
So, make sure you ask about their availability and whether or not the electrician will follow up with you after any work is done. Also, check if they are willing to answer any questions or provide you with information and advice at any time, even after the job is completed.
So don’t be afraid to ask about availability so that you know you can talk to someone if something goes wrong, or if you need general help and advice.
Ask how Long it Will Take to Get an Estimate
When inquiring about a job, don’t be afraid to ask the electrical contractors how long it will take to get an estimate.
This way, you can ensure that they will be able to work on your project if you need it done soon. With this information, you can usually decide ahead of time whether or not they are able to meet your timeline.
If they can’t, you can cross them off your list. But if they can provide you with an estimate quickly, then you can rest assured that they will be able to get the job completed before you need to worry about the deadline.
How Flexible Are They When Scheduling a Time for Installation
If possible, ask the electrical contractor how they schedule their time when they come out to give you a quote.
Will they only give you one appointment time, and then block out 3–4 hours for that price? Or will they be more flexible and allow you to pick a time that is convenient for you?
Some electricians may only have one appointment slot available, so it’s easier to schedule when you are already at work or already at home. But most electricians will be more flexible and allow you to pick a time that is convenient for you so that you don’t have to rearrange your entire work schedule to fit your electrician’s appointment.
So, make sure you ask how flexible the electrician is when you talk to them about the job. And don’t be afraid to ask if they’re available at any time other than during regular business hours.
What Type of Maintenance Program do They Offer, And What is the Warranty Period?
Don’t just assume that you will get a free maintenance programme with your installation.
Ask the electrical contractor what type of maintenance programme they offer, and what the warranty period is. If it’s a warranty that is only good for 1–2 years, then you don’t want to be left hanging if something goes wrong with your electrical system 3–5 years from now.
Or if they offer any warranty at all, make sure that it includes parts and labour. You don’t want to get stuck paying for a new part, and then paying for an electrician to come out and replace it.
Do They Have a Sign-in Book That Shows Their Employees That Visit Your Location?
Ask them if they have to sign in a book to keep a log of every time they visit your location.
That way, you will know who is coming in and out of your premises at all times, and if you have any concerns about who shows up or the quality of the job/workmanship, you can have them sign the book themselves, and then you will be able to use that to raise any concerns with someone higher up.
Are the Employees That Will be Working at Your Location Trained and Certified?
Make sure that your electrician is trained and licensed, it is important to find this information out because if they are not, you may be putting yourself at risk for having serious problems and safety issues arise.
Some electricians may advertise that they are trained, but it may not be true. And just because an electrician is trained, that doesn’t mean they are certified.
So, ask them for their certifications, ask for proof of licensing, and then check with the licensing board to make sure the licensing certificate is still valid.
What Happens if a Problem Occurs With the Product or Service After the Warranty Expires?
Be sure to enquire about what happens if a problem should occur once the job is complete, knowing this information up front can save a great deal of time if anything does go wrong in the future.
If a problem arises after the warranty, some electricians may opt to charge a “non-warranty” fee in order to get you to pay for the work that has already been done. So, be sure the electrician you hire is upfront about any additional charges that may occur after the warranty expires.
Sometimes, there may be times when the electrician may charge an additional fee for special services, such as rewiring, and so on.
Consider Obtaining References From Employees of the Electrical
It may seem a little out of the ordinary, but obtaining references from employees of the electrician that you are considering hiring can be extremely helpful.
There are many factors that can affect the quality of services you receive, so it is important that the electrician you hire is honest with how they perform on the job. Consider asking the electrician to provide you with a few of their previous references.
This way, you will know who, exactly, they are referring to.
Contractor for Previous Projects They Have Completed to get an Idea of Their Quality of Workmanship
When hiring an electrician, speak with them about some of the projects they have completed in the past.
If an electrician is proud of their work and their workmanship, they will be happy to tell you that they have worked on such jobs. It will also give you an insight into what sort of style and quality of work you can expect from them in the future.
That way, you can reach out to that said person or company and give yourself peace of mind by asking about the job and if they were satisfied with the work that was carried out.
Conclusion
When it comes to hiring a contractor for electrical work, you want to make sure that they are reputable.
Following these seventeen tips will help ensure that your experience with an electrician is positive and the results of their work are high-quality. If you’re looking for a licensed and insured company near you, contact us today!
