Whenever an electrical job is too complicated to complete on your own, it’s important to choose the right electrician. Finding the right person for the job is vital to avoid additional work becoming necessary in the future.
There are certain things to look for when choosing an electrician for your home. The following article provides tips on how to make the proper decision regarding electrical work at your residence.
License and Certification
One of the first things you should inquire about when you contact an electrician is a proper license and certification. If you happen to go into their headquarters, their license and certification paperwork should clearly be posted somewhere.
Assuming you contact them on the phone, ask them before you get into details about the job. Many times, electricians will also have their certification paperwork in their work van. Regardless, you should ensure they are properly licensed before doing business with them.
The Right Value
You should never go with the first electrician you contact. Even if they have excellent reviews, you should do some additional research before making a decision.
As a general rule, it’s never a bad idea to get at least three quotes before pulling the trigger. Make a list of the three best-reviewed companies, then make your decision on an electrician based on value. This will most likely give you a chance to save the most money while receiving quality work.
Sometimes the cheapest isn’t always the best. This is why you should make your choices the three best-reviewed companies. Never forget that normally you get what you pay for, and if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
Experience/Qualifications
You may think this goes along with licensing and certification; however, this is a completely different dynamic. Do some additional research regarding an electrician’s experience. Ask them what types of jobs they are qualified to perform.
Many times, this information will be displayed on their website. However, if it’s not, don’t be afraid to ask them for a list of the scope of expertise they possess.
Another important question to ask is how long they’ve been in business. Most likely, if they’ve been in business for over ten years in the same area, their quality of work is satisfactory. Don’t forget to look up online reviews as well, as these can be very telling.
Recommendations
One of the best places to start when hiring an electrician is by getting recommendations from friends, family, and neighbours. If any of these people have had electrical work completed recently, ask them who did the job and how satisfied they were.
Sometimes you may know multiple people that had work completed by one specific company. This is especially true if you live in a small town.
Even if someone hasn’t had any work completed recently, ask them if they have recommendations. Sometimes they may know someone close or have someone in the family that does quality work. Recommendations from other people can be one of the best ways to gauge how efficient an electrician is. Word of mouth is a great form of advertising!
How is Their Attitude?
When you initially contact an electrician, make a note of how their attitude is. Are they friendly, accommodating, and willing to answer all of your questions?
If you called and didn’t get an answer, did they promptly return your call? Did they offer any information initially that may help you regarding your decision?
Having a good attitude as a business owner is extremely important. This can tell you a lot about how business owner conducts themselves on and after a job. It’s important that any manager or owner treats their customers with respect and makes themselves available at all times.
Written Estimate
Get an estimate in writing before any electrician begins working. This gives you protection once they begin working on your home. It’s not uncommon for shady electricians to leave jobs open-ended, and when the time comes to pay the bill, the total is sky-high.
Get a written estimate that includes parts and labour. Everything should be itemized and clearly written out.
If you’re thinking about getting an electrician, quality work and value are important. By using the tips in this article, you can protect yourself and end up with a quality job in the end! Check out Hilton Electrical in Perth for a great example of a local electrician and the types of quality services they provide.
