Licensed and Insured
We cannot say enough on the importance of your electrician being properly licensed & insured before they come to perform work at your home or business. This protects you from unnecessary costs and stress should something go wrong, and ensures that all the electricians working on your project have the proper training to perform safe and professional work.
Who Is Doing The Work?
Many electricians work as part of a team or company that may be comprised of qualified electricians or apprentices. In the case of some electricial companies, if they receive too much work, they may subcontract out to other certified electricians in order to complete work on busy days. It’s good to know exactly who will be attending to your project when you contact the electricial company, and being informed beforehand if the owner or primary electrician won’t be attending your home to work on the project.
Of course, it’s always important to ascertain whether every member of the team and every subcontractor is covered by adequate licensing and insurance for your safety and peace of mind.
Qualifications and Certification
It is key that your electrician has proper training and adequate experience in order to provide top service and high quality results for your electrical repairs and installations. If in doubt about the experience of the electrician, ask for their qualifications confirming they are suitable to do your job.
Any high quality electrical contractor is happy to provide these. If they are not prepared to, simply move on.
A Good Reputation
Word of mouth has always been a popular way to evaluate a service provider, but now with the widespread availability and use of the internet, testimonials and reviews for the companies we use are always at our fingertips. If you’ve received a recommendation from a family member, friend or neighbor for a particular electrician, it’s a good insight of their quality and service. You can also find a number of reviews and testimonials for electrical contractors on their own website, or conduct a search to find more information and Google reviews of the electrician online.
You can also personally ask an electrical contractor for a recommendation which they will usually be more than happy to provide. This is ideal if you are seeking help for a larger electrical project, because it can allow you to speak personally with an actual client to get an inside view of the electrician’s work and performance.
Get An Estimate
Nothing scares homeowners off calling an electrician more than the fear of excess charges, added costs and drawn out timeframes. Speaking to a trusted electrical contractor personally or having them visit your home for an onsite estimate is usually free and provides an easy way of getting to know an electrician and obtaining a quote for your project before work begins.
Some high-quality electricians know their work so well they can even offer price guarantees in writing, so you know how much your electrical work will cost before any work starts, and there will be no nasty surprises when you receive the invoice.
Guarantees and Warranties
Electrician guarantees and warranties are a sign of quality workmanship and genuine customer service focus. Top electrical contractors offer warranties on their work so you are covered if something goes wrong after the electrical work is completed. Many leading electricians also offer satisfaction guarantees to ensure that you get the result you want and that if you’re not satisfied the work is corrected.
Outstanding electrical contractors will go above and beyond to provide exemplary service with respect to your electrical system and your home’s interior. It’s always best to choose companies that can guarantee their workers will always be uniformed and drug-free, equipped with the proper tools and training for the job, and respectful of the home environment they are working in.
Time Frame
Just as with pricing and costs, timeframe is another area of concern when it comes to choosing an electrician. A less experienced or lower quality electrician may require you to wait before they can provide service, leaving you stuck with the electrical faults or issues you’re contending with and disrupting your daily life. High quality contractors can guarantee same day service so that you get a timely and efficient repair you need when you need it. Leading electricians will also offer 24/7 emergency service for when you need urgent help with your electrical systems.
A better electrical contractor will also complete your electrical work more efficiently and diligently, working to repair or install your electrics in less time so you can get back to your normal routine sooner.
Finding the right residential electrician can be tough when there are so many options to choose from, but prioritizing quality, safety, efficiency and service can help you choose the right electrical contractor for your home.