Hiring a company to accomplish electrician services for the home or business could be a very stressful decision. What if you choose the wrong one then one disastrous happens down the road? What if the expenses soar half way through the project and you also can’t afford to continue? This short article attempts to provide a good step-by-step method for selecting the right electrician for the job. So take a deep breath… It will be okay!
THE FIRST STEP: Appropriate Credentials Electrical services companies employed in your home must be licensed and insured in case of problems. Every electrician you consider hiring should be licensed, insured, and bonded. They should be very willing to inform you their individual state license number. Also, check to see if they have the correct insurance for general liability and workers compensation. TIP: The potential dangers of hiring an uninsured electrician are enormous. What would happen if that “friend” of yours who “knows a lot about electricity” gets badly hurt while under your home or in the crawl space of one’s office? Well, generally, it is you who be held 100% responsible for any injuries they incurred while on your property.
STEP TWO: References Require and check their references! You would like to make sure that the business has a history of doing good work in the community.
STEP THREE: Their Employees A number of the more reputable electric service companies make sure all their employees are regularly drug-tested and background checked. That is a great indication that the company has your interests at heart before theirs. This process can be an expensive one, and it tells you right away that they have invested a great deal in their own employees. TIP: See if the company is on any “best places to work” lists in your area.
A great place to work implies that the employees are treated well and respected. Good feelings between employee and employer will translate with their work as well. happy and also have your interests in mind above theirs.
STEP FOUR: Getting a Price Up Front Contrary to popular belief, you won’t get the best price by bidding the job around to multiple companies. Call ones that you will be interested in working with, and get a feel for their customer service (a live person answering the phone is always an excellent sign!) THEN call one out to your home or office to prepare an estimate. Lots of companies are offering first time discounts for new customers, and if not will usually try to get your long-term business by cutting the expenses of this first job. TIP: You want to develop a good, long lasting relationship with an electrician. The odds are that you will call them more often than once during your stay in your home or office.
STEP FIVE: Knowing that you have called (Not Hired YET!) the right electrician. Here are a few things to look out for when that electrician involves your door the very first time: o An excellent electrician will ALWAYS arrive at your door in a clean uniform. The more professional companies insist that their electricians carry enough clean uniforms in order to change after each job if one gets dirty. o An excellent electrician could have business cards with their company name, phone number, and a license number onto it. o A great electrician won’t perform a job without obtaining the appropriate permits. Yes, it is possible to always get someone to do the job cheaper and faster by not pulling permits, nonetheless it puts you and your family/employees at great risk once you do so. Also, what happens unless you pull permits then one goes wrong, just like a fire? Chances are that your insurance company will make sure the appropriate permits were in place, and, if not, you may not be covered!
o An excellent electrician will always call you back within 24- hours or less, give a well documented written estimate outlining all labor and materials, and put a timeframe on the estimate aswell. TIP: Suppose that the project unexpectedly “grows” at some time, and through no fault on anyones part you must spend more to get it done. An excellent electrician will stop and provide an written addendum to the initial estimate so that you know very well what to expect at the final bill.
o A great electrician will always listen to what you want to possess done, and then make recommendations based on their expert opinion. There are several things that should be factored right into a rewiring job, for instance: (total amperage usage, dedicated circuits for computers, high wattage kitchen work lights, vacuum usage, types of bulbs needed, existing wiring, etc etc) A great electrician will factor in all of the ancillary things that you might not think about, explain them, and give you options which direction you wish to go.
o An excellent electrician will always wear those funny shoe covers when getting into your house from the attic or the basement. In addition they won’t ever leave chaos of dust and debris once they are done.
o Urmston Electricians will install parts that are designed for long-term use and wear. If you have electrical work done, it’s also advisable to remember the resale value of your home/office. Good contractor grade materials will only add to the value of one’s home/office, and will insure an excellent inspection report before the sale.
STEP SIX: Hiring your electrician Make certain before work begins which you have signed the official estimate approved by you and the contractor. Make certain you have allotted plenty of time for the work to occur (major electrical projects the night time before a big party isn’t a great idea!) Guarantee that all permits are in hand and posted appropriately. TIP: Don’t let price alone determine who gets the project. Opt for a company that you trust, has good references, and contains open communication with you concerning the project.
