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How to Hire an Electrician

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Losing power while enjoying a nice hot shower, baking some adorable cupcakes for your preschooler or while warming up some leftover pizza can be a nerve-wracking experience. In such situations, especially if you lack a backup power source waiting for your local power company to work magic may seem to be the best option. However, your patience may be futile as the cause for your power lapse could be coming from your own house. In this case, you will require the expertise of an electrician.

Know Their Specialty

There are two categories of professional electricians namely: master and journeyman electricians. The former represents electricians with a more extended period of experience than the latter and have graduated the standardized test. Most electrical work that requires planning and design especially in new construction sites require the skills of a master electrician. Journeyman electricians work more on installations and maintenance of electrical systems. They come in handy when you need some domestic electrical fixing.

Selecting your electrician also depends on the type of work you want to be done, an electrician could be a journeyman, but only focuses on commercial works. Hiring an electrician specialized in fixing your electrical faults is very helpful as it saves time and is efficient.

Ask for a Quotation

Requesting a quotation helps you avoid some unlicensed electricians who lack proper business structures and operations. A quote may also be used as a letter to claim reimbursement from your landlord if you are renting. Your landlord is liable for such costs incurred especially if they are brought about by faulty wiring during construction or renovations.

Quotes may appear attractive but make you vulnerable to incompetent hacks. Your quote should indicate an approximated cost per item and labor after assessment of the job. In case of a request for advance payment, it is advisable to pay only less than half of the total cost.

Check If They Are Licensed and Insured

Even if your electrician is highly recommended, it is essential to ask for his license as this is a requisite of the law. This also affords you the opportunity to trim your options. You can corroborate your electrician's license under your area or state electricians' directory. Having a license indicates that your electrician has undergone local electrical examinations that cover their knowledge in electric theory and building codes.

A good liability insurance cover for an electrician should be able to cover the electrician and equipment. Workers compensation insurance should also be available in cases where journeymen are working under the master electrician.

Go Through Their Track Record

If you just moved into a new neighborhood and you are facing an electrical issue, you will most likely depend on your next-door neighbor to give you a reference for a reputable electrician. Previous customer feedback is inherently helpful compared to online portfolios that may be misleading. When trying to source for electricians for commercial work you can source for recommendations from other contractors and developers.

Conducting a follow-up call on these referees is essential in verifying the legitimacy of the recommendations and knowing whether the work period in their previous contracts was upheld. It is also advisable to consider any past complaints and access their credibility.

Do They Provide a Guarantee?

Hiring an electrician who offers a guarantee for their services is crucial especially for expansive electrical jobs. A guarantee by word of mouth is not reliable. A professional electrician should draft a formal, written warranty indicating how much they are liable for in case of any tragedies. He should also specify the period for which the warranty is valid. Additionally, the warranty should indicate the damages that it is only liable to cover and how much they would charge for extras. In case of any damages, the person who issued the warranty should be the first one to show up and asses the problem.