Hiring an electrician can be a daunting task, especially if you don’t know what to look for or what to ask. You want to make sure that the electrician you hire is qualified, experienced, reliable, and trustworthy. To help you find the best electrician for your project, here are five questions that you should ask before hiring one.
Are you licensed and insured?
This is by far the most important of the five. An electrician that has a trade license ensures that they have the knowledge to install your wiring according to the National Electric Code which has been adopted in all 50 states and is the benchmark for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection to protect people and property from electrical hazards. But just because they have the knowledge does not mean that they have installed your wiring to these standards so you should also make sure that the wiring is inspected by an unbiased third party which is the local city or state inspector. This is the same people responsible for issuing permits. All new wiring is required to be inspected. Repairs and replacements are not required to be inspected.
It is important for your electrical contractor to have insurance because it protects both the electrician and you in the event of accidents or damage occurring during the job. Electrical contractor liability insurance is designed to compensate you for damage due to negligent work and injuries caused/sustained during a day on the job.
If your electrician does not have workers compensation insurance and is injured on the job, you could be held liable for their medical expenses and lost wages. It is important to make sure that your electrician has workers compensation insurance before they start working on your project.
In order to check insurance, all you have to do is to simply ask your electrician for a certificate of insurance. He will then call his insurance company who will in turn send or email you their certificate to review.
What kind of experience do you have?
Experience matters a lot when it comes to electrical work. You want to hire an electrician who has done similar projects to yours and knows how to handle any challenges or complications that may arise. You should ask the electrician how long they have been in the business, what kind of projects they have handled, and what kind of systems they have worked with. There are many electricians that only do commercial wiring. This is very different from wiring in a house. You should hire an electrician that regularly does work in a house for your home and a commercial electrician for your business. You should also ask for references from previous customers and check their reviews online.
How do you charge for your services?
Another important question to ask is how the electrician charges for their services. Some electricians charge by the hour, while others charge by the project. You should also ask about any additional fees, such as travel, materials, permits, or taxes. You should always get a written estimate before hiring an electrician and compare it with other quotes from different electricians. You should also ask about the payment terms and methods and avoid any electrician who asks for a large upfront deposit or cash payment.
How long will the project take?
You should also ask the electrician how long they expect the project to take and when they can start and finish it. This will help you plan your schedule and budget accordingly. You should also ask about any potential delays or disruptions that may occur during the project and how the electrician will handle them. You should also ask for a written contract that outlines the scope, timeline, and cost of the project and any guarantees or warranties that the electrician offers.
How do you ensure safety and quality?
Finally, you should ask the electrician how they ensure safety and quality in their work. You want to hire an electrician who follows the National Electric Code and the local codes and regulations in your area. You also want to hire an electrician who uses high-quality materials and equipment and performs regular inspections and tests on their work. You should also ask the electrician how they handle any mistakes or defects that may occur and how they communicate with you throughout the project.
The best way to insure your installation is safe, is to make sure that the installation is inspected by a third party, which is normally a city or state inspection authority. If the installation is not up to the current code, it will be required to be corrected.
I hope this article helps you find the best electrician for your project. If you have any questions or feedback, please let me know.