Electrical contractors are often a dime a dozen. It can be hard to determine why you should choose one over another or even what credentials or questions to ask. It’s important to do your due diligence upfront to ensure that you’re hiring the best and most reputable contractor for the job. The last thing you want to do is make your selection solely on the lowest cost provider and have a faulty electrical system that does not work and puts your home and your family’s safety at risk. Here are the top five questions to ask your electrical contractor before starting an electrical project.
Are you a licensed electrician?
Electrical work is not the same as general “handyman” work. You will want to have someone that is licensed and insured so you can rest assured that the work being done is both up to code and correctly installed. Keep in mind that shoddy electrical work can and often does lead to catastrophic home fires and that is what you want to avoid as much as possible
Good to Know
Electrical work is not the same as general “handyman” work. .
How do you plan to fix the electrical issue?
In some cases, depending on what’s happening, it could be an easy fix, like replacing one faulty wire. In other instances, you may need to replace your home’s entire electrical system. Sometimes this comes down to what your budget is, but you’ll want to be clear on both the work being done and how long it may resolve the issue. If you elect to get an additional outlet added to a room that is experiencing dimming lights, when in reality the real fix is to replace the electrical panel – you’ll want to be aware of this. Because the issue may and will likely reoccur until the root cause is addressed.
Do you have references?
This goes without saying, but social proof is golden. You’ll want to speak with at least three homeowners who have used their services before to get a feel for the quality of their work and their overall sense of professionalism. Again, your home and your family’s safety are what’s on the table so you’ll want to take all precautions. Fortunately, At Home Pros has done the legwork for you, and has vetted all of our electrical professionals to ensure that they’re licensed and insured.
Have you worked on homes like this?
If you have a unique home or an older home with an older electrical system, you’ll want to inquire about their level of experience with this. Although most electrical contractors will be able to address any and all of your needs, it’s always nice to hire someone who has in-depth experience in the issue you’re trying to fix or is used to working on older homes and knows what key things to look for.
How long will the work take?
Depending on the size of the project, the electricity to your home may need to be turned off. You’ll want to take this into consideration, especially if you have electrical devices that must be running at all times (i.e. medical machines). With an idea of both the scope of the electrical project and the time it will take to complete, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision of who and when to move forward.
Conclusion.
These are just the most common questions to ask an electrician contractor. It’s important to select someone who is both knowledgeable and that you can trust. By doing the research and considering all of the factors at play, you can pick the best electrical contractor for the job.