Hiring a company to accomplish electrician services for your home or business can be quite 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 an excellent step-by-step method for selecting the best electrician for the work. So take a breath… It will be okay!
THE FIRST STEP: Appropriate Credentials Electrical services companies working in your home should be licensed and insured in case of problems. Every electrician you take into account hiring ought to be licensed, insured, and bonded. They must be very willing to let you know their individual state license number. Also, check to see if Emergency electrician Elkins Park 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 house or in the crawl space of your office? Well, more often than not, it is you who be held 100% in charge of any injuries that they incurred while on your property.
STEP TWO: References Require and check their references! You want to make sure that the company has a history of doing good work in the community.
STEP THREE: Their Employees Some of the more reputable electric service companies make sure all their employees are regularly drug-tested and background checked. This is a great indication that the business has your interests in mind before theirs. This process can be an expensive one, and it tells you right away that they have invested a great deal within 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 to their work as well. happy and 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 work around to multiple companies. Call ones that you will be interested in working with, and obtain a feel for their customer service (a live person answering the phone is always an excellent sign!) THEN call one out to your house or office to prepare an estimate. A great deal of companies are offering first-time discounts for new customers, and if not will usually make an effort to get your long-term business by cutting the costs of this first job. TIP: You want to develop a good, resilient relationship with an electrician. The chances are that you will call them more than once during your stay in your house or office.
STEP FIVE: Understanding that you have called (Not Hired YET!) the right electrician. Here are some things to consider when that electrician involves your door the 1st 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 so that they can change after each job if one gets dirty. o An excellent electrician will have business cards making use of their company name, phone number, and a license number on it. o A great electrician will NEVER perform a job without getting the appropriate permits. Yes, you can always get someone to get the job done cheaper and faster by not pulling permits, but it puts you and your family/employees at great risk when you do so. Also, what happens unless you pull permits and something goes wrong, such as 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, provide 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 point, and through no fault on anyones part you should spend more to get it done. An excellent electrician will stop and offer an written addendum to the initial estimate so that you know what to expect at the ultimate bill.
o An excellent electrician will always listen to what you want to have done, and then make recommendations based on their expert opinion. There are plenty of things that must be factored right into a rewiring job, for example: (total amperage usage, dedicated circuits for computers, high wattage kitchen work lights, vacuum cleaner usage, types of bulbs needed, existing wiring, etc etc) An excellent electrician will factor in all of the ancillary things that you might not think about, explain them, and present you options on which direction you want to go.
o A great electrician will always wear those funny shoe covers when getting into your home from the attic or the basement. They also won’t ever leave chaos of dust and debris after they are done.
o A great electrician will install parts which are created for long-term use and wear. Any time you have electrical work done, it’s also advisable to keep in mind the resale value of your home/office. Good contractor grade materials is only going to add to the value of your home/office, and will insure an excellent inspection report prior to the sale.
STEP SIX: Hiring your electrician Make sure before work begins you have signed the official estimate approved by you and the contractor. Make certain you have allotted plenty of time for the work to take place (major electrical projects the night time before a big party isn’t a great idea!) Ensure that all permits are in hand and posted appropriately. TIP: Don’t let price alone determine who gets the project. Opt for an organization that you trust, has good references, and has open communication with you concerning the project.