High quality and safe work are the number one priorities when choosing an electrical contractor
Finding someone with a longstanding reputation, trustworthiness, and high reliability is key to a satisfactory service experience. When someone comes into your home or place of business, you need someone that is looking out for your best interest, and will put your satisfaction as the highest priority. Knowing who fits these descriptions can be the hardest part of finding a qualified electrician.
It is very important to ensure when hiring a contractor, that they have a good reputation, that they are honest and trustworthy. Usually a referral from a friend or an internet website that specializes in rating businesses is a good place to start. Sometimes the contractor with the best price is not the best fit for you. Sometimes it will provide you much more satisfaction and peace of mind to pay a little more, in order to have a quality contracting experience.
It is a good idea when in initial conversations with the contractor, to ask who will be performing the work. The contractor may make a good impression on the phone or in person, and then send amateur electricians to perform the work. Of course, if the electrical contractor has a solid reputation, this will probably end up not being a concern, but it happens all the time nonetheless. If the owner of the company is present when the work is being done, or even if just a master electrician is on the job at all times, it will better guarantee that the work will be performed correctly.
Electricity is very dangerous
Therefore electrical work needs to be performed correctly. If a professional electrician does not perform your electrical work in accordance with the electrical code, there could be a risk of electrocution or fire in the future. It is easy for unscrupulous electrical contractors to perform electrical work in an unsafe manner, either to save money, because they don’t know what they are doing, or because they are in a hurry. When poor electrical work is done, it will most of the time go unnoticed because much of the electrical work performed is out of sight, in areas that people rarely go. The temptation to perform poor electrical work because “no one will ever know” is very strong. This is the reason that it is critical to work with an electrical contractor that is licensed and has a very good reputation.
A good electrical contractor will guarantee their work. A lifetime guarantee against poor workmanship is not unheard of. It stands to reason, if the contractor did not do the job correctly, it should be their responsibility to make it right, no matter how long ago the work was performed. A guarantee of some sort should be a minimum requirement.
Are they licensed?
Another key priority when choosing an electrical contractor is that they are licensed. When an electrician is licensed with the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), you know that they have proven they have the experience and good standing in the industry. Prospective clients of an electrical contractor can contact the CSLB to check their license to find out if they are in good standing. The contractors license should be listed on any business cards, websites, or any advertising materials. If it is not, this could be a concern. Be sure to ask for their license number.
Being licensed also requires that the contractor be bonded. Property owners who hired a contractor for construction work may file a claim against the bond if they have been damaged as a result of a violation of the law on the part of the contractor.
If something goes wrong on the job and there are substantial costs to make you whole again, you will want to be sure the contractor you hire is insured. Most licensed contractors cary $2,000,000 in liability insurance. If the contractor has employees, they are also required to carry workers compensation insurance, unless they are legally exempted. Ask to see proof of insurance.
Signs to look for when choosing an electrician:
Did the contractor answer the phone when you called them?
If you left a message, did they call you back?
If they gave you a time and date for a meeting, or delivering on a promise, did they keep their word?
Do they present themselves professionally, with a clean, neat appearance?
Are they honest and polite?
Do they listen to you, and express a concern for your wishes and expectations?
Do they respond right away when you ask to see a license, or proof of insurance?
If you hire them, do they make it clear what is going to happen on the job, and then update you on the progress, and any changes in the scope?
If the answer was no to any of these items, you may want to look closer at who you are planning to do business with.
