| Hiring a person to do electrical work for your | | | | dirty. |
| home can be a very difficult decision. What if the | | | | An excellent electrician companywill have business |
| costs increase dramatically during the project and | | | | cards with their company name, telephone |
| you can't afford to continue? This article will help | | | | number, and a license number on it. |
| provide a good step-by-step method for choosing | | | | A stellar electrician company will NEVER EVER |
| the right electrical company for the job. Please | | | | start a project without getting the appropriate |
| read on, everything will work out! | | | | permits. Sure, you can usually get someone to do |
| STEP ONE: Get their credentials! | | | | the job less expensively and faster by not pulling |
| Electricians working in your home or office must | | | | permits, but it puts you and yours at huge risk |
| be licensed and insured in case of problems. Every | | | | when you do. What happens if you don't pull |
| electrician you consider hiring should be bonded, | | | | permits and something goes wrong, like a fire? |
| licensed, and insured. They should be willing to let | | | | Chances are that your insurance company will |
| you know their individual state license number. | | | | research that the required permits were in place, |
| Also, always check to see if they have the | | | | and, if not, you may not be covered! |
| correct insurance for general liability and workers | | | | A good local electrician will always call you back |
| compensation. | | | | within a business day or less, provide a complete |
| TIP: The potential dangers of hiring an uninsured | | | | written estimate outlining all costs, and put a |
| electrical contractor are enormous. What would | | | | project time line on the estimate as well. |
| happen if that "friend" of yours who "knows a lot | | | | TIP: Suppose the project unexpectedly gets out |
| about electricity" gets really injured while in your | | | | of hand at some point, and through no fault on |
| home or your office? Well, more often than not, | | | | anyone's part costs increase to get it done. A A |
| it's you who would be held completely responsible | | | | good electrician company will stop and provide an |
| for any injuries that they incurred while on your | | | | written addendum to the original estimate so that |
| property. | | | | you know all new costs before commencing.. |
| STEP TWO: Check References | | | | A good electrician will certainly listen to what you |
| Don't be shy to ask for and call their references! | | | | request, and then make recommendations based |
| You want to make sure that the company has a | | | | on their training. There are a lot of things that |
| good reputation. | | | | need to be factored into an electrical rewiring |
| STEP THREE: Their Employees | | | | project, for instance: (total amperage usage, |
| Some of the more reputable electric service | | | | dedicated circuits for computers, high wattage |
| companies insist all of their employees are | | | | kitchen work lights, vacuum cleaner usage, types |
| regularly background checked and drug tested. | | | | of bulbs needed, existing wiring, etc etc) |
| This is a great sign that the company has your | | | | A great electrician company will consider all of the |
| interests in mind before theirs. This process is | | | | ancillary things that you might not think about, |
| quite an investment on their part, and it tells you | | | | explain them, and give you options on which |
| right away that they have invested a great deal | | | | direction you want to go. |
| in their own staff. | | | | An excellent electrician company will always wear |
| TIP: See if the electricians are on any "best places | | | | those sanitary shoe covers when on the project. |
| to work" lists in your area. Good feelings between | | | | They also won't leave a mess of garbage and |
| employee and employer translate to their work | | | | debris once they are complete. |
| as well. | | | | A great local electrician will install parts that are |
| STEP FOUR: Always get a price before the work | | | | designed for long-term use and wear. Any time |
| starts | | | | you have electrical work done, you should also |
| Take note, you won't get the best price by | | | | keep in mind the resale value of your home |
| bidding the project around to multiple electricians. | | | | office. Good contractor grade electrical materials |
| Contact ones that you are interested in, and get | | | | will certainly add to the value of your home, and |
| a sense for their customer service (a live person | | | | will insure a passing inspection report before the |
| answering the call is always a good sign!) THEN call | | | | sale. |
| only one out to your home to prepare an | | | | STEP SIX: Hiring your electrician |
| estimate. Some of electricians are offering first | | | | Make sure before work begins that you have a |
| time discounts for new customers, and if not | | | | signed an reviewed estimate approved by you |
| may usually try to get your long-term business | | | | and the contractor. Make sure that you have |
| by cutting the costs of the first job. | | | | allotted enough time for the work to take place |
| TIP: You want to develop a good, long lasting | | | | (major electrical jobs the night before a big party |
| understanding with an local electrician. The odds | | | | is not a great idea!) Make sure that all correct |
| are that you will call them more than once during | | | | permits are in hand and posted appropriately. |
| your time in your home or office. | | | | EXPERT TIP: Don't let price alone determine which |
| STEP FIVE: Knowing you called the right one. | | | | electrician is awarded the project. Go with a |
| Look out for the following when that electrician | | | | company that you feel comfortable with, has |
| comes to your home for the first job: | | | | good references, and has open communication |
| A good electrician Always arrives at your door in | | | | with you about the job. Good communication |
| a sparkling uniform. The best electricians insist that | | | | from an electrician is the best signal that they will |
| their workers carry enough clean uniforms so | | | | do the project right, and that they can be trusted. |
| that they can change after every job if one gets | | | | |