Faulty wiring or lighting equipment is a fire waiting to happen. That alone is reason enough to hire an electrician with experience, but it’s not the only one.
It is extremely dangerous to work with electricity if you do not have the necessary expertise, safety training, and equipment. A local electrician is the only one who can handle such jobs, but how can you find the best one?
Finding a reliable and experienced home electrician is simple if you know what to look for. Keep reading to learn how to find the best electrician near you.
Electrical Emergencies vs. Non-Emergencies
Before you choose an electrician, you need to know whether you require an emergency electrician or non-emergency services. Many electricians specialize in different areas, so this is something you’ll need to consider when you begin your search.
If your electrical problems pose a safety risk, they require emergency attention. Signs of emergency electrical issues include:
- Burning odors or burn marks on electrical outlets
- Loud buzzing noise coming from the breaker box
- Loss of power that is not related to a local outage
- Circuit breaker failures or short circuits
If you need minor repairs or renovations, you should schedule non-emergency services. Some of the most common non-emergency electrician services that you may need include the following:
- Electrical inspections
- Wiring upgrades
- Outlet repairs
- Electrical services for new construction
- Installing lights and electrical fixtures
Where to Find a Local Electrician
Searching online for local electricians is a great place to begin. Type “best electrician near me” into the search bar and compare the results. Also, look for online reviews of local service providers that detail their feedback and complaints.
It’s not enough to assume a contractor is safe and reputable just because they advertise in the Yellow Pages, PennySaver, on Facebook, or other local publications or websites. Consider asking around your family, neighbors, or circle of friends if anyone in your circle of friends or family has heard of or done business with the electrician in question if you see an ad that looks promising.
When choosing a tradesman or service, recommendations from people you trust can be invaluable. Positive feedback on an electrician demonstrates the quality of service and workmanship.
Ask your friends and neighbors which electricians they use. Businesses rely on referrals to build their reputation. So, if your neighbor recommends an electrician, or if you hear the same name or company recommended several times, that company has probably worked hard to earn their trust.
Just moved to a new neighborhood? Knocking on your neighbors’ doors is a convenient way to introduce yourself and ask for recommendations as well.
You may also ask the electrician for references if you do not get a recommendation. When you have obtained the references’ contact details, call them to inquire about the quality of the work. Verify that the work was done on time and that the estimated cost was accurate.
Do Your Research
Once you’ve compiled a list of local electricians found on the internet and through referrals, begin looking through them to find one that fits your needs. Look for an electrician with at least 5 to 10 years of experience or who is apprenticed to a seasoned electrician who will accompany them on the task.
Ask the electrician if they have a copy of their license and insurance with them. That way, you can decide if they have the appropriate experience for the task and insurance to safeguard your property if something goes wrong.
The more questions you ask a prospective electrician, the more you’ll learn about the job’s intricacies and the fewer surprises you’ll encounter. A few of the questions that you may want to ask them include:
- Is the electrician licensed and insured?
- What is their experience or specialty?
- Does the electrician provide emergency services?
- Do they provide residential electric service calls?
- Can they provide references or recommendations?
- How much does the electrician charge?
- How long will it take to complete the requested service?
Compare the responses from different electricians before making your decision.
Check the Electrician’s Qualifications
Each state has different licensing requirements, so verify your local regulations before choosing an electrician. Generally, electricians must complete formal schooling, on-the-job training, and an apprenticeship before practicing independently. Additionally, many states require electricians to continue their education through their employment to keep current with building codes and safety protocols.
Ensure an electrician has the following qualifications before hiring them:
Work Experience
Look for a local electrician that specializes in the type of repair you need. An electrician who has performed similar work will have a more in-depth understanding of the concerns you have. They will have all of the necessary equipment and knowledge to get the job done right the first time.
Insurance
Personal liability insurance is necessary for established electricians in order to protect themselves from financial damage.
Additionally, electrical companies should have worker’s compensation insurance. This insurance is commonly mandated by states, which may be helpful to electricians in case of an injury. You can request to see copies of the electrician’s current insurance policies to make sure they have not expired.
Valid License
Before hiring an electrician, make sure they have all of the necessary permits and licenses from your city and/or state. When an electrician shows you his or her license, you can assume that he or she is competent, but there are three levels of expertise to consider:
Apprentice
Apprenticeships are available for high school graduates or those with a GED who want to gain their first experience on the job as an electrician. Apprenticeships are the first step to becoming an electrician.
Journey-Level
An electrician with a journeyman’s license is authorized to perform work in commercial, industrial, and specialty electrical categories. Electrical technicians require thousands of training hours under a certified journey-level electrician in order to earn this certification. States vary in how many hours are required, but it is typically about 8,000 hours.
Master
Master electricians have the most experience, as they are the highest level of electrical certification.
In most cases, a technician meets the requirements to become a master electrician after accumulating about 4,000 hours of experience as a journey-level electrician. It takes about two years for a technician to reach this level. A master electrician must also pass an exam in some states.
By hiring a master electrician, you’ll be sure that the job is done by an experienced and qualified professional.
Background and Training
Choose an electrician company that performs background checks on all employees and requires ongoing training. The credentials and licenses of the lead electrician are one thing, but if your project is big and you’re using an electrical services business, there may be a number of different electricians working in your house at the same time.
Companies should undertake extensive background checks on every employee for customer safety and to guarantee excellent services. Every employee should also receive regular training to confirm that they are up-to-speed on the most recent standards and requirements.
Cost of Services
Compare your pricing options by getting a few quotes from your selected electricians. A minimum of three quotations is a good rule of thumb, but the more quotations you can get, the better. Always be clear about the job you require, as well as the specific fixtures and materials you want to use.
Make sure the electrician provides you with an estimate that includes a pricing breakdown since this will make comparing quotes simpler. When comparing estimates from your preferred electricians, don’t just go with the lowest price. Read the quote attentively to ensure that you choose the best candidate for the job.
Choosing an electrician solely on the basis of pricing is irresponsible since there are other critical factors to consider. Anything that appears to be too good to be true almost always is.
Business Location
Make sure your electrician has a professional business location, in case you need to contact them for any reason. In addition to the company name, address, and phone number, all estimates and contracts should include the license numbers of the electricians. Be wary of anyone who only provides a phone number.
Quality of Work
Although it takes a trained eye to spot an electrician’s mistakes, you can eliminate some names from your list by observing their work. As a general rule, untidy jobs are generally not safe.
Locate a place where a number of wires run together, usually near the power panel. In most residential wiring, the Romex cable, a flat, white plastic-sheathed cable, should appear neat and orderly when running to the service panel. An electrician who crosses or jumbles cables, or droops them from joist to joist, is not doing a methodical, safe wiring job. Organizing the cables on the service panel in an orderly fashion makes matching the cables with the correct circuit breakers easier for the electrician.
Switches and outlets installed in the living area should have cover plates that are level and flush with the wall. Otherwise, the electrician failed to set the utility box squarely against the studs and at the proper distance from the wall. Consider using an electrician who pays closer attention to detail instead of someone who does sloppy work.
Communication is Key
Electricians who have a rude attitude or do sloppy work are not pleasant to deal with. Are they on time or, if they are delayed, have they contacted you in advance to advise that they are running late?
What is their communication style? To avoid miscommunications during the project, you need to know that you understand one another. The quality of workmanship is usually impacted by the professional appearance and attitude of the contractor.
BBB Rating
Although not all businesses are members of the Better Business Bureau, some customers prefer to work with those that are. It’s as simple as going to the BBB website to discover if the contractor is in good standing.
Consider this a bonus feature that comes after double-checking physical references. Just because an electrician isn’t registered with the Better Business Bureau doesn’t indicate he’s unqualified or unprofessional.
Other Considerations
When a contractor comes up to your house to give you an estimate, you may learn a lot about them based on their demeanor and mannerisms. Are they clean, well-dressed, and well-groomed? Is their vehicle tidy and in good condition?
All of these characteristics indicate an electrician who takes pride in their profession. Because they have years of industry experience, a professional will be quick to respond to questions. They will provide you with more information in addition to breaking down every detail of the estimate for you.
Check the Contract
Before committing to any conditions with an electrician, make sure to check the contract and acquire their estimate in writing. Each labor or material needed to complete the work should be listed in the estimate. This is something that a reputable, professional electrician should urge since it protects them just as much as it protects you and your property.
Don’t forget to inquire about how long your electrician will guarantee the job. In most cases, confidence in one’s job leads to a guarantee and high-quality work.
Discover the Best Electrician in Your Area Today
If you need to find the best electrician, just follow these simple guidelines for finding a trustworthy professional who will make you proud of their work. When you discover a great electrician, remember to leave them an excellent review, both online and in person. Thus, the next time someone needs an electrician, they will be likely to choose the same one you chose.
Need more tips on finding the best local service providers? Check out the rest of our blog!