What’s the first thing you think about when you hear electrician services? If you’re like most people, it might be how expensive they are. After all, there are many different parts of the electrical system that need to be checked and maintained regularly to make sure your home or business runs smoothly, safely and reliably without any hiccups in its power supply.
1) Understand the problem
While there are ways to handle projects around your house, you may find yourself in need of professional help. This is especially true if you’re planning a big renovation or are dealing with high-voltage electrical work, which can lead to serious injuries. Whether it’s for your business or home, hiring electrician services is an important choice that should not be taken lightly. Here are seven tips to make sure you get good service for your money—even if you’re looking for budget options.
2) Good electricians are not cheap
Unfortunately, not every electrician is responsible or motivated. A bad electrician can be worse than having no electrician at all. Finding an affordable electrician service that doesn’t cut corners and provides quality workmanship is essential to any home renovation project. Here are seven tips to save money on your next major electrical job. 1. Research – You get what you pay for when it comes to hiring contractors for jobs big or small. If you want high-quality work done by professionals who know what they’re doing, then you need to do some research and hire reputable people with proven track records of success. Do your homework before calling in a contractor for an estimate; check out reviews online from past customers; ask friends and family members if they know anyone who has hired someone recently; search Google Maps for local contractors who have been in business more than five years; etc. The more information you have about potential contractors, the better chance you have of finding one that will deliver quality results without breaking your budget. 2.
3) Stay away from bargain basement electrical company advertising
These companies tend to employ untrained, unlicensed electricians and those without extensive electrical experience. These companies also tend to use cheaper materials and inferior parts in their work. Even if you’re not looking for anything super complicated, it can be frustrating trying to find an electrician who knows what they are doing—and it will likely cost more money when all is said and done. All of which leads us to our first point—you don't have to spend a fortune (or hire one) to get quality electrical work done. Here are seven great tips that will help keep your budget in line while getting amazing results. Check out #7!
4) Always get referrals
When you call an electrician, ask for referrals from friends and family. These are people that you trust. They’re people who have been in your shoes before, so it’s likely they know exactly what to look for when picking out someone to help with their electrical needs. Use these recommendations and then check with each of them about their experience with the contractor. Since these recommendations come from friends and family, there shouldn’t be any hesitation about sharing details or experiences with your potential contractor; after all, it isn’t just you looking at them anymore. The fact that they work well enough with trusted referrals means they should do well enough by you as well when you hire them yourself!
5) Avoid online bidding sites
Though we’re not particularly fond of doing business with online bidding sites, there are times when you need to order something in bulk and online bidding is your only option. When looking for an online bidding service, make sure that they have great customer support and you can communicate with them directly. Try to find local vendors to avoid shipping costs, or go with a long-distance service that provides free delivery (just like Groupon!). Don't agree to any hidden fees and always read over your contract carefully. Also, remember that if you go through an intermediary, there’s no guarantee they will pay what they promise. It might be worth it to work directly with contractors instead of dealing with third parties or bidding sites. This way you won’t risk being ripped off.
6) Choose an electrician you trust
When you hire a contractor to work in your home, you want to ensure that he or she is licensed by your state’s Department of Licensing and Professional Regulation (DLPR) and has carried liability insurance for at least three years. This should be indicated on his or her license; verify it with your state’s DLPR. The contractor should also show you references from other jobs, including completed jobs similar to yours—and those references should check out. As an added safety net, get an electrical inspection when your new wiring is installed so you can be sure it meets code requirements. Have someone do that who isn’t connected with any contractors or service providers, such as a local building inspector (many towns have them).
7) Work with a licensed contractor
Choosing an unlicensed contractor can put you at risk for electrocution or other accidents in your home. You’re also unlikely to receive all of your money back if they do poor work. Make sure you hire a licensed, insured contractor to ensure that everything gets done right and within budget. However, keep in mind that not all states require contractors to be licensed, so it is important to research state-specific laws before hiring an electrician services. Furthermore, some states allow exemptions for minor projects such as installing ceiling fans or repairing broken light switches, but it is still advised to check with your state's licensing board if you are unsure about what constitutes a minor project and whether or not contractors working on these projects are required to have licenses.
