How to Select the Right Electrical Contractor
by Guest Post on Mar 14, 2013
Selecting the right electrical contractor isn't as easy as picking someone out of the Yellow Pages or even Yelp. The ramifications of hiring the wrong contractor can be financially disastrous and even dangerous.
First and foremost, it's imperative to know if the contractor you're considering hiring, is licensed, bonded, and has adequate general liability and workers compensation insurance.
Then, you need to determine if they are experienced in the type of work you need to be performed and if they are generally considered good, honest, and reputable.
The best place to start answering some of these questions is at the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors and/or the Division of Consumer Affairs (basically the Authority having Jurisdiction), and of course, the Better Business Bureau. Nutshell, check out the local/state and national construction building organizations for more information.
Now let's pretend for a moment that you have an electrical job you need to be done.
Not an emergency -- perhaps it's just fixing a light that stopped working.
What would you do?
Would you call a few contractors and get multiple bids? You can, but I wouldn't necessarily suggest it.
Most people think that they should get multiple bids for every job. This isn't the case, and in actuality, putting to bid every little job may backfire.
Good contractors are few and far in between, and asking for multiple bids for a small job will only alienate them the next time around. Try looking at this from their point of view. Their time is worth probably about $100/ hr, and yet, he or she makes the time to come to your residence and provide you with a free estimate for whatever work you may need.
Typically, a good contractor will try to provide you with an ""extra-competitive"" bid, especially the first time around, just to make you a customer.
But how can you tell if the first contractor walking into your house is a good contractor? Some simple rules may apply here, but remember there also are exceptions to every rule.
A good contractor will typically look the part. In other words, if he or she looks messy and disorganized, then it's probably indicative of the type of work he or she does. Someone who takes pride in their work usually takes pride in their appearance. Some contractors may argue this point, but remember we're talking generalities here and not the exceptions. He or she should have some type of company identification (even a shirt with a logo would do).
A good contractor will have company cards with their company name and/or their name, telephone, and license # on it.
A good contractor will respond to your calls quickly and provide you with a free estimate (for most jobs) the same day or within a reasonable amount of time and will take the time to explain what they will do and how they will do it.
A good contractor will never offer to do the job without taking out permits and may even walk away from a job if the homeowner insists on not taking them. Remember, permits are additional insurance for the homeowner guaranteeing (through inspection) that the job was performed safely and correctly.
A good contractor will never cut corners and do something unsafe to accommodate your budget. They will, instead, offer suggestions on how to modify your plans to meet both their code and safety requirements and your budget. If these two cannot meet, then they will wish you good luck and walk away from the job.
A good contractor will be happy to provide you with copies of their insurance certificates and references when asked. Try not asking for them unless it's a decent size job.
Remember, if a plumber messes up, you'll have a flood, if an electrical contractor messes up you'll have a fire or perhaps even worse." Simon is the author of this article.
More tips and thoughts on what to know before hiring someone to do home repairs and improvements from 411homerepair.com.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
88292 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
69896 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
69554 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
48234 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
28988 Views
Latest Articles
Understanding Indonesia’s Real Estate Investment Laws for Foreigners
Indonesia, with its stunning landscapes, deep-rooted cultural heritage, and renowned hospitality, has emerged as a top destination for foreigners...
on Jan 25, 2024
Real Estate Development in Asian Cities
In many Asian cities, the rapid pace of urban development has led to the decline of historic districts, areas once teeming with cultural richness...
on Jan 25, 2024
Shower Envy: Elevating Your Bathroom with a Stunning Walk-In Shower
Are you tired of the same old routine in your bathroom? It might be time to consider a change, and one way to elevate your bathroom to a new level...
on Jan 22, 2024
Exploring Crowdfunding as an Innovative Approach to Real Estate Investment
The landscape of property selling has been transformed significantly due to the advent of property crowdfunding. This innovative approach,...
on Jan 10, 2024
The Rise of Co-Living Spaces in Asian Cities
Asia, home to 21 of the worlds 30 largest cities, is a significant player in the global economy, contributing 38% of the goods and services of the...
on Jan 5, 2024
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates
Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 263
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 240
- Real Estate / Finance — 200
- Appliance / Repair — 186
- Interior Design / Decor — 184
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 147
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 144
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 115
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
Why Front Load Washers are More Efficient
If you have been looking into front load washers, there are several benefits that are associated with this type of washing machine which help it to...
Wall Cladding for the Home of Your Dreams
Everyone wishes to own a house of their dreams; a home that is designed as per their tastes and choices. When one goes house hunting, they conjure...
Cost of Floor Waxing Services
There are a few things to take into account when researching various floor waxing companies in regards to the cost of floor waxing services....
Using a Convection Microwave
There are many enhancements that a convection microwave has when compared to a gas or electric oven. The most noticeable is the fact that the...
Replacement Windows: The Basics
Replacement windows are among the best investment s that you could ever include in your home improvement project list. Other than considerably...