Hiring An Electric Contractor

When a homeowner remodels, he or she will need many different tradespersons including an electric contractor. Electricity is something that should be handled by an expert. It’s more complex than many individuals might imagine. While some tasks can be done by a DIYer or handyman, the big jobs such as rewiring or installation of an electrical box must be done by a pro. Switching out a light or ceiling fan can probably be done by a relatively savvy do-it-yourselfer but even that can be tricky. One inconsistent or problematic wire can wreak havoc with the whole house. Think of Christmas lights; when one bulb doesn’t work, the entire strand goes dark. And this is similar to the interwoven nature of a home’s wiring. When it comes time to hire a pro, here are some tips:

- Electrical plans: If a new building or section of a home is being added, an engineer will need to draw up plans. These will need the green light and approval from the local municipalities in order to make sure building codes are met. These plans are similar to maps, giving directions to have the wiring put in correctly.

- References: Word-of-mouth references from people who have used an electrician’s services is one way to get some names of potential professionals. Asking other contractors for names of competent electric pros is another.
- Experience: How long has this person been in business? How many electrical installations have they done? Are they licensed contractors? Electricity is one of those areas of construction where a license is necessary. In order to pull permits and work with the city, licensing is crucial and therefore mandatory.

- Communication style: Working with a contractor will go much more smoothly if the person has a communication style that jives with the homeowners. Does he or she spell things out in layman’s lingo? Does he or she listen to needs and concerns? Does he or she put everything in writing? These are all helpful when undergoing a construction process. Is he or she patient and understanding? Dealing with a short tempered contractor can make the situation tense and uncomfortable.

- Punctual and reliable: Being on time and doing the job when it’s agreed upon is very important. If a worker doesn’t show up on time or misses appointments, this is a red flag. Most contractors are juggling several jobsites at one time and as long as they meet deadlines and agreements, it’s all good. If they are flakey, a remodeling job might remain unfinished or done unsatisfactorily.

- Likeable: Let’s face it; everyone works better with people they like. If the chemistry clicks, chances are the working relationship will too.

When hiring an electric contractor to rewire, install fixtures or an electrical box, a homeowner should make sure to have the plans drawn up, check the pros references, level of experience, notice if they have a good communication style, are punctual, reliable and likeable. If all of these are satisfactory and point to hiring, getting a contract in writing is the next step.