An Easy Guide to Hiring an Electrician

Your property's electrical system can be extremely hazardous and complicated, especially to the average homeowner. Whether you're about to install a new lighting fixture or rewire the entire home, it's important to locate the help of a licensed professional with experience and knowledge to help ensure that the work is performed properly. In this article, we will offer up a few tips to help you weed through your options and locate the electrician best suited for your needs.

Step 1 - Determine what type of work needs to be performed. Are you installing a ceiling fan? Renovating a room? Do you require a quick repair to your existing system? The type of work required will help you determine what type of service professional you will need to hire.

Step 2 - Realistically consider your expansion needs. With so many electronic devices used on a daily basis, many property owners undergoing renovations are choosing to add extra outlets to their rooms. This type of project is quick, easy and fairly inexpensive if addressed prior to a renovation. Take a look at each room that is having work performed in it, and draw up a few ideas to show potential contractors.

Step 3 - Get in touch with neighbors, friends and area family members to obtain recommendations. Most people are all too happy to share their experiences with service personnel. Ask about the work that was provided, the quality of the completed project and the pricing.

Step 4 - Hop online and search for contractors in your area. These days, there are a wide variety of user submitted review and rating sites designed to help consumers locate reputable services. Use these resources to check up on the contractors that have been recommended to you already while keeping an eye open to other contractors who seem to have high ratings and satisfied clientele.

Step 5 - If you're new to the area, get in touch with the real estate agent who helped you locate your property. These individuals work regularly with an electrician to help fix up homes with various issues and should be able to point you in the direction of someone reliable and experienced.

Step 6 - Once you've gathered up a solid list of candidates, select your top three picks and call them each to schedule appointments. Have them stop by your home to inspect the job site and provide you with an estimate of the work they would provide. This estimate should include start and completion dates, the equipment and materials required to complete the job and the total price, including labor, materials and fees.

Step 7 - Make a point to check and see that the contractors are properly licensed and insured before hiring them.

Step 8 - Find out how long each contractor has been working in the field.

Step 9 - Obtain a list of references to call. Ask these past customers about the type of work that was performed and whether they were satisfied with the outcome.

Step 10 - Select your electrician.