We rely on electricity for everything from accessing work virtually to playing video console games with our friends. If you want to cook or take a hot shower, you need electricity for that. This is why it’s essential to have any electrical issues that arise in your home fixed as soon as possible.
But working with electricity is dangerous. You want only the most experienced, professional, and reliable professionals working on your home’s electricity. Continue reading to learn five facts to consider when hiring residential electricians.
Table of Contents
1. Experience
You want to hire an electrician with ample experience to ensure they can handle the job. Check the number of years they’ve been working as an electrician, as well as what training they received.
Ideally, you’ll find someone with at least three years of experience. Click here for an example of a fully qualified electrical company.
2. Certifications and Licensing
The certification and licensing requirements vary by state and locality. At a bare minimum, an electrician will meet legal requirements. If they’ve gone beyond the minimum and received additional certifications or specialized licensing, this is even better.
3. Referrals and Reviews
Do you know someone who went through the process of hiring residential electricians before? Ask them who they used and whether they’d recommend them. Be sure to ask for details on why they would or wouldn’t recommend the electrician employed.
If you don’t know someone who previously hired a local electrician, check out online reviews instead. Many platforms allow previous clients to rate companies they’ve used before. Look for local electrician companies with the highest ratings, and remember to browse the written reviews.
4. Insurance
If the electrician you hope to hire doesn’t have insurance, you could be held responsible for accidents or injuries received in your home. There are two types of insurance you’ll want a potential electrician to have – worker’s comp and liability.
Worker’s comp insurance covers the electricians working in your home. If they suffer injuries, the medical bills and any necessary time off are covered through the insurance policy.
Liability insurance protects your home in the event of damage. Sometimes mistakes happen, and your electrical wires or home could end up damaged. Liability ensures the damages are paid for by the company working in your home.
5. Pricing
Most people compare price quotes and leave it at that. Pricing is far from the only consideration, but it can be used to choose between similarly qualified companies. Once you’ve determined which local businesses meet all the requirements above, you can compare electrician fees to make your final decision.
More Questions About Hiring Residential Electricians?
Hiring a residential electrician takes serious consideration. The person you hire will be working around your family and on electricity, which can pose serious dangers if not done correctly. The five factors to consider listed here can help you choose a professional, experienced, reliable electrician to do business with.
Do you have more questions about hiring electricians?
Take a look at our other posts. You’ll find information on hiring electricians and related topics to help you learn more on the subject.