There are over 729,000 electricians employed in the US alone.
From rewiring a plug to rewiring a home, it’s important to only use a qualified electrician. You should never take on electrical work as a DIY project if you’re not trained. But with so many electricians to choose from, you might worry about how to choose the right one for your needs.
That’s where we can help! Keep reading for these three pro tips for hiring an electrician to get the results you deserve.
- Do Online Research
Whatever type of contractor you need, you should start by researching online. That goes for general electricians or specialized EV charging station contractors. Online ratings and reviews will help guide you through your options.
Start with local electricians and check their ratings and reviews on search engines. Most businesses will have a few bad reviews and some complaints, it’s normal. Check to see how they handled it and resolved the issue.
Red flags should go up if the company has more bad reviews than it does good, or you’re seeing way more than “a few”. Also, be wary if you’re seeing a lot of complaints about the same issue. You don’t want to expose your home to dangerous electrical work.
As part of your research, type the company into the Better Business Bureau search lists. This will allow you to see any past complaints that got filed against them. It’s another great resource to check their reliability.
- Interview A Few Electricians
You should look to interview at least three to four contractors when choosing an electrician. Definitely don’t hire the first (or cheapest) one you find. It doesn’t matter how flashy their ad is or how quickly they can get to you if they won’t do a good job.
Based on your research, narrow down the electricians you think suit the job the best. Then, phone each one and explain the job. It’s also a chance to ask questions if you have any and get a sense of who they are as a company.
You’ll get a sense of what rates are normal for your area and how these electricians operate. You want someone open and honest with you about costs and timescales. They shouldn’t have anything to hide and should put you at ease.
If they don’t listen to what you’re saying or are slow to get back to you, this is a bad sign. You also want to avoid anyone who is too pushy, or who won’t explain the process of how they will fix your issue in full.
- Check They’re Licensed & Insured
One of the most important tips for hiring an electrician is checking they’re licensed. In most areas of America, there are both local and state licensing requirements. For Oklahoma, you must have an electrician’s license from becoming an electrical student right up to a contractor.
There may also be license requirements for specialization like solar panel installation. Make sure you understand what your state and local requirements are.
Then, ask the contractor you decide on to provide you with a copy of their licensing documents. It’s a good idea to choose someone who’s a member of an electrical trade association.
This shows they’re committed to their trade and hold themselves to high standards. While you’re checking for licensing, make sure you check for insurance too. They need the right liability and workers comp in place and should give warranties.
Hiring an Electrician Made Easy
Hiring an electrician doesn’t have to be a daunting, scary task with these three tips. Make sure you do your research and check for reviews from past customers.
Speak with three to four contractors you narrow down to get a feel for what it would be like to deal with them. And most of all, make sure you check they have the right licensing and insurance in place, to avoid disaster should the worst happen.
If you found this article helpful, check out our blog posts for more tips and tricks.