Important Questions To Ask Before Hiring An Electrician

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Before inviting any contractor into your home, you’ll want to be sure you’re hiring an experienced professional. But there’s more to vetting home maintenance or repair technicians than you might think. And when you hire an electrician to work in your home, there are even more criteria to consider. Today, we’ll share all the right questions every homeowner should ask before hiring an electrician.

1.   Can you provide licensing and information?

No electrician should perform any work without proper state and municipality licensing. So, requesting a company to provide licensing information should be fairly easy to confirm. But there are also two basic levels of electrician licensure.

There’s a master electrician who has at least two years of field experience and a journeyman electrician who may be licensed for installation work only, usually alongside the master electricians. You’ll want to verify who’s coming to your home and what level of licensing is documented for the technician who arrives.

2.   Can you provide insurance information?

Don’t assume that every electrical company you call has the necessary insurance coverage. Even well-established companies can sometimes fall behind in their premium payments. Requesting proof of insurance is a reasonable inquiry before hiring an electrician.

Any excuses or delay tactics should prompt you to move on to another company. Proof of insurance will outline the carrier, the company, and coverage limits for general liability, professional liability, and maybe errors and omissions coverage.

3.   What are the services you provide most often?

Instead of first jumping in to describe your home’s electrical concern, ask the company what its core services are. Inquire specifically about what types of electrical work they perform most often.

It will be helpful to learn if you’re talking with a company that only works on new construction installation projects and not the type of repairs you’re looking to address. And it’s during these conversations that you can learn more about how long the company has been in business and its relevant experience.

4.   Can I get a cost estimate for comparison?

Pricing for projects will vary from one electrician to another. A cost estimate is a reasonable request, and even without visiting your home, you can learn the general costs for the initial visit and diagnosis of the issue. Once you’ve collected a few cost estimates, you can then compare and make a selection that best suits your budget.

5.   What is the estimated timeframe for this project?

There will be some instances when knowing exactly what needs to be repaired versus replaced is unknown until a technician can evaluate the electrical system in person. However, if you have a general idea of what work needs to be performed, from GFCI outlet upgrades and circuit breaker replacement to whole-home wiring and junction box replacement, ask about the estimated timelines to completion. This will allow you to plan and schedule your availability accordingly. And it keeps the electrician accountable for prompt service delivery.

6.   Do you handle any required permitting?

Some electrical projects involve remodels, new construction, or additions to the home. In these types of projects, local permits may be required to document the work being performed. Before hiring an electrician, verify whose responsibility it is to secure the permits that are required.

7.   Do you guarantee your work?

Most companies will offer a guarantee on the work performed. And some manufacturers’ products will also have guarantees or warranties.

Before hiring an electrician, call the professionals at Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric at 1-800-475-1504. We’re always here to answer all your questions so you can have peace of mind that you’re working with the best.