Are you concerned about choosing the right man for the job?
There’s a little more to choosing the right electrical contractor than just tracking someone down and throwing money at them to get the job over and done with. In fact, if you’re careless about who you hire or what you try to do yourself, it could easily end up burning your house down or really hurting someone.
Choosing a tradesman can be difficult if you don’t know what to look for.
Consider the following:
- whether you need an electrician in the first place
- what sort of work is being done
- whether the electrician is licensed and registered as an electrical contractor
- where the electrician is based
- how reliable and trustworthy the electrician is
- what the electrician will charge for the job
Below are the top 5 things to look for when choosing an electrician.
License and Insurance
The most important factor to consider when choosing an electrician is whether they are licensed. A license is your guarantee that the contractor has done the necessary courses and practical work to perform the job safely and correctly. Always ask to see their license, make sure that it is current and do an online check if possible. Make sure that the license held covers the type of work you need done. Some electrical licenses may carry restrictions. It is also important to make sure the electrician carries all the necessary insurances. Ask to see copies of current policies and make sure they have not expired.
Recommendations
A recommendation from someone whose opinion you trust can be invaluable when choosing any type of tradesman or service. Knowing that they have had a positive experience with an electrician, and been happy with the level of service and workmanship is a good endorsement. If you cannot get a recommendation then ask the electrician if they have any references. If possible, call and speak to the referee to make sure that they are legitimate.
Value for money
It is a good idea to get at least 3 quotes, in fact the more the better. Always make sure you communicate exactly what work you require and the exact fittings and materials you would like to use. Make sure the electrician gives you a quote with a breakdown of prices as this will make it easier to compare one quote to another. Choosing an electrical contractor on price alone is unwise as there are other important things to consider.
Qualifications and experience
Not all electricians are the same, many will have extra qualifications or experience in different areas of electrical work, and some may even have accreditation. Choosing a Master Electrician gives a guarantee that the electrician has at least 3 years experience and must offer a 12 month warranty on workmanship. Using a Master Electrician will ensure you receive the highest standard of workmanship and electrical safety. With the skyrocketing cost of electricity, energy efficiency is likely to be of interest. There are several organisations offering accreditation in the field of energy efficiency. An electrician holding this type of accreditation should have an extensive knowledge of energy saving products and technology.
Attitude and communication
Nobody enjoys dealing with a tradesman who displays a bad attitude or sloppy workmanship. Take note if they arrive for the quote on time or, if they are held up, did they ring ahead and advise that they would be delayed? Do they communicate with you? You need to be confident that you understand each other so that there are no miscommunications during the project. A professional appearance and attitude is usually reflected in the quality of the workmanship provided.
Keeping these points in mind will help when trying to choose the right electrician for you.
Look online for a list of electricians in your local area.
L.E Electrical has been delighting our customers with responsive, trusted and professional electrical services since 2010. We are Portsmouth’s number one choice for electrical and security services in the residential and commercial sectors, We are experts in our field. We are available 24/7 for your electrical servicing needs. Get in touch with us today by calling us at 02393100260 or emailing us directly at admin@le-electrical.co.uk.