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When you’re facing an electrical emergency at your home or business, you need help as soon as possible. But this doesn’t mean you should hire the first electrician you come across.
Electrical work requires knowledge and skill. You need to know you’re hiring the right person. Working with an unqualified electrician could lead to costly problems down the road.
Fortunately, there are some easy questions you can ask when hiring electricians. Let’s go over the top five.
1. How Experienced Are You?
Before you hire an electrician, you need to be sure they know what they’re doing. Education and certification are important, but experience is what makes a good electrician.
Do your best to work with an organization that’s been around for years. This shows they provide reliable service and have a client base that trusts them.
You should also ask if they have experience with the specific problem you’re dealing with. If they don’t, there’s a good chance they could make incorrect repairs.
Check an electrician’s website to learn about their services. Companies like Florance Electrical provide all the information you need on their site.
2. Are You Licensed and Insured?
It’s critical you work with a licensed electrician. This proves they’ve been through the right training and have the knowledge to tackle your problem.
In addition, ask if they’re insured. If they don’t have insurance, they’re not running a responsible business.
Hiring an electrician that doesn’t have a license or insurance is setting yourself up for bad workmanship and possible legal issues if an injury or property damage occurs.
3. Will You Provide an Estimate for the Job?
Make sure you understand what you’ll pay for the work before you hire someone.
Sometimes extra work is needed after an electrical job gets underway. This could be accessing an attic or crawlspace or getting behind drywall.
When obtaining a quote, also have them explain any additional fees that may pop up. Fully explain what you need done so they can give you an appropriate estimate.
4. Does the Work Require a Permit?
Depending on the extent of the work you need done, you may need a permit. A licensed electrician will be able to tell you what’s needed and how to obtain it.
You should also ask the electrician how much the permit costs. If you’re the owner of the property, it may be up to you to purchase it.
Electrical work must be up to code. Having certain types of work done without a permit could get you and the electrician in trouble, so be sure to bring it up before starting the job.
5. Is There a Warranty or Guarantee for the Work?
Finally, ask the electrician you’re considering if their work comes with a warranty. If they offer some kind of guarantee, you won’t have to pay for service if something goes wrong shortly after the job’s finished.
They may also have to replace or add a piece of equipment. This may also come with a manufacturer’s warranty
Hiring Electricians Doesn’t Have to be Difficult
Having your electrical issue fixed quickly is probably your biggest concern in an emergency. However, you also want the job done right.
Ask these five questions when hiring electricians and find the most qualified professional in your area.
Check out more articles on home improvement for help with everyday problems.
