How to Choose a Contractor for Electrical Solutions

Faulty electrical systems are dangerous. Around 400 people are electrocuted each year from hazards like exposed wiring. Electrical issues also cause the majority of costly and fatal home fires.

Do you have electrical hazards in your home? Do you need to upgrade or repair any faulty electrical wiring or parts?

The Electrical Safety Foundation recommends hiring qualified electrical contractors for repair work. The risk of injury or death is too high for DIY electrical solutions.

Choosing high-quality contractor services doesn’t have to be stressful. Read on for a guide to picking the best electrical contractors for your service needs.

Qualifications

Most electrical contractors have formal education for electrical work. This means they completed an apprenticeship program in a tech school or college.

Electrical contractors average 4-5 years of training. An electrical business may need to complete these programs to earn a license. They’ll also need hourly experience.

Experience

Every state has hourly experience requirements for electrical work. These hours are generally completed during formal education.

Good electrical companies will have veteran workers. It helps techs just starting out to learn from the seasoned pros.

Expert professionals have completed projects outside of formal education programs. They may even have awards or accolades for previous work.

Licensing

Licensing requirements vary by state. But every state requires some experience and education to be an electrical contractor.

An electrical business should be able to provide its licensing upfront. If anyone providing electrical services won’t show you this proof, it’s usually a red flag.

Insurance

State and local laws generally require electrical contractors to carry insurance coverage. To find good quality electrical solutions, know your local and state requirements. You can then ask electrical companies for proof of their insurance.

Warranties

A good electrical business will offer warranties and other guarantees on their work. For example, at https://baypower.com/ they offer testing and warranties on all parts.

This helps ensure you don’t end up with defective (and potentially dangerous) equipment.

Reviews, References, Recommendations

Good electrical companies should have satisfied customer reviews and recommendations. Online reviews can be a good starting point, but they can also be manipulated by competitors.

A good rule of thumb is to verify online reviews with local area recommendations. You can also ask for a list of references that includes former customers.

Ratings

An established electrical business should also have ratings. The Better Business Bureau gives ratings for overall service. Glassdoor gives ratings based on employee feedback.

Many online review services also have rating systems. It uses the reported information from customer experiences. Google and Yelp both use rating scores based on customer reviews.

Contract Terms and Conditions

You’ve sorted qualified, licensed, and highly reviewed electrical companies. However, your selection work isn’t done yet.

The contract negotiation is still important. If potential electrical contractors use lowballing or strong-arming, it’s another red flag.

A reputable electrical business will be transparent about all costs and fees. They’ll make sure you understand the contract conditions before signing.

If they pressure you to sign right away, it could be a sign of something sneaky hidden in the contract.

High-Quality Electrical Solutions Don’t Have to be Stressful

Consumers have to be careful when hiring contractor services. You may need high-quality contractors for your electrical solutions someday. You won’t stress once you know what to look for in a good business.

Do you want more informed consumer tips? Check out more of our business and technology articles!