There’s nothing wrong with calling in an electrician for the most minor electrical jobs. It’s probably the best option you have. When it comes to electrical wiring, you should never take chances. Question is, how do you go about choosing a good electrician?
Seeking Recommendations
Ask people around you for referrals. This is typically the safest route to an electrician (or any tradie actually). If you can’t get any referrals for whatever reason, go online.
Requesting for Quotes
After getting some names, call each of these electricians and request for a quote from each. See if they charge hourly and how much and if there will be an additional charge for a call out. Also ensure that the quotes come complete with all materials to be used, side by side with their prices.
Work Guarantees
When considering an electrician, make it a point to ask if they will provide a work guarantee. If they won’t, that means they are not confident about what they do so it’s ridiculous to give them a second look.
Special Experience
One thing you should never forget when hiring an electrician is that they are not created equal. Like most other tradesmen, they specialize in certain types of work. Hire someone whose knowledge and skills match the job at hand, even if you have to pay a higher cost.
Local vs. National
Know whether an electrician is working independently or under a national company. The latter is likely more expensive, but it helps to know that they passed the often strict vetting and hiring standards of national companies. On the other hand, local electricians are members of your community and will do everything to protect their good name.
License and Insurance
Certainly, you should only work with an electrician if they have a license to provide services in your jurisdiction, as well as insurance coverage Hiring someone without both is just too risky on your part.
Client References
Client references are the closest thing to actually having an experience with an electrician. If the electrician hesitates to give client references, they might be hiding something.
Better Business Bureau
Find out with the Better Business Bureau if the electrician you’re considering has customer complaints under their name. If so, see how the electrician handled the issue and whether the customer was satisfied with the resolution, if any.
Your Instincts
Lastly, be sensitive to what your gut is telling you. Even as a layman, you will somehow get the vibe if someone is overcharging you or making the job appear bigger than it is just to collect more money.