Whether an outlet isn’t working or an electric appliance has malfunctioned, the right electrician can provide you with efficient repairs and make sure that any possible hazard is identified and eliminated. The types of projects an electrician works on include everything from electrical inspections to whole-home rewiring. When you start searching for a local electrician, you’ll discover that every electrician differs in their rates, services, and reputation. To narrow your options and make the right choice, you should know what to look for when you hire a local electrician.
Look for Reviews
Hiring a local electrician means looking at many factors, one of which is the electrician’s reputation. Before the internet, this information was primarily available from friends and family members. Today, however, you can discover almost everything you need to know about an electrician with a few clicks of a mouse.
Facebook and Google My Business are two sites that collect reviews and ratings for local electricians. Look for electricians with a high percentage of positive reviews. If many reviews complain about a lack of quality with a specific electrician, this might tell you all you need to know to go in a different direction.
Ask for Recommendations
Even though online reviews give you a good idea of which electricians have the best reputations, it may be more valuable to hear opinions from your friends and family members. If someone close to you recommends an electrician they’ve worked with in the past, ask some questions about their experience. You can ask them what they thought of the price and if there was anything they didn’t like.
24-hour Emergency Service
There are times when electrical issues are emergencies that must be addressed immediately. Whether your power goes out or you discover a bad electrical wire connection, these problems need to be fixed to ensure you maintain comfort in your home and prevent hazards from occurring. For instance, a poor wire connection can lead to a fire if it’s not dealt with promptly. Many electricians offer emergency electrical repair or 24-hour service, which means that they can arrive at your home straight away if there’s an emergency.
Consider Service Costs
Another way to sort through various electricians is by comparing their fees. When you contact an electrician you’re interested in hiring, ask them to provide you with an estimate for the electrical repair or installation you require. Compare several estimates to gain a better idea of which electrician is right for you. If one cost estimate is much higher than the others, you might want to avoid hiring them.
Look for Insurance
Hiring an insured electrician is necessary when having any type of electrical work completed in your home. There are multiple reasons why this is the case. Let’s say that an electrician who has insurance accidentally damages your property. In this scenario, the repair costs for any damage that occurs would likely be covered by the electrician’s insurance policy. Without this policy in place, however, you might be tasked with paying the repair costs yourself.
Another reason to hire an insured electrician is because it indicates that they’ve taken the steps necessary to become a reputable electrical company. Most insured electricians have modern equipment, strong hiring practices, and an extensive skill set. You can have confidence that you’re making a good hiring decision.
Inquire About Experience
Experience is also essential when you’re hiring an electrician. Even the smallest electrical issues can lead to more serious safety hazards, which is why it’s best to hire someone who has encountered the same electrical problems that are currently present in your home.
Electrical installations should also be left to an electrician with ample experience. Otherwise, you run the risk of the installation being completed incorrectly. If an electrical wire is improperly installed, the possibility of an electrical fire is much higher.
When you’re requesting more information from electricians, consider asking them about the amount of time they’ve been working in the industry. An electrician with 25 years of experience likely knows more than an electrician who’s only been on the job for a few years. They might also be able to resolve issues more efficiently because of the skills they’ve gained over the years.
When speaking with the electrician you’re about to hire, inquire about how long any contractors who work with them have been in the industry. It might be preferable to go with an electrician who only hires professionals who have at least some experience.
Seek Warranty Information
Ask for information about warranties to ensure that some of the work performed during an electrical repair or installation is covered. There are many reasons why you should obtain a warranty, the primary of which is that you won’t need to pay for the repair if you aren’t satisfied with it.
In the event that something goes wrong during the project, you’ll be covered. Even skilled and experienced electricians can sometimes make mistakes during a complex electrical repair, which is when a warranty proves useful. Warranties are an indicator that the electrician you’re thinking of hiring is professional and takes their job seriously.
Consider Licensing
Pennsylvania electricians don’t necessarily need to obtain a license to perform electrical services. However, some cities and municipalities require electricians to get a license before they can legally work in the area. Before you decide to hire an electrician, ask if they have a license. These licenses include everything from journeyman to master electrician licenses. In many instances, electricians with more experience will have a higher license level.
Ask Additional Questions
There are numerous questions you should ask before hiring an electrician. The answers you receive will tell you if the electrician you’re thinking of hiring is right for the job. If an electrician you’re interviewing is unable to clearly answer one or more of your questions, they might not be as knowledgeable about certain aspects of electrical services. Before making a decision, ask about the types of services they provide. If you need to have your entire home rewired, some electricians don’t provide this service.
If you’ve already mentioned the specific electrical issue you’re having, ask some questions about how this issue will be addressed. For instance, make sure they provide you with a reasonable timeline for the project. If they’ve worked on similar projects in the past, they should have a good idea of how long repairs will take. They should also help you understand the steps that will occur during the repair or installation project.
When you’re looking to hire reputable and skilled electricians in Media, PA, our team at Dream Team Home Services is here to help. We have more than 20 years of experience in the industry and can provide homeowners with electrical upgrades, safety checks, repairs, and equipment installation.
Our electrical services include inspections, outlet replacements, appliance maintenance, indoor lighting, smoke alarms, and backup generators. We can also work with every type of electrical panel and circuit breaker. Some other offerings we provide include HVAC repair and maintenance services as well as plumbing services. Call Dream Team Home Services today to ask more questions or schedule our electrical services.
