Whether your older home needs rewiring or you want a new ceiling fan, an electrician is a necessity. There are many electricians to choose from, often with different specialties and skill sets. Here are some tips to find an electrician who can handle your specific needs.
They’re Certified
Any electrician that you hire needs to be certified. A certification license is required to legally work as an electrician in the state. Electricians can have different types of certifications like a journeyman or master electrician. Avoid hiring any electrician who does not produce a certification. If they make mistakes that damage electrical items under warranty or even your home, their errors may not be covered. Most electricians list their certification information somewhere on their website. You can also enter the electrician’s name in the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) database.
Get Recommendations
When hiring any service professional, one of the best places to start looking is by asking those close to you for their recommendations. You can also look at reviews online, but take them with a grain of salt. Look for online reviews with specific, helpful details.
They Have Adequate Insurance
If a mistake happens, this is commonly covered by an electrician’s insurance. Choosing a professional who is bonded and insured means that mistakes that damage your home will be covered at no cost to you, and without any need to complain or advocate. Insurance also protects you from injuries that a worker could incur on your property. If they don’t have coverage, they may look to your homeowner’s insurance to pay.
BBB-Accreditation
One great thing to look for in a potential electrician is whether they are BBB-accredited. Businesses with this certification have been properly vetted and have shown ethical operating practices. You can check for BBB accreditation by searching the electrician’s website for the BBB logo or by physically checking the BBB’s website for the company’s name.
Labor and Parts Guarantee
As with any service professional, you want to choose an electrician who stands behind the work that they do. Reputable electricians will offer a labor guarantee with a timeline that depends on the type of service. A good electrician can also help you to redeem manufacturer warranties on electrical devices that they install, such as home generator systems.
Look at the Services They Offer
If you’re looking to get a specialized service, like EV charging station installation, it’s important to ensure whatever electrician you go with has that as part of their service offerings. You can typically find an electrician’s service offerings on their website. There are benefits to choosing an electrician with specific skills for unusual jobs. However, if you want to choose a company to have a long-term relationship with, an electrician with a wide set of offerings is more likely to be able to help you in future situations.
Get a Service Quote
One of the best steps you can take when choosing an electrician is to get a quote for the service that you need to have done. It’s not uncommon for electricians to offer free estimates for their customers to gain their loyalty. During this time, you can get a feel for how the electrician works and whether or not they’re what you’re looking for in a service professional.
Most businesses get multiple recommendations for the same job. This allows them to compare prices, timelines, approaches to solving the problem and customer service. As a homeowner, it is a good idea to also get multiple bids for a large electrical job. You can end up saving a lot of money this way. When asking about bids, be sure to find out whether the cost is a flat fee for the project or an estimate based on the number of hours of expected labor. Ask for a written estimate and read the fine print at the bottom. Some bids will say that they won’t charge more than 10% over the estimate if complications arise. Others will state the hourly rate at which additional work will cost if needed.
During the quote period, you can also ask questions like whether an electrical inspection is needed to complete the job. You can also find out whether you will have power to all but one circuit or if you cannot have electricity for the duration of the repair. This gives you the time and knowledge to plan for the inconvenience.
Reliable Electrician Service
Paragon Electric offers reliable electrician service for residents throughout the whole Plantation, FL community. Our electricians can assist with all your EV charging, wiring installation, rewiring, electrical panel, emergency repair, industrial, and commercial needs. Contact us today to schedule your next service consultation with one of our knowledgeable electricians.
