subject: Hiring An Electrical Contractor: The Questions You Should Ask [print this page] There are three common reasons to call an electrical contractor. The first is because something is broken. The lights in the bedroom won't come on anymore. The fan isn't working. There is a strange whine coming from the living room outlet, and you need someone to take a look. The second is because you want to upgrade a room's wiring. Perhaps you want to turn your garage into a home entertainment theater, or turn the basement into an appropriate apartment for your son. The third reason is to completely wire a new home or office building. In all of these cases, you need a professional who knows what he's doing. Here are some questions you should ask to make sure you get just that:
Licensing
Asking to see the licensing and credentials of an electrical contractor should not be a hassle. It should be a straightforward request, and the company should have no problem furnishing you with the paperwork that shows they are completely above board and within regulations. Not only should you demand to see proof of license, you should go a step further and ask for references. If they have been in business for any length of time, they should be able to provide you with at least three customers willing to go on the record for them. If not, you have a problem.
Education and Experience
You don't necessarily need an electrical contractor with four years of college or an advanced degree in the science behind electricity. However, you do need someone who has been thoroughly trained and won't be using your home as a learning ground. Now, chances are if someone owns their own electrician business, they have the requisite training and experience, but that doesn't mean his technicians do. There's nothing wrong with an apprentice being present on the worksite, but make sure the guy actually doing the work knows what he is doing.
Straightforward Pricing
You shouldn't have to ask twice about the pricing structure of an electrical contractor. If they ask for an up-front deposit, you should take that as a red flag. This is not how a reputable company does business in this field. If they have any experience and longevity in your town, they should have open vendor accounts and won't need up-front money to pay for supplies. You should, however, get a price before the work begins so you know what to expect in a bill at the end.
