Hiring an electrician is
not something you should ever take lightly. Improper wiring or the use of
substandard circuit breakers can cost you a lot of money in damages which range
from fires to electrocution. But how do you determine whether a service
provider is right for the job? There are seven important things you need to
look at.
1.
References: Statistically, about 67% of
people searching for electricians rely on word of mouth. This is because the
responses are based on the experience of the respondents and not biased
information from a firm that wishes to attract more clients. Listen to what
different respondents have to say about the electricians in your area. Even so,
no matter how popular a firm is, only hire an accredited service provider.
2.
Registration: Professional training can
only teach an electrician so much. Much of the work he does is based on
experience and his grasp of the wiring concept. To make sure the person you are
about to hire is a qualified tradesperson, ensure he is registered with
Registered Competent Person Electrical. This registration shows he has proven
his competence by passing an independent assessment.
3.
Quotations: There are no fixed guidelines
on how much a service provider can charge for his services. To avoid being
overcharged, experts recommend that you get at least three quotations from
three reputable electricians. This will help you know how much your project
will cost. This is the only way to find a competitive price.
4.
Qualifications: Apprenticeship is dominant
in the electrical world. Most service providers learn from other qualified
electricians. As much as this is acceptable, you have to ensure the person you
are about to hire has passed an independent assessment. He has to be registered
and have a permit to work in your region.
5.
Accreditation: Another important thing you
should look for is the accreditation of the service provider. Being accredited
means the service provider is competent to handle your project. There are
several schemes provided by such organizations as NAPIT and ELECSA among other
accreditation bodies. The important thing is to ensure the accrediting body is
recognized.
6.
Insurance: It is always better to be safe
than sorry. There are always risks involved in every project. An expensive
piece of equipment may be destroyed by a power surge during installation or
poor wiring may lead to fires while the electrician is still working. When such
damages occur, you don’t want to be the one footing the bills. To keep your
finances safe, ensure the service provider carries public liability insurance.
This will protect your family if anything goes wrong.
7.
Certification: When the work is done, the
electrician should issue a certificate to confirm the work meets all the safety
standards. This certificate will come in handy in case something goes wrong in
the future.
There are many other
areas you have to consider before bringing an electrician onboard. The most
important thing is to ensure you hire someone with good communication skills
and a proven track record for exceptional services. Do not be shy to ask for a
warranty on the work.
Posted By: Blackstock Electric http://blackstockelectric.com
