What You Should Look for in an Electrician

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