Throughout your life, you will certainly require the services of an electrician multiple times, whether you are a new or experienced homeowner. After all, maintaining a safe and reliable electrical system in your home is critical. So how do you find a reliable electrician?

While most people start by asking their friends and family members for a recommendation when they need an electrician, being able to determine whether they are the right choice for you or not, is an important skill. On the other hand, you may need to look for one on your own, for instance, if you are new to a neighborhood. While you might be tempted to go with the first electrician you hear about or choose a name at random from the phone book, you might end up with someone unreliable.

Here are six guidelines to assist you in choosing the right electrician.

1. Understand What Needs to Be Done

Before beginning it’s important to know what kind of alterations or repairs to the electrical installation you need. There are many different types of electrical work that you may need in your home, and adding a light switch is not the same as a major electrical job such as a complete room renovation. Knowing what you need in advance, can help you make a financial plan and even reduce costs. Most importantly, it can help you acquire the right electrician for a particular job.

2. Make Sure They Are Experienced, Certified, and Insured

The necessity of verifying that the individual or company you choose has current licenses and permits and that they are paying for electrician insurance should not need to be emphasized. If something goes wrong, this can protect you from unnecessary expenses and frustration. Licenses and permits guarantee that residential electricians have the necessary education and practical expertise to carry out their work safely and efficiently.

Electrician insurance policies offer coverage for several things including liability, medical expenses, etc. This means that they aren’t only protecting the worker but, if something goes wrong, they also protect any other involved party, like the person who has hired them. For instance, the proper insurance coverage will protect you in case something is damaged or someone is hurt on your property. You need to be very careful with this because you could be held accountable if there is an issue and your electrician is not adequately insured.

3. Verify the Electrical Work’s Anticipated Final Cost

You should request a thorough written quotation from the electrician. Some of the things that should be covered in the budget for the electrical work include:

• The material costs
• A specification of the materials that will be used and the particular brand
• A full breakdown of the scope of the work

Additionally, you need to confirm that you know who will be doing the work. Some electricians may hire other professionals with less experience to complete the work for them, especially when they are busy.

4. Read Reviews and Talk to Previous Customers

Today it’s easier than ever to make sure that you are making the right choice when hiring someone to do a job for you, thanks to Google, professional directories, and even, social media. Look up potential electricians online and research them.

To be even more sure that you are making a good choice, you can find previous jobs they’ve done and find out how they accomplished it, how long it took, and if the customer had any issues working with them.  You can also ask them for a list of former customers and talk to some of them directly.

5. Ask for a Detailed Contract

It’s important, especially for larger remodeling projects, to discuss everything related to the work in detail, and, most importantly, that everything is documented in writing. The electrician’s contact information, including name, address, office, and mobile numbers, as well as any other information mentioned in the estimate, must be included in the contract. What is and is not included in the job must also be expressly stated. A copy of the electrician’s certificate of insurance should also be made available.

6. Demand a Warranty

Any competent electrician should have confidence in their work and be prepared to offer a guarantee after the task is finished. If something goes wrong after the electrical work or repair is finished, you should be able to feel confident in your work and be covered for any after-sales service.

Final Words

Investing some time in finding the right electrician instead of hiring the first cheap option you encounter pays off. When it comes to something as complex, important, and potentially dangerous as the electrical system on your property, you should always hire reliable, experienced, and qualified professionals.