Friday, January 11, 2013

Questions To Ask Your Electrician

 1.  Are You Licensed?  Always check the license number.

2. Do you carry general liability insurance? This will protect your property in the event of damage by the electrician or employees and will pay for repair of any damage that may occur. Ask to see proof of insurance.

3. Do you carry workers’ compensation insurance? This will protect you from liability in the event a worker is injured on the job. Otherwise, you may be liable. Once again, you need to verify the validity of the insurance by asking to see proof of insurance. Worker’s compensation policy information is also maintained by the state and view able online at: www.cslb.ca.gov.

4. Will you pull all the required building permits? When this is done, you know the work will be done to “code.” A reputable electrician will permit every job where required.

 5. Do you guarantee your work? Ask that your contractor guarantee the work for at least one year from completion. There are contractors who will do so for two or even three years. Accurate guarantees it’s workmanship for life. We also honor all manufacturer’s product warranties which is generally 1 year.

6. Will you provide me with written references?  Look for a well-established contractor with several client references from the last 6 months to a year. Don’t forget to check those references as well.

7.  What percentage of your business is repeat or referral? When much of the contractor’s business is derived from repeat clients it is safe to assume customer satisfaction.

8. How many projects like mine have you completed in the last year? It’s good to know that the electrician has dealt with your specific issue.

9.  How do you handle “dirty work?” If any construction work is involved in the project, there is the distinct possibility it will generate a good deal of dust and debris. Make sure the contractor intends to keep dust contained and clean up each day.

When you hire an electrician, you are paying for a service, and the quality of that service will determine the quality of the finished project. Hiring a professional electrician is a very important step in bringing your expectations to life. To make that final step as easy as possible, take the time to do the homework. Once you’ve established the contractor’s good reputation, you need also to consider the interpersonal relationship you share, especially if the project will take an extended period to complete.