How to Find a Great Electrical Contractor

Finding a skilled, trustworthy electrical contractor is important for any home or commercial electrical project. Experienced electricians complete wiring safely to prevent electrical fires and appliance damage. When you choose a reputable electrical contractor to work on your property’s electrical system, you can have peace of mind that your home or business is safe from potential hazards. 

You can find a qualified electrician by asking for recommendations, asking the right questions, checking certifications and understanding the cost of electrical work. Whether you need residential or commercial electrical work, considering all of the aspects that make a great electrician can help you choose the best one for your needs. Continue reading to learn how to find an experienced, dependable electrical contractor.

Table of Contents

• How to Find the Right Electrical Contractor
• How to Work With an Electrical Contractor
• When to Hire a Professional
• Get Started With a Company You Can Rely On

Residential Electrical Contractor

How to Find the Right Electrical Contractor

Understanding how to hire an electrician near you is important because a reputable electrician can provide quality work while ensuring your business or home’s wiring is safe. The qualities of a good electrician are reliability, expertise and trustworthiness. When you hire the right electrician, you can trust that they will provide the services they promise with precision and care.

Find the right electrical contractor for your home or business with the following tips:

Get Recommendations

Ask for recommendations from people you know and trust when searching for an experienced electrician. It’s best to hire a local electrical contractor with a well-established reputation because this will help you avoid hiring a fraudulent electrician. Asking for recommendations is the best way to evaluate if an electrician provides reliable services and results. 

Ask your friends, family and coworkers if they can recommend any electricians they received reliable services from. If you can’t gather any recommendations from your social circle, you can complete an internet search to find the best electricians in your area. You can meet with several contractors, ask for references and follow up with their previous customers. Ask prior customers what their experiences with the electrical contractors were like and if they would hire them again.

Ask Questions

While asking previous customers about their experiences is an effective way to gauge an electrical contractor’s reliability, it’s also important to ask each electrician questions about their services. Asking the right questions can help you evaluate which electrician is best for the job. Your questions should help you gather the following information:

• The type of services they provide: It’s important to choose an electrician who provides all of the services you need for your home or your commercial building. 
• Their specific experience: An electrical contractor who provides all of your needed services should also have adequate experience in performing the services. Ask each contractor on your list how much experience they have. 
• How long their company has been in business: It’s also important to ask how long each electrician’s business has been in operation. The longer they have been practicing their trade, the more likely they are to provide reliable services.
• If they are a master electrician, journey-level electrician or an apprentice: A master electrician will have more skills and experience than an apprentice or journey-level electrician, but a journey-level electrician can still provide high-quality services.
• Their estimated project timelines: Before choosing an electrical contractor, ask each option what their typical project timeline is so you can estimate how quickly they can complete your project. This is especially important if you have a time-sensitive project.
• What type of guarantees they offer: Ask each electrical contractor what type of guarantees they offer, and make sure to ask for written guarantees once you choose an electrician.

Home Equipment Wiring

Check Their Licensing, Certifications and Insurance

An electrical contractor’s licenses and certifications validate their skills and services. Before you choose an electrician, ask to see the following documents to validate their work quality:

• Proper Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certification
• Better Business Bureau accreditation
• Necessary licensing to work in your specific state

Licenses and certifications prove an electrician’s reliability, attention to safety, capability and work quality. When you choose a licensed and certified electrical contractor, you can have peace of mind that they will complete your project properly and safely. 

Insurance is another important factor to consider because you want to avoid liability if an accident occurs. Only agree to work with a contractor that can show you proof of insurance. An insured contractor protects you from liability if an accident occurs on your property. 

Understand the Cost of an Electrician

While you want to make the most economical decision, you should avoid choosing the lowest bidder for electrical projects. You should consider cost in your decision-making process, but choosing the cheapest option could result in faulty work. It’s important to base your decision on an electrician’s experience, skill level, reputation and services before you consider the cost so you receive the best services possible. 

If an electrical contractor’s service prices seem too good to be true, they most likely are. Rates can vary based on a job’s complexity, necessary materials and the electrician’s travel time. 

Evaluate Their Level of Customer Service

When you contact or meet with an electrical contractor, consider their customer service level. If they return your calls in a timely manner, answer your questions and treat you with respect, they will most likely provide excellent customer service throughout the entire project. Choosing an electrician with exceptional customer service can help you have a positive experience and remain informed throughout your entire project. 

How to Work With an Electrical Contractor

Once you gather recommendations, meet with contractors and consider their experience and offered services, you can choose the best electrician for the job. Any time you work with an electrical contractor, you must ask for a written contract to protect yourself and the electrician. The contract should include the work the electrician will perform, project costs and a payment schedule. Read the completed contract thoroughly before signing, and ask for a signed copy of it before the electrician begins your project. 

When to Hire a Professional

It’s important to hire a professional electrician any time you need electrical work done. An experienced and qualified electrician can ensure your building’s electrical wiring is safe. Your property’s electrical wiring is a complex system that must be handled with care and precision. 

Hiring a qualified professional helps prevent electrical fires, damaged electrical equipment and potentially costly repairs. When you hire a reputable electrical contractor for any electrical project in your house or commercial building, you can trust that your property, appliances and family or employees are safe. 

Get Started With Family-Owned Electrical Contractors

Choosing the right electrical contractor is crucial to ensuring your business or home’s electrical work is done safely and correctly. You can make sure you choose the right electrician by asking important questions and checking for important credentials.

Lippolis Electric is a family-owned electrical contracting company that offers various residential electrical services and commercial electrical contracting for a wide range of businesses. We offer a wide range of electrical repairs, upgrades and services for both small and large projects, and we provide excellent customer service. Our courteous and experienced technicians receive frequent training to ensure quality work you can rely on. Contact Lippolis Electric to learn more about our services.