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It can be scary trying to find a residential electrician.
You're kind of on your own unless you have the right people around you to fill you in on who the best in the area is.
There are just a few things you need to know to make sure you end up with a great electrician in your home rather than someone half-rate.
Read on and we'll show you exactly what you need to know before you decide whether to give a hard pass or not to the local electrician.
A reputable contractor is going to have both licensing and insurance.
Don't skip it and don't be afraid to ask to see the license. If you need to, you can even do an online check to ensure that everything is on the up-and-up.
Licensing is important to make sure that the company doing the work is allowed to do it. It also means they've either passed through an apprenticeship program or a trade school, so they have some education in what they're doing.
Insurance is extremely important. If something gets damaged in your home or someone gets hurt on the job then you'll want to be covered.
Get a copy of the current policy and make sure it provides adequate coverage for the job and that it's up to date for when you have the work scheduled. A lapse in insurance can turn a relatively minor issue into a serious problem.
Even if you don't know anyone in the area who's hired an electrician you'll be able to get some halfway decent information through online reviews.
Websites like Yelp make it easier than ever to check and see if a contractor has burned anyone in the past or if they cut corners. If they have a lot of reviews then you can expect a few bad ones, some customers are impossible to please, but the majority consensus should help you make a good choice.
Some good choices to check include:
All three of the above services are pretty well vetted and frequently used by those who've needed work done.
You can also check the company's Facebook page if they have one to see what kind of comments people are leaving. Facebook is a good way to see how reactive their customer service team is as well.
On the other hand, asking friends who've recently had work done on their homes is also a great way to go about things. We'd still recommend combing reviews since a single job isn't exactly a ton of data to work with.
If your friends recommend them and the reviews are good then you can usually rest assured that you're in good hands.
Quotes and timelines are the hallmarks of a professional electrical company. Without getting both of them you're going to be in the dark on how long work will take to complete and how much it will end up costing you.
If a company won't give you both, then it's time to pass.
Many of us go through several quotes before we decide on a final contractor to do the job. That's perfectly fine just make sure that the company you end up allowing to work within your home is reputable.
Timelines can be harder or softer depending on how monumental the task you're doing is. If it's for a full re-model it may end up being a bit off but for simple tasks you should be able to get a fairly accurate timeline upfront.
Some companies work on both commercial and residential jobs.
Others will specialize in one or the other.
If you're getting work done on your home then you're probably barking up the wrong tree with a company that primarily does commercial electrical work. While there's usually some crossover specialization is always a good thing in this area.
When it comes to certain jobs you'll also want to make sure that residential electrical work you need to be done is in their wheelhouse. The electrical field is enormous after all.
As long as a company offers residential services and passes the rest of the tests you'll end up with a good residential electrician.
On the other hand, if you're looking for a truly great experience you may want to look for a more specialized company.
Some electrical work requires permits.
Yes, we know it's a hassle and it will delay the work you're looking to get done.
It's also a necessary part of the procedure. Without the permit, the work is technically illegal. A company who will put their reputation on the line to make a quick buck isn't one that you want to work with.
You don't want a company which will go through with cutting any corners. It may seem like just more paperwork to you but when it comes to electrical work you want someone meticulous enough to do all the work required.
Taking shortcuts and avoiding doing legal work isn't going to help you in the long run.
It can also void the insurance used for the job which can leave you out of luck if something does go wrong in the future.
Keep the above in mind when you're looking for a residential electrician. They're crucial factors when you're trying to decide on someone to do something as delicate as electrical work within the home.
If you're in Northern Texas you're in luck though.
We have a sterling record of service, both commercial and residential, and you don't have to take our word for it. Check out the reviews.
If you're thinking that it's time to get some work done, then contact us and book an appointment today.
The Puckett family has provided expert and trustworthy electrical services to the DFW area since 1976. Whether you need help with new construction, a repair, or an electrical upgrade, we'll provide with high quality work done quickly.