7 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Electrician

Here are 7 questions you should ask before hiring an electrician

1) Is your company licensed, insured and bonded?

Not only is it illegal to hire an UN-licensed contractor, but you put yourself at risk for fraud or scams. Unlicensed contractors usually don’t pay taxes, don’t have insurance and don’t follow safety laws. Whereas licensed contractors are required to have at least 4 years of experience and education in their trade for which they’re licensed, are fingerprinted and have an FBI background check, are required to have insurance and be bonded.

2) Are all your employees’ background checked and drug tested so NO felons, criminals or drug addicts come into my home?

It’s important that anyone you bring into your home isn’t a criminal, drug addict or felon. It’s important that you see some type of proof that an electrician does background checks and drug testing. Often times, a contractor will list a third party company on their website that verifies that the company does in fact do background checks and drug testing so make sure you see some kind of validation.

3) What kind of guarantee do you have? How long is your warranty? What does the warranty include?

Yes that’s 3 questions, but they are all related to one idea… You always want to make sure that you understand the type of warranty that the electrical service includes. Find out how long the warranty lasts, what the warranty includes and how you would go about filing a warranty claim if something does indeed go wrong. By asking these questions now, you safeguard yourself from problems down the road. Generally you want the parts guaranteed for one year, and the labor should be guaranteed for at least one year if not longer.

4) What’s the process for getting pricing and will the price change if it takes longer?

What you want to find out is if the electrician will provide upfront pricing. You should always get the pricing in writing BEFORE any work starts. You also want to get the scope of the project in writing so there isn’t any confusion of what work is included in the price. It’s also a good idea to find out if there is any chance that the price will increase if it takes longer. In cases, where it’s a larger electrical job like a house remodel, find out what the process is if you want to add additional work. This way, both you and the contractor are protected.

5) How long will the job take?

Before you hire any electrician you should understand the timeframe that they’ll be performing your electrical repair or service job. That way there is no chance for a misunderstanding where you assume they’ll fix it the same day when in fact they can’t fit it until the end of the week.

6) Do you charge extra for weekend service or after business hours?

It’s always a good idea to ask if the electrician charges extra for working weekends or after hours. Most times, electricians will charge you a much more expensive rate for any service outside the normal Monday-Friday 8am-5pm business hours. This can be super inconvenient and expensive as many times, electrical problems occur at night or on the weekend when you’re home. So, if you want to save some money in the long run, look for an electrician that works extended hours and weekends at the regular service rate.

7) Will you show the same care and concern for my home as you do for your own?

Although this may seem less important, it’s essential that the electrician be clean, neat and respectful of your home. One easy thing you can do is ask if they wear uniforms. Often times companies that use uniforms, take more pride in being clean and professional. You can also ask if they wear shoe covers or “booties” so they don’t get grease or dirt tracked into your home. You can also ask if they clean up after themselves. This may seem obvious but unfortunately it’s not common, so if cleaning up after a contractor’s mess will bother you then make sure to ask.