There are many reasons for a business or an individual to hire an electrical contractor to carry out tasks in a safe and professional way. If you are planning on hiring an electrical contractor here are 10 important things to remember along the way.
- Check recommendations. Before hiring an electrical contractor spend some time reviewing feedback from their customers. This could be as testimonials on their website, reviews on social media or on directory/ listing websites. Seeing feedback from previous customers will give you a good benchmark when deciding which contractor to use.
- Compare the market. Before choosing to work with a contractor, obtain quotes and timeframes from several other contractors to give yourself a good indication of industry standards. This will help you to get the best price and best level of service for your needs.
- Ensure your contractor is licensed. Before working with an electrical contractor, ensure that the company holds the correct licenses and safety certificates.
- Is each electrician properly qualified? Contractors will hire a number of electricians to work on your contract, before any work begins ensure that each electrician assigned to the project is properly certified for the work they will be undertaking.
- Have the right permits been issued? Your electrical contractor should seek to obtain the correct permits and licenses before any work is undertaken. Protect yourself by making sure these are in place before you sign off any work.
- Is your contractor financially stable? Before agreeing to work with a contractor – check that the business is financially stable. Contractors who are in financial trouble may be unreliable or unable to finish the work you have contracted them for.
- Review the equipment the contractor is using. Make sure the equipment and installations your contractor is providing are high quality and guaranteed. Cutting corners on materials and equipment may mean that the systems being installed will not last as long as higher quality ones.
- Does the contractor have adequate insurance? Review the level of insurance that your chosen contractor holds before engaging them in any work. Make sure that, should anything go wrong, your contractor’s insurance will be sufficient to cover any damage or loss to your project.
- Agree a level of service. Once you employ a contractor to take over your electrical requirements it is important for them to regularly update you on their progress and any problems they may encounter. Agreeing a level of service beforehand will ensure that you receive the right level of communication from your electrical contractor throughout the project.
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Check trade memberships. As further reassurance, check to see whether your chosen contractor is a member of any trade bodies or organisations. These organisations ensure that best practice is followed at all times and can act as ombudsmen between yourself and the contactors should any problems arise.
