8 Important Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Electrical Contractor

Choosing an electrical contractor can be a confusing and daunting task, but when you come in with a game plan before getting quotes, it will make the project go much smoother. That is why I compiled a list of questions to ask your electrical contractor while you are getting electrical quotes done.

Keep in mind that in some cases, depending on your project and location, it can be difficult to find an electrical contractor that is perfect but when comparing electrical companies, you can also compare the pros and cons with these 8 questions:

1. Are you insured/bonded?

This might not seem the most important but even the most experienced electrician is still human and they can make mistakes. Insurance is there to protect you from the unexpected.

2. Are you a licensed electrician?

There are apprentices and handy people out there smart enough to do the work but are not licensed to work in your building. If you allow them to work in your building, you might be breaking your insurance companies’ policies and void your coverage if there is an electrical fire on your property.

3. How many years of experience do you have that is related to my project?

Of course, the more years the better but sometimes people do not ask if the experience is appropriate for the job asked to perform. There are many different skills in electrical and some electricians may not even know how to do your project because their experience could be in a completely different field.

4. How long will the project take and when could you start?

An experienced electrician will know roughly how long the job will take because they have done it many times before. This is also a good time to ask when the project can be started because they may not be able to come in before you would like to have your project completed.

5. How much will it cost to do this project? Is that a fixed price?

Again, this touches on experience but some companies are good at doing the work and are terrible at pricing jobs. If an electrical company gives you an estimate that is half the price of the other companies, you should think twice on accepting them because they might realize that they did not make a profit and will increase the amount at the end of the project. This can be avoided by asking if they are giving you an estimate or a quote and if they will guarantee their price.

6. Does your labour/material’s have warranty?

The professional companies want you to be 100% satisfied with their service and their warranty will reflect that. Be wary that some contractors will only cover labour but not materials. Also, it is important to check that they will pay for damages to the property if it happens during the project.

7. Who will be performing the work?

Some companies will have the sales team or owner quote the work and then send an electrician to perform the work. If you do not ask this, you are at risk of the person being sent in not being the right person for the job and could cause a lot of damage before it is discovered.

8. Do you or your employees have a criminal background check?

You can ask the electrical contractor this question before the electrician comes to your home/office so you can protect yourself, your friends/family, and your property.

Contact us for all your residential electrical needs.