Finding the right electrician in the Charlotte area can appear at first to be an overwhelming task. But, in fact, it is simple if you know how to narrow it down to the One Local Expert who can best serve your needs. Selecting the right electrician is vitally important when it comes to wiring and other electrical work in your home. Quality electrical work can assure a home or office functions properly and are safe and secure. Consequently faulty wiring can be catastrophic and result in a fire that could cause thousands of dollars in property damage as well as endanger the lives of those within. Find the right electrician with these seven steps: 1.Ask friends, family, and professionals such as realtors for referrals 2.Choose an electrician who specializes in your type of project 3.Find out how long they have been in business, and ask for references from previous clients 4.Ask to see their license and proof of insurance, and double check with state agencies 5.Get several bids on the job to be sure the price is fair 6.Find out what is included in the estimate to make it easier to compare bids 7.Get everything in writing, and read the contract thoroughly to make sure everything is accurate and looks on the level Good sources of referrals to qualified electricians include general contractors, realtors, electrical supply stores and home or building inspectors. Expand your search online at One Local Expert to get a list of recommended providers. Find out what type of work the electrician was hired to complete, and whether it was residential or commercial. Some good questions to ask former clients. Were you satisfied with the process and the completed work? Ask if they were happy with the quality of the work and if any problems arose with anything that was installed or modified during or since. Was the contract followed? Did they feel the electrician was candid regarding the cost and timeframe for the work? Were the electrician and any staff professional and courteous? How the electrician handled communications, questions and issues will say a lot about their work. Ask if they showed respect and consideration and were always polite and courteous. Did they leave the work area neat and clean? Electrical work can be messy work, and a good electrician will clean up all debris and leave the work site neat and tidy. Failure to clean up properly after a job indicates sloppiness, and sloppy electrical work can be dangerous. You might not be able to see the wiring behind a wall, but a work area left clean gives confidence that the job was done neatly as well. Was a warranty included? Find out what the warranty covers and for how long, and make sure it is included in the written contract. A good electrician will stand behind their work and guarantee it against flaws in workmanship or errors. Questions to Ask when Hiring the Right Electrician. When narrowing down your choice from a list provided by trusted sources to the One Local Expert you will hire, make it easier with this list of important questions to ask. What is your area of expertise? Like doctors, electricians tend to specialize in certain areas of electrical work. Some may do mostly remodels, while others take on jobs like adding outlets or wiring lights for new construction. Some do residential work while others specialize in commercial projects. The right electrician for you is one who specializes in the type of job you need done, and is licensed appropriately. How long have you been in business, and can you provide references? Find out how long the electrician has been licensed and working in the field. Don’t hesitate to ask for references to help you choose the right electrician. An honest and forthright electrician will not mind the request and is confident that you will hear glowing reports from previous customers. Are you licensed and insured? Hiring a licensed electrician ensures that they have passed the required exams and have the necessary experience to be approved for a license by governing bodies such as state licensing boards. There are varying levels of licensing based on the type of work an electrician does. An electrician should also carry a liability policy that meets the required state minimum as well as worker’s compensation to cover any employees. Request to see proof of both. Ask for a Quote Have the electrician take a look at the job to be done and go over what you need completed. Find out exactly what work is included and what is excluded, and how the electrician charges, whether by the hour or a flat rate. You should also get a clear idea of how long the work is expected to take; this is especially important if the electrician works on an hourly rate. Ask to have the detailed quote provided in writing. Get more than one quote for comparison; at least three are recommended in order that you may establish a reasonable range of total cost for the project. Make sure each quote includes the same work so you are comparing apples to apples. Execute a Contract. The contract should stipulate everything agreed upon in the quote. It should include a detailed description of the work to be done, the amount of time expected for completion, and the cost of the project. As part of the description of the work, make sure the contract includes a listing of the type of parts being used, including any fixtures to be installed. It should also list any warranty on work completed that the electrician provides as a guarantee of quality. Things to Look for in a Qualified Electrician. A valid license and insurance. Verify the electrician’s licensure, level of expertise and how long they have been licensed with a call to the state licensing board. They should also be able to assure you that the electrician carries the right level of insurance coverage. A strong reputation. Call the Better Business Bureau - they can provide you with information on any complaints that have been filed against the electrician or company. Check online review services such as Angie’s List or Service Magic for a review of their work. You may also visit One Local Expert to locate a top quality service provider in the Charlotte area. Safety Commitment. Electrical work can be dangerous. Ask the electrician about their safety procedures to protect against injuries on the job. The right electrician will use all required safety equipment when working. Make sure the electrician knows and follows electrical code, and works along with the permit office to complete any required inspection of completed work for compliance. Clean Up. Ask how much clean up the electrician plans to do in the work area after the job is complete. Debris should be cleared away and all wiring secured when the job is complete. TIPS *An electrician who works individually may be just as skilled as one working for a big company, and charge less *Watch out for quotes that seem unusually high or low. A low quote might mean the electrician will raise the price later. A high quote often suggests they are probably really too busy for the job
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