Since electricity is dangerous to handle, hiring a professional contractor is the smartest thing to do. However, not all electrical contractors have the same amount of experience and skill. It is imperative to conduct your own research to find the right person or company for the job.
The following are the top 10 questions to ask your electrical contractor before hiring them:
- Are you licensed? The first thing you should ask the prospective electrical contractor is if you could see their license. Electrical contractors can possess a variety of licenses for various types of jobs. State certified contractors are positioned at the top of their profession, while regional and county electricians can only work in specific areas and are restricted to certain tasks only.
- Are you insured? If an accident occurs during the job, an insured electrical contractor is liable for any worker suffering an injury or any property being damaged.
- What are your credentials? A reliable contractor is always up to date and informed about recent electrical methods (installation, repairs, replacement, etc.) and business practices.
- Do you have any references? References are almost as important as a license. If past clients are head over heels about their work, then they are a good choice to work for you.
- Do I need a permit? A contractor might not always know right away whether a permit is required. As a homeowner or building owner, you need to determine exactly what permits are necessary.
- Who will perform the actual work? Licensed electrical contractors often hire journeyman electricians to perform work under their license, unless you hire an actual electrical company to take care of the job.
- What work will you perform? Sometimes, an electrical contractor may need to penetrate the drywall, flooring, or siding to perform the task. It’s best to determine a cost breakdown of the list of service being performed before you sign an agreement.
- What are your service fees? Always ask if the electrical contractor has any service fees, travel costs, and even trip charges in order to avoid any hidden charges.
- What are your specialties? While some electrical contractors are experts in repairs and maintenance, others are better at installations and replacements.
- Is your work under warranty? If any malfunctions occur when the job is finished, how much is that going to cost? However, if you are under warranty, then any problems that happen after the job will be repaired without additional costs.
If you are interested in having professional electrical work done to your home or business in Atlanta, GA, contact Lightning Bug Electric and request a service from our Atlanta electrical contractor today.