When you purchase the house you want to live in, you quickly start to realize how all-consuming homeownership can be. First, you invest an incredible amount of time researching properties online so you can see what appeals to you. Checking out the best neighborhoods is also part of the process, as you want to be sure your investment is protected and your kids can go to the best schools. From there, you’ll probably go to a lot of open houses and schedule showings of the top local homes too.
Finally, you find just the right property for you and your family. That’s when your financial commitments begin. You’ll be expected to put down a deposit with your offer and your down payment to secure the mortgage will be substantial. Once you have closed on the house, you find out that the costs of homeownership are just beginning.
While you can do some of the home remodeling projects yourself, there are other tasks that you should leave to licensed professionals. Electrical upgrades and repairs, because of their inherent danger, should not be done by amateurs.
Find a Reliable Company
It’s important to hire a reliable electrical contractor when you have work that needs to be done. If you need a service change or upgrade, or have some urgent repairs that need to be completed, you’ll want to be sure that you find a company that has been serving your area for an extended period of time. There is a lot of turnover in the contracting business, so be sure to look for a contractor that has been in business for 15 years or so.
As part of your pre-screening process, you should also look for firms that offer a 1000% customer satisfaction guarantee. If a local electrician can offer this it shows that they truly stand behind the work they do. Another big plus is if they provide a lifetime warranty on labor. This will help protect you and your investment in the event any issues arise.
Research Contractors and Read the Reviews
If you are searching for a contractor who can provide the electrical services you need, it’s a good idea to do your due diligence. Using the search engines, you can quickly find firms that serve your community. As you browse the contractor’s website, you’ll get a sense of how they operate and how professional they are.
You should also take the time to walk through and read a lot of the reviews. If you see a lot of reviews with high scores across a couple of different sites, you can feel pretty good about the company. The reviews will also give you information about their responsiveness and their ability to quickly handle jobs that might be similar to your own.
Follow Up With the Contractor’s Board and Find Out About Insurance
Every state has a contractor’s board that is responsible for licensing and regulating these firms at the state level. These entities fall under different names in each locality and may be called something like the Division of Consumer Affairs. You’ll be able to do a license search at their site to make sure that your prospective contractor is in good standing and is eligible to work in the state.
In addition, you can often check for complaints against the company or adverse actions or decisions that have found them at fault. Once you have verified all of this information, you should also make sure that the company is insured and bonded. You’ll want to verify that they have current, full coverage for both liability and worker’s compensation.
Before you hire a firm to work on your electrical systems, it pays to do your research so you feel sure you are hiring a reputable company. By reading reviews, checking with the licensing board, and verifying insurance coverage, you’ll help assure that you are selecting a good contractor who can get the job done right.