There are currently over 1,067,000 electricians across the US. When choosing an emergency electrician, it helps to have a plan. Otherwise, they might lack the electrical repair experience you need.
An inexperienced electrician could do more harm than good when working on your home.
Not sure who to hire? Here are a few tips you can use when vetting your options for electricians. With these tips, you can feel confident an experienced professional is on the job.
If there’s ever an emergency, you’ll have peace of mind knowing they’re only a call away, too.
Start your search for an experienced electrician with these tips today!
Gather Referrals
You can start your search by asking friends, family members, and neighbors for referrals. Ask if they’ve hired an emergency electrician in the past year. If they have, ask about their experience.
You can draft a list of questions you want to ask ahead of time. Asking these questions could help you gather insights that aren’t available online. Then, you’ll have an easier time narrowing down your options for electricians.
For example, you might consider asking:
- Was the electrician experienced and knowledgeable
- What services did you request
- Did they arrive on time
- How long did it take them to fix the problem
- Would you hire them again
- Did you encounter any problems
If the homeowner experienced problems with the company, ask what the company did to fix the issue. Find an emergency electrician that strives to offer the best possible customer service. Otherwise, you might have to search for another electrician in the future.
Choosing electricians based on a personal referral can help you feel more comfortable with your choice.
If you’re unable to gather recommendations, that’s okay. Search for “an emergency electrician near me” online and build a list of options for electricians. While you’re online, look for customer reviews.
You can find reviews on the company’s Google Business and Better Business Bureau profiles.
Find a company that already has a strong reputation in the area. You can feel more confident choosing a business other homeowners have trusted in the past. These businesses will also strive to maintain their hard-earned reputations.
Look for Experience
The number of electrical jobs will increase by 9% between 2016 and 2026. Not everyone has years of electrical repair experience, though.
Determine how long each company has run and operated. A long-established business likely has a process in place. They’re less likely to experience operational issues, helping you avoid unnecessary stress.
A company that has worked within the industry for a few years has likely earned the respect of local homeowners in that time, too.
Before choosing an emergency electrician, learn about their experience in the industry. Find someone with years of hands-on electrical repair experience. Make sure their experience is relevant to your specific project or needs, too.
An experienced electrician will have an easier time diagnosing the problem and developing a solution. Someone who lacks experience, however, might make mistakes while working on your home. They could waste your time and money as a result.
Check Credentials
Once you have a list of options for electricians, look into each company’s credentials.
First, make sure each company is licensed. In order to maintain the license, the company must pass a qualifications test each year. These businesses know to operate based on new information.
They’ll have an easier time understanding new technologies and systems. As a result, these teams are less likely to make mistakes while working on your home.
Determine how recently the company completed their training and when they last updated their license. Make sure they’re licensed to serve your area, too. If their license is outdated, strike them from your list.
Next, ask for proof that the company is insured. Determine if they have both worker’s compensation and general liability insurance.
Worker’s compensation will protect your best interests if someone is hurt on the job. The company won’t hold you responsible. General liability insurance will protect you if someone damages your property on the job.
Finding a company with both forms of insurance will give you peace of mind. Make sure the company’s policy is up-to-date.
Check the Service Area
Before reaching out to an electrician, look online to determine the company’s service area.
First, make sure they’re licensed to serve your area. Consider how long it will take for them to reach your property, too. If you live too far away, you might have to pay a fee for them to reach your home.
Instead, look for a company that can arrive quickly. You’ll have peace of mind that they’re nearby if there’s an emergency.
Ask About Specialties
As you review your list of options, make sure to consider what emergency electrical services the company provides. Otherwise, you might find they don’t meet your needs and goals. You could waste time calling a company that doesn’t offer the services you need.
For example, you might need help with:
- Electric panels
- Outlets and switches
- A pool or hot tub
- Home generators
- Surge protection
- Lighting
- Landscape lighting
- Ceiling fans
Know when to contact an emergency electrician as well. You should call for help if your:
- Lights flicker or flash
- Sparks fly when you plug a device in
- Smoke or odd smells come from electrical sources
- Switches don’t work
- Outlets don’t work
- The breaker trips frequently
Don’t hesitate to call an emergency electrician if you start experiencing these problems.
Consider Costs
Ask at least three different companies about their fees. Get an itemized list of their services to compare, too. Comparing electrician costs can help you determine the average price.
If someone’s pricing seems unusually high or low, consider why that is.
Determine if the company offers financing options, too.
Then, review your notes. Choose an electrician you can trust to work on your own.
Start Searching: Choosing an Emergency Electrician Made Easy
Choosing an emergency electrician doesn’t have to feel stressful or time-consuming. Instead, use these tips when vetting your options for electricians. With these tips, you can find a professional you can trust.
You’ll have peace of mind knowing they’re only a call away during an emergency.
Need help right away? We’re here for you.
Contact our licensed, insured master electricians today.
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