Hiring an electrician is no laughing matter. After all, this is someone who will be working with one of the most important and dangerous utilities in your home.
That being said, far too many homeowners simply choose the first electrician they find in the phone book without doing any sort of research beforehand.
Don’t be one of these people! If you take the time to ask your electrician a few key questions before they start work, you can rest assured knowing that you’ve made the best possible decision for your home. Not sure what questions to ask? Here are five of the most important ones:
1. Are you registered with a governing body and insured?
This is always the first question you should ask any tradesperson you’re thinking about hiring. To work as an electrician in Weston-Super-Mare, they must have the correct qualifications. Being with either NAPIT (like we are), or the NICEIC, confirms for you that we are fully qualified, and insured to at least the minimum requirements (we go above and beyond).
If a contractor comes in who doesn't have the correct insurance, you could be left with a nasty surprise if something goes wrong, potentially being left liable.
2. What kind of experience do you have?
While being registered with a governing body is certainly important, it’s not everything. An electrician could have been licensed for decades but if they don’t have any experience doing the type of electrical work you want doing, that’s not going to do you much good.
When interviewing prospective electricians, make sure to ask about their specific experience with projects similar to yours. How many times have they done this kind of work before? Do they have any reviews or testimonials from past clients? For example, you may want an electric car charger installed, but the electrician hasn't ever installed one before. These are all important things to consider before making your decision.
At Perform Electrical Service, if you want to speak to any of our previous clients just ask and we are more than happy to arrange this for you, contact us on 01934 707 142.
3. What will this job entail and how long will it take?
Before starting any major home improvement project, it’s important that you have a clear understanding of exactly what needs to be done and approximately how long it will take to complete the job. This is especially true when it comes to electrical work since even a small mistake can cause serious (and potentially deadly) problems down the line. Don't expect them to tell you word for word what they are going to do, as this is often not possible until the job has begun.
4. Can you provide a detailed written quote?
Make sure that you get everything in writing before work begins! A reputable electrician should have no problem providing you with a written quote that outlines what work is included in the price. If an electrician refuses to provide an estimate or tries to give you a “ballpark figure,” that’s another red flag and you should move on to someone else.
5. Do you offer a warranty on your workmanship?
All reputable electricians will offer some sort of warranty or guarantee on their workmanship. This protects you in case anything goes wrong after they finish the job and leaves you with peace of mind knowing that your electrical system is in good hands. At Perform Electrical Services Ltd. we offer a 6-year insurance-backed warranty on all of our workmanship!
Asking your prospective electrician these five questions will help ensure that you make the best possible decision for your home's electrical needs. Remember, never hesitate to walk away from an electrician who seems unwilling or unable to answer these (or any other) questions satisfactorily!
If you live in or around Weston-Super-Mare please don't hesitate to get in touch with us on 01934 707 142.