What Should I Consider When Hiring an Electrician?

Electrical work should not be performed by a "handyman" but by a Licensed Electrician. Permits and licenses may also be required at municipal or county level.

Find out if the electrician has the insurance that you need.  Ask the right questions. Do you warranty your work? What is the price for all the work to be performed? If it will be necessary to cut into walls, ceilings or floors, exactly what will be cut? Will you pull a permit if appropriate?

Check references. Make sure that all labor, materials and cost to pull permit are included in the quote.

A general rule of thumb don't try to save money by buying electrical materials yourself if the electrician buys the material, he is responsible if it is the wrong product.

Can a Licensed & Insured Electrician Help Improve Safety and Lower My Energy Costs?
In addition to the immediate task at hand, there are other important questions that you should ask a Licensed Electrician. Are the fixtures and wiring energy efficient and safe throughout my property? Could I save energy cost or improve safety by replacing obsolete fuseboxes, receptacles or fixtures?

Why Should I Hire Only a Licensed & Insured Electrician?

Licensed electricians can pull permits. Damage or injury caused by a non-licensed electrician can result in denial of coverage. Electrical work is dangerous. OSHA reports almost 300 deaths and over 4,000 injuries per year due to electrical injuries. Improper wiring or electrical work can cause fires and expensive property damage. Professional Property Managers won't assume the liability of hiring an uninsured paving contractor - smart homeowners don't either.

Bonding can cover costs of repairing problems caused by electrician error. Talk to your Insurance Agent about what you need to require from your electrical contractor.