It can be a real pain trying to find a trusted professional. And when it comes to your electrical, quality and qualifications aren’t things to gamble with.
A shoddy handyman could end up costing you thousands of dollars in damage or put you and your family at risk of electrical fire! And oftentimes, DIY electrical projects are just as risky.
When looking for an electrician, be sure to weigh your options wisely. Here are a few tips for choosing the right electrician in Southwest Florida:
Look up online reviews, but don’t forget about personal references.
Recommendations are a great place to start when searching for a reputable electrician. While some electricians will post testimonials on their website, branch out onto other review sites to get a broader picture. Be sure to check out their ratings on Google, Yelp, Facebook, and other popular review sites where you can read what real customers have to say— being careful to pay close attention to the most thoughtful, detailed accounts to see a clear representation of their work.
Beyond the Internet, ask everyone you know if they’ve used an electrician, what the electrician did, and how much the work ran them. Also, be sure to ask if they would use their services again— that’s the best way to gauge how impressed they were by the work. Friends or family may have an excellent local electrician up their sleeves that’ll save you a lot of work comparing others in the area. Never underestimate the power of word-of-mouth.
Look up the electrician’s Better Business Bureau rating.
Before you narrow it down to one electrician, do a thorough check with the Better Business Bureau. There, you can find out if there are any negative complaints against the electrician you’ve chosen.
This is often a “higher-escalation” mecca for information on bad issues, where you can see if legal action was ever taken against electricians for poor workmanship or other legitimate reasons.
Be sure the electrician is licensed and insured.
The last thing you want is an unqualified and under-trained person working with your electrical systems. Remember, a cheap handyman might seem like the most financially-suited option at the time, but if they mess up the electrical, the damage caused by their mistake will be your responsibility to pay for.
In order to avoid costly damage, you need to ensure that the electrician has a current license that’s valid in your state, and that the license covers the variety of work that you need done in your home. You should also request proof of insurance coverage, just to make sure that everything is completely up-to-date and not expired so that mistakes don’t fall onto your lap.
Seek a Master Electrician, or one who specializes in your specific kind of electrical project.
Not every electrician has the experience working with the specific issue you need addressed. While some electricians are great at outlet upgrades, for instance, they may not be versed in all forms of rewiring projects.
A Master Electrician title, however, guarantees the person has a minimum of four years of experience in all things residential electrical. This means that they’re probably up for whatever job you have in mind, but it’s wise to confirm with them just to make sure.
Look for quality and transparency.
You don’t want to overpay for the work but, on the other hand, we’ve all heard the phrase, “you get what you pay for.” Be sure that each electrician gives you a breakdown of the prices for the materials as well as labor so you can accurately compare quotes. Naturally, there are other factors to consider beyond the price, but you need to know what you’re paying for.
It helps to understand that electricians typically bill by the hour for their labor. The average cost for a traditional electrician is typically $50-100 an hour, according to Home Advisor. However, a specialist or senior electrician may charge more for their superior tools, experience, and reputation.
Others charge a “trip charge,” or a flat fee or minimum for each visit, which then allows them to charge a lower hourly rate. This is especially true if the task is simple (for them) and they want to make sure they’re still profiting for their travel and effort, despite a quick fix. When discussing price, make sure the electrician is clear about how they charge so you don’t run into unexpected fees.
Get a quote from a few different electricians.
If you’re looking up electricians based on online ratings, be sure to get quotes from a few different companies.
You want to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck while seeing how the business handles a little healthy competition when asked why they’re more expensive than their local rival! They may explain why the ceiling fan brand they choose is better than their competitors, or how they offer a better guarantee on their work.
Seek an electrician with guarantees and warranties.
Speaking of guarantees, the best electricians offer some sort of warranty on their fix or install. Whether they’re a dealer for a certain brand and offer a service warranty on these authorized products or make a big “satisfaction always guaranteed” promise, ask the company how they hold themselves accountable for a job well done.
Look No Further!
Are you searching for a reliable electrician in Southwest Florida? We’ve got a bright idea— give us a call at 239-307-0716!
We can handle all of your electrical needs for both residential and commercial projects. Also, all new customers get a 10% discount!
