Do you need an electrician to install electricity or conduct electrical repairs in your home? If you do, read this excerpt for some tips on how to choose an electrician.
Qualifications and Experience
Electrical repairs are a hazardous job. As such, your electrician must be trained and qualified. In Australia, electricians are required to undergo a four-year apprenticeship before they can perform electrical repairs on their own. Evaluate the experience of the electrician. It is especially so if he or she will handle complex tasks such as home wiring or power installation.
Available Services
Your electrician should provide a wide range of services. They include:
- Installation of appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines
- Installation of home networks and fire alarm systems
- Relocation of underground or overhead electrical cables on your property
- Conducting power audits to help homeowners understand which appliances consume the most power
- Installation of solar power and solar water heaters
- Testing and tagging of portable electrical devices
- Generator installation and repairs
Terms of Service
Read the electrician's terms of service to avoid disputes once he or she begins the repair works. For instance, some electricians will have a standard response time. They could promise to arrive within two hours if you live with their locality. Check the electrician's operating hours. If possible, choose a 24/7 electrician since you may require repairs during odd hours. The electrician should have a general liability insurance cover. The policy should extend to any employees or subcontractors that will assist during repairs.
The electrician should have a fair pricing policy. Once the electrician arrives at your home, he or she should conduct an immediate inspection and give a quote detailing the cost of labour and materials. The labour charge could fluctuate if you need repair services at night or during the weekend. Most electricians will give discounts to their loyal customers.
Safety
The electrician must observe safety when working. For example, he or she should have protective gear such as gloves, rubber shoes, insulating sleeves and safety glasses. Besides, he or she should have a safety harness when working at heights. Once you hire the electrician, he or she should conduct an assessment to understand your home's wiring system and any hazards that might lead to fires and electrocution. For example, children have a habit of playing with frayed wires. Besides, low lying branches could come into contact with overhead cables.
When hiring an electrician, examine his or her qualifications, experience, terms of service and the safety measures that he or she will observe.
