If you have any sort of electrical job that needs doing around the home or business, it is vital that you always employ the services of an electrician, no matter how minor the job is. There are a lot of different electricians and electrical companies to choose from so how do you choose the one that is right for you?  Here are our hints and tips.

When it comes to having electrical work done, such as electrical repairs, installing lighting or power points, renovations (see electricians - renovations), rewiring or assisting with Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS), you will often need to have it done within a short time period.  The electrician should be able to come during a mutually agreeable time period and actually turn up when they say they will.  There is nothing more annoying that having to wait around for a tradesperson. Of course, if they are delayed for whatever reason, they should call you before your appointment time and ask if you wish to reschedule.

If it is an emergency, you need someone that can be there right away, no matter how late it is.  Look for an electrician that is also a 24/7 emergency electrician as they can be there whenever you need them.

If you are employing an electrician, you want one that is good at what they do.  The best way to ensure that you have a good electrician is to check their qualifications.  They should have undertaken all of the necessary training (apprenticeship, study, etc), and be licensed with the relevant board.  As well, electricians can be members of electrical associations such as NECA, ECA, and ESAA.  If they are a member of such an association, it is a good sign that they practice to high standards.  If you are hiring an electrician for specialist work, make sure that they are both trained and experienced in their specialty.  Electricians also need to carry the appropriate insurances such as public liability.

For further peace of mind, you can ask your electrician for a list of references so that you can see examples of their previous work.  Be wary if they will not readily provide this.

Do not underestimate the importance of being able to communicate with your electrician. The electrician should be happy to explain all that they are doing at every stage of the project.  Similarly, you should also feel comfortable enough to express your desires to the electrician, such as the placement of powerpoints, what type of wiring to use, where your lights are placed, and so on.  Clear communication on both sides will ensure that there is no disappointment or nasty surprises.

When you are selecting an electrician, it can be helpful to get several quotes before you make your final decision.  Ensure that each electrician quotes on exactly the same thing. Doing this will help you to avoid getting misleading quotes.  For example, one electrician may quote a higher figure than another but they include labour and all materials while the other electrician may only be quoting labour fees.

Don’t automatically go for the cheapest quote that you get either.  Combine the quote that you get with our other tips for choosing an electrician and make your overall decision on the cost plus what else you are getting. It is better to pay a little more for a more experienced electrician that you are comfortable with than someone that does the bare minimum and leaves again.