ADVICE RATING |
  4.75 Excellent from 3 votes (220 Visits) |
|
|
Re: Electricians |
 |
by Maxpower  (December 2007) (rank 9th) |
|
Re: Electricians
Asked by OzBinky
Question:
I had an electrician who came out and prepared my extension - running the cables and so on - so I could plaster and finish the room. He has also disappeared off of the face of the earth and now I have to find a new one...
Because I was referred to this electrician I didn't hesitate or ask any questions when I hired him - nor did I think to ask. However, considering I have to hire someone else I'd like to know what are the main things I need to know, consider or ask when looking for an electrician.
Thanks in advance
OB
My Advice:
First, I would recommend my article titled "Things to look for when hiring a contractor".
Unfortunately, since the job was half done, even the best electrician will have to spend some time figuring out what the last guy did. Keep that in mind when you get quotes from new electricians. Hopefully you didn't overpay the last guy, so you can afford the 10-20% extra the new guy will have to charge. By that I mean 10-20% above what he would have normally charged, if he knew what the last guy did, not 10-20% above and beyond the origional quote.
It sounds like its a small project, one room or so, so whoever you hire shouldn't be looking for any kind of down payment, and more importantly, I wouldn't give one. When getting quotes, try to call electrical companies that specialize in residential, and even better, in remodels. Most companies, if you look at their yellow page ad, or website, will profess to doing commercial and residential, but hardly any do an equal amount of both. They will be a residential company that can probably fumble their way through a commercial job, or vice versa. So when you call, try to get a feel for it, or ask the guy that comes out if this is the type of thing they normally do.
Last, but not least, if the electrician is a one man show, quadruple check his license and bonding information. There are also websites out there that will give you reviews of contractors. Electrical work, especially in the residential arena, is the most dangerous of all of the trades, which is why it is usually the most closely inspected and coded. Hope this has been helpful, and remember, you are the boss, you sign the front of the check.
