How To Find A Great Electrician

Electricity is one of those things that most people generally take for granted. As long as the power flows freely when we plug in an appliance, and doesn’t spark or flicker, we’re inclined to not think about it.

Electricity makes life bright.

But then one day (or night, or weekend), it happens. ‘It’ being flickering lights, a sparks emanating from a light switch, or even the sound of your daughter’s shriek when all of the power goes out. (This always happens when they’re in the shower!).

And then.

Then, you need an electrician, and you need one now.

There is always the hope that you’ll find a electrician before you actually need one. The preference is to find a electrician when you decide you want a new ceiling fan or to add some security lights to your front yard or some other non-emergency matter. But, time is a luxury we don’t all have all the time, so here is a run-down on some of the ways to find a great electrician:

1) Licensed, bonded, insured

It’s always great to have a handyman, and we love them, too, because you can have them come out and do several things at once. But, electrical work is one of those things that it is really better to have someone who is certified. If electrical work is done incorrectly, it can cause a fire, and exponentially increase your problems.

2) Read the online reviews

Consistency is the key. A company with high ratings is your best bet. As with any review system, there may be one or two who end up being unhappy. We all expect that, which means service people have to give every job their very best effort. If customers leave reviews which express they’re consistently unhappy with the company, try someone with better ratings. 

3) Smart home, smart electrician

The grapevine is a great way to hear about an electrician.

A good electrician keeps an eye on current technology and innovation. When it comes to new things on the market, a good electrician is one of the first people to find out more about it.
A good electrician will take continuing classes, constantly look for ways to learn new things, keep abreast of innovation and new technology. Electrical work used to be wires and switches. Electrical work now is solar,  wireless, and smart.

4) Referrals from family, co-workers, and other pros.

Electricians build their client base one happy customer at a time. Word spreads when an electrician shows up on time, troubleshoots, fixes the problem and gets your power back on. A good electrician is sensitive to both your inconvenience and safety.

 Even tradesmen from other service professions know the good from the bad, since service professionals frequently have to cooperate with one another on jobs. As an example, if you were to ask me to recommend a great plumber, I would say that Jimmy Joe’s Plumbing is a company I would recommend.

5) Sample their work before an emergency

If you want a connection to an electrical company before an emergency, the easiest way to do that is to have them come out and do a non-emergency call--maybe add some recessed lighting or install that ceiling fan. Then, you’ll be able to see their work firsthand and can add them to your contacts with confidence.