In this blog post, you’ll learn how to hire a Coquitlam Electrician. Many people don’t give much thought to the electricity in their homes or offices unless something goes wrong and it stops working. When it does, they inevitably need an electrician. So, is hiring an electrician as easy as going online and picking the cheapest one? Not so fast. Because electricity is dangerous and low-quality work can pose a danger to you or your family, it’s essential that you hire the best electrician. In this post, we’ll look at the process of hiring the best Coquitlam electrician in more detail.

The First Step

Your first step in hiring an electrician in Coquitlam is deciding on your budget and determining what work you would like to have done. Regarding your budget, you should decide how much you’re willing to spend on the electrician’s services. You could maybe do some research on the going rates for electricians and based on that, decide how much you can afford. Once you know your budget, you should determine exactly what work you require. This will make it easier for you to describe what you need to the electrician, making it easier to get quotes. You’ll then be able to compare these quotes to your budget.

Where To Find the Best Coquitlam Electrician

When you know your budget and the work you need, it’s time to look for an electrician. Now, the first question is, where do you find one? Fortunately, you have many options available. These include:

  • Online research. The Internet is a great place to find electricians, especially if you are new to a city or neighbourhood. However, with all the options available, it can become overwhelming to sift through all the results. A significant benefit of Internet searches, though, is that you’ll find reviews of the electricians, so you’ll be able to see if other clients were satisfied with their services.
  • Calling electric companies in Coquitlam. Another option is to do it the old-fashioned way. So, you can call several companies to determine what services they offer and what they generally charge. Although calling different companies takes a bit longer, it allows you to explain what work you need done and get an idea of how the company works. As such, you’ll be able to assess their professionalism and how responsive they are.
  • Word of mouth. This is often one of the easiest and most reliable ways to find a good electrician. Here, you can ask your friends, neighbours, or acquaintances for the details of electricians they’ve used and who they can recommend. Simply put, other people’s experiences are a great way to find good electricians.

Based on these, you’ll probably end up with a list of electricians you can use for the work you need. Another thing you could do is check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if there are any outstanding complaints against any of the electricians on your list. By doing this, you’ll often be able to narrow down your list even further.

Qualifications

Your next step is to look at the qualifications of the electricians on your list. Just like many other trades, electricians have to go through a lot of training and education to become an electrician. This is simply because electricity is dangerous, and electricians need to be adequately trained to do their work with no issues. To become an electrician in Coquitlam, an electrician needs to hold a certificate of apprenticeship and complete four years of apprenticeship under a certified electrician. Also, the only electricians legally permitted to do electrical work or those who have completed the Electrical Contractor License successfully. Using a licensed electrician is crucial as hiring an unqualified electrician can result in damages to your home or even injury to you or your family. Considering the above, there are three types of electricians you can hire depending on the work that needs to be done. These are:

  • Apprentice electricians. These electricians are still training and working under more experienced electricians. Because of this, they’re only allowed to do minor electrical jobs and, to do bigger jobs, they’ll have to complete their training and pass a final exam.
  • Journeyman electricians. These electricians have recently completed their training and obtained their licenses. As such, they can work independently or assist master electricians in major projects.
  • Master electricians. Master electricians are the highest qualified electricians you’ll get. As such, they’ll be able to do any type of electrical job, and they have the experience, knowledge, and skills to ensure that the job gets done safely.

Ask the Right Questions

Based on your budget, the work that needs to be done, and the qualifications of the electricians, you’ll now have a list of possible electricians you could use. Now it’s time to contact them and discuss the project with them. When you speak to them, you must ask the right questions, which can include:

  • How long they’ve been in the business?
  • Whether they’ve done the type of work you require before?
  • Whether they’re certified and licensed?
  • Whether they’re insured?
  • Whether it will be an apprentice, journeyman, or master electrician who will be doing the work?
  • Whether they offer free quotes?
  • Whether they provide warranties?
  • Whether they can provide references?

The answers to all these questions will give you a great idea of the electricians’ qualifications, experience, and service they provide. As said above, it will also give you an idea of how professional and reliable they are.

Get References for Electricians in Coquitlam

You’ll need the contact details of people who’ve hired and worked with the electrician you’re about to hire. The idea is to ask if they were satisfied (or dissatisfied) with the performance. Ask them straight if they recommend the electrical contractor or not. If possible, go into the details, i.e., timeliness of the work, the electrician’s attitude, an accurate and reasonable estimate, and others. A good place to start is your city’s electrical licensing board or association. Look up the name of the organizations in your area and use their websites to find out where licensed electricians are located. You’ll most likely get the names of local contractors with a license. You can also ask your friends and neighbours for names of reliable electricians they know or have previously worked with.

PTX Electric

Some homeowners prefer to hire electrical contractors through referrals from their utility companies, as these companies are qualified to check electrical contractor licenses before you sign a contract. Pro Tip: Ask for a reference list from the electrician, and check them out to make sure the contractor is reliable. An honest contractor won’t hesitate to give you that list.

Choose a Local Coquitlam Electrician

Not only will you be supporting a local business, but you’ll also get more attention and follow-up than some of the larger electrical companies. A local electrician is easier to get a hold of when you need them for an emergency. Be clear about what you want from an electrician. This way, your prospects will understand if they’re up to the task of addressing your needs. Some electricians have no experience in upgrading or replacing an entire residential system, while others are way too proud to work on small projects. The way you choose an electrician also depends on how comfortable you are working with them. If you can get along with that person, it will be easier to discuss your needs and resolve any issues quickly. –

Expertise and Experience

If you’re looking for someone to install or repair your home’s wiring system, be sure to check out the contractor’s credentials. Electrical projects vary, so be sure to find a contractor who’s done similar work before. For instance, if you need a new panel box or wiring installed for your home’s electrical system, be sure to look for an electrician who’s familiar with residential wiring.

Bonding and Insurance

Electricians in Coquitlam are bound by law to acquire a license before they’re allowed to charge for their services. You can work with unlicensed electricians or a handyman if you want but temper your expectations. The scariest part of hiring an unlicensed electrician is that they usually don’t have liability insurance. So, you’re likely to be liable if the work leads to property damage and injury. The reasoning behind working with a licensed contractor is you’re assured of letting someone in your property who has proper training, liability insurance, and worker’s compensation protection. Find out whether the contractor is bonded and insured. Bonding means that the company has to put forth the money to protect a client in case of an injury or damage done by an employee. At the same time, insurance assures you of any loss that happens while performing the electrical work. Another way to find out if a contractor’s bonded and insured is by calling the licensing board that issued the license or check if the company has an electrical contractor bond and insurance certificate posted on their website. Pro Tip: Insist on written proof of liability insurance and bonding. Some electricians want you to take their word for it, but that’s not enough. You don’t want to find out the hard way once you face a failed job.

Complaint History

Look up the history of complaints on your potential contractors at the Better Business Bureau. This information will help you know if any unresolved issues might affect their work or even turn into a lawsuit in the future. You can also check out reviews from past clients to determine whether they were happy with the work done. Pro Tip: If you find an electrician with a history of unresolved complaints, go for another one. Don’t waste your time gambling on someone who has a propensity to do a botched job. Finding a reputable Coquitlam Electrician or Electrical contractor can be a challenge, especially if you have a major electrical problem that needs fixing. Fixing electrical circuits – or any electrical problems for that matter – in your home is probably not your forte. As a DIYer, there are limits as to what you can do. You might be able to install a plumbing fixture, replace the old kitchen tiles, or even install a new door lock. But when the job involves electricity, that’s when you want to call in a professional. Electrical work is for licensed electricians; taking on faulty wiring and other issues may result in electrocution, shock, or fire. So, DIY electrical work is out of the question. If you notice something wrong with your electrical system, the logical response is to call an electrician. But with many local electrical contractors in Coquitlam, it’s hard to tell which ones to hire. You can’t pick anyone randomly, especially when you’re giving them access to your home. Here’s how you’ll find a reputable local electrician:

Learn of the Coquitlam’s Electrician’s Expertise

No two electricians are the same; some specialize in multiple fields, while others are limited to residential service calls. See that you choose an electrician who has the experience of handling a similar issue you’re facing right now. If it’s for new home construction, ask your prospects if they’ve worked on a similar project before. Consequently, don’t hire someone who works exclusively on residential electrical systems when you need help for your commercial building.

Get Multiple Electrical Quotes

Once you’ve eliminated all the electricians who don’t fit your needs or requirements, it’s time to get quotes from those on your shortlist. So, explain exactly the work you need, and ask them to give you an estimate based on that. Get a quotation or rough estimate for an electrical project from at least three electricians. Comparing quotes will help narrow down your search to one or two electricians. Be sure to clarify what each quote includes – whether it’s labour, materials, permits and inspection fees for major electrical projects. Pro Tip: Be wary of an electrician who tries to give you an estimate over the phone. You’re not getting any honesty from someone who can’t even show up in person to give a quotation. At this stage, also make sure that you clarify the specifics on how they charge and what the price includes. For example, does the price include travel, labor, and materials. Also, does it include clean-up after the job is done and disposal of the replaced electrical components? Based on all your research and the quotes you now have, you’ll be able to hire the best electrician based on your needs, requirements, and budget. Many homeowners like doing stuff on their own – whether it’s a kitchen renovation, interior painting, or landscaping, there’s satisfaction in finishing a project all by yourself. But not every home improvement job is meant for DIY. The most evident example is electrical work. Professionals must handle all electrical work. Even a slight misunderstanding of how an electrical system works can result in disaster. Any faulty wiring installation opens the possibility of starting a fire; there’s also a risk of getting electrocuted. Even an electrical shock from an outlet or extension cord could be fatal to children and pets. Instead of risking injury and property damage, why not hire an electrician instead? Calling for the services of a licensed and experienced electrician guarantees a quick turnaround, safety and will even let you save money. But not all the prospects you meet are legit. Your job is to find a licensed, skilled and trustworthy contractor.

Narrow down your list to about three candidates

If you started with five or six prospects on your list, you should be able to narrow it down to about three at this point. Remove those who refuse to show proof of a license and insurance, as well as those who have multiple negative reviews and bad rep online. You can’t start with the extended phone interviews and ask for an estimate without narrowing down your list.

Ask for an estimate

The unique thing about electrical repair and maintenance projects is that the estimate is always a guaranteed price. You expect the quote to be an accurate depiction of what you’re paying once the job is completed. Some home improvement projects have unexpected costs down the road, but the cost of fixing, installing, or maintaining your electrical system is easier to figure out. So, after a visit to your home or an extended conversation over the phone, a reputable electrician should tell you how much they’re going to charge for the work. Stay away from a contractor who hands out an estimate without even asking for the details of the job; avoid an electrician who offers an extremely low bid because they’re likely going to charge you more later. No matter how small the job is, don’t go for the cheapest bid. Electrical work is not easy. The last thing you want is to put your family and home at risk because of a botched job by an unqualified electrician. Follow these steps in finding a reputable electrical contractor in Coquitlam, and you’ll be fine.

The Bottom Line

It’s inevitable that, at some stage, you’ll need the services of an electrician. So, when the time comes to hire an electrician, you need to make sure that you choose the right one. Hopefully, this post helped illustrate the process of finding the right electrician for your needs. If you have any questions, please don’t hestiate to reach out to PTX Electric which has been serving Coquitlam and the Greater Vancouver area since 2018.