Whether you are looking to remodel your entire home, retrofit part of it or tackle emergency repairs, your choice of residential electrician is a critical one. The right electrician not only ensures you achieve what you set out to do, but also lowers the safety risk of the project. On the other hand, choosing the wrong contractor could spell disaster in multiple ways.

While all this sounds fairly straightforward, it becomes harder when you realize virtually every residential electrician you come across claims to be the best there is. So how do you distinguish those that truly stand out like Master Electrical (https://masterelectrical.com/) from the others?

 Here are some tips that will help you choose the right electrician for your next project. 

1. Check Licensing and Insurance

Compliance is critical. So before you consider any electrician, you must be certain that they have the requisite licensing and insurance.

A licensed residential electrician, like Milestone Electricians in Carrollton, will have liability insurance and worker’s compensation to cover any accidents and injuries that may occur at your home during the course of work. A bonded residential electrician will have an insurance cover that takes care of project costs if the electrician abandons work.

If the contractor does not carry insurance and licensing, you are exposing yourself to multiple risks. Ask the electrician to share a copy of their licenses and insurance certificates before they begin working. Any credible contractor will have this available and ready to share with you at a moment’s notice.

2. Experience and Expertise

Not all residential electricians are created equal, and one of the most important distinctions between any two contractors is experience and training. Prioritize experienced, highly-trained residential electricians over novices.

An inexperienced electrician could be overflowing with enthusiasm and good intentions, however their limited exposure to diverse situations means they are more likely to make a mistake without even realizing it. Hiring an inexperienced contractor is simply too risky.

Find out how long the electrician has been in business, check out projects they have completed and confirm any training they have. The more experienced, especially in the specific area you want handled, the better.

3. Check Reviews

As long as a business has been in operation for a while, there will be online reviews from previous customers. An important point to note on online reviews however, is that dissatisfied customers are usually more motivated to post their reviews than happy customers. So every electrician will almost certainly have some negative reviews.

The key with checking online reviews is to keep an eye on the overarching sentiments. If the overwhelming majority of reviews are positive, then chances are the contractor is competent. On the other hand, if more than half of reviews are negative, you may want to consider working with a different electrician.

4. Get References

The ubiquity of internet access and the expansive knowledge it contains has, over the years, diminished the average person’s dependence on word-of-mouth references. If you are looking for a contractor, the internet will likely be the first place you check.

References from family, friends, neighbors and work colleagues can also be invaluable. They carry a weight of credibility that typically exceeds that of online reviews because the references are from people who do not have an interest in recommending a specific electrician.

You can also request references from the electrician themselves. While you may be right to assume that these will likely be those who will offer glowing tribute, a conversation with them should hint if there is anything you need to be worried about regarding your specific project.

Don’t Rush

While you may be eager to get your project started, take your time when choosing the right electrician. These four tips are important to consider, and should help you evaluate the electricians you are considering. 

Remember that even if it’s an emergency, you do not necessarily have to settle for the first electrician you come across. Take your time to make sure you get the decision right from the start.