How to Find Qualified Electricians
Tampering with the wiring in your home or place of business can be dangerous without the proper training. When done incorrectly it may result in injury, fire and severe damage to the house or building. For this reason it is important to hire a licensed an experienced electrician whenever electrical work is needed. There are several ways that you can go about finding and hiring a qualified electrician.
- Learn the differences between licensed electricians before attempting to find one. Generally there are two types of licensed electricians that you will encounter - a journeyman electrician and a master electrician. A master technician will have at least two years of experience, be knowledgeable of the National Electrical Code and have passed testing. In addition, he can also plan and design electrical systems. Journeymen, on the other hand, often must work with a master technician and is not legally able to design or plan electrical systems.
- Ask someone that you know has had recent dealings with an electrician, if they would recommend that individual to you. Take down the contact information and ask about their satisfaction level.
- Talk to your contractor if you have one working on your home. A contractor will have electricians that they work with on a regular basis and can give you a recommendation on who they trust.
- Search websites such as the Electrical Contractor Network. These allow you to search for electricians, typically by company name, area or zip code.
- Interview prospective electricians to verify that they have the proper licensing and insurance. Ask to see a copy of both before making a decision to hire.
- Go to your state's Contractors Board to look up licensing information. This will help to ensure that the license is valid and that it is up-to-date.