What You Need to Know When Hiring an Electrician

Posted on: 20 April 2020

The first thing you should do is heed the warnings given about DIY electrical work. Only a few electrical works can be classified as safe; they include things like changing a light bulb or a burnt fuse. When doing such tasks, ensure you switch off the main switch or the bulb switch to avoid electrocution.

All other technical electrical work should be left to a qualified electrician. Here is what you need to know when hiring an electrician:

Where is The Electrician Located?

Hire an electrician who is located near your home or workplace (these are the most common places you might require electrical work services). The reason behind this is that you want to save on costs and also hire an electrician who is familiar with your locality. Such an electrician is in a good position to know where to source genuine and quality materials locally and is familiar with the electrical requirements or your locality.

Do You Have Residential or Commercial Electrical Needs?

Do you need electrical work services for your home or workplace? Various electricians advertise themselves as either commercial or residential electricians. Match your needs to the right electrician; if you have commercial electrical work needs, hire a commercial electrician. Likewise, if you have residential electrical work needs, hire a residential electrician.

Why is a Residential Electrician Different from A Commercial Electrician?

Commercial electrical work might be more complex than residential electrical work. An electrical contractor might be required to be in a position to safely handle electric currents of higher voltages and amperes. Such currents are required by heavy or superior commercial pieces of equipment and machines. You might also be required to obtain electrical permits, especially when installing some highly powered machines that have the potential to cause severe damage or injury.

Residential electric currents need not be as high as commercial electric currents because most domestic appliances don't need high voltages or amperes. Permits or advanced skills may also not be required.

It is important to know that you can use a commercial electrician for residential electrical work, but you cannot use a residential electrician for commercial electrical work.

Electrical Work Specificity

Apart from being qualified to handle commercial or residential electrical work, an electrician can have specialisation on particular electrical works. For example, you might come across an electrician who might only offer services related to wiring, socket and switch installation and repair and another one who might only offer services related to the installation of specific appliances.

Therefore, as you look for an electrician, the first thing is to check whether he or she is a commercial or residential electrical contractor and then consider what specific electrical needs you have. You can then select an electrician offering electrical services that meet those needs.

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