Homeowners should never attempt electrical work on their own. It can be dangerous and requires specialized knowledge. Since a residential or commercial property is a significant investment, having a reliable electrician on hand is incredibly important.

Many electricians advertise their services, but they’re not all equally competent at what they do. Here are several tips on finding a capable and reliable electrician for all electrical work around your property.

Ask for recommendations

When it comes to hiring an electrician, seeking recommendations is typically the best way to go. Homeowners can reach out to people in their lives whose opinion they can trust.

Virtually anyone who’s lived in an area for a while has had some experience with an electrician. It’s also possible that a friend or a relative has a good electrician’s phone number right on their fridge.

Do the research

If asking for recommendations doesn’t work, then embarking on a journey of online research might. First, there’s looking for electricians and checking their business hours.

When you’ve found a few potential candidates, it’s time to dig a little deeper. Look for online reviews. If there isn’t any, that can be a red flag.

Even if they’re not all bad, a few scattered reviews are not a great sign either. However, they can be informative to a degree and provide a better idea of the possible dimensions of your search.

Talk to several electricians

If a few electricians are on the shortlist, it’s probably best to talk to them directly. You should have a list of questions ready for use in an email or phone call.

Asking for a free estimate is prudent, as it’s very likely that your budget might dictate who to hire. Don’t forget to ask about the years in service and whether they’re licensed and insured.

If they claim to be licensed, a follow-up question could be whether they can back that up. The professional’s readiness to accommodate potential customers will speak volumes.

Get a contract before doing any work

Finding a trustworthy electrician is not easy. Also, there are no guarantees when they do a job for you the first time. Sometimes a single experience is enough to know if they’re someone you can trust.

However, for additional security, make sure to get everything in writing before work begins. The estimate, terms, and all other relevant details should align.

Trusting an electrician with your home

Sometimes a homeowner gets lucky and receives an excellent recommendation for an electrician. Or they might google “electricians nearby,” and the first listing they click on proves to be the right choice. More likely, though, it’s going to take a little more work and knowing what questions to ask. The initial communication can reveal a wealth of information. Moreover, insisting on a written agreement can save you a headache or two. Let the search begin!

If you need a highly-reviewed, licensed electrician in the Phoenix Valley area, call Efficient Electric at 623-900-1461. We would love to hear from you!