Simple Checklist For Choosing The Right Electrical Contractor

12 February, 2018
How To Know You Have The Right Electrical Contractor

Finding the right electrical contractor to do some work at your home or business is key to ensuring the safety and optimal function of your electrical systems. A simple Google search would produce countless options to choose from, but not all electricians and electrical contractors are equal.

It is important that you do your due diligence to make sure that the contractor you hire is the best choice for delivering the results that you’re looking for and will put you and your property at risk.

Whether you need the contractor to install, repair, or remodel an electrical appliance or system, these tips will help you find the right electrician for you.

Check If The Contractor Is Licensed, Insured, And Bonded

These three elements are arguably the most important factors to consider when choosing an electrician company. They help to protect you and your rights as a customer of the electrical contractor you choose as follows:

  • A licensed contractor has gone through and successfully completed the training required to work as an electrician, and has the experience to be considered a professional in that field. Licensing also means that the contractor has committed to paying a bond covering their work.
  • A bond is the amount paid by a contractor so they can receive licensing in a specific professional field. Bonding protects you as a client in the event that the contractor fails to complete the assigned job properly. In other words, you can access the bond to cover costs for damage.
  • Insurance is intended to protect the contractor while working on your property. So in the event of an accident on your property, both you and your contractor will be compensated for damages.

If asked, most contractors should willingly provide you with the proper license, bond, and insurance documentation. If they refuse, you should reconsider about trusting them with your project. If you’re not convinced that the documents are genuine, you can check with your local licensing board for information on the contractor’s license and whether or not they’re bonded.

Check their experience and ask for references

There are many ways to find electrical contractors in your area, from searching online via search engines to using referrals from family and friends. The moment you have a list of several potential contractors, you should research further to ensure that they’re qualified to handle the work at hand.

A great place to start is by checking their online reviews or going directly to the contractor’s website and/or social media page. The website should contain all important information, such as their scope of work, qualifications and certifications, areas of operation, training and credentials, and references/testimonials from their past projects.

If possible, see if you can get in touch with some of the contractor’s past clients so you can get a more specific and personal review of the contractor’s performance on projects that are similar to yours.

Visiting their social media page is a great way to find out whether there are any customer complaints, and how they handle any problems with their customers. It is also a good way to evaluate the quality of their after sales service.

Simple Checklist for finding the right electrical contractor

The objective of this checklist is to ensure that you have done everything possible on your side to find the right electrician or electrical contractor for the job.

Does the contractor offer round-the-clock emergency service, year round?

Does the contractor offer a warranty on labour and components?

Can the contractor provide references?

Does the contractor produce a written and signed contract on quoted electrical projects?

Question Yes No I Don’t Know
Is the contractor a licensed electrician?
Does the contractor have Workers’ Compensation Coverage?
Does the contractor have liability insurance?
Does the contractor have years of experience handling the type and size of job you require?
Does the contractor have the manpower to keep up with project timeframes and/or attend to emergencies?
Does the contractor run background checks on its employees?
How good is the contractor’s customer support?

If the electrical contractor you’ve selected answers yes to all questions, congratulations. It seems you’ve found a reliable and competent contractor who will handle your project well.

If you don’t know some of the answers to these questions, you should try to learn more about the company that will be handling your electrical project. Not knowing can lead to detrimental consequences.

If some or all of the answers were a ‘no’, then you should consider whether it’s worth taking a risk on a contractor who may not have the necessary resources and measures in place to protect you and provide the level of service you require.

Final note

Irrespective of the size of your budget, you deserve to work with an electrical contractor who is well equipped and qualified in every way. Finding the right company might be a daunting task, but it is worth the time and effort to find a safe, reliable, knowledgeable, efficient, and friendly team.



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Riaz Jilani
Riaz Jilani
2024-06-05
I had another electrician which not giving me time and then I search on google and found Hi Lite with good reviews so I decided to try them. I send massage on their website and after 30 minutes I got call from them they booked me different time which was not suitable for me. I requested them and they change according to my convenient.electrician came on time complete the job also advised me some unseen problems also fixed perfectly and my satisfaction . First time I really impressed I recommend them they are trouble free and with good reputation
Michael Butler
Michael Butler
2024-05-10
Stove wasn't working. Stove people said it was an electrical issue. Steven came over, showed me what was wrong. Now I know more about electricity. 5/5 would electricity again.
Heather D
Heather D
2024-05-10
Excellent service. Matt came out after hours to resolve an emergency situation where an outlet in our garage caught on fire. He was here within the hour and completed the work efficiently. In addition he communicated clearly all the necessary steps needed. We will definitely be calling him back for additional assistance in the future if the need arises.
Amrik Bhogal
Amrik Bhogal
2024-04-29
Excellent service! We had a problem with some receptacles in a couple of rooms in our house. Tried the usual resetting the breakers and GFI plugs, but to no avail. Called Hi-Lite Electric based on a recommendation from a friend. Matthew from Hi-Lite come over, diagnosed and fixed the problem quickly and efficiently. He was very knowledgeable and kept me in the loop as what he was doing. His estimate was very accurate. I would highly recommend HiLite
Roy Thompson
Roy Thompson
2024-04-29
Matthew and Steven did a fantastic job added two lights in my bedroom, prior to that their was no lights in my bedrooms. i would highly recommend them.
Izabella Hansen
Izabella Hansen
2024-04-23
Had a great experience with Matthew, a licensed electrician. He explained everything I needed thoroughly. Worked efficiently, was professional and curteous. I highly recommend this family run company.
Jo Persad
Jo Persad
2024-04-19
Excellent service. We had a problem with our house wiring and Matthew diagnosed and fixed the problem quickly and efficiently. He was very polite and pleasant and informative. We would highly recommend HiLite.
James Danakas
James Danakas
2024-03-27
The service we received from Matthew and Luciano was excellent and our problem was solved in a timely matter. Great customer service! Highly recommend!
Corrado Di Rosa
Corrado Di Rosa
2024-03-26
Excellent customer experience! Matthew is always on point with his recommendations and makes sure the issue is solved. Highly recommend Hi-Lite.
Funk Roberts
Funk Roberts
2024-03-18
I recently had the pleasure of having Matt from HiLite Electrical come over to replace my smoke alarm, and I couldn't be more satisfied with the service provided. From the moment Matt arrived, it was clear he was not only highly skilled but also incredibly personable and professional. His attention to detail was impeccable, ensuring that the job was done efficiently and effectively. What truly set Matt apart was his commitment to going above and beyond. He was punctual, arriving right on time, which is a rarity these days. But more importantly, he took the time to explain the process, what the problem was, and why we couldn't get the unit from the foundation in the first place. He was also amazing to talk about in general (especially fitness, training and combat sports, relationships, and other things), and ensured everything was working perfectly before he considered his job done. I highly recommend Hi-Lite Electrical to anyone in need of electrical services. Their team, from speaking with Ang on the phone to set up the appointment (Happy Angela Day..that's an inside joke) to Matt getting it done, Hi-Lite exemplifies the kind of professionalism and expertise that is all too rare. Trust me, if you want a hassle-free, high-quality service, look no further than Hi-Lite Electrical. A big thank you to Ang and Matt for not just meeting, but exceeding my expectations! Super Happy Customer! Funk Roberts

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