If there’s one number that you want saved in your phone for quick access, it has to be an electrician. Well, either that or the local pizza place!
Whether you?re a homeowner, a renter, or a residential building manager, you?re going to need an electrician at some point. From large jobs to quick fixes, it?s good to know you have a professional on your side who can help.
However, with electricians taking on such a wide variety of work, it?s hard to know exactly which professional is right for you. That?s why we?ve put together a list of the 10 essential things you should look for when choosing an electrician for your home.
Here Are the 10 Must-Haves for Your Residential Electrician
1.Fully Trained, Qualified, Licenced and Experienced
Each of these qualities falls under the same point because they ultimately provide the same thing for you. Peace of mind.
When you contact an electrical contractor, don?t be afraid to ask about their training and qualifications. Your electrician should hold a Certificate II minimum for the theoretical part of their training. Most importantly, they need to have graduated from an on-the-job apprenticeship where they got the training and experience that made them the professional they are today.
Speaking of experience, the more the better. Look for an electrician with an extensive track record under their belt in terms of years of service, but also in terms of the work they complete. If your residential electrician also completes commercial jobs, this indicates a breadth of understanding and a willingness to tackle more complex tasks.
Finally, your electrician should be licenced by the appropriate authority in your state or territory.
2.All Work Is Compliant with Australian Standards
Australian Standards exist to ensure the quality, safety, and legality of work completed on your property. Your electrician should declare to you that all their work meets or exceeds Australian Standards relevant to electrical work. This includes AS3000 and AS3008, among others.
Ensure your electrician is committed to meeting these standards before work begins.
3.The Team Has Completed Police Checks
Like any other trade professionals, your residential electrician should be someone that you?re happy to welcome into your home. For your peace of mind, look for a company who can guarantee that all employees and contractors have passed police checks.
4.They Offer a Wide Range of Electrical Repairs and Maintenance
Most of the time, you will be calling an electrician when something has gone wrong. Your lights have gone out, your circuit breaker keeps tripping, or your electric hot water is inconsistent. To deal with all of these issues and more, make sure your electrician offers comprehensive electrical maintenance and repair services.
Your electrician should be able to assist you with all of your household electrics, from the smallest lightbulb to the largest wiring issue. Look for a residential electrician who always says yes and can back this up with skills, experience, and a wide range of services.
5.They Offer a Wide Range of Electrical Installations and Upgrades
This is the other half of the puzzle when it comes to residential electrical services. Your electrician should be able to help you install everything from a lightbulb or a ceiling fan to more complex installations like switching to solar power.
Whether it?s LED downlights or electric hot water upgrades, your residential electrician should also be able to make prudent and money-saving upgrade recommendations for you.
6.They Provide Lighting Design Advice and Services
Lighting design blurs the line between the technical and the artistic, and it isn?t something that every electrician will be able to help you with. By providing aesthetic lighting design and placement advice, a lighting design electrician can transform the look and feel of your entire space.
From ambient lighting to chandeliers and pendant lights, an experienced electrician can recommend, design, source, and install all the best options for your home (all at an affordable price).
7.Specialists in Solar Power and Solar Battery Storage
Even if you?re not considering solar power right now, it?s great to know that your electrician specialises in this increasingly popular service. Solar panel installations can save households an estimated $1700 per year, while solar battery storage lets you store excess power for even greater savings.
From batteries to monitors to solar panels, find yourself an electrician who can handle it all so you can reap these great benefits.
8.24/7 Emergency Services
Electrical emergencies don?t always happen between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. but they will always be dangerous. That?s why you need a residential electrician who is available for urgent jobs 24 hours a day seven days a week.
From faulty wiring and appliances to water damage and overloaded extension cords, make sure you have an electrician who can fix the problem when you need them most.
9.Assistance with Jobs of All Sizes and at Any Point in the Process
You want an electrician who believes that no job is too big or small. One day it might be a blown lightbulb and the next day it might be electrical installations for an entire residential apartment block. Your electrician should be capable and available to do both of these jobs.
Your electrician should also be available to help you in a range of circumstances, such as:
- During home renovations
- During a new home build
- When you?re preparing to buy or sell
10.Make Sure They?re Local
Last but certainly not least, make sure the electrician you choose serves your neighbourhood. Your electrician should have a large service area, but at the same time, they should be willing to guarantee a fast response and prompt services for both urgent and non-urgent electrical work.
Use These 10 Points to Find the Right Electrician for You
We hope this article has helped you narrow down your choices and find a residential electrician who can help you. When you find someone who ticks all these boxes, don?t forget to factor in their prices and shop around for the best deal if you have time. Once you?ve found the right electrician and lighting design professional for your needs, you?ll know that peace of mind is only ever one phone call away.