So it’s time to call in the electricians. This can go really well or really bad. Here are 3 tips to help make hiring an electrician go smoothly.
1. Electricians like details
Installing a chandelier is one thing. Installing a 25-light, 40” wide, 52-lb. crystal chandelier in a foyer with 18 foot ceilings and a 6-foot down rod over an aquarium with electric eels is quite another (OK the eels were a stretch). The point is, when you are contacting the electrician the more accurate the description of the work to be done the easier it is for the electrician to schedule and plan how to do the work.
Many times a homeowner will try to nail down an estimate over the phone without including all of the facts. Once the electrician gets to the home and sees the actual scope of work to be done it understandably changes the cost to the electrician and then to the homeowner. This can be frustrating for everyone, so try to give the most accurate picture possible.
2. Let’s get real
So you’ve decided to update your kitchen in your home that was built in 1955. You may have decided to splurge on the beautiful granite countertops but you may not realize that it is what you don’t see that may take up a chunk of the budget.
Older homes have older wiring and may be unsafe. New electrical codes may prevent you from making any upgrades without first updating the entire electrical system. Our technological lifestyle places a much higher demand for electricity than in the past. Older homes simply were not made to withstand the electrical demands we use on a daily basis today. This is NOT the electricians fault. Before you start updating your home get an estimate from an electrician so you have a realistic idea for your budget.
3. Looking for the needle in the haystack
Trouble-shooting electrical problems can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. The reason your receptacles in the living room are not working could be because there is a loose connection that takes 5 minutes to find or it could be because a squirrel got into the attic and made a midnight snack out of the wiring in the most remote place in the entire house.
Trouble-shooting can take a lot of time and patience and requires an experienced electrician. Be reasonable in what to expect. Communicate with your electrician before the job starts what you are comfortable devoting to this issue so you do not have an unexpected bill.
When you need to call in the electricians, call us! We look forward to working with you.