Electrical Services Explained, Plus How to Find an Electrician

Electricity is essential to the average modern American. For the majority of the nation, electricity is the primary source of power for our lights, appliances, air conditioners, air conditioners, computers, chargers, commercial and industrial equipment, and healthcare institutions.

Our population is reliant on electricians, the craftsmen who install, maintain, and fix our electrical infrastructure.

Are you aware of the services offered by electrical contractors? Are you able to identify a reliable electrical contractor? This page is for you if you are unsure of the answers to either question.

We'll talk about electrical contractor services in Part One. We'll demonstrate how to locate a top-notch electrician in Part Two.

Part One: Electrician Services

Many services offered by electrical businesses may go unnoticed until you need them and begin your inquiry. A short list of services provided by the majority of electrical firms is shown below.

Electrical Inspections

You should plan an annual house or building inspection with your electrician, just like you would with your doctor. Electrical house safety inspections are a stand-alone service offered by electrical contractors.

Annual inspections identify anomalies, damage, or vulnerabilities in the electrical wiring and components of buildings. When concerns are identified early on, they can be resolved, preventing potentially expensive problems later on when they become more serious.

Inspections also identify issues with outlets or wiring that, if ignored, could cause fires.

Surge Protection

Although there are many different causes for power surges, the event itself is always the same: an abrupt increase in voltage that causes the wiring to overheat and burn. Appliances, electronics, and other gadgets that have wiring may be destroyed.

Consumer surge protectors typically resemble large outlet strips and are reasonably priced. They frequently need to be replaced following a voltage surge and are useful but not always 100% effective.

A whole-house surge protector offers the best defense against voltage spikes. A licensed electrician is required to install this system. It provides the highest level of defense against unexpected voltage spikes.

Electrical Repair

An electrician is capable of fixing electrical system components that have known damage. Examples include outlets damaged by lightning, wiring chewed by mice, and lights that are out of commission due to deteriorated sockets.

GFCI Installation

Special outlets with a component intended to prevent electric shock are known as GFCI outlets. When an imbalance in the flow is identified, the "Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter" component interrupts or stops the current flow. A reset button on the outlet allows the current to flow again.

GFCI outlets are typically found in bathrooms and kitchens, as well as in garages, laundry rooms, and outdoor bars around swimming pools.

Rewiring

A home or building's wiring should be in top shape and easily able to meet demand. The following symptoms could indicate worn-out or overloaded systems:

• Lightbulbs or outlets sizzle or buzz.
• The switch plates, wires, and plugs are hot or warm.
• Breakers frequently trip.
• The lights flicker and are dim.
• A tiny jolt occurs when you plug in a cord.
• When you plug a cord into an outlet, it ignites.

To relieve the burden on the system or to replace worn-out sections, the building or a section of it may need to be rewired.

Electrical Panel Upgrades

The electrical panel serves as the point of distribution for the remainder of the building in a typical home or business that is supplied with electricity by a power provider.

The demand for power rises as more technologies, gadgets, and appliances are brought into the home and plugged in over time. For the home's electrical system to meet demand, electrical panels may occasionally need to be changed.

In homes or structures older than forty years, panels also frequently need to be upgraded. In addition to wearing down and failing, systems also stop meeting codes and standards.

You could require an upgrade for your electrical panel if you see the following:

1. The panel feels warm on the inside.
2. Crackling noises can be heard in the panel.
3. The circuit breakers have rust and corrosion.
4. Half-speed operation is being used by your appliances.

What is involved in upgrading an electrical panel? Electrical panel rewiring, bus bar replacement, and circuit breaker replacement are standard services. Relocating the panel to a different area of the house or building is sometimes necessary for upgrading.

Light Fixture and Ceiling Fan Installation

Ceiling fans and light fixtures are installed by electricians. A qualified electrician is a tradesperson who can install lights or fans that have deteriorated with age or that property owners wish to enhance in style. He or she will install bathroom lights, paddle fans, sconces, chandeliers, recessed lights, and ceiling-mounted lights.

Outdoor and Landscape Lighting

Electrical firms install patio and pool lighting, deck lighting, and landscape lighting. Additionally, electricians will work on commercial exterior lighting projects such as security lighting, illuminated signage, and parking lot lighting.

The exterior of a house or company is improved by landscape lighting, which also raises the curb appeal and total value of the property.

Emergency Electrical Services

The majority of electrical firms provide emergency services around the clock, just as other service providers. Knowing an electrician who is available after hours is beneficial for the peace of mind of home or business owners, as electrical emergencies can occur at any time of day or night.

Part Two: Finding Great Electricians Near Me

You will almost certainly require the services of an electrician at some point. This section of the post will provide you with suggestions on how to locate multiple providers and then select one.

Start with Asking Around

The best way to find a great electrical contractor is to start with word-of-mouth recommendations. Ask around, then. Ask locals, people you trust, and people who share your expectations in particular.

Ask for recommendations in a Nextdoor or Facebook community group.

Remember to inquire as to if there are any area electricians you should not work with. Just as crucial as the recommendations is that information.

Get online to Look

Search for "electrician near me" or "electrician " on your desktop computer or mobile device.

Look at Online Reviews and Ratings

Testimonials on an electrician's website are one thing, but evaluations on unbiased websites provide a more true image of the business. Check for reviews on websites such as Yelp and the Better Business Bureau. Additionally, look through Google business reviews.

Visit Electricians' Websites

The next step is to visit the websites of the electricians you have selected based on their names and reviews. Examine their "About Us" website and list of services. Learn about each company's business practices. Is it a local mom-and-pop shop with no round-the-clock service? Is this a nationwide organization that provides emergency assistance but lacks personality? Ideally, there will be a number that provide full-service options and are known for their excellent customer service and quality work.

Get on the Phone with Prospective Hires

Get on the phone and give each of the electricians on your list a call using the information you've obtained from company websites and reviews. Ask a few follow-up questions and explain the task you need to be done to the representative.

1. Are background checks and drug tests performed on all corporate employees?
2. Will workers at your home wear uniforms and present a photo ID?
3. Who works? An apprentice or a master electrician?
4. Does a Master Electrician check it while an Apprentice is working?

Set up an estimate visit if you are happy with the responses. Arrange for three firms to have estimate visits.

The Estimate Visit

An electrician visits your house or place of business to assess the work that needs to be done and provides you with a quote during an estimated visit. The estimate is typically written on paper.

Your initial in-person meeting with a representative of that organization will be the estimated appointment. This serves as an introduction to the firm and its operations. Throughout the appointment, make a few notes.

1. Was a business car driven by the electrician?
2. Did he or she have a picture ID and be wearing a uniform?
3. Did the electrician thoroughly inspect the work that needed to be done and go over the available repair alternatives with you?
4. Did he or she respond to all of your inquiries in a laid-back way?
5. Did you think the person you were interacting with was kind and professional?

Either after the estimate appointment or via email within 24 hours, you need to receive a written quote. Choose a company to choose and set up the job when you have three quotations.

The First Job

When the work is finished, the company will truly be put to the test. Whether you choose to work with the organization again in the future will depend on the caliber of the work.

Consider the following as you evaluate the work and your encounter with the organization:

1. Were the representatives of the organization and the electrician who performed the work understandable and straightforward?
2. Arranging the task. Was it quick for you to get on the calendar?
3. Competitive and reasonable?
4. Quality of work. Did it go well the first time?
5. The electrician. Was he or she professional, polite, and clean?

Your responses to these questions will influence whether you choose to work with the same contractor again or choose a different one in the future.

A step-by-step guide to getting Electricians job in Phoenix, Arizona

Acquiring Necessary Training:

A minimum of 900 hours of classroom instruction and 8,000 hours of hands-on, on-field training are the two primary training requirements. This prerequisite can be met with the aid of several technical/trade schools. To meet these goals, candidates can also sign up for union or non-union apprenticeships.

Gaining Post Apprenticeship Experience:

An apprenticeship is adequate in Phoenix, Arizona, as there are no recognized journeyman certificates or licenses. On the other hand, it is advised to complete the journeyman qualifications offered by national programs. Licensees can specialize in several areas to expand their skills. Commercial contractors, industrial installations, solar energy, electric HVAC systems, and many more are examples of these.

How to Apply For the Contractor Licensing Exam?

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors is responsible for issuing contractor licenses in Arizona. Three types of licenses are available from the regulating body: residential (R-11), commercial (C-11), or electrical (K-11), which is a combination of residential and electric. To obtain any of these three licenses, you must pass the trade and business management exams.

Taking the Licensing Contractor Exam:

Before receiving a license, candidates must take the following two tests:

1. A business management test with a 180-minute time limit and 80 questions. A score of at least 70% is required to pass the test.
2. A trade exam: This test has 110 questions and a 240-minute time restriction. To pass this test, you must receive at least 70%.

Obtain Your Electrician License:

After completing the licensing contractor examinations, you must pay the license fees to receive your license. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors is the recipient of the fees. The costs vary depending on the kind of license. You have to pay $720 for a residential license, but the rates for a business license are comparatively lower at $580. Each license can be renewed after its two-year expiration date. In Arizona, electricians are exempt from continuing their education requirements, except in a few counties.

Electrician Apprenticeship Programs in Arizona

1. Typically, there are two types of apprenticeship programs: union and non-union.
2. In Arizona, there are union programs offered by the National Electrical Contractors Alliance and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union, with facilities in Tucson and Phoenix.
3. These are handled by Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATC) and are called the Tucson Electrical JATC, Phoenix Electrical JATC, and Globe-Miami Electrical JATC.
4. A high school graduation or GED, a working knowledge of algebra and basic math, and a means of transportation are prerequisites for admission.
5. These programs last roughly five years with 900 hours of classroom instruction and 8,000 hours of practical training.
6. The Independent Electrical Contractors of Arizona and the Arizona Builders Alliance both provide non-union apprenticeships.
7. With eight semesters of coursework and 8,000 hours of practical training and work experience, both programs take about four years to finish.
8. In any apprenticeship program, students can anticipate being connected with a contractor for practical work.

Summary

If you want electrical work done in your house or business, you must hire a certified and insured electrician. An amateur should not attempt it.

Electricians offer a wide range of services. For comprehensive lists, visit websites as some contractors provide more services than others. Most electricians offer basic services such as panel and wire improvements, electrical repairs, installations, and complete house rewiring.