7 Questions to Ask an Electrician Before Hiring Them

When your home needs electrical work or repairs, you need a licensed electrician. Handling electricity is not one of those DIY things because messing with your home’s circuits could be a danger to both you and your house. However, this also means that you need a trustworthy electrician who knows their stuff, has a valid licence, and is available when you need them.

When hiring an electrician, it’s important to ask a few key questions before agreeing on a service. As experienced electricians ourselves, Astley Electrical can help you know the right questions to ask and what answers to listen for so that you hire an electrician who can safely take care of your home upgrades or repairs.

When hiring an electrician, always ask these seven questions first:

1) “What types of services do you offer?”

Not all electricians do the same type of work. Some specialise in commercial or residential work. Some wire new constructions while others have more experience with repairing older buildings. It’s always a good idea to ask your electrician what type of work they do before asking for a service. This ensures that everyone is on the same page, and you choose an electrician who specialises in what you need.

2) “What type of experience do you have?”

Services and experience can also be two separate things. The best electrician for the job will be someone with years of experience working on homes or with situations like yours. Ask for a few examples of similar work your electrician has done, then listen for the details and expertise that comes with years of hands-on experience.

3) “Are you licensed and insured? Do you have references that I can contact?”

For your home to be certified as safe to live in, all electrical work must be signed off by a licensed and insured electrician. This means you’ll want to verify the licence and insurance of any electrician you hire. Asking for references allows you to get a third-party confirmation that your electrician is licensed – not just that they say they are licensed or have an official-looking PDF.

A legitimate electrician will have these references ready to share, and asking will protect you from fly-by-night services that aren’t really licensed.

4) “Are you available after hours or on weekends if I need them?”

Depending on your situation, it can be smart to ask if your electrician is available during emergency hours. Let’s say you’re restoring your house after storm damage, or are renovating an older home where you are working behind the walls. You might need your electrician to be available during nights or weekends just in case.

It’s also helpful to know an emergency electrician who is already vetted should an unexpected electrical emergency occur.

5) “How long will it take to complete the job?”

Some contractors take longer than others. Always ask how long a job will take so you get a fair estimate of the costs and can compare that estimate to what is typical for your project needs.

6) “If a problem arises, how will I be notified of the problem and how will the electrician fix it?”

Communication is essential between an electrician and homeowner. It is also always possible that something could go wrong when working with electrical systems. Establishing your channels of communication ahead of time is, therefore, always a smart move. After all, your electrician will be working with the most sensitive system of your home.

7) “Do you offer a warranty on your work, and if so, how long is this warranty good for?”

All contractors should offer a warranty on their work guaranteeing quality work for a reasonable amount of time after the job is complete. An electrician is no exception. Be sure to ask about a warranty and keep that information. The warranty is their promise of good work and also allows electricians to quickly fix any problems due to faulty equipment after the fact.

The Right Way to Hire an Electrician for Your Home

Before hiring an electrician, make sure you know what questions to ask so that you are able to feel confident in hiring them. This quick interview can help you get to know your electrician, confirm their expertise, and get on the same page before they begin work on your home’s upgrades or repairs. Astley Electrical is proud to serve homeowners and businesses throughout the Sydney Metropolitan area. If you live in or near Sydney and need electrical services, contact us today and we will gladly answer all seven questions (and more!) to your satisfaction.