EMERGENCY HOTLINE 1-800-475-1504
Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday 8am – 7pm
When your power randomly goes out or some wires in your wall seem faulty, the first person you should contact is a reliable electrician to help solve the problem. However, electrical repairs should not be done by just anyone, you should always use a licensed electrician and make sure that who you hire to get the job done ticks the following five boxes.
In the state of Florida all electricians are required to be fully licensed before they can work independently. Before becoming an apprentice, potential candidates often complete electrician courses after achieving a high school diploma (or equivalent). Once these courses have been completed, individuals must complete an apprenticeship program. Apprenticeships last between 4 and 5 years, and allow potential candidates to learn hands-on experience while also earning a wage.
Apprentices can only perform jobs with a licensed and experienced electrician watching over them, so there is no chance of anything going wrong. Once individuals have completed their apprenticeship they must apply for a license with the licensing board and pass an exam in order to work for an electrical contractor.
If, for some reason, your potential electrician does not have a proper license, he or she most likely has not completed the relevant training and therefore is not equipped to perform any electrical repairs in your home.
As mentioned, licensed electricians go through an apprenticeship program before they are registered. Consequently, even if they are only recently licensed they will have recommendations from not only the company they apprenticed with but also some of the clients they might have worked for.
No matter how good an electrician is, electrical systems are temperamental and sometimes things go wrong. If your electrician makes a mistake and accidently exacerbates a problem, it is important that he or she has insurance to cover any additional costs. If not, you will have to pay for your electrician’s mistake, something no homeowner wants to do. It’s also a good idea to check if your electrician offers a warranty on their work or the parts they have installed.
Electricians are professionals, which means they should act with an appropriate attitude and level of decorum. If the person you are considering hiring doesn’t seem courteous or friendly, or is dressed inappropriately, remember that you can always hire someone else. Most of the time you will be able to judge a person’s abilities by the concern they show for their clients and the manner in which they present themselves. Electricians who are more focused on charging high prices and getting paid than actually solving your problem are most likely not the best person for the job.
Unless you have a pressing emergency and need someone to assist you immediately, you should have enough time to shop around and find a quality, affordable electrician to solve your electrical problem. Although we all want to save money, it is important to remember that the lowest price is not always the best option. You pay for the level of quality you receive, so cheap rates can mean poor workmanship. It is best to get more than one quote from different companies and compare their prices, level of expertise and recommendations before choosing an electrician.
Remember, electrical work is difficult and can sometimes be dangerous. Find an electrician that suits you and your needs rather than risk starting a fire or shorting a circuit. Discover why tens of thousands of South Floridians have trusted and counted on the knowledgeable experts at Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric for prompt, reliable service since 1983.
