Emerging technology, financial trends and consumer demands continually drive the need for commercial electrical contractors to learn. You should follow the electrical contractor news that emerges by building time into your business day to read relevant publications on such things as green initiatives, municipal code changes and new IT developments that can help you save resources.

Subscribe to the best sources of electrical contractor information available on the web and through electrical business analysts and regulators. Keep up with news about competing electrical contractor bids through a number of pertinent resources.

1. Get news feeds from websites for electric contractors that alert you to changes that will impact your day-to-day operations.

2. Subscribe to valuable publications for electrical contractors that provide insight into new technologies and equipment.

3. Join your local association for commercial electrical contractors to follow the trends within your community.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Receive headline news about important electrical contractor information

To ensure that you don't miss special electrical contract announcements and headlines that will affect your business, find a few good sources of electrical contractor information. Keep up with recent government regulatory changes and contractor news that could affect your business.

I recommend: Stay on top of recent developments in the industry by regularly reading Electrical Contractor. Subscribe to TED for news about the electrical distributors industry that will keep you updated through a variety of industry-specific articles.

Read publications that cover electrical contractor news and trends in detail

Consider electrician contractor reports and magazines that cover the industry further than the headlines. Watch for the articles that provide information that can help drive your own business decisions, such as where the big firms are moving to and what kinds of projects are getting quick approval.

I recommend: Keep up with your competitors and learn the latest issues affecting the industry through EC Online. McGraw Hill Construction's regional publications go into detail on bid opportunities for electrical contractors.

Participate in trade groups for industrial electrical contractors that give members additional news

By joining other professionals in an electrical contractors association, you can build relationships that help you stay ahead of the news. In addition, you will meet the vendors that carry the latest equipment and software programs to streamline your work. Volunteer for committees to secure your place in the association and find out about projects that might be good for your firm.

I recommend: Keep up with the news that is put out for members of the National Electrical Contractors Association. The American Lighting Association connects members insights into trends in home and office lighting.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Watch peripheral news items that will affect the electrical contractor industry, such as general contracting and developers' sources, so that you can prepare for emerging issues and changes within the industry.

Electricity is a wonderful thing, giving power to everything we do. From Thomas Edison’s first bulb to society’s strong dependence on technological tools, electricity makes it possible. To harness this energy source, people depend upon the services of an electrical contractor.

While actual electricity comes from public utilities licensed by the states, it’s the electric contractor that installs or repairs equipment that provides electric power to your business. It’s imperative that electrical contractors be trained and licensed.

These are just a few of the things that access to electrical contractor information can help you do:

1. Set up an electrical contract to maintain consistent and safe power for an existing business

2. Hire commercial electrical contractors to set up new electrical systems when you open a business in a new building

3. Sub-contract with an electrical business to provide electrical systems if you’re in the construction industry

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find an electrical contractor

If you're in the construction business, you often find subcontractors through referral from other contractors that you work with. This process also works for making an electrical contract.

I recommend: Get referrals for commercial and industrial electrical contractors from an electrical contractors association, like the National Electrical Contractors Association. Search through NECA Connections or the Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.

Check the paperwork

Electric contractors must have a license from state and/or local licensing authorities.

I recommend: Search for electrical contractor information from your state. States differ in licensing and permit requirements. For example, Oklahoma requires that electrical contractors have five years of electrical work experience, including in commercial/industrial work. Licensed contractors must also carry a $5,000 bond and liability insurance.

Gain familiarity with electrical standards

No one is saying that you need to train as an electrician in your free time, but it makes sense to be familiar with electrical contractor information and understand electrical standards so that you know your business is meeting them.

I recommend: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) monitors safety information in the workplace. Along with the Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc., both organizations set and follow-up on electrical work to make sure it meets or exceeds standards.

File permits

Electrical contractors may need to file permits for new work or for work over $300. Find out about required permits and verify their filing. If not, you may be the one receiving a fine.

I recommend: If you don’t know whom to ask about permits in your area, check with the Permit Place.

Keep costs reasonable

Ask for a written estimate for all work done, but never pay until work is complete to your satisfaction. Ask questions about anything you don't understand. Since an electric contractor receiving payment by the hour with a minimum amount, you might want to bundle up jobs, if possible.

I recommend: Look for discounts in commercial electrical fixtures, too. Check out the commercial lighting fixtures at Lighting Universe.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider getting a back-up generator if a power surge or power outage would cause significant problems for your business.
• •  Check out references for an electric contractor you are thinking of hiring before making an electrical contract.
• •  Make certain electric contractors have insurance. This is often a condition of licensure, but ask.

If you're thinking about joining the world of electric contractors, you'll likely want to consider what type of electrical contractors education and training might be necessary or beneficial to your chosen career path. While no formal education is required to become an electrician contractor, there are some avenues you can pursue for education and training.

Whether you're planning on owning your own electrical business or working for a commercial electrical contractor, you'll find it helpful to enroll in technical school classes, take an apprenticeship or join workshops through an electrical contractors association. If you feel you're ready to get your electrical contractors license, consider the ways you can learn and train take the next step:

1. Look into technical schools or colleges offering programs for electrical contractors.
2. Take advantage of electrical contractor apprenticeships.
3. Get electrical contractor information about workshops and classes available through an electrical contractors association.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get a degree from a technical or trade school to become an electrical contractor

A formal degree from a college or university is not a prerequisite to becoming an electrical contractor. You can write up and sign an electrical contract, submit electrical contractor bids and even run your own electrical business without a bachelor's or master's degree. But you might consider a technical degree in electrical contracting available from many vocational or technical schools.

I recommend: The Porter and Chester Institute is a technical school which teaches industrial, residential and commercial electrical installation, the National Electrical Code and prepares you for the licensing exam. The Baran Institute of Technology has an electrical technology program that teaches electrical basics and prepares you to apprentice or work with a licensed electrician.

Learn and earn through electrical contractor apprenticeship programs

Few things can compare to hands-on training in almost any field, including electrical contracting. Working in an electrical contractor apprenticeship program allows you to work with experienced and successful electrical contractors, while earning money at the same time. Some apprenticeships may even combine classroom training with field work.

I recommend: Get on-the-job training through the formal four-year apprenticeship program offered by the Independent Electrical Contractors of Greater Cincinnati. The Carolinas Electrical Contractors Association has an award-winning apprenticeship program of hands-on and classroom training which includes blueprint reading and power hand tool safety as part of the curriculum.

Research learning tools available through electrical contractor associations

Several councils and associations exist for electrical contractors that can assist those just starting out or even offer continuing education to already-established electrical contractors. Taking part in programs offered by these associations can be a major step in electrical contractors education and training.

I recommend: Attend the Management Education Institute of the National Electrical Contractors Association and learn marketing, job management, electrical project supervision and more. Associated Builders and Contractors, with the National Electrical Contractors Council, offers conferences, workshops and programs to help educate and train electrical contractors.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider enlisting in the Armed Forces and take advantage of many areas of study, including learning electrical systems, that can help you begin a career as an electrical contractor.