Hiring an Electrician

How hiring an electrician can save your business - and your life

Small business owners – from the restaurateur whose electricity has gone out, leaving behind thousands of dollars in spoiled food, to the IT guru whose power just surged, taking out his multiple computer set-up – know that having a prescreened electrician just a phone call away is vital to your business’s ability to avoid or survive power problems. In fact, having the right electrician at your disposal can mean the difference – literally – between life and death. Poor wiring or shoddy electrical work leads to fires, loss of businesses, and loss of lives. How can you avoid this? Be proactive in finding the right electrician BEFORE you need him. The top three things a small business owner should know about hiring an electrician are:
1. Find a certified, insured electrician.
2. Always, always check references.
3. Put everything in writing.

Find licensed electricians from trade associations

Licensed electricians must follow all electrical codes, and only licensed electricians may obtain necessary permits. Check with your state to verify an electrician's license status.

Go online to find prescreened professionals

Finding a prescreened electrician online is as easy as heading over to ServiceMagic or another referral site. Service Magic, a highly regarded company that has paired more than 6 MILLION homeowners with pros since 1999, is an organization that independently and objectively evaluates tens of thousands of contractors in the United States. (Keep in mind that just because some of these sites refer to homeowners, they work for small businesses, too.)

Make sure they're insured

However you find your electrician candidates - whether you've gotten recommendations from friends, or gone online, make sure the people you're considering have current, valid insurance, and offer warranties on their work and products. All electricians must have liability insurance.

Pre-screen your professionals

It's always important to pre-screen your employees or contractors, but in this case: it's a step you cannot bypass. Always check references, and ask about such things as the quality of the work, whether the jobs were completed on time and within the original budget, and the electrician's work ethic and dependability.
Federal Trade Commission offers an excellent fact sheet about hiring contractors (though this page is designed for home improvement, it works just as well for your small biz projects). Check out Our Family Place for a great interview and evaluation checklist for potential contractors.

Contract requirements vary by state, but even if they are not required in your state, you should always insist on a written contract.
Comply with regulations: Make sure the electrician follows local building codes and regulations, or you'll be stuck paying fines and repairing the mistakes.
Keep down costs: Consider picking out your own lighting and other electrical fixtures.
Bundle mini, non-urgent electrical jobs together before you call out the electrician so the hourly fee is kept to an efficient minimum.
Getting the permit: A permit is necessary for most work over $300, so check local guidelines.
Never, ever pay before the work is complete.
Ask your electrician about getting a back-up generator for emergencies.