Need a local Electrician? Worried about hiring a cowboy? You are not alone. With TV programmes such as ‘Rogue Traders', it makes you wonder who you are hiring and what they are likely to get up to in your home and with your electrics. A big problem is that a lot of people are too focused on getting the job done cheaply and as fast as possible which means skipping on quality or checking out the service provider. But it is very important to get a skilled electrician to perform any electrical project, whether it is a home or business electrical wiring, electricity conservation, home inspection or construction and remodelling.
Like every type of profession there are always cowboys, those like unprofessional electricians who carry out improper or incomplete electrical installation or repairs, which could lead to serious recurring problems. So how to do make sure you get a professional that knows what they are doing and that have your interests at heart so who isn't going to rip you off?
Well there are a couple of points that should help if you follow them. First off ask friends and family or neighbours if they know of any good electricians and would they recommended them. Some of the best electricians and builders are known as good through word of mouth. If someone does a good job for you and you are happy you are more than likely to recommend them.
If that didn't bring any good electricians to your attention you may end up finding yourself searching the internet or local papers. You need to look for electricians that are self-certified so their work complies with the Building Regulations. In the UK by law all electrical installations, alterations inspection and testing must comply with the new Building Regulations Approved Document Part P Electrical Safety, known in the industry as simply Part P. To ensure your electrician is following these regulations you should ask for a certificate showing they are registered with BRE Certification Limited, British Standards Institution, ELECSA Limited, NICEIC Certification Services Limited or NAPIT Certification Limited. If you're looking at websites, look for any logos and investigate their meaning. Even contact the board to check that the company is registered. You should be looking for logos with the either the words NAPIT, ELECSA, BRE Certification, BSI or NICEIC.
If that still doesn't give you any confidence, speak to the company your interested in and ask for testimonials, companies without anything to hide will happily pass on contact details for previous clients. Most professionals want a good reputation and understand the need for potential customers to be confident in hiring their services.
Once you have found one company you feel confident with look around for another. It is always worth getting 3 or more quotes to work from. If the quotes vary from one end of the scale to another it would be worth asking them why. Tell them of the other quotes you received and see what they have to say. You might get fobbed off with excuses of which they use only the best quality etc. Listen to what each has to say regarding their pricing and you should get a feel of the best company to use.
Last but not least, use your instinct. If you have done all the above you should be able to choose the right company and get the work done at a good price and with the quality you would expect.
