It is important that electrical installation work is carried out by trained and qualified electricians who have the necessary knowledge, skill and experience. The internet is the new Yellow Pages. But how do you know which company to choose and what services you require?
The answer, probably, is that you don't. If you "Google" for an electrician in your area you are guaranteed to have pages and pages of results. So which one do you use? The one with the better looking website - or the one that is just down the road?
You can form an opinion of who to use based on the information provided on the website and here are some things to look out for
1) Clear, concise and relevant information on the site
A website with very little information could show that the company/individual doesn't know their field of expertise and a website with too much information or one that bamboozles you with technical jargon could also indicate that there is no understanding behind the theory. A good website should give you an overview of services offered and some detail on the chosen service.
2) Registration with a governing independent voluntary body
Any company registered with one of these schemes will have had samples of their work checked to ensure it complies with BS 7671 and to ensure that they have the knowledge and expertise to carry out electrical work. Part P (domestic dwellings)registration with any of these companies is a less rigorous compliance procedure than full approval status, this is not to say that any company/individual who is Part P registered is less able to do their job but that there may be limitations to their electrical scope of work
3) Qualified electricians working for the company you choose, electrician's should work to the latest regulations (BS 7671 2008 17th edition wiring regulations) and should have received relevant training.
Before choosing who to use you should ask the company for a quotation, for small works an over the phone quotations may suffice but for larger works you should ask a detailed written quotation. At the appointment you can get to know the company on a better level.
Look out for the following things:
1) Smart, clean & professional image including van and company employee
2) Electrical knowledge
Does the person who is speaking to you understand what you are asking? Have they been able to comprehend what you would like to be done and if appropriate make alternative suggestions over the work or fittings?
3) Any new electric work carried out at the property must be carried out to the current regulations
This can mean that work may have to be carried out to the existing installation to ensure compliance and safety. It is sometimes advisable to upgrade your existing electrics at the same time as having additional wok carried out as this may well be a more cost effective option than carrying out the works and upgrading at a later date. Has the electrician provided you with information regarding the current electrical wiring in your home? Many people are worried that this means the electrician is trying to gain more work but in fact any professional qualified electrician is under obligation to tell you if something is not right, and if they don't, do they really know what they are talking about?
4) Is the quotation verbal or written; is it handwritten or computer generated?
You should always obtain a written quotation for works and ensure that you understand any limitations of the quotation
Once you have received the quotation if you have any questions then ask. It is important that you understand the quotation and if you need to call the electrician then do, they won't mind.
Once you have the quotations and are happy with the companies then next thing you will probably look at is price, but be warned cheapest is not always best. Being an electrician is a skilled job, after all you wouldn't let any Tom, Dick or Harry fix your car because they said they knew what they were doing and it was cheaper would you? So don't do the same with the electrics in your house - electricity can and does kill and it could only take one electrical problem to cause an electric shock or a fire.
Unsure of who to choose at this stage - then ask for references. Speak to the people, who the electrician has worked for in the past, or visit the site and view a completed project. There is a possibility that the internet information is self-populating, and that the electrician (or company) has got his mates to refer him/his business as a good service provider.
And finally, once the work has been completed (and in certain cases the relevant certificate has been issued) let other people know who you have used so they can be sure of using a skilled, ethical and experience electrician themselves.
Categories:
Electrical,
Electrician
