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What to Look for When Hiring an Electrician

18 Jul 2019 Licensed Electrician

If any kind of electrical work needs to be done in your home, it is important to know what to look for when hiring an electrician. Even if the job looks like it might be simple to perform, it is always worth consulting a licensed electrician to ensure that the job does not go awry. At Expert Electric, they know the importance of having a certified electrician handle any job that has to do with electricity for the safety of you and your home, which is why no job is too small for their experienced electricians.

When to Call a Professional Electrician

If you are ever questioning whether to call an electrician or attempt the job yourself, it is usually a safe bet that you should call an electrician. Any kind of job that is even remotely outside of your comfort zone could prove to be hazardous and lead to electrocution or an improperly completed job, which can cause hazards later on. Although YouTube is a great resource for DIY home projects, electricity is not something that should be played around with. Do not attempt a project you have not been trained to do. Other instances in which you should call an electrician include:

Light Bulb Testing

Light bulbs must be replaced from time to time. A common problem you could experience is dim or flickering bulbs. Turn off the power to the bulb and replace it with one you know is working properly. If the problem persists, there may be an issue with the socket or the wiring and it is best to have an electrician take a look at the problem.

Circuit Breaker Trips

A common problem that can occur is circuit breaker tripping. If you find that power to certain parts of your home is constantly being shut off and requires you to use the circuit breaker to turn it back on, the line could be overloaded. Having too many appliances or electrical devices on one circuit can be too much for the line to handle and will cause the breaker to trip. To avoid this, try placing devices on a different circuit or unplugging appliances before turning a different appliance on. If you continue to have problems, you may have an issue with the circuit or one of your electrical devices. It may be best to call an electrician to diagnose the problem further.

The Importance of Hiring a Licensed Electrician

Although many people are handy with small electrical jobs, it is important to hire a licensed electrician for any job that involves electricity. Some of the biggest reasons to hire a licensed electrician include:

Licensed Electricians Have Proper Training

Licensed electricians have gone through the training and testing necessary to do the job safely and correctly. After years of training on the job and in the classroom, electricians are required to complete an exam that tests their full understating. This process allows electricians to enter the field with the right knowledge and experience under their belts.

Licensed Electricians Obtain Permits

A licensed electrician can obtain permits on your behalf. Some work requires you to apply for a permit from the city. If you do work that is not permitted, you could receive a fine that you did not budget for.

Licensed Electricians Hold Safety in the Highest Regard

When electricians begin their work, they will identify any hazards that could harm the home and its occupants. This means that, when a job is done, all safety issues will be addressed and you can have peace of mind about the work completed.

Licensed Electricians Know the Codes

When you hire a licensed electrician, you can be sure that they understand all the safety codes and building codes. Any work performed will be done up to code so that it does not need to be redone in the future.

What to Prioritize When Hiring an Electrician

When hiring an electrician, the most important thing to look for is licensing. Do your research to check on the electrician’s references, safety record, and experience. Many electricians will specialize in a particular area of expertise, so make sure that the electrician you hire has experience with the type of job that you need done.

To find out more about what to look for when hiring an electrician, contact Expert Electric at 604-681-8338. Their certified electricians help with electrical projects of every size all across BC.