24 Apr How to Choose the Best Commercial Electrician in Your Area

Selecting a quality electrician can be a daunting task, especially for work in a commercial setting. Commercial electrical work comes with many obstacles and situations that don’t commonly arise in residential settings, which is why it’s vital to find an electrician that is highly skilled and qualified for your project. Electrics that function correctly and safely are essential to a business, workplace, warehouse, or store, so it’s incredibly important to verify that your candidates are appropriately qualified and seasoned in the commercial market. There are a lot of steps that go into choosing the right commercial electrician; from gathering recommendations and checking reviews to assessing credentials and ethical qualities.

Gather Recommendations From Friends and Family

Starting a search from scratch can be time-consuming and challenging as you may not know what details to focus on or what commercial electricians are prevalent in your area. When beginning your search for a commercial electrician, it’s encouraged to reach out to family, friends, and other business owners in your network. Many property owners look for electricians, so if you’re unsure of where to start your search, this is a perfect way. Inquire about the scope of their projects and whether they were satisfied with the outcome. Additionally, you can also reach out to local hardware and electrical supply stores as these businesses often keep a list of area professionals to recommend to their customers should the situation present itself.

Check Reviews and References

It’s essential to learn as much as you can about your commercial electrician before deciding to hire them. Make sure to look up each company you’re considering online to review their online portfolios, past client reviews and testimonials, and any other information you feel will help you make a decision. There are resources like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Angie’s List that provide you with top-rated companies area-specific in various service fields. If you’re having trouble finding past project experience or would like to speak to previous clients, consider contacting the candidates you’re considering to ask for references directly. Make sure that the projects are similar to yours and visit them so you can speak directly with the client and evaluate the completed work.

Assess Credentials and Training

When interviewing each candidate, you must evaluate their experience and credentials. Ask about completed training and what is offered to employees along with accreditations that further verify involvement in the industry. It’s also essential to confirm that each electrician has proper licensing, insurance, and bonding. They must hold the proper licensing and insurance for your project. Worker’s compensation will prevent you from being held liable if an accident or injury occurs on the worksite. Bonding will provide you with coverage if the selected electrician disappears before your project is completed. There are many specialty licenses you should inquire about that may be beneficial for your project as well, such as fire alarms or low voltage work.

Can They Meet Commercial Demands?

Take the time to think about and review the information you’ve collected in your search. You must select a commercial electrician that can meet the demands of commercial electric work. While cost is an essential factor to consider, explore the level of knowledge and practical capability of each candidate as well. Commercial electrical services require several factors to guarantee the job gets done correctly when contacted.

• 24/7 Availability
• Create Designs
• Execute Installations
• Repairs
• Routine Maintenance

Be sure that your candidates ask for a tour of the property where they will be working. This shows that they are interested in the building and want to verify that they will be comfortable working in that environment. If you are having trouble making a decision, it’s encouraged to circle back to the reviews and evaluations you reviewed in the initial search to see if that helps you move closer to a final candidate.

Communication and Teamwork

Inquire about any instances where the candidates have had to bring in outside contractors. While communication and teamwork are essential for the immediate team, they’re also important details to consider when thinking of outside work. Commercial construction projects involve numerous contractors and building professionals most of the time. Evaluating your contractor’s ability to communicate clearly and successfully is essential as poor communication and the inability to work as a team can result in more significant issues. There are many moving parts to any project, so establishing clear communication and excellent teamwork will help the project move along seamlessly. If your candidate(s) don’t display these qualities to your liking, it may be time to continue your search.

Versatility and Resourcefulness

Commercial construction sites tend to be busy, fast-paced, and continuously changing. The commercial electrician you select should be versatile and resourceful, meaning they can quickly adapt to daily changes and still successfully complete the job. The issues that arise in commercial settings can vary and be very unique when compared to residential settings. Your candidate should have substantial experience in the commercial market to efficiently and successfully resolve any obstacles. Along with versatility and resourcefulness, there are many more qualities you should look for in your commercial electrician.

• Ingenuity
• Tenacity
• Creativity
• Dependability
• Time Management
• Attention to Detail
• Business Skills
• Problem Solving

One Step Closer

After going through these topics, it’s encouraged to narrow your selection down to three candidates. At this point, you can begin asking for estimates and getting into the nitty-gritty details of your project. If you’re interested in saving money on your commercial electric bill, be sure to inquire about different lighting options or whether a commercial lighting audit would be beneficial for your company. While the selection process may seem like it takes a while, it’s incredibly important to do thorough research and ask many questions, so you find the perfect commercial electrical contractor for your project.