What To Look For in a Residential Electrician

Written on: March 13, 2023

AFC has the electricians you can count on

Whether you are installing some new lighting, updating wiring, or doing a major renovation in your home, you need an electrician you can trust to do the job properly and to the highest standards for safety.

That’s where AFC comes in! Our team of electricians are all licensed, experienced, and insured. All of our electrical work is backed up by the AFC Comfort Guarantee.

As you consider an electrician for your project, here are some important things to know and ask about.

What kind of electricians are there?

There are two classifications for electricians.

Master electricians have successfully passed a standardized test and possess at least two years of experience as an electrician. These experts understand the National Electrical Code inside out, plus any modifications made by your state. As such, they can competently plan, design, install, and maintain electrical systems for your project.

Journeyman electricians have not yet qualified for a master’s license; however, they are licensed by the state. Journeymen electricians are to work with a master electrician in some states. Laws mandate that a journeyman electrician cannot design electrical systems. They can install wiring and equipment.

Should I get an estimate?

Absolutely. Any electrician (or other tradesperson) who won’t offer an estimate is raising a big red flag.

Our electricians will go over the scope of your project and what needs to be done, and provide you with a FREE, no-obligation estimate.

Do electricians specialize?

Some electricians do based on the needs of the clients in their market, or their own interests. If you have specific requests for your project, such as electrical work for home technology or electric vehicle charging station installation, ask about their knowledge and experience in that area.

Should I ask about insurance?

Definitely. As a good rule of thumb, electricians should have general liability, professional liability, and workers’ compensation insurance. For electrical work for a home renovation, for example, it is recommended electricians should have a minimum of $500,000 in their general liability insurance coverage.

Should I get references?

Any electrician who is afraid of having their references checked is not an electrician you should trust. Qualified electricians will gladly have references on hand for you to call. When contacting the reference, ask them about the project, the scope of the work, how the electrician handled problems that arose, and how the work has held up.

Should we talk about money?

Money is an important topic to discuss. Your electrician will need to know what you can afford for the project and can help you to manage your costs. For example, they may be able to direct you to a local lighting supply company that has a better selection than the big box stores. While you may not save money, you may save time and hassle as the electrician can handle picking up the fixture and make sure that everything that is needed to do the installation is on hand.

You can trust the licensed, skilled electricians for your home’s electrical service needs! Contact us to learn more.