Electrical contractors are trained in working with electrical equipment and wiring systems. Their job responsibilities include installation, maintenance and repair work of electrical wiring in residential or commercial places.
How to choose a contractor Selecting the right and qualified electrical contractor for your home or business is crucial and challenging. It is crucial because anything which is even remotely related to electricity has to be taken care of very carefully, and safely. It is challenging to you because most people are not aware of what goes into doing electrical work, and hence you are dependent on your electrician. So always make sure that you hire a really good one.
Things to keep in mind before choosing an electrical contractor:
- Identify your specific need.
- Is it for new construction or renovation?
- Is it for repair of existing?
- Is the work required in your home or office?
- Does it include specialized systems, such as fire alarm, security, sound, video, communications, wired or wireless networks to be installed
The answers to all these questions will help you in deciding a contractor as per your needs.
Qualities of a Good Electrical Contractor:
- Technically proficient
- Good experience: He should have a long good experience of working in this field.
- References: Any hesitation in this area is not a good sign. He should have good recommendations or Past work to show. You should also call up these references to confirm.
- Reputed in the Market
- Cost effective
- Gives priority to safety and reliability
Licensed: He should have proper licenses, registrations and certifications like ISO, BEST, BSES certified. It is fairly critical that the electricians that directly perform the work and the contractors that employ them follow recognized standards of safety and quality. You should always ask an electrician about their certifications as there are different levels of training that an electrician must go through before earning certifications.
- Working on Advanced Systems: Our homes nowadays include accent lighting, security and entertainment systems, and kitchen appliances which were not there in the past. Hence, today’s residential construction projects are no longer simple and require an professional and expert electrical contractor who can coordinate, integrate and implement all the intricate and complicated systems that we can’t live without.
- Value for money: It is a good idea to get more quotes for the electrical work. But, choosing an electrical contractor on price alone is unwise as there are other important things to consider. While hiring for a major project evaluate the bids available, and choose someone on the basis of his reliability, ability to finish on time, and adherence to safety guidelines apart from lower costs.
- Get a Breakup: A good electrician communicates exactly what work is needed and the exact fittings and materials which will be used. Make sure the electrician gives you a quote with a breakdown of prices as this will make it easier to compare one quote to another.
- Maintenance contracts: For big commercial operations, you can opt for this as it means lower cost for you in the long run and hassle-free operations. It will involve regular preventive maintenance of entire electrical systems, or for specific items of electrical equipment.
SAFETY COMES FIRST WHILE PLANNING ELECTRIC WORK IN OFFICES:
Today, commercial spaces and sophisticated urban business centers have seamless connectivity to sustain transactions and fully air-conditioned environments. Both of these rely on heavy wiring and power requirements.
Fire mishaps due to short circuits are caused by high temperatures, duplicate or poor wiring and faulty cabling. Nearly, 15 percent of fire accidents take place due to poor wiring. It may also happen due to using low quality insulation material, which is not flame retardant.
Halogen Free Cables: To prevent this in place of PVC cables use halogen free cables which prevent flame propagation and do not emit acidic gases. They are ideal for lobbies, corridors and elevator shafts.
Fire Survival Cable: It provides protection against short circuit even while burning under fire. These are used in areas with fire alarms, lighting, ventilation vents so that they continue to operate even during a fire outbreak.
During construction of your office or a commercial project, keep these safe cabling options in mind, to prevent mishaps. Licensed Electrical Contractors will be able to conduct such wiring installations to make buildings fire safe.
