Hiring the wrong electrical contractor can result in a tremendous loss for your company, in terms of time and money. Your problems can range from poor quality of work and unexplained delays to more hazardous issues like personal safety and dangerous installations.
When hiring, you want to make an informed choice. Also keep in mind that the qualifications of the contractor will vary, depending on your needs. We recommend using the following points as guidelines when making your decision.
1. Narrow down your needs. The list of services in electrical contracting is extensive. Certain contractors specialize in particular areas, too. Are your needs more in troubleshooting, like repairs and rewiring? Or perhaps do you need something more involved, like underground wiring or phone cabling? Also note what type of business they specialize in, and if their past projects line up with who you are and what you need.
2. Check their experience and capabilities. Once your needs are identified, it’s important that your potential contractors are experienced in that field. For example, you don’t want someone wiring an MRI who’s never done it before. Or an AC unit, for that matter. Their website may list your need as a capability, but it’s far different from having actually done it before.
3. Confirm their licensing. Of course, you’ll want to make sure they are properly licensed as an electrical contractor. If you’re looking in Oregon or Washington, you can verify the company here.
4. Pre-screen them with initial questions. You’ll want to focus on insurance coverage and guarantees, mostly. These questions could help:
- Are you insured?
- What sorts of guarantees do you offer? Could you put them in writing?
- Do you perform background checks on your employees
It’s important here to be as thorough as possible. Make sure their answers are clear and direct. If they are vague, or cannot supply documentation, then you should probably move on.
5. Dig into their reputation. There are some things that website reviews or portfolio work can’t reveal, and it’s best discovered in conversation. Speaking with other companies that have hired your contractor is a great way to gain an in-depth understanding into who they are, and to prevent any headaches down the road. For example, are they responsive? Are they professional? Do they follow up on their guarantees? Online reviews are also helpful here.
For large-scale commercial and industrial projects, it’s important to do your due diligence when hiring your electrical contractor. The wrong choice can lead to heavy setbacks that could have been easily prevented.
Regardless, it all comes down to one thing: delivering on time and on budget. We have been in business for over 30 years, with a large and comprehensive body of work in commercial and industrial projects. Let us know if you have any questions about how to find a contractor that’s qualified for you.
