Being in the business as long as we have, we’ve heard more than our share of horror stories about bad contractors. So we thought we'd be able to help educate others looking to hire an electrician on what to look for, and just as importantly, what to avoid.  

Here are some questions that can be asked of any contractor you might be interested in hiring. You may not need to ask all the questions; the idea is to give you a starting point. Above all, trust your gut! That’s probably the best indicator of all!

Is the electrician courteous and professional on the phone? If you need to leave a message, do you get a return call within a reasonable amount of time? Does he or she keep appointments and show up on time (or at least call to tell you if he is running late)?

This group of questions should be your most important litmus test. If you are getting the runaround right off the bat, forget this contractor! There are plenty more out there that would be more than happy to receive your business. Chances are, if an electrician fails in this first step, it is most likely a sign that you’ll be in for trouble if you hire him.

Is the electrician licensed to work in your area?

This is very important, since you personally could face stiff fines for hiring an unlicensed worker, not to mention the chances you’ll be taking with your wiring!

How long has the electrician been in business?

You don't want to be the 'test customer' for somebody just getting his feet wet!

Can he or she provide any references, if necessary?

While maybe not necessary for small jobs or repairs, you should consider talking with other people that have hired this person if you are planning a big project.

Will the work to be performed be guaranteed?

Obviously, we live in an imperfect world. Even the most meticulously performed job could encounter a problem after completion. While it might be hard for anyone to attain perfection, you do want to know that if there is a problem, the electrician you hired will stand behind his or her work and do what is necessary to make it right.

Does the electrical contractor have a website?

Many times, additional information you may not have thought to ask about would be available here.

Does the electrical contractor perform the type of work you need (i.e. residential, commercial, industrial, control work)?

Electrical work can be vastly different depending on where it is to be performed. For instance, there are many electrical codes that might be applicable for residential work, but would be considered a violation if performed in a commercial setting. Small electrical contracting firms may only specialize in one area, such as residential; many larger firms have different crews that specialize in all aspects of electric work.

Is the contractor willing to provide you with an estimate of costs before doing the work?

While there are some cases where it is difficult to exactly estimate the job, most projects can be accurately figured beforehand to give you an idea of how much the job will cost.