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• 6 Tips For Choosing an Electrical Contractor

  Choosing the right electrical contractor to do work at your home or business can be a daunting task, particularly if you’ve never worked with a contractor before. An electrician may be necessary when you are working on the electricity for a remodel, repairing or installing a heating, air conditioning or HVAC system, or when you are simply in need of professional electrical services. Here we look at 6 tips on how to choose an electrical contractor to work with – from where to find electricians, to asking the right questions and selecting the right electrician for you.

   

  Define What You Need

  Before you even begin looking for or contacting electrical contractors, you need to clearly define what work you need done, and the nature and terms of your project. Calling an electrical contractor to come in for a few service calls is quite different to enlisting the services of an electrician to work on a larger project such as a remodel or home addition. Knowing what you’re looking for from the beginning helps in your search for the right contractor for your needs.

   

  Search For an Electrical Contractor

  Do you know anyone who has recently had electrical work done? Know anybody in the construction industry who might have recommendations? Word of mouth and recommendations are still one of the best ways to find a great electrical contractor to work with. But if you don’t have any leads, the next best technique is to conduct an online search in your area for local electrical contractors, such as ‘Livermore electrical contractors’ and use testimonials and reviews to find a contractor you trust.

   

  Check References

  Once you’ve conducted your initial search, you can ask contractors for references from their previous work, in order to better gauge what it is like to work with them. Although some contractors may not have a list of reviews or testimonials on hand, experienced contractors should be willing and able to provide references when requested.

   

  Check Licenses and Insurance

  Of course, for the safety of your home and its occupants, it’s worthwhile asking for and checking an electrical contractors license and insurance information. Although it’s rare, if something unexpected were to happen, you want to ensure you’re covered in the case of any damage or injury.

   

  Get Free Estimates

  Most electrical contractors will provide free estimates which is a great way to know in advance what you might be up for in terms of costs for your project, as well as allowing you to get to know your potential contractor better. While cheaper does not necessarily mean better, getting a range of quotes can help you establish what is reasonable while also exposing you to a range of professionals in the electrical industry.

   

  Get the Proposal in Writing

  Once you have chosen the electrical contractor you will work with, it’s time to write down the details of the proposal for your records, to ensure all the necessary details are included and that it accurately reflects your needs and goals for your project.

   

  While choosing an electrical contractor can seem daunting, with these tips you can ask the right questions and take the right steps to choose the best electrical contractor for your needs.

• How do you know if it's time to update your electrical panel?

  Here are some symptoms that indicate your system is in need of an upgrade:

   

  ● Circuit breakers trip frequently.

   

  ● Your lights dim when you turn on other appliances.

   

  ● You have to use extension cords or adapters to create additional electric outlets for your home.

   

  Circuit breaker panels have a life span of 25-40 years. If yours is older than that; if it’s in poor condition; or if it's old and has only a few circuits, and your breakers DO NOT trip … those can be danger signs as well.

   

  Also: If you are adding high power-consumption appliances such as an air conditioner or a spa, it's likely that your system will need an upgrade to accommodate the additional demand.

• What are the benefits of an upgraded home electrical system?

  The most important benefit of upgrading your electrical system is that your home will be protected from fire hazards caused by overloaded circuits. You can sleep better knowing your home and family are protected. You will be able to use your modern appliances safely and your expensive electronic equipment will be protected.

   

  Updating your electrical system also can increase your home’s resale value.

• Should I update my home electrical system?

  Your home's electrical system is similar to your body’s circulatory system. Your electrical panel is the heart of your electrical system. The circuits that carry electricity to all the plugs, lights and appliances in your home are like your veins and arteries.

   

  Your panel determines how much power is available for the circuits to distribute to all the appliances, lights and outlets in your home.

   

  The number and size of the circuit breakers determines how that power is distributed throughout your home.

   

  The first and most important step in updating your electrical system is to:

   

  ● Upgrade your panel (bringing more power from the utility to your home); or

   

  ● Replace the existing meter and circuit breaker box to allow it to handle more power; or

   

  ● Replace an electrical panel or circuit breakers that are obsolete, damaged or dangerous.

   

  This doesn’t affect the wiring inside your home; it just gives your system the ability to have more power to distribute.

   

  The second part is to add additional circuits to distribute the power to your rooms and appliances. Updates also often include adding new electrical outlets and replacing the old receptacles.

• Common Electrical Mistakes Homeowners Should Avoid

  Unless you are trained and qualified, homeowners without electrical experience should avoid performing tasks that involve electricity. One wrong move with electricity and the outcome could be tragic. Electricity leaves no room for error and mistakes made can ultimately lead to some very serious damage including fires or electrical shock. For these very reasons, the folks here at Time Electrical Services, right here in Orlando, want to educate our clients on the common mistakes that people make when working with electricity so you will know exactly what you need to avoid.

   

  NEW CONNECTIONS – Often times with wiring projects such as installing outdoor lights or speakers where there is no electrical box, people tend to think it is perfectly ok to perform wiring without the use of an electrical box. This could not be farther from the truth. If there is no electrical box in the immediate vicinity, then surely you would need to add a junction box nearby to where you want to install the lights or speakers. With the installation of the junction box you ensure that the connection and wires are protected against moisture and damage and prevent heat and sparks from occurring. Once you have installed the box, then all you need to do is connect the wires to the inside of it. This is much safer than attempting to wire a new connection without a junction box at all.

   

  UNPROTECTED CABLES – The experts here at  Time Electrical Services want to point out the simple fact that leaving cable unprotected can lead to electrical issues. Electrical standards and codes make it very clear that any type of cable installed between framing members absolutely must be protected since it can be easily damaged otherwise. The use of a conduit of some sort will provide needed protection and is often the perfect solution.

   

  UNSECURED OUTLETS – If you have outlets in your home that are loose or unsecured they may shift at one point and cause the wiring to come loose from the terminal. When this happens, wires can overheat quickly and can create a serious fire hazard. Here at  Time Electrical Services we highly recommend adding plastic spacers to the screws on the outside of the outlets to properly secure the outlets in place. This simple task can avoid costly fire damages to your home and keep both your home and family safe.

   

  ELECTRICAL WIRES THAT ARE CUT TOO SHORT – This is a common home electrical mistake made by many. People installing a new outlet or switch perhaps, tend to cut the wires too short which makes it almost impossible to have a proper connection. Without proper connections the risk of danger is very high. It is important that, when cutting wires, they protrude at least a good three inches out of the electrical box. We understand full well that there are times when you might have to work with shorter cut wires. If this is the case, we suggest you extend the short wires by adding extensions to the existing wires. This will certainly remove any high risks of danger and make your installation project altogether easier and safer.

   

  These common home electrical mistakes can cause grave danger to your home and family. With that said, the expert teams here at  Time Electrical Services want to make it perfectly clear that if you have no experience working with electricity, attempting to perform an electrical task puts you, your home and your family at risk. We would prefer you call our professionals to handle all your electrical needs, whether installations, repairs or wiring. Our electricians will come out to your home, inspect your electrical components, identify any problems and provide effective solutions. Don’t take chances with the safety of your home and family. When an electrical problem arises, avoid mistakes and dangers. Contact the pros here at  Time Electrical Services. We look forward to serving all Central Florida clients with all your electrical needs!!