When Is the Right Time to Hire an Electrician for Your Home?

Electricity is an integral part of everyday life in the modern world. Many of our household activities are reliant on electricity. All the amazing things that make our life easier from laptops to toasters would be totally useless without the invisible spark that makes them work. Lights, WiFi, the fridge, and pretty much anything that you can think of need electricity to work.

However, this means that one power outage or a short circuit can be a major problem. That’s when electricians come in. Electricians for hire are the uncapped superheroes who are behind the installation, maintenance, as well as repair of everything that brings our homes to life and brightens up our households. Hiring electricians is something you’re bound to do at least once to keep your house running. Of course, an ambitious handyperson could try their hand at electrics if they are skilled enough.

But if you are not extremely careful, trying to fix your electrics on your own is an easy way to end up with some major home damage or injuries. Electrical work is one of the few projects that you should never undertake yourself unless you are trained, certified, insured, and know exactly what you are doing. Most of the time, DIY electrician hacks are not worth the risk nor the few dollars you might save. For peace of mind, it’s always better to hire an electrician as they will know exactly what to do and how to stay safe when working with electricity. 

What Is An Electrician?

Electricians for hire are specialized tradespeople who handle the A-to-Z of everything that pertains to electricity. Although the term is specific, there are several types of electricians, each of which has its own work environment. Construction electricians, for example, work in factories and plants whereas commercial electricians apply their trade in public structures. Our focus, however, is on residential electricians (also known as domestic or home electricians).

Electricians are also categorized in terms of expertise and scope of work. When you have an unexpected power outage, you would probably call an emergency electrician. These types of technicians are skilled in diagnosing the issue and conducting (pun intended) immediate electrical repairs. A master electrician is one who usually oversees the electrical wiring installation at a construction site.

Electricians range from maintenance to diagnosis and everything in between.

What Type of Jobs Does an Electrician Do?

Electricians are responsible for everything including electrical installations, follow-ups, repairs, and check-ups. In the installation phase, electrical contractors are the ones responsible for laying out and revising the diagram of the electric system in your home. After installing the panels, the wiring, the outlets, and everything in between, an electrical repairman would take care of any maintenance that may be needed afterward.

Hiring electricians is often the smartest choice when you’re stuck with a mystery electrical problem that you just can’t figure out. An electrician for hire can use specialized devices like voltmeters and thermal scanners to fish out the problem and solve it. Whether the problem comes from faulty wiring or a malfunctioning transformer, electricians are well-equipped to handle a variety of issues. 

Among the advantages of hiring electricians is the benefit of having advanced equipment one wouldn't have laying around in the house.

When Might You Need to Hire an Electrician?

Suppose you are watching TV during a thunderstorm and sudden lightning leads to a power outage. The most obvious course of action would be to call an electrician; you could be dealing with a burnt panel or an electrical board that has suffered the wrath of lightning. Let’s say you are setting up a new room and looking for some lighting solutions; an electrician with good expertise will provide you with a strategic layout and will even take care of the installation.

In other words, virtually any electrical problem you can think of is a good reason to call in a reliable electrician. However, a licensed contractor may also subcontract electrical work to a certified electrician to assist with new home construction or renovations. Reimagining your home almost always translates to new wiring layouts, so it is best to have an electrician bring your schematic into reality.  

How Much Does Hiring an Electrician Cost?

Depending on the level of expertise, an electrician's yearly salary in the United States is around $60,000 on average. You can expect to hire an electrician for an average of $25 to $30 an hour. The pricing also accounts for the overtime hours in addition to their transportation costs; an electrician would sometimes have to work late hours or drive long distances to a job location.

Independent electricians may also charge differently than those who are appointed by electrical companies. The latter usually charge about $15 an hour, but they enjoy employment benefits such as insurance and pensions, whereas independent electricians offer their services on a freelance basis.

Where Do They Fit Within a Renovation?

If you’re planning on remodeling your home, you may wonder where or whether you would require the services of an electrician. You could be rearranging your interior and might need to relocate some electrical outlets; that is one example where you could perhaps consult an electrical technician. Another ideal time to hire an electrician would be when you are child-proofing your house and you need to make sure your home’s electrics do not pose a safety hazard. In this case, an electrician’s job would be to carry out a thorough inspection and make adjustments where necessary.

A smart home upgrade is another case where an electrician for hire comes in handy. You will likely need to do a lot of rewiring to complete this project, which means hiring an expert electrician's services.

Electricians are your go-to people when you want to upgrade your house to a smart home.

Specialty Skills and Classifications of Electricians

Residential electricians can be further classified according to level as well as their area of expertise. Budget electricians, for example, are usually apprentices in the trade. Their work mainly consists of simple tasks such as lighting fixtures. 

A similar level of expertise would perhaps be that of a low-voltage electrician, who specializes in the installation of video surveillance, entertainment systems, and other low-voltage equipment. A more experienced electrician would be able to deal with maintenance issues as well as advanced installations. Master electricians, on the other hand, have years of experience under their belts and are often hired by contracting companies to work alongside engineers and architects.

How to Choose the Best Electrician

Licensed electricians for hire are obviously a preferred choice, especially a local one with a good reputation in terms of experience and professionalism. Unless you prefer a more affordable service like that of a budget electrician, licensed ones provide a higher guarantee of adequate results. Finding these two criteria in an electrician will ensure ideal results as well as a smooth transaction.

It’s no surprise that working on electrics can be a dangerous job, which is why it’s important to hire an electrician that is insured; otherwise, you could find yourself having to pay for an unfortunate incident. Electrical fires are no joke and so it pays to have a certified pro that is insured in case things go wrong.

Finding an electrician in your area is relatively easy. Looking for an electrician is a simple matter of doing a quick search online right from your own home, or browsing through your phone book for some numbers of licensed and bonded professionals. A licensed contractor will also likely have a list of certified electricians that they call on during projects. However, you will want to go the extra mile in your research to ensure you find an electrician that best suits your needs.

A good question to ask a potential electrician is whether they belong to a union. Normally, trade unions only accept members who are certified. Electricians who belong to a union most likely have the necessary qualifications to practice their trade and are therefore reliable. You can also go a step further and ask them to provide references for evidence of the quality of their service. Referrals from prior customers are also quite useful in helping you find an electrician that is reliable and provides good service.