Most electrical work in and around the house should be performed by electricians for the safety of limb, life and property of the homeowners. Keep in mind that licensed electricians have the appropriate education, training and work experience as well as the appropriate tools for the jobs while you will most likely not possess any of these qualifications.
Like all professional contracts, working with licensed electricians in Annapolis requires a give-and-take relationship between the two parties. You must, in fact, be able to trust your electrician in terms of his professional abilities and personal trustworthiness in order to get the best value for your money! Here then are a few tips in working with licensed electricians in a productive manner.
Choose Your Electricians Well
Working well with Annapolis electricians starts with choosing one or two of the best from the bunch or at least, the electricians with whom you can maintain good working relationships during projects. Your first step is asking for recommendations from local authorities, families and friends, and business contacts for at least 5 licensed electricians.
Ask about their credentials in terms of education, training and license. Keep in mind that most licensed electricians learn the trade via a 4-year or 5-year apprenticeship program; apprentices must complete a minimum of 144 hours of technical training in the classroom and 2,000 hours of on-the-job training in an office, usually paid work. After becoming apprentices, aspiring electricians are considered as journey workers but must pass a licensure exam to be considered licensed professionals.
Ask for their papers in this regard. Ask for client references, too, to determine their trustworthiness on the job in terms of delivery of expected results. Ask about their completed projects so that you can determine their suitability for your planned project.
Ask relevant questions about the project. When Annapolis electricians answer in a straightforward manner no vague answers then you can narrow down your list. Look also for skills in customer service, troubleshooting, and critical thinking, which are a must in the trade.
Agree on the Parameters
When you have chosen your electricians from among the list, your next step is setting the parameters for the project. You must discuss the details of the contract including the following aspects before any work begins:
- Types of work to be done. Be specific about the goals including the expected results of the electrical work. Walk through the areas where the work will be done and discuss the work necessary in each area.
- Timetable for the project. Get a confirmation for the expected completion date. Agree on the frequency of progress reports and on the steps to be taken in case the timetable is not met.
- Agree on the costs and payment terms. These are thorny issues that many electricians and their clients have been embroiled in so it makes sense to take proactive measures.
During the project duration, you should also work with the electricians. Experts suggest maintaining open lines of communication especially in resolving issues such as changes in the plan. If possible, avoid making changes halfway through the job because these can cause delays and add to the total cost.
When the job is completed, ask the Annapolis electricians for the appropriate certifications that can be used for legal purposes. Keep the documents in a safe place for future reference such as when the work requires revisions or when the local authorities ask for it.
Of course, you must also keep in touch with the electricians because you may require their services in the future or you may have questions about the previous project. Your continuing professional relationship with them can certainly work to your mutual benefit.
