Searching for an electrical contractor can be difficult, but finding the right one will help create a safe and visually appealing home or commercial building. Be sure to perform extensive due diligence to reduce the pitfalls associated with hiring a disreputable electrical contractor. Sometimes checking the website or checking online reviews is not enough to know how qualified a contractor may be. Here are some questions that can help you find the right set of electrical contracting capabilities.

Get answers to these questions before signing an agreement:

1. Are you insured and bonded?
A licensed and bonded contractor generally delivers an expected level of quality and follows applicable codes. If you hire an unlicensed contractor, you cannot make warranty claims if the work performed is not up to code or if errors were made.

2. What is your total experience?
No project is error free, but an experienced contractor will know the ins and outs of a large residential or commercial project, and do it with fewer errors. Some new entrants to the industry may have a qualification, but with a lack of experience they will make mistakes that you can only learn on the job.

3. Do you offer regular training to your employees?
Ongoing training ensures that electricians and other workers are up to date with the latest methods, do’s and don’ts in the industry. You can be sure that the company’s staff will be able to meet all your needs and preferences, and that you’ll get the right people for the job, not just the ones that are available.

4. Do you have references?
A trusted contractor will not hesitate to answer this question. The answer to this question will help identify the quality of work by talking to past clients. Consider their experiences and how the commercial electrical contractors in question were able to handle obstacles on the job.

5. How long will the project take to complete?
An experienced contractor will be able to provide a reasonable estimate of the time required to complete a given job. This is something you cannot know without having work experience. An experienced electrical contractor will be able to spot what problems are likely to arise on a job.

6. What will be the total cost of the project?
Beyond time, there are parts and the number of contractors needed to get the job done within the estimated time.

7. What are your specialties or skills?
Every electrical contractor has some qualities that set him apart from other contractors. Whether it’s conduit, LED lighting, medium voltage, or designer construction, every electrical contractor has their niche. Getting an answer to this question will also allow you to get the best job from the contractor.