Working with professional electricians is something that we don’t do regularly. That’s why many homeowners or business owners are uncertain where to find qualified electricians near them when the need arises. They may not even know how to identify the best people for the job and what qualifications or certifications they should look for.

Hiring an electrician that isn’t licensed just because you think they’re less expensive comes with consequences. One of these is shoddy electrical work, such as faulty wires leading to fires. Aside from the devastation of losing your property from a fire, your insurance company may refuse to pay since you hired an unlicensed electrician! 

If you’re planning to hire electrical contractors in Hamilton, consider these tips as you narrow down your search to find the ideal electrician:

Tips on Finding the Best Electricians

1. Ask for Suggestions

Start by asking your family, friends, relatives, co-workers, or individuals you know who recently used electrical services for referrals. This will provide you with companies or contractors that have already worked with these people who have seen their work. Ask them about their satisfaction with their job and how smoothly the process went. Additionally, it is important that you ask them about the cost to have an idea if it’s within your budget.

On top of these, ask builders, contractors, or developers since they usually have a list of honest and reliable electricians. As they say, word of mouth is an excellent source of information.

An electrical contractor like Fairway Electrical helps with home electrical repair and installation. They cater to property owners in some locations, including Hamilton, Burlington, Kitchener/Waterloo, and Niagara.

2. Research Online

In addition to the electrical contractors who were recommended to you, you can also search online for electricians near you. Reputable and reliable electricians have a website where you can see their details, including services, location, testimonials, and reviews from their previous clients. If possible, get in touch with some of these people and ask how their experience went with the company. You can ask about their quality of work and if the job was completed within the timeline.

In most cases, they would also include their license on their page. In Ontario, ask for their ECRA/ERA license number, which you can validate at findacontractor.esasafe.com.

3. Check Any Complaints Against the Company

You may want to check the Better Business Bureau (BBB), ESA convictions page, or the Ministry of Federal Government and Customer Services Consumer BewareList for any complaints against any electrician. You wouldn’t want to deal with electricians who have issues with work, payment, etc.

4. Verify if the Company Carries Insurance Coverage

While it’s not a requirement, you may want to work with electricians who carry liability insurance if an accident or damage is done to your home. Meaning their insurance will protect you and your property. 

5. Ask About the Electrician’s Area of Expertise

When looking at your notes to make the final decision, remember that electricians with licenses and experience come with a cost. It is just too risky to work with inexperienced electrical contractors to complete your business or home electrical needs because they’re less costly. But it also doesn’t mean that you have to go for the most expensive ones.

Instead, ask them about their area of expertise. Numerous electricians often concentrate on one area or several fields. Others sports field lighting or commercial buildings, and a few focus on new building and construction site projects. On the other hand, some of them who have built their career for many years can complete any electrical service. The most important thing is you make sure that the electrical experts you work with have the experience required for your project without any issues or concerns.

The Final Decision

Now that you know how to find reputable electricians, you’re finally ready to sign a contract so that the job will begin. Observe how they interact with you as their client. Are they knowledgeable, polite, communicate well, and let you understand the process? If it’s not an emergency, take your time to find and choose electricians that meet your electrical needs.