Whether you are building or remodeling a home in Florence South Carolina you will likely need to hire an electrician at some point in the process. It is usually required that any new wiring be completed by a licensed and certified electrician. You'll be required to give your electrician a to-do list to ensure that they know what you want done.
Every to-do list will look different, but if you are remodeling a house here are some ideas for you to use for your to-do list.
Evaluate Current Wiring
If your current wiring was done many years ago it is likely not up to code for today's requirements. Ask your electrician to assess your wiring and make suggestions on how to make it better. Safety regulations from 20 years ago are very different from what they are today. This one act could save your entire family.
Check Old Outlets
If your outlets are as old as your wiring you probably need new ones. The plugs become stretched out over time and can be damaged leading to a flame hazard. Plus many old outlets aren't GFCI outlets which are a lot safer.( ground fault circuit interrupter)
Remove or Add Phone Jacks
Do you still use a landline? Many people don't, so if you don't you can have the landline jacks removed, giving your wall a cleaner look or adding another outlet instead. If you do still use landlines perhaps a better version that works better is available today.
Install Different Types of Lighting
Perhaps you want a dimmer switch, or you want lights that turn on and off if someone enters the room to save on energy bills. Maybe you want over head lighting in your office or under a cabinet in the kitchen so you can see well.
Save Energy with Programmable Thermostats
Since you're remodeling, why not upgrade your thermostat so that it's programmable. If your thermostat automatically sets itself appropriately for daytime and nighttime you can save quite a large percentage on your utility bills.
Install Exterior Outlets
Do you like to use electrical equipment for yard work such as electric hedge trimmers, electric chainsaw because they are more powerful than the battery operated kind? Then ask your Darlington electrician to install convenient exterior outlets for you.
Other Items
Go through your home with pad and pen to ensure that you don't leave anything off of your remodel for your electrician. Go in each room and observe what needs to be changed or added. Do you want a new over head lighting fixture, what about a ceiling fan? Write it all down so you can remember when you create your electricians to do list.
Your list is going to look different from this list because it depends on whether you are doing a remodel, a new construct, or something else wholly. Regardless, it's a good idea to write everything down so that you and your electrician don't forget anything. You'll save both time and fund with an electrician to do list.
Checklist for Hiring a Darlington Electrician
Hiring an electrician is an important decision that can affect the value of your home or business. If you choose poorly, you may downgrade your investment. If you choose wisely, you will improve your investment. Not to mention that if you don't hire someone who is qualified for the job and carries all the necessary license and insurance required by your state, you may be breaking laws, or at the very least you could be putting yourself at risk for damages and even fires.
* Get Recommendations from Family & Friends
The first thing you should do when you find that you need an electrician is to ask friends and family for some recommendations. You want to choose someone who has actually done a job similar to your needs for someone you know.
* Check That the Electrician is Certified
This requirement varies by county in South Carolina. You want someone who is certified general journey level or specialty electrician. They have to have the right education and experience as well as pass exam to be a certified electrician.
* License, Insurance& Registration
Before you even bother interviewing someone check to see if they are licensed, insured, and registered with the right authority required by electricians. If they're not insured with enough liability insurance and something goes wrong, you may be left to pick up the tab.
* Ask for Written Detailed Estimates
Always ask your electrician for a very detailed estimation in writing. Ensure that they not only put what is covered but what is not covered in their estimation so that there is no confusion about what you are being billed for.
* Know How is Billing Done
Is billing done hourly and if so how much? Is it done by job, if so how much? How much is charged if surprises come up and will they warn you if surprises have come up? Understand all that you can about how you will be billed.
* Ask for a Written Contract
Always get a written contract that spells out exactly what the electrician is going to do, for how much, and includes all the payment details including ways to pay. If the contract spells everything out to the letter about what will and wont' be done, and what is your responsibility compared to the electricians responsibility there will be less problems and confusion.
* Pay With Credit Card
If you pay your electrician with a charge card and you find something missing in the quality of the work or that the work is not finished to your contract and to your satisfaction paying by credit can give you a little additional coverage. You can dispute the charge while building sure the work is completed.
When you seek to hire an electrician, whether for a small job or a large job, it is important to follow this checklist to avoid problems down the road. You want to keep the value of your biggest investment and you can't do that if you take shortcuts.
Florence Electrician Pros services Darlington homeowners with 24/7 emergency electrician services. Call today for all your electrical needs.
Florence Electrician Pros
Florence, SC 29501
843-212-4173
http://electricianprosflorence.com/
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