Everyone has different needs and wants when it comes to whom they conduct business. So instead, we here at First Choice Electric would like to offer some incites as to what to expect when hiring an electrical contractor or electrician. Of course, there are some different questions to consider. For example, what makes an electrical contractor worth hiring vs. a handyman or someone who says they "know how to do electric." Because, as always, Our Number One Priority Is Your Safety & Satisfaction.
Who Are We?
Let's start with an introduction. You're on First Choice Electric's website. We're an electrical contractor based in St. Charles County, Missouri. We're family-owned and are now on the third generation of electricians within the company. We take pride in everything we do, from customer service to the dangerous work that involves electricity, but it is necessary to keep our communities safe and up-to-date. All right, hard parts over; let's get into the details this headline suggested we will be talking about. You can read more about us here.
What to Expect When Hiring an Electrician
Today in the modern age of business, we like to consider what individual businesses are doing to be eco-friendly. For example, how do they communicate with the customer or potential client to make purchasing decisions more transparent and easier to understand? Does the company offer financing options? What are the guarantees of the work?
The first thing we consider and look for are paperless business practices, are invoices being sent through snail mail, and why? Are your estimates and quotes being delivered on pink or yellow sheets still? Because there are paperless options that are easier to handle, manage and find when you need them utilizing both text and email. All while contributing less to the deforestation of our planet and senseless waste that hoarding stacks of paper contribute to. We've cared about this for a long time now. We are one of the first trade companies in our area to create a seamless user interface experience going completely paperless and constantly working to make our customers' experience better.
Does Financing Make Sense for Your Project?
When it comes to our estimates and invoices, we like the experience to be clean, up-front, and easy to understand with financing options built-in with our partners at Wisetack, where you can see if you qualify for financing options on your projects between $500 - $25,000 right on the estimate and invoice. Many of our customers love to use this option, especially when they qualify for 0% interest which allows them to spread out the payment while keeping more money in their pocket. APRs range from 0 to 35.9%* If your electrical contractor doesn't offer this, they should. Allowing our customers to utilize their money the way they need it is integral to how we like to conduct business.
Electrical Guarantees
Beyond financing a project, keeping more of your cash on hand, and doing business with companies that care about the environment as much as you do, consider the guarantees offered by the company you want to do business with. For example, if the electrician comes out and installs or repairs something on your electrical system and it fails, are they able to correct the issue to begin with? Are they going to charge you for their mistake? What are their guarantees up-front? Can they give you a price breakdown down to the penny before starting the work? All of these things should be considered; at First Choice Electric, we guarantee all of our labor, will help you with product warranties, and make sure your electrical issues are fixed the first time we come out, all while providing FREE estimates, up-front pricing, before any work takes place, so you're not handed a bill and surprised by the cost without approving or being able to ask questions about the work first.
Handyman or Handy Can't
Hiring a licensed electrician can be expensive. Hiring a handyperson may seem like a good way to save some money. But when you hire an electrical contractor that is insured, bonded, and licensed, you're not only protected by the premium insurance policies an electrical contractor is required to carry. The knowledge that allows an electrician to perform daily in this dangerous industry. The confidence of knowing your home or business's electrical system is running safely because an educated and specialized electrician performed the work can be priceless if someone less qualified or knowledgable performed the work that leads to an electrical failure that burns your home or business down.
We hate to bring this up because we can't fault anyone for trying to make a living. Still, we are often called in after something goes wrong to fix the issue after it has already caused damage. It's also an unfortunate statistic that U.S. Fire Departments responded to an estimated 47,820 home structure fires involving electrical failure or malfunction each year from 2007 to 2016. Additionally, 48% of home electrical failure fires involved electrical distribution or lighting equipment between 2007 to 2016. Home electrical failure fires involving washers or dryers, fans, and portable or stationary space heaters accounted for 46% of house fires between 2007 and 2016.