Did you know that Texas is home to an estimated 52,580 electricians? That makes it the state with the second-highest electrician employment rate.
That figure means finding an electrician near your TX home won’t take long. However, that doesn’t mean you should choose the first one you find online.
Instead, do your due diligence and ask pertinent questions before hiring an electrician.
We’ve rounded up the most crucial things to ask prospective electricians below, so read on.
1. What Is Your License Number?
Under Texas law, anyone providing electrical work and services must have a license. These include installation, maintenance, and repair of residential electrical wiring systems.
Note that even apprentices need a license before they can provide electrician services.
So when hiring a professional electrician, the question should not be, “do you have a license?” Instead, be straightforward and ask for their license number.
Once you have that info, go to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) website. Then, use the TDLR license lookup tool to check if the license number is valid.
2. May I Have Your Insurance Information?
Texas law also requires electrical contractors to maintain general liability insurance. The minimum is $300,000 per occurrence of property damage and bodily injury. As for the aggregate coverage, it should be no less than $600,000.
So before hiring a residential electrician, ask for their insurance details first. They should provide their insurance provider’s name, policy number, and coverage dates. You can then call their insurance company to confirm the policy’s validity.
3. What’s Causing My Electrical Problems?
When you call an electrician, tell them immediately about your electrical issues. Then, ask them what they think is behind these problems.
A reputable and experienced electrician will likely name several possible culprits. They may even give you appropriate troubleshooting tips you can try. However, they will also tell you that the best way to identify the cause is for them to inspect your system.
So, a reliable electrician/a> won’t insist on a single cause without testing your system.
For example, suppose you tell an electrician on the phone that your lights flicker or dim from time to time. An experienced electrician won’t tell you it’s 100% due to circuit problems. After all, they know this problem can also result from loose connections or wirings.
4. Do You Have Energy Saving Services?
The most reliable electricians don’t only specialize in electrical maintenance and repairs. They can also help make your home greener with energy-efficient equipment. For example, they can install LED lights, solar lights, timers, and intelligent thermostats.
5. Do You Service My Area?
The answer to this is a deal-breaker, as it also influences how soon an electrician can go to your home. For example, if you live in Denton County, hire an electrician who provides services here. Otherwise, you may have to wait hours, even days, for your service appointment.
Ask These Questions Before Hiring an Electrician
And there you have it, your guide on the most crucial questions to ask when hiring an electrician. Please don’t skip any of them, as they can help you gauge if an electrician is capable and trustworthy.
If you need to hire an electrician in North Dallas, Denton County, White Electric is here to help. Contact us now to schedule all your needed residential electrical services.
