It's important to thoroughly vet commercial electrical professionals and ask the right questions to ensure they are qualified and capable of meeting your needs. So, what should you ask your electrical contractor? Let's dive into the top five key questions to ask design-build electricians to help you make an informed decision.
Why It's So Important to Vet Electrical Contractors
You've likely heard of all kinds of home improvement horror stories in which owners fall victim to scams, shady contractors, and disreputable professionals. While those types of scams and fraud are less common in the commercial space, there are still many risks that business owners need to weigh when comparing contractors. Some electrical contractors still engage in fraudulent business practices and you need to be on the lookout for those types of companies.
If you do not conduct sufficient research on design-build electricians and rush the hiring process, you may increase your risk of hiring a professional who:
- Makes empty promises and doesn’t follow through
- Sacrifices quality work and materials for a lower price point
- May deliver the project over budget and behind schedule
- May not even finish the contracted work
- Is difficult to work with and talk to
Simply put: the wrong hire can result in serious delays, wasted budget, and endless frustration. Don't worry - we'll help simplify the vetting process for you.
What to Ask When Comparing Design-Build Electrical Contractors
It's best practice to identify, research, and get estimates from at least 3-6 commercial electrical businesses. This way, you'll have several providers to compare and choose from. When you book a consultation and meet with each provider one-on-one, make sure you take that opportunity to thoroughly vet each option. We'd recommend treating each consultation like a job interview: have a series of questions ready to go so you can get a good sense of each contractor's quality of work, professionalism, expertise, and reliability.
The following questions are a great starting point for those interviews, but don't forget to also ask your own list of pressing questions.
1. Can I See Your License and Insurance Policies?
First and foremost, you need to verify that your commercial electrician is qualified (and registered) to do the work. A valid license ensures that the contractor has met the necessary legal requirements to practice in your area and has the technical expertise to handle your project. That key document will give you peace of mind knowing that you are working with a legitimate professional.
Insurance is equally important because electrical renovations are dangerous projects, and many things can go wrong. Your contractor should have several insurance policies in place to protect themselves, you, and other people on the property during the electrical updates. Make sure you see these documents with your own eyes to verify their existence!
2. Can You Provide a List of References?
Reputation matters when it comes to any professional services. Even if a contractor is licensed and insured, that doesn't always mean they deliver reliable outcomes. You'll want to call and speak with previous clients about their experiences with each design-build electrical contractor to double check you're hiring a trustworthy professional.
It's also a good idea to read through customer reviews and company profiles on third-party websites like Google, the BBB, and others. Those testimonials will give you a good sense of what you can expect from each contractor.
3. How Are Your Design-Build Services Unique?
With so many commercial electricians out there, it's important to determine what differentiates each one from the last. For instance, at P&L Electric, we've made a name for ourselves as design-build electrical contractors because we:
- Provide cost-effective solutions that reduce the need for expensive replacements
- Will not try to oversell you on products or solutions that you don't need
- Removed red tape to quickly connect all callers and inquiries with our owners or key decision-makers
- Offer 24/7 emergency responses
- Prioritize safety at every turn, for our staff and yours
4. What's Your Experience Level?
It's just as the saying goes: "The longer you are in business, the better you are at your job." Experience is crucial when it comes to electrical work, and ideally, you won't have a rookie or apprentice electrician working on your property. It's best to hire a commercial electrical contractor who has multiple master electricians on staff with decades of combined experience across their entire staff.
5. What Would You Recommend for My Electrical Needs?
Once your commercial electrician has a good understanding of your property layout, your unique circumstances, and your vision for renovations, they'll design custom electrical solutions for your property. But electricians can be very creative, and they may develop innovative ideas or strategies to minimize costs while optimizing flow and productivity.
Get a sense of how each electrical contractor might solve your issues and correct gaps within your electrical needs. Then, you can compare ideas from one provider to the next and determine the most appropriate fit for your needs.
Get Started with Our Design-Build Electrical Contractor
Kick off your next electrical project on a bright note with P&L Electric! We are a full-service commercial electrical contractor that can design custom solutions for all kinds of electrical needs. Whether you're renovating a retail space or optimizing your assembly line, we can help streamline your operations and reduce overhead costs with reliable electrical systems.
Contact P&L Electric today to schedule a consultation with our talented design-build electricians.