Tips for Finding the Right Licensed Electrical Contractor

From retrofitting your building’s electrical system to making small repairs, it’s important to always choose the best commercial contractor in Los Angeles, CA. Working with experienced and knowledgeable contractors means your project will be completed safely and meet current building code requirements. Check out these five tips for finding professional electricians for your commercial project.

Get Recommendations

If you’ve never worked with a commercial electrical contractor in Los Angeles before, check in with businesses in your network. Ask them for recommendations and learn as much as you can about the scope of the project. If you have a big project planned, you need a team of electricians to get the job done right. Make sure the contractors recommended to you have worked on projects similar to yours in the past. Stay away from asking friends and family for recommendations because you’ll likely be directed to a residential contractor. This is a waste of your time because residential electricians don't have the experience or the credentials to work on commercial electrical systems.

Verify Credentials

When hiring a commercial contractor in Los Angeles, CA, for the first time, always verify credentials. Depending on the project, you might need a team of electricians. If each of the electricians is subcontracted, you need to make sure they have the correct licensing and insurance. In Los Angeles, it’s easy to verify credentials for service professionals like electricians. Visit the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety website and navigate to the database to find out if the contractor you want to hire has the credentials to do the job.

Schedule an On-Site Consultation

Before you begin any project at your building, you want to get a few bids. Do this by scheduling on-site consultations. Schedule a time for the electrician to come to your place of business and explain what you need done. On-site bids are essential because sometimes details get lost in translation. When you call an electrical service and explain what you need, the contractor might hear something different than what you’re trying to explain. This leads to miscommunication and estimates that don’t come close to hitting the mark. Any commercial contractor in Los Angeles who insists on only giving bids over the phone should be dismissed right away.

Ask How Long the Contractor Has Been in Business

There’s nothing wrong with new talent. People do have to start somewhere in their careers. The question is: Does your project need an expert? If you’re rewiring an entire building and trying to modernize the electricity, it’s better to work with an electrician who has years of experience. Also, being able to stay in business in a crowded industry for many years and with good reviews isn’t easy. If you find an electrician who is reputable and has years of experience at their back, this is someone you want to consider.

Consider Commercial Experience

Although this point was mentioned earlier, it bears repeating. Don’t make the mistake of hiring a residential electrician to do a commercial job. This puts your project at risk and it affects the safety of your building.

Do you need commercial electrical work done by an experienced Los Angeles commercial contractor? Contact JH Bryant, JR. Inc., today to schedule an appointment to discuss your project.