What do I need to look for in a Commercial Electrician near me?

How to Find Experienced and Reliable Commercial Electricians Near Me

Are you thinking, how do i go about finding a commercial eleectrician near me or near my offices? Get the assurance of quality service through expert tips on finding the best electrician for your needs.

Therefore, uou may be wondering, what’s the difference between a commercial electrician and a normal electrician? Firstly, the skillset for your project will depends on a few things:

1. The location of the building
2. The age of the building
3. How the space is structured such as false ceilings, false floors etc
4. The size of the space to install into
5. Landlord and other tenants considerations

These are just a few amongst many others. Of which, most of these are considerations for commercial buildings and thus the need for a specialist electrician or electrical contractor

We also have a range ofElectrical Articles in our ELECTRICAL KNOWLEDGE CENTRE - Click here for more articles

Why do I need a commercial electrician?

A commercial electrician is a highly trained individual who has completed additional training that allows them to work on commercial buildings. Thus, the main difference between a residential & commercial electrician is, commercial systems are much bigger and a lot more complex.

In summary, you can see from the few items above, commercial projects are no always just about your office but also working around those of other tenants and landlords.

When considering, how do i find an electrician near me? You have a few standard areas and questions to focus on to find the correct contractor

Finding the right professional can be intimidating, but with some research and these expert tips you can find a reliable and trusted electrician that will provide quality and safe services to your home or business.

1. Research and Vet Potential Electricians.
2. Get a Free Estimate or Quotation
3. Qualifications/Professional training
4. Electrical Experience
5. Residential vs Commercial Electricians
6. Verify Insurance Coverage of Electricians You Consider Hiring.
7. Quality of work & Competency

Research and Vet Potential Electricians.

One of the most important steps in locating an electrician is researching and vetting potential electricians near you. The first port of call could be asking other companies in your building for referrals. In addition, check a range of professional electrician websites and review customer feedback from previous jobs.

Your search for a good electrician starts with doing your homework. First, use online reviews and research to find out what other people are saying about the different contractors in your area. Ask yourself who else is using these electricians near me, and what has their experience been. Check out customer feedback on platforms like Google, Facebook, and Yelp to get an idea of what it’s like to work with each one. This will give you an indication of whom you should trust and who isn’t worth your time.

The initial viewing on their website, client base and skillset will five you a first impression whether they are suited, properly certified or qualified to do work on your commercial space. You should also verify their insurance policies to ensure that any accidents on the job will be covered by them. It’s also important to inquire about fees and services so that there are no surprises when it comes time to pay your bill.

Get a Free Estimate or Quotation

Be sure to get a free estimate before hiring a contractor. An quotation should provide you with an accurate representation of labour costs, materials and any other fees associated with the project.

Ask questions about how long the job will take and obtain confirmation of any guarantee offered on labour or parts. Also, confirm that the electrician is licensed and insured in case there are any accidents or unforeseen events during the job.

If you are obtaining several quotations make sure they are similar (or like for like). Not every company sees the project the same. Some may allow for what you need and others maybe only the bare minimum and then surprise you with additional costs throughout the project

Qualifications/Professional training

1 of the 1^st things you need to check before hiring a commercial electrician is their qualifications/training. There are 2 widely recognised awarding organisations in the UK. City & Guilds and EAL. To remain legal and above board, all electricians in the UK are required to hold a level 3 certification. To work on commercial buildings, they must possess an industry recognised level 3 NVQ.

Certifications are a good reference point to determine the skill level and experience of potential electricians. Firstly, certifications show that they have attained a certain level of training and knowledge, making them more qualified than those without credentials. This ensures that you’ll be receiving services from a professional electrician who is knowledgeable in their field.

Experienced electricians will be able to complete the job quickly and efficiently, while those with fewer years of experience may take more time

If an electrician has obtained any special training or certifications beyond licensing requirements, this is a good sign that they are knowledgeable and capable of handling various kinds of projects.

Electrical Experience

As well as qualifications and training. Experience should also be priority of yours. An electrician with more years of experience is likely to be more adaptable due to the exposure they’ve had in the industry. In summary, the experience can be the difference between a job well done and a job that will repeatedly require repairs.

A highly skilled and experienced electrician should have no problem providing you with references or referrals from former clients. Ask for names, numbers and other contact information so that you can get their direct feedback about the quality of service. Thus, these referrals will give you the assurance that your electrician can provide reliable and satisfactory results when completing your project.

Why can’t I use a residential electrician for commercial work?

As previously stated, commercial electricians further their knowledge which allows them to work on bigger systems. In addition, the biggest difference between the two is the regularity of the changes. Houses will often have the correct amount of electrical wiring for specific rooms. It is quite rare that they need additional electrical wiring. Occasionally this may happen when a room has been renovated.  For example, remodelling your kitchen.

On the other hand, in commercial buildings electrical wiring, data cabling, audio-visual and all other elements of technology are likely to change often. For instance, desk layouts, re-organised departments, office moves, and additional staff. All these changes require the electrical wiring to be altered. A commercial electrician will have an understanding on the buildings wiring and experience in planning for big commercial changes.

Verify Insurance Coverage of Electricians You Consider Hiring.

It’s also important to verify that the electricians you consider hiring have up-to-date liability and contractor insurance. This will help protect you from any pitfalls should an accident occur while they are working at your property. Ask for certificates of insurance from the electrician and then contact their insurance provider directly to confirm their coverage is valid. Again, this is an area where a commercial specific electrician near you should be the better option as they will have larger insurance cover

Public Liability Insurance

All businesses with employees are required to have Employers Liability by law. However, did you know, Public Liability Insurance is not compulsory if you’re self-employed?

An electrician without Public Liability insurance should be avoided at all costs. This should be a sign of their level of professionalism and care for their clients. By its very nature, electricity is dangerous. Majority of fires are caused by poor electrics or failed electrics. Public Liability insurance will cover your property if the fire was caused by the electrician.

Equally important, a commercial electrician must have the trade (commercial electrician) on their documents. The reason for this is because standard electrician policies do not cover 3 phase work, thus making the insurance invalid if not declared to the insurer.

Quality of work & Competency

Is your electrician’s work completed to British Standards BS 7671? Are they able to issue a BS7671 certificate for your records?

Before hiring anyone to work in your building you must do your research about the company you’re about to use. You should only entrust your electrical work to a company that is reputable. Additionally, check the reviews left by other customers. Does the company have a good informative website with case studies and information about their work? These are all signs of professionalism; it proves values their clients.

Our Ranges of Services - When Looking for a Commercial Electrician Near me

If you require an initial survey or quotations we are happy to arrange a free site survey and quotation.

Below are several areas in which we can assist you in the electrical sector in addition to the overall electrical office fit outs for commercial spaces

• Floor Box Electrical Installations
• Communication Rooms Electrical Installations
• Back up Power – UPS Installations
• Generator Installations
• Lighting and Testing
• PAT Testing

We cover London, South East, South West and Birmingham regions from our offices in Londona and Wiltshire