How to find the right commercial electrician for your project

When it comes to finding the right commercial electrician to carry out work at your business premises, there are a number of important factors to consider which will ensure it is carried out as smoothly as possible.

Here are some tips to help you find the right commercial electrician for your project.

1. Credentials

It’s really important that you choose a contractor who is properly trained and experienced in commercial electrical work. Ask to see their qualifications and evidence of their membership of associations or trade bodies, such as the electrical inspection organisation NICEIC, or the Electrical Contractors Association for England and Wales (ECA). Ensure that they have a full health and safety policy and comprehensive insurance covering both public and product liability. Any work they carry out must also be commissioned and tested according to British Standards and adhere to the electrical code of practice.

2. People skills

Due to the nature of commercial electrical contracting, an electrician needs to be able to work well alongside other contractors on a project, as well as being practical and flexible. For example, an electrician in a commercial setting may have to interact with both construction workers and office employees. Do they have good communication skills and are they personable? Do you feel you could rely on them to carry out the work on time and on budget to the standard you expect? Be a good judge of character when speaking to them on the phone or face-to-face.

3. Experience

The experience and the length of time a commercial electrician has been in business is another important point to consider. Ask them to provide details of previous projects they’ve carried out, preferably ones that are similar to the work you’d like them to do. If you can, talk to their former clients about levels of satisfaction with the work. Was it high quality, did it fit the initial specification, and was it delivered on time and to budget?

4. Reviews

Carry out an online search for electrical contractors in your area, and check out their reviews. If you come across more one star ratings than five stars, then it is obviously best to avoid them. However, be aware that some reviews don’t always reflect the reality of what happened in a certain situation, so keep and open mind and ask your potential electrical contractor to explain why someone might have given them a negative review.

5. Questions

If you don’t understand something, or if you need to know more, don’t be afraid to ask. The response you get can tell you a lot about a commercial electrician’s communication skills, professionalism, expertise and enthusiasm for your project.

6. The basics

Cost is often one of the deciding factors when appointing a commercial electrical contractor. It’s essential to get a quote from at least three different companies. Make sure the quote is in writing and gives details of all the elements involved and the relevant costs.

Of course, cost is not always the main reason for hiring one particular commercial electrician over another. Other essentials need to be established before you spend too much time looking into the details. Find out if they’re actually available on the dates you require, and if they have other jobs on the go at the same time that may detract from yours.

DRF Electrical has over 40 years’ experience providing electrical installation, maintenance and testing to organisations in the retail, commercial, industrial and leisure sectors.