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Hiring the Best Electrician Near Me
From faulty breaker boxes to an outdated electrical system, there can be any number of potential electrical risks in a home. A licensed electrician is the person to call when these home hazards pop up.
Electricians are hired to work on any part of a building that ties into its electrical panel. This may include installing new fixtures, rewiring or adding electrical components, replacing switches and outlets, and inspecting and maintaining electrical equipment. A trusted electrician near you can also help with power outages, troubleshooting, home inspections, and any renovation projects that involve power.
If you’re wondering, “how can I find the best electrician near me?”, this guide will help you find a reputable local electrician, including what they cost, what they can fix, when to call them in, and what questions to ask when you hire one.
Cost of an Electrician Near Me
Depending on the project scope, the national average cost for hiring an electrician is roughly $300 per project or $50 to $100 an hour, although local rates may vary. Factors that play into an electrician’s cost are the materials used, travel time, and the complexity of the job. For instance, installing a light fixture takes less time, effort, and material than rewiring an entire room or house.
Common Issues an Electrician Near Me Can Fix
An electrician can tackle any major or minor electrical issue within a building. Common home electrical issues can include:
- Flickering lights: A flickering light typically means there is an electrical grid issue that is hindering the transfer of electricity into that system. If a light still flickers after the bulb has been changed, there may be a faulty fixture or fraying wires, which can start a fire if left unaddressed.
- Tripped circuit breaker: Typically a circuit breaker shuts down or is “tripped” when it is overloaded with electricity. This is a built-in safety measure to prevent overheating that can cause electrical fires. If unplugging the device and resetting the circuit doesn’t work, an electrician should be able to diagnose the issue.
- Rising electricity bill: Home electricity bills are typically higher in the summer when the air conditioning is running for most of the season. However, if there is no discernable difference in your electricity use and the bill is increasing month after month, an electrician can help assess the home’s electricity usage and make sure there are no mechanical issues within the systems.
- Exposed wires: Any exposed wiring in a building can pose a serious safety hazard, and it’s best to call an electrician as soon as the problem is spotted. Aside from being a fire risk, bare wires can cause painful and severe electrical shocks if a person or animal comes into contact with them. An electrician can secure any open wiring and hide it safely behind a switch or outlet.
- Loose electrical contacts: A plug that repeatedly falls out of an outlet isn’t just annoying—it’s a sign of a loose contact within a socket, which can ultimately cause electrical arcing that might lead to house fires. Electricians can inspect the outlet and tighten it up to ensure a secure connection.
An electrician typically doesn’t fix television or internet issues (cable and internet service providers can troubleshoot any of those problems). Additionally, if there’s a power outage that impacts an entire block or town, the local utility company will be called in to resolve it, rather than an individual electrician.
Do I Need an Electrician?
An electrician may be called into a home for a variety of reasons, including emergency situations that pose a safety risk or non-emergencies such as simple repairs, fixture installations, rewiring, or renovation jobs.
Emergencies
Certain home emergencies will require a professional electrician’s expertise to avoid a potential fire hazard or safety issue, including:
- Loss of power: Storms, downed electrical lines, and other accidents may cut off power to a home. If your home has lost power and your local utility company hasn’t reported a wider outage, you may want to call an electrician to determine why.
- Buzzing: A loud buzzing or humming sound near the breaker box could mean that a faulty breaker is failing to trip due to poor wiring. This can be a hazardous situation leading to electrical failures and house fires, so an electrician should be called as soon as possible.
- Burned outlets: Black or brown marks around an electrical outlet means they’re likely overloading and getting too hot, which leads to a risk of a fire. An electrician near you can assess the issue, replace the outlet, and rewire the system if necessary.
If your home has an electrical emergency that results in a fire, immediately evacuate the house and call 911 before contacting an electrician.
Non-Emergencies
Some home electrical jobs may not require immediate attention, but should still be completed by a licensed professional. These include:
- Home inspections: An electrician can assess a home before it is sold to identify and repair any electrical issues that may come up during an inspection.
- Installing electrical fixtures: An electrician should be called if a homeowner wants to add or update any new electrical fixtures like lights, ceiling fans, outlets, and circuit breakers.
- Outlet or wiring upgrades: Older homes may have outdated electrical wiring or two-prong plugs instead of the safer grounded three-prong plugs installed in modern homes. An electrician can rewire a single room or an entire home to upgrade the system and make the house safer.
- New construction: If you’re building a new house or renovating an existing one, you’ll want to hire an electrician near you to execute the designer or architect’s electrical plans and wire the home.
Other Considerations
DIY homeowners who are working on a project with an electrical component can and should call a local electrician if they lack the skill or comfort level to properly and safely complete it themselves. In many cases, an electrician can be a reliable, knowledgeable resource for a home improvement project involving power, and can help avoid any code violations or safety risks.
An electrician can also help homeowners save money and increase their home value by recommending ways to reduce electrical consumption. The average homeowner may not always know all the factors that impact their electricity bill. A consultation with an electrician can help homeowners identify inefficient appliances, old wiring, or other causes of excess energy usage. Electricians are often able to make recommendations for new, higher-efficiency models and, if desired, install them in the home.
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional Electrician
One of the biggest questions that arises when people attempt to do DIY electrical work is whether or not it’s legal. The answer varies from state to state and homeowners should always consult their local permit office for the correct answer. Property owners who want to do their own electrical work may also need to obtain a temporary license to do so.
It’s advised to call a licensed local electrician when doing any extensive rewiring of a house, installing new circuits, or doing any work on the electrical panel. Electricians go through extensive training and licensing to ensure safe and thorough work. If a DIY homeowner violates an electrical code, it could invalidate their home insurance and put them at risk for injury or fire.
How to Find a Reputable Electrician Near Me
Like hiring any home contractor, choose your local electrician carefully based on research and reputation. Assess their credentials and review any references to make sure the electrician meets your personal standard of quality. Here are some factors to consider when seeking an electrician near you.
- Recommendations from other local homeowners and contractors: Ask your neighbors who they use for electrical work or ask another trusted contractor for a list of electricians they recommend.
- Licensing and insurance: Make sure your electrician is licensed and that their license is up to date. It’s also wise to choose an electrician with liability insurance in the event of an accident that occurs during or after the job.
- Online reputation: A good, reputable electrician will likely be listed with the Better Business Bureau and The Prime Buyer’s Report, and on sites like HomeAdvisor and others. See what fellow homeowners say about their work and whether there have been any recent complaints against them.
- Specialty area: Electricians tend to specialize in certain concentrations such as new construction, service calls, or commercial work.
Other factors to consider include the electrician’s responsiveness, hourly rates, and proximity to your home.
Questions to Ask Your Local Electrician
Once you find an electrician you like, ask them some questions to make sure you’re on the same page before, during, and after the job.
Before:
- What is the estimate for the job?
- How long will it take to complete?
- Are you licensed and insured?
- Do you offer a warranty?
- Who will be doing the work on my home?
During:
- How can I reach you if there are electrical issues that arise during the project?
- Are there any additional or unanticipated project costs you foresee?
After:
- How can I make sure this issue doesn’t happen again?
- Where should I direct my payment?
- Where can I leave you a review?
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding hiring an electrician and having electrical work done in a house.
Q. What do most electricians charge per hour?
Typically, electricians can charge between $50 to $100 an hour depending on the project. This rate may increase or decrease depending on local competitive rates and the complexity of the project.
Q. How do I find a local electrician?
You can search online and read reviews for local electricians and complement your search by turning to neighbors for recommendations.
Q. How much does an electrician charge to install an outlet?
An outlet typically costs $65 to $125 to replace. Factors such as the home’s current wiring, outlet location, and whether a new circuit must be added may increase the cost to upwards of $200.
