Let’s face it – even the best maintained houses most certainly need electrical repairs from time to time. After all, you can’t possibly expect things on the electrical front to run smooth as butter till the very end. That’s just not going to happen.
However, it is vital to note that taking matters into one’s own hands in this regard is extremely foolhardy, to say the least. Not only because you don’t have any expertise in this area, but there is also the dangerous possibility of you electrocuting yourself, if you end up fiddling around too much with wires.
Hence, whether it is a electrician in Melbourne or anywhere else for that matter, make sure that you leave the work to the real experts who know that they’re doing. Sure, you might have read a bit about how to fix electrical problems, but that most certainly does not mean that you can translate that knowledge into practical application.
You’ll be much better off hiring a professional electrician. As simple as that. However, the catch is that these services are anything but reasonably priced, plus there are a couple of important aspects that one needs to keep in mind before zeroing in on a particular electrician. On that note, here are 5 vital tips to keep in mind while looking out for the best electrician for the job.
- The hourly rates of an electrician are misleading: This is an aspect that too many people pay attention to. Just remember – a well-equipped, skilled electrician charging close to 70 dollars an hour is a much better bet than an amateur electrician working with inadequate parts charging 35 dollars an hour.
- Compare the travel charges of different electricians: In some ways, these are easier to compare than hourly rates in general. For instance, on a longer job, a low hourly rate and a trip charge does make sense. However, for a shorter job, a electrician that charges a higher hourly rate is better.
- Be prepared before the electrician arrives: This will ensure that you save both time and money. Let’s face it – the less time the electrician spends dealing with petty issues, the more money you end up saving.
For instance, you can make a list of things to inspect and service as soon as you call the electrician. Then when he comes over, all you need to do is show him the list.
- Make sure you install money-saving electrical fixtures: This can be something as simple as switching from ordinary light fixtures to fluorescent ones, or even motion detector switches to help conserve on outdoor lighting. Not only that, but this will also provide an extremely cost-effective security to your home. Additionally, creative landscape lighting is also an aspect that will ease up the pressure on your huge electricity bill.
Ultimately, you need to do whatever it takes and make absolutely sure of the fact that you hire the best electrician for the job. That is absolutely vital. It is equally important for you to realise that there’s really no need for you to unnecessarily rush the process of looking for a electrician that suits your needs.
Just remember – A electrician who is not well-equipped or experienced enough to deal with your particular home surroundings can very well end up causing a lot more harm than actual good. People who are looking to get the job done as soon as possible and on a shoestring budget would do well to keep that fact in mind at all times.
I like your tip about making a list of all the things you need to do and have it ready for an electrician when he shows up. I would also assume that having the contact information for a good reliable professional during an emergency might also help save you some time and frustration. Having a licensed, experienced, and reputable electrician that can help during an emergency could be a life or a home saver. If all of our power went out, I’d want to know someone was on the way.
My wife and I run a business in our town and for the past week, we’ve been running into a few electrical problems that I can’t take care of. I liked that you had mentioned that when hiring an electrician it can be important to have everything fully prepared before they arrive to help save both parties time. I might have to start setting things up and start looking for a professional to come out and handle the issues that I’m having.
I like how you say that doing something as simple as putting in motion detector switches to your outdoor lighting will save money and act as cost-effective security. My home was built a long time ago, and the electrical stuff hasn’t been updated since then. It’d be good to get some of those cost-effective things in, so I’ll have to find an electrician who can give my home an upgrade.
I just wanted to thank you for going over some tips for finding an electrician. I’m glad that you mentioned to make sure that you are prepared for their visit, like having a list of things to look at. I also think it could be good to maybe prepare and clean the area to make sure that they can have the space they need to work. It sounds like both parties could benefits from a good discussion about what to expect.
Thank you for the vital information. Its amazing how much we overpay without knowing. It’s great that we have articles such as this to keep from being taken advantage of by a more knowledgeable professional.
These are great tips for hiring a good electrician. I like how you said to watch out for anyone charging less or more than around $70 an hour. That sounds like a fair price, and we want a trained professional installing our new circuit breaker.
I really like that you mentioned that a well, equipped and skilled electrician is going to be worth the extra money when it comes to ensuring electrical safety in your home. My wife and I are remodeling our kitchen and need some switches installed and others rewired, so we really need a reputable electrician. Finding someone trustworthy and reliable would be a huge plus!
It was really nice how you suggested making a list of the things that need to be checked prior to the arrival of the electrician because that will save time and, in turn, save us money. It was good that you pointe that out, though, I have the feeling that I already know what the problem is. Before I went to bed last night, I checked the fixtures and the switches and realized that they were warmer than usual. I didn’t have a good feeling about it, so I thought of hiring a professional. Thanks for sharing! Hopefully, it can help others too.
I found it interesting that you talked about how if you’re doing a shorter job, an electrician that charges a higher hourly rate is better. My dad is looking to hire an electrician to help him get a projector put in his basement. I’ll be sure to talk to him about considering getting an hourly wage professional.
Hey there,
Great tips.
I would like to add here that one can ask for an estimate before the job begins. By law, in some states, an electrician cannot refuse you that. In fact, as my experience goes, a refuser is a clear sign of a rookie (and sometimes unqualified/uncertified) electrician.
I really like your tip about comparing travel charges instead of the hourly rates. It is true that they could be easier to compare then hourly rates. It would be nice to find an electrician with a good hourly rate and a decent travel charge. I will have to do some research and see who would be the best option!
I appreciate it when you said that electricians usually charge by the hour, so it is best to make sure that everything is prepared before they arrive so as to make sure that less time is wasted and more money is saved. This is something that I will be sure to mention to my supervisor since he is the one who needs an electrician. I thought this tip was the best because I do remember him saying he needs to save money. Thank you!
I got trouble with my electrical out and called out for pro check out everything and find some problems with the wiring, Thankfully nothing happens. You should indeed be ready before the electrician to explain in details of what happens to this will makes much faster in their part in looking at the problem.
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Thanks for letting me know that it would be better to hire a professional electrician to fix the problem. We had encountered a recent storm and some parts of our TV antennas have been damaged. I’ll follow your advice and hire a well-equipped electrician for the job.