When you’re on the market for electrical work, you take to the internet, searching far and wide for a professional that can help you set up lighting, heating, outlets, appliances, and everything in between. On your search, you likely come across the term “electrician” and “electrical contractor” frequently, and you may be wondering, “what’s the difference between an electrical contractor and an electrician anyway?”

This fun and informative blog will decipher these differences and let you know what to look for and what to expect from a professional electrical contracting company.

How Does an Electrical Contractor Differ from an Electrician?

While an electrician is an individual who performs electrical services, an electrical contractor is a business person or firm that performs construction services related to the design, installation, and maintenance of electrical systems.

If you want to have an outlet in your home or business fixed, you may call an electrician. If you're going to retrofit your building, or design a brand-new electrical system, however, you’re better off calling an electrical contracting company.

Electrical contractors will hire skilled electricians to work with them on their team and conduct electrical contracting services for clients big and small.

What Services Does an Electrical Contractor Provide?

Any electrical contracting company worth hiring will be able to deliver their clients any electrical service, specialized or otherwise. Some of the most common services offered by electrical contracting teams may include:

  • Electrical setups and wiring
  • Outlet installation and repair
  • Electrical panel installation and maintenance
  • Surge protection
  • Ceiling fan installation and repair
  • Pool and hot tub wiring
  • Electrical safety inspections
  • Fire alarm set up and repair

This list is by no means exhaustive. If you are facing an electrical problem of any kind, or if you need assistance installing new lights or appliances, an electrical contractor will be able to help you.

What Qualifications Does an Electrical Contractor Have?

Electrical work can be dangerous, and electrical contractors need to be thoroughly trained, professionally experienced, and fully licensed to perform their job.

Any good electrical contractor will have participated in an apprenticeship, gained related work experience in various fields, and undergone training to safely deliver the standard and specialized electrical services they offer.

Most electrical contracting companies design and install electrical systems for new builds, so being up-to-date on the industry’s latest innovation is also essential.

Good contractors will be happy to prove their qualifications for you, and obtaining this proof should be a consideration in your hiring process.

Finding the Best Electrical Contracting Company

No matter your location, there are likely dozens of electrical companies operating in your local area. Choosing the right electrical contractor is essential, and you may be wondering how to filter out the good from the bad.

Here are a few things you should consider when hiring an electrical contracting company:

Get Recommendations from Your Personal Network

The best recommendations and reviews are those you get from friends and family. Ask your neighbors, community members, and loved ones what electrical companies they’ve hired in the past, what jobs they’ve done, and who they recommend.

You should also consider checking in with local hardware stores – they may have a shortlist of professionals they can recommend to you.

Review Credentials

As discussed above, it’s essential for your electrical contractor to have ample experience. Checking to see if your candidates have professional experience and up-to-date licenses is an excellent way to choose the right company. Consider connecting with previous clients and asking around for references.

Check for Relevant Experience

Different electrical companies will specialize in various projects. If you’re looking to hire a company to design a power system for your business, you don’t want to hire contractors that only do residential work. And you don’t want to hire a single electrician to take on a full-scale retrofitting project that’s out of their wheelhouse.

Ask potential hires for proof of their previous work experience and consider your options from there.

Commercial Electrical Contractors

Ensure the Safety of Your Business

Whether you are constructing a new building for your commercial operation, or if you need to have your existing space rewired, when you’re looking to do extensive electrical work in your business, you need to hire an electrical contracting company. Only a skilled contractor will help you design a system that ensures the ongoing safety and operation of your business.

Shoddy installations can impact the daily function and overall profit of your business. Power outages and related issues can really slow you down – so be sure you’re starting things off on the right foot with a trusted professional.

Residential Electrical Contractors

Home Electrical Upgrades and System Design

Today, we rely on electricity more than ever before. The electricity in our homes is used to power our work-from-home offices, brew our coffee, light up dark spaces, keep us warm and cool depending on the season, and so much more. Without good electrical design, the overall comfort of your personal spaces could be left to chance, and that’s the last thing you want.

Hiring the right electrical contractor to perform electrical design, rewiring, installations, and maintenance will give you peace of mind, so be sure to follow our tips and tricks for finding the right team listed above!

What to Expect from a Professional Electrical Contractor?

An electrical contractor isn’t just licensed and experienced to deliver the services you need. They should also be friendly and accommodating. You don’t want anyone working on your home or business property that you can’t trust, and determining a company’s commitment to customer services should be considered in the assessment process.

From an excellent electrical contractor, you can expect:

  • Fast response to your requests
  • A detailed, on-site consultation
  • Punctuality and respect for your schedule
  • Fair and clearly communicated pricing
  • Ongoing support

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If you’re still seeking the help of an electrical contractor, Ty-wire Electric LTD. could be the right team for the job. Contact our experts at (780) 521-6400 to discuss your project and get started today!