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How do I find a good electrician? |
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When hiring any contractor, it is a good idea to interview several, and do your homework. Also, be sure to check that their license is in good standing with the state: http://www.dora.state.co.us/pls/real/ARMS_Search.Disclaimer_Page
You may also want to ask for references from previous customers and search the Better Business Bureau’s site to see if they have any complaints. http://www.data.bbb.org/denver/search.html
To help you choose the best contractor, the following is a list of questions you may also want to ask before hiring any electrician:
Is the company licensed?
Is the company insured?
Are employees covered by workers compensation?
Will they pull a permit for your job (in order to have a government inspector check the job to make sure it meets code, you will need to have a permit. A legitimate contractor will pull your permits through their company; they should NOT ask the homeowner to pull a homeowner’s permit)?
Are all workers on the job licensed or registered with the state(all electricians are required to carry their license or registration card on their person at all times – ask to see their license when they show up at your job)?
Are employees paid on commission (some companies charge a trip fee in order to give you an estimate, and then try to sell you electrical work that you don’t necessarily need. You might find you’re talking to more of a salesman than an electrician)?
What kind of warranty do they offer?
Will they give you a written proposal (this should be a detailed description of the work that will be done, outlining exactly what is and is not included)?
Will they need money up front (beware of any contractor who asks for more than 10% up front)?
Who is the company’s Master Electrician and what is his/her title (This question is important, because some Master Electricians are not involved in the daily operations of the company)? |
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Are all electricians licensed? |
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There are some people who market themselves electricians, even though they hold no electrical license, nor have any formal electrical training. Some companies also use cheaper, unlicensed, unregistered help in order to save money in service positions (this is not legal, but sometimes happens). |
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How do I check an electrician or electrical contractor’s license? |
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When hiring an electrician, we advise verification of the company’s license with the state’s Department of Regulatory Agencies. http://www.dora.state.co.us/pls/real/ARMS_Search.Disclaimer_Page |
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How do you become an electrician? |
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In the state of Colorado, a person interested in becoming an electrician must register with the state as an apprentice electrician, and then serve 4,000 to 10,000 hours in various areas of the electrical trade, depending on which type of license he/she is seeking. There are three types of licenses an individual may have:
Residential Wireman: This electrician specializes in residential work only, and must serve 4,000 hours before getting licensed.
Journeyman Electrician: This electrician needs to serve 8,000 hours before getting licensed. A journeyman is qualified to do any type of electrical work (commercial, residential, or industrial)
Master Electrician: This electrician must serve a total of 10,000 hours. An individual may only get a master electrician license after getting licensed as a journeyman electrician. Every electrical contractor must have someone who holds a master electrician license.
All of the above electricians must pass the state test for the particular license they are seeking.
In addition to the state’s requirements, Specialized Electric Company sends all apprentices to school for four years in order to maintain a highly-trained, competent, and safety-conscious staff. Also, the electrical staff at Specialized Electric Company has an average of over 10 years experience in the field.
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| Q |
How much electrical work should I attempt on my own? |
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Truthfully, we do not recommend that unlicensed individuals attempt much on their own. Most states allow people to do whatever they want in their own home. It is important to decide how much you are willing to risk to save money, as even the smallest job could cause a safety hazard. In many jurisdictions of Colorado, homeowners can pull their own electrical permits for work in their homes. However, some homeowners insurance will not cover damage or fire caused by the electrical work of an unlicensed person. If you are planning to attempt electrical work on your own, be sure to check with your homeowners insurance before you start. Doing your own electrical work may end up costing you much more that it saves you. |
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Is it necessary to cut my drywall in order to do electrical work? |
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It is not always necessary to cut drywall in order to install new electrical. At Specialized Electric Company, we have innovative tools and techniques to prevent drywall cutting whenever possible. However, there are some instances when it cannot be avoided. We will always let our customers know if it is necessary to cut their drywall and will neatly remove and replace whatever is necessary to complete the job. When a professional drywall finisher patches and textures the wall, it will look good as new! |
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Does Specialized Electric Company charge by the hour? |
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We prefer to give our customers a price up front so that they know what their job will cost before work is started. However, we can charge an hourly rate at a customer’s request. |
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Does Specialized Electric Company have a "trip charge?" |
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Specialized Electric Company will provide free estimates to our customers before they hire us to do the work. |
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Is Specialized Electric Company insured? |
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Specialized Electric Company is licensed, insured, and covers employees under Workers Compensation. |
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What is the National Electrical Code? |
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The National Electrical Code is a nationally accepted guide that is produced by the NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency). It contains the minimum standards for fire and personal safety for electricians, electrical contractors, engineers, and inspectors. It is a book that every electrician should reference often, and be familiar with its code articles. It is nearly impossible for the NEC to list all of the applications for each electrical job, so the code is designed to give minimum standards. This means that an electrician who strictly uses the electrical code without using his/her expertise and judgment of how electrical systems operate may not provide you with the highest quality service. Therefore, a good electrical contractor will exceed the code requirements in order to ensure that your electrical systems run as smoothly and efficiently as possible |
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What size service does my home need? |
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In general, the size of electrical service ranges from 150 Amp to 200 Amp. We usually suggest 200 Amp service, especially in new homes. This also gives the homeowner some space for future additions. Installing a new electrical service is not a job for an unlicensed person to attempt. In most cases, it involves replacing everything from the service loop (the wire that extends from the top of your meter to the public utility tie in) up to and including the main electrical panel. |
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What is a GFI / GFCI? |
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GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) or GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) is a device that, in the event that electricity finds another path other than the conductor to ground, will sense this and trip the circuit automatically. |
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Where do you need GFIs? |
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Basically, GFIs are required anywhere on the exterior of a building, in garages, and in any area where electricity and water may come into contact (unfinished basements, pools, spas, utility rooms, bathrooms, etc.). The code also requires all kitchen outlets for countertop use to be GFI protected. In addition, equipment such as refrigerators, freezers, and sump pumps that cannot go without electrical power for an extended period of time should not be placed on a GFI protected circuit. GFI receptacles do not last for long periods of time outdoors even under the best of conditions. Be sure to always test the device using the "test" button whenever you use one. |
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Where should smoke detectors be installed? |
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Generally, there should be at least one smoke detector installed on every level of the home, and an additional detector in each room designated for sleeping. However, you should check the code in your area, as some local codes vary. |
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Is aluminum wire safe? |
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Aluminum is a fine conductor of electricity, and generally is not unsafe. However, every point of connection of the wire can be a potential fire hazard if not connected properly. Typically, it is not practical or necessary to replace aluminum wiring in a house. However, we recommend that properly installed UL listed devices be put in at every switch, receptacle, light fixture, etc. Additionally, all connections at the electrical panel(s) should be treated with an antioxidant compound and checked periodically. |
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How can I save money on my electric bill? |
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Some easy ways to save money on your electrical bill are as follows:
- Install dimmers on light switches. Dimmers not only save electricity, but can prolong the life of the lamps.
- Put outdoor lights on timers
- When using air conditioning, close all window shades and set the temperature to a comfortable level. Do not turn it off when you leave the house and turn it on when you return. This causes the unit to run constantly, and it is unlikely it will “catch up.”
- Turn off lights when you are not using them
- Do not run the clothes dryer more than necessary
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| Q |
What causes lights to dim? |
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If your lights dim when an appliance comes on, you may want to check to see if the lights are on the same circuit as the appliance. Since most appliances draw a lot of electrical current when they start up, they should usually be on a dedicated circuit in the main panel. If all of the lights in your home are dim, the first place to check is with the local utilities, as there may be a problem with their service feed coming into your home.
Your lights may also dim if the wiring in your home is not large enough. If the lights dim and brighten, this could indicate a more serious problem. It is possible that there may be loose connections, loose wiring, failing switches, failing light sockets, etc. |
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What is an AFCI? |
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The AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) is a device that will shut off a circuit in a fraction of a second if arcing develops. This is an important safety device, since the current inside an arc is not always high enough to trip a regular breaker. The National Electrical Code requires that all branch circuits that supply 125V, single phase, 15 and 20 Amp outlets installed in bedrooms be protected by an AFCI. |
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