If you're a homeowner, you've probably had electrical issues at some point. Finding the perfect electrician for the job can be daunting, but it's well worth it to invest in their services. Electricians have advanced knowledge of the energy and electricity that your home generates daily. According to Green Logic Energy, 43% of the average household energy consumption in the U.S. is consumed by your HVAC system. If you're looking to reduce costs and improve your home's energy efficiency, you need an electrician. Before you decide who to hire, be sure to ask the following five questions.

1. Are You Licensed?

Your electrician should be licensed to practice in your state. There are state inspection requirements that every electrical worker must meet. An unlicensed electrician is never going to be a safe option. While requirement specifics may change from one state to another, a licensed electrician is likely to have a Master Electrician or Journeyman license. If you are working with an electrical contracting company, they must have an Electrical Contractor license.

2. Do You Have Relevant Experience?

Besides being licensed, extensive electrical experience is highly recommended when searching for an electrician. So much can go wrong in the hands of an inexperienced electrician. Depending on the scale and complexity, some electrical jobs require someone with expertise in a specific area. A great electrician will work with you to determine the best course of action for the repairs.

3. Do You Offer Guarantees?

You need an electrician who can guarantee the manufacturer and labor warranties on devices or fixtures. Make sure the information about service or warranty guarantees is documented for future reference. If an electrician recoils from offering you any type of guarantee on services, that should be a red flag.

4. Will There Be Electrical Outages During the Service?

Find out if your electrical service will be disrupted during the project. Some electrical work requires the electrician to turn off the power in a section of the house or the entire home. Ask the electrician what scale of disruption you can expect so you can plan accordingly.

5. Who Will Repair Work-Related Damages?

Most of the electrical system in your home is concealed behind ceilings and walls. As your electrician works, they may have to cut holes in your drywall to access the wires and other electrical devices. Ask your electrician who will repair these damages.

If you aren't an electrician, it can be a bit stressful to find out that your home requires electrical work. Not knowing the scale of the problem and its potential impact on your home could be unnerving. A great electrician can calm your nerves by answering whatever questions or concerns you may have. If you need electrical work done, give us a call at Winn Electric Contracting today!