Well-maintained electrical systems are the lifeblood of all modern homes and offices. As such, you want to make sure you have the best professionals on the job. When you're deciding on contractors, there are some things you need to know in order to properly assess their professionalism and suitability for the job. Unsure what to ask? We can help! Here's our list of the most insightful questions you can ask before hiring local electricians.

1. Do You Have a License?

When someone works with electricity, it's imperative that they know what they're doing. That's why any professional electrical contractor has extensive training. According to Ohio Business College, electricians require as much schooling as doctors, which is about eight years. Regardless of how talented somebody may be in terms of working with wiring, if they don't have legal certification, don't let them do work in your home or business.

Obtaining a license varies based on the local jurisdiction or state. An experienced local electrician has gone through a combination of classroom instruction related to electricity as well as training and an apprenticeship under a senior electrician. Once training is complete, they take an exam to get their license. Therefore, if a contractor can't present proof of such a license, they don't have legal permission to do electrical work.

2. Do You Have References?

Any responsible contractor should have some type of reference that they can provide. In the case of an electrician, you certainly want proof to show they do quality work and have a reputation for showing up for jobs on time. These references should be people or businesses you can easily contact by email or telephone.

In addition to relying on their references, don't forget to check them out on your own by using sites such as the Better Business Bureau. The BBB lists any outstanding complaints a company has from customers. It also ranks companies on a letter system from A through F. If you look up your electrical contractor and they have a rating of D or F, you should move on to another option on the list.

3. Do You Have a Specialty?

Don't assume that electrical work is one-size-fits-all. You may encounter some electricians in your area with different specializations within the field. Some electricians only do commercial work while others specialize in dealing with electrical panels in residences.

Here at John H. Coleman Co, we specialize in residential comfort system changeouts. That said, we have decades of experience helping the local community with a wide range of HVAC services, electrical services, plumbing services, and more.

4. Do You Offer a Warranty?

Most professional electricians offer some type of warranty. The warranty is insurance that guarantees the electrician will come back to do repairs if something goes wrong with the original work. You don't have to pay additional fees for such updates that occur before the warranty period expires.

5. What Is Your Rate?

Don't expect one set charge to hire a local electrician. Some charge by the hour or by the job. Their rates can vary based on their location, specialty, license, level of experience, and the complexity of the job they're doing. According to Forbes, the average cost to hire an electrician ranges between $50 to $100 per hour. However, according to information from Home Guide, you can expect to pay $2,000 to $6,000 to replace your electrical panel or install new wiring.

6. Can I Have a Written Estimate?

You want an electrician who is as transparent as possible when it comes to pricing. So don't be afraid to ask for an itemized list of services. This itemized written statement should list the scope of work, cost of materials, any subcontractors needed, and how much that labor will cost.

7. Do You Clean Up After the Job?

As you might imagine, working on the interior of your home can get a bit messy. Sometimes electricians have to work within your drywall, so it can create a mess depending on how big the job is. For some, cleaning up may be a typical part of the service that goes unsaid. In some cases, you may have to ask. Check and ensure you're clear and comfortable on how your potential electrician approaches this topic.

8. How Long Will the Project Take?

Electrical work may be as simple as checking the circuit breaker or as intensive as installing entire new wiring. So you want to have an idea of how long the work will take, especially if you're running a business. If your business wiring is completely out of whack and needs replacing, you may have to shut it down for a day or two or more.

It's the same thing when it comes to your residence. If your home wiring is unsafe and electricians have to replace everything, you may have to go to a hotel or stay somewhere else until the problem is solved.

9. Do You Offer Emergency Services?

It's possible to have an electrical emergency that requires a contractor to come out to your location as soon as possible. Luckily, some electricians do offer these emergency services.

These urgent repairs include a complete power failure, wiring restoration after a fire, dangerous short circuits, and electrical fire prevention. For example, if you ever smell smoke or see sparks coming out of your socket, contact a local electrician that can come immediately.

10. Do You Have Proof of Insurance?

As mentioned, electrical work can be a dangerous job. You want any local electrician working on your residential or commercial property to have valid insurance. If they get injured on the job, their insurance will cover them and pay for medical care. Therefore, you won't have to be liable for it. If they have valid insurance, they shouldn't hesitate to show it to you. If they take issue with it, they may not be insured, and you may want to pick someone else.

11. Will My Home or Business Be Out of Commission?

Are you thinking of upgrading all the sockets in your home? Perhaps your electrical panel failed and now needs replacing? Whatever the issue, you should understand whether your home or commercial property will be completely out of commission while electricians do their work. If they can isolate the problem to where their work doesn't affect the entire area, that's good news for you. However, if you have to move to another spot in the building or leave the entire area, you want to know this ahead of time to plan accordingly.

Thanks to the growth of the electrical industry, you should be able to find the right local contractor for you. Do your prep work by having a set of questions ready to ask them. Feel free to ask as many questions as you like until you feel secure you have the right person for the job. If you need electrical work for your home or business, you want a local team who knows what they're doing and isn't afraid to give you a straight answer. If you're in need of expert electricians in Knoxville, TN or a nearby neighborhood, we can help! Give us a call today to get started.