Whole House Generator Installation Pre-Planning

Living along the Gulf Coast means homeowners have to constantly prepare for weather events. Half of the year is spent being on edge because a storm could hit during the long hurricane season and the other half is spent preparing. Part of that preparing is making sure your home can not only withstand a storm but also withstand the recovery that follows. When a hurricane—or tornado or another significant event—occurs, the electricity is generally knocked out for days, sometimes even weeks. Preparing ahead of time to keep your home and family on the grid can help immensely. That’s why Professional Electric is here to help explain the process of whole house generator installation pre-planning.

● Assess Your Home
The first thing you need to do is take account of what your home needs to run. This also includes deciding what you need in an emergency situation. You might decide that only the refrigerator and a few lights are necessary. Health and comfort could dictate having the air conditioner on for at least part of the day. Determine what your “essential circuits” are first and then calculate what it takes to run them. This number should include both running wattage and starting KVA (the amount of wattage needed to start the circuit). This number will give you your total electrical load.
● Choose a Generator Size
Once you’ve calculated your total electrical load, use that number to determine the best generator for you and your home. It’s important to remember you won’t likely find a generator that can run your entire home at once for days on end—unless your budget is unlimited—but you can find a whole home generator that will run the entire home in phases, i.e. the A/C for a couple of hours then the TV for a couple of hours then the kitchen appliances, etc. The units can range from a 12kW to a 22kW. The most popular option for a whole house unit is 20kW.
● Choose a Spot
This unit will be large so finding the right spot is key, as it also needs to be accessible. The unit will also need to be placed on top of a concrete pad (existing or poured for this purpose) so choose a flat area preferably up against an exterior wall.
● Choose an Electrician
It’s very important to find a competent electrician for this job. The installation is not a simple task and it does require abiding by building code and applying for a permit. Finding an electrician should be apart of your pre-planning as many are booked out and will need adequate time to prepare for this project.
● Choose a Propane Provider
Since whole house generators work best off of propane, factor this into your planning. There will need to be space to bury the tank and locate a (preferably) local propane provider/company. Find one ahead of time to factor this into your cost.

Don’t be caught in the dark during the next storm to hit the Gulf Coast. Take these tips from Professional Electric and prepare today with this whole house generator installation pre-planning.

If you are you are looking into getting a generator for your home or office, contact Professional Electric! Visit us online at www.ProfessionalElectric.biz and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter! We are available 24/7 for emergency services! Mobile: (251) 473-5788 Baldwin County: (251) 929-8957 Remember, when it comes to your electrical needs, Keep It Professional!

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5 Signs You Need To Upgrade Your Electrical Panels

An electrical panel may not seem like much to you, but in reality, it is one of the most vital features of your house. An electrical panel is responsible for delivering convenience and comfort in the form of electricity. It brings electricity into your home and routes it towards areas that need it the most. However, electrical panels are sensitive to technological advances and can become quickly outdated. Appliances we use now are more energy efficient than older generations, but homeowners still use a significant amount of more energy than previous years. This means that your older house may not be supporting your modern electrical needs. Here are 5 signs that you need to upgrade your electrical panels.

You Have Fuses, not Circuit Breakers
Many homes built before the 1970s have fuse-based electrical systems in place. While they perform the same functions as circuit breakers, fuses are outdated and they don’t trip when they are overloaded. Electricians used fuse-based systems when the average house did not absorb such a large amount of electricity. Today, these can be not only inconvenient and costly, but in some cases, they are even dangerous. Because of the potential fire risk, some insurance companies won’t cover homes that use fuses.

Excessive Use of Extension Cords
While extension cords are common, they aren’t as safe as you may think. In reality, extension cords are designed for a brief usage period during short-term holidays or events. Electrical wires that are kept in or against walls in order to protect the wiring system leads to less wear and tear. Cords that are left strewn across living room floors can get kinked, leading to damaged outlets or even fires. If you use extension cords often, maybe you should consider upgrading your electrical panel and installing some outlets.

You Live on An Old Property
While old homes are practical, it may be time to upgrade the electricity panel. With modern technology, your existing panel may not be able to keep up. A few signs of needing to upgrade are: appliances that aren’t performing at their best, lights that flicker, corroded panels, and when the usage of multiple appliances frequently trips your breakers.

Breakers That Trip Often
Circuit breakers were designed to trip when they detected irregularities in the flow of electricity. By tripping, this prevented the system from overheating, which could cause a fire hazard. If your circuit is tripping often, this indicates that the electrical draw in your home is too much for your panel and it is time for an upgrade.

You’re Upgrading Your Home
If you’re remodeling your home or began using new appliances or electronics, then you should consider upgrading your electrical panel. You will need the necessary power for the enhancements to your home in order for them to function correctly.

While upgrading your electrical panel for power reasons is ideal, you should also do it for the sake of yourself and your family. Electrical problems account for almost 51,000 fires each year, so sometimes it is crucial to upgrade.

If you are in need of any residential or commercial electrical services in Baldwin County or Mobile, Alabama look no further than Professional Electric! Visit us online at www.ProfessionalElectric.biz and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter! We are available 24/7 for emergency services! Mobile: (251) 473-5788 Baldwin County: (251) 929-8957 Remember, when it comes to your electrical needs, Keep It Professional!

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SIX ELECTRICAL OUTLET UPGRADES

Technology is a fun and more exciting than ever. The days of boring outlets are gone. Today, you can find all sorts of great gadgets to help improve your life. Here are a few neat ways to change out some receptacles in your home.

1. GROUNDED RECEPTACLES aren’t really that neat, but if you are still dealing with two prong outlets in your older home, this may be the time to point out that a rewire is in order. This will be a job for your Professional Electric skilled tradesman, as an inspection will need to be done to assess the changes necessary and present a quote. Although this doesn’t sound fun, we will make it as easy as possible, and your home will be up to code and ready for a few of the other suggestions below.

2. USB CHARGER OUTLETS will get rid of the clunky cubes which adapt your USB for phone and device charging. This is a great way to clean up the wall, and it also sets up a charging station where you can leave your devices to charge. Since it seems that everything we use these days is charged in this manner, an outlet with four or five USB ports is almost a necessity.

3. USAGE DISPLAY WALL OUTLETS may not shut off the power when not in use, but at least you get a visual reminder of the amount of power being used. Phantom voltage, which is the usage when your devices are technically off, can be as much as 12 % of your power bill. This power goes to maintain things like clocks and computer systems. However, it isn’t necessary. The only way to stop it is to unplug the device. This trendy outlet will tell you how many watts have been used since the device was plugged in, which may be enough to remind you to unplug it.

4. RAMBLER OUTLETS have tabs on the side which release the outlet. Behind it is a tiny extension cord on a self-recoiling roll which will extend the outlet. When you are done, it goes right back into the wall. This is a neat and tidy idea for your kitchen countertop or the bathroom.

5. POWER SOCKET SWITCHED OUTLETS are another great idea to help you monitor your usage. These outlets allow you to twist the plug 90 degrees and turn off the power. If you want a switched outlet, but don’t have the wiring available, this little gadget is a great way to shut off the television or other devices which don’t need to be on all the time.

6. SMART OUTLETS are new technology which allows your smart home to communicate with your phone or other devices to control your home. These outlets can be powered off or on with an app and even voice control with a paired device.

These outlets are easy to install, with the exception of number one. However, if you are uncomfortable with electricity, and many of us are, then give Professional Electric a call today. These inexpensive touches can be installed for you in a few minutes for a few dollars. Let us help you bring your home into the technology age.

If you are in need of any residential or commercial electrical services or LED lighting in Baldwin County, Mobile, Alabama, or surrounding areas, look no further than Professional Electric! Visit us online at www.ProfessionalElectric.biz and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter! We are available 24/7 for emergency services! Mobile: (251) 473-5788 Baldwin County: (251) 929-8957 Remember, when it comes to your electrical needs, Keep It Professional!

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FIVE COMMON SUMMER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS

Frozen treats, dips in the pool, and air conditioning are what summers are made of. If you are seeing any signs of a power struggle in your home to keep these cool things working, be sure to have them checked out. The electricians at Professional Electric will be happy to check out your home if you are observing any of these problems:

1. TRIPPED BREAKERS may be a result of overloading your circuit with an air conditioner or fan on a circuit which is already close to its limit. Try turning off some other devices in the area. You may know what the issue is if you were vacuuming or making coffee or running the microwave when the breaker tripped. You may need to move some items to other circuits or simply stagger usage so that different things run at different times. You may also want to consider calling Professional Electric to have an inspection. We can tell you whether your wiring is obsolete and what we can do to fix it. Remember that older homes were not designed with the electrical needs of today’s families in mind. Only in the last two generations have we needed outlets galore in every room, and circuits upon circuits for appliances. Our grandparents had lamps and radios, with possibly one television in the whole home. Today, we have entertainment centers, computers, and more in nearly every room. So, if this is an ongoing problem, you may need to add circuits, or even consider a rewire of your home to bring it to a point of safety.

2. CEILING FANS may be operating backwards if you haven’t switched them for the summer. Remember that your fans should turn counter-clockwise when looking up at them in order to pull the air down. While powering down to reverse direction, take the time to clean it well and wash the shades for the lights. Turn them off when you aren’t in the room, as they don’t really maintain temperature, but instead offer a cooling sensation by moving the air across your skin. Also consider replacing the older lightbulbs with LED options while you have the ladder out to save money year-round!

3. OVERUSE OF EXTENSION CORDS may be an issue if you don’t have outlets where you need fans. Extension cords are designed to be a temporary solution, and should never be buried under carpets or rugs. Inspect them for wear or damage, and unplug them if you feel warmth or heat when running your hands down the length of the cords. Do not plug extension cords into other extension cords.

4. FLICKERING LIGHTS when the cooling system kicks on may be a sign that your system is not functioning properly. Call Professional Electric for an inspection of your cooling system. It may be as simple as a cleaning or coolant charge. Remember that when your appliances are not functioning at peak, you will be paying extra on the electric bill for the added power.

5. BROWN-OUTS are a more systemic issue, and in most cases are not caused by one consumer. The demand for power during the high heat puts such a drain on resources that the power dips, and you may see lights flickering or hear your appliances groaning. When this is an issue, the power company may ask you to conserve usage by waiting to do laundry or other household chores until evening or night hours.

Don’t live with electrical issues. Get them resolved. Wiring problems are not an inconvenience, they are a safety issue. Professional Electric can help you sleep better at night knowing that your family is safe and protected. Give us a call.

If you are in need of any residential or commercial electrical services in Baldwin County or Mobile, Alabama look no further than Professional Electric! Visit us online at www.ProfessionalElectric.biz and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter! We are available 24/7 for emergency services! Mobile: (251) 473-5788 Baldwin County: (251) 929-8957 Remember to Keep it Professional!

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HOW MANY CIRCUITS SHOULD BE IN YOUR MOBILE, AL HOME?

There are many factors which play into the answer to this question, so instead of a minimum number which could easily change, we are going to look at a checklist:

● You should have two circuits which are designed for small appliance use in the kitchen and dining room areas. These are strictly for the operation of your coffee machines, blenders, food processors, toaster and convection oven, and other such devices.

● You will need to add circuits for your other kitchen necessities, such as the dishwasher, garbage disposal, and a range hood. These may not be shared with the two circuits above so you may need one or two circuits for these items.

● Refrigerators and freezers should be on designated circuits as well, but you may share a circuit with the two appliances. In homes with more than two refrigerators or freezers, don’t put more than two on any one circuit.

● You will need a designated range circuit if you have an electric range. This will be a two-pole breaker with at least a 40-amp rating. If you have a separate double oven or wall oven, consider a second one for that.

● You may have one circuit for a single bathroom, and if it is not shared between bathrooms, you may also add the lighting to it, so it is best to consider each bathroom a separate entity and put a GFCI at the first point in the room, or use a GFCI breaker in the panel.

● Expect to use one circuit for every 3 volt-amperes per square foot. You may have two or three circuits in a small house, and many more in a larger one.

● Basements, attics, decks, and other areas of the home will need lighting at minimum, and several circuits at maximum, so the intent of use will determine your needs. Depending on whether you have multiple recessed lights in the ceiling or a couple lamps plug in can determine the number of circuits, accordingly.

● Many of these circuits, especially those in damp or outdoor areas, or near water, will need to be GFCI protected. Sinks, laundry areas, bathrooms, basements, and garages are some of the areas which will need them. Some codes also call for AFCI protection, so be sure to ask.

● Remember that if you have the capacity in the panel, it is much better to break the circuits down in such a way that you have more than you need. Overkill is good in this case, as you shouldn’t have problems later with overloading. Building a home, or even re-wiring one, isn’t something that you want to do twice.

As you can see, your home may have an entirely different number of required circuits needed. The basic criteria is the same, but each home is very different. You may have many bathrooms, a lot of lighting, or several entertainment areas. Either way, don’t overload your circuits because this can be a fire hazard and cause problems in the future.

Remember that if you are unsure, in over your head, or overwhelmed, we have electricians available who will help you get the job finished, correctly, and on time. Give Professional Electric a call and Keep It Professional!

If you are in need of any residential or commercial electrical services in Baldwin County or Mobile, Alabama look no further than Professional Electric! Visit us online at www.ProfessionalElectric.biz and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter! We are available 24/7 for emergency services! Mobile: (251) 473-5788 Baldwin County: (251) 929-8957.

TOP CAUSES OF ELECTRICAL FIRES

Per the National Fire Protection Association, between 2010 and 2014, there were over 45,000 fires per year involving electrical issues. These fires caused more than 400 deaths per year, and over $1.4 BILLION in property damage. Are you guilty of doing any of these things which may contribute to those statistics?

1. IMPROPER USE OF AN APPLIANCE causes many fires. This section has many applications and may include different ways to misuse items. For instance, how many of you have ever put a 100 watt bulb into a light with a maximum rating of 60 watts? Most of us have at one time or another, because we just need that extra light. Right? Well, there is a reason that lamp or light is rated for the wattage that it is assigned, and you do risk overheating when you substitute. In fact, for the best protection, switch to LED light bulbs. You can go larger with those, as they don’t use as much energy, and they don’t give off heat. The light is awesome, and you should be able to see whatever you need to see. Another instance of misuse is leaving a heater on when you are gone. This can result in a fire also.

2. OVERLOADING may be on a circuit level, or even the whole home. If you have an older home, and the wiring has never been touched, you are more than likely overloading the existing power feeds. How do we know that? If you have a home from the 1900’s or even as new as the 1950’s, we can be certain that the electrical usage during the time when the home was built was minimal compared to today’s needs. In the 1900’s, most rooms had a lamp or two. There may or may not have been a refrigerator or washing machine, and later a television or stereo. However, only in the last few generations are there computers in every home, and now there are multiple mobile devices. Entertainment centers hold a wide array of electronics which allow our televisions to do everything imaginable. If the home has been upgraded, you can still get into trouble by stringing electrical cords. Some fires are also caused by changing a breaker or fuse to a higher amperage just to stop tripping from overloaded circuits. Unless you know what you are looking for, or have a thorough inspection done, the fact that a previous owner or tenant may have changed out a breaker could go completely unnoticed. When this happens, the wiring in the home is no longer protected, and heat and fire may result.

3. TIME is an enemy of mechanical connections everywhere. Although tightened properly when installed, screws and connectors may work loose over time, especially if the technique was not perfect when completed. Even poorly made joints in wall and ceiling boxes may suffer over the years, and cause problems later.

If you are not sure of the condition of the electrical system in your home, Professional Electric can do a complete and thorough home inspection to get a clear picture of your power supply. We can help remedy any issues that you may suspect, and bring your home up to code. Give us a call today to schedule that appointment.

If you are in need of any residential or commercial electrical services in Baldwin County or Mobile, Alabama look no further than Professional Electric. Visit us online at www.ProfessionalElectric.biz and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. We are available 24/7 for emergency services! Mobile: (251) 473-5788 Baldwin County: (251) 929-8957. Remember to Keep it Professional!

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HOW TO TEST YOUR METER BASE

If your electric bill has suddenly gotten higher than you expected, but you don’t think you are using more electricity, there are a few things you can do to verify your usage.

First, turn off the main breaker in your panel, which will turn off the power to everything in the house. If you have other buildings on the power supply, you will want to turn off each one. Now go to the meter, and verify that the usage is zero. You may want to wait a little while and be sure the usage is still zero. The conclusion to be drawn here is that there is no creeper voltage draw. What is being registered is actual usage.

If you still feel there is a mystery, switch all breakers off. Turn your power back on. Begin turning breakers on and checking to see if any of them speed the meter up more than expected.

Most hardware stores will carry an item called a Kill-a-Watt. This device plugs in between your appliance and the outlet, and will tell you the usage of your home needs. As your appliances age, they are less efficient. Other reasons exist as well, such as the coils needing cleaned on your refrigerator, or a loose belt on the washing machine. Regular maintenance of your appliances is a good idea.

Ask yourself if anything is different. If you have a well pump, are you hearing it cycle more frequently. If so, check immediately to be sure there are no leaks in the plumbing which would keep the pump running. Are you running air conditioners that haven’t been used for a few months? Did you install a pool, and now have pumps and heaters working to keep the pool clean and warm? Is there a new freezer in the garage? Did you add new lighting in the pole barn? If necessary, walk room to room and area to area, and make a visual checklist. If you have livestock, and are running fans for them, this may add to the electric bill. Have you been doing more laundry or taking more showers than you were for some reason? Are the children leaving items on when they leave their rooms?

Go online, and study the usage charts of your home. If you have a smart meter, you can verify actual breakdowns by 15 minute segments. You will be able to see the air conditioner cycling off and on, and how things change based on the activities in your home. Check the rate for each Kilowatt Hour. Did the cost of your energy go up? Were there any new taxes or surcharges added? Are you paying for that new wind farm up the road?

A little detective work will usually provide several ways to cut costs. You will feel better about paying the bill when you know it is legitimate. You will also be able to see it drop as you eliminate unnecessary usage.

If you would like to conduct an energy audit to obtain a professional opinion, give Professional Electric a call. Their knowledgeable electricians will help you assess your usage, provide tips and tricks, and get you back in control. Visit us online at www.ProfessionalElectric.biz and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter! We are available 24/7 for emergency services! Mobile: (251) 473-5788 Baldwin County: (251) 929-8957.

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SIGNS THAT YOU NEED TO REPLACE YOUR OLD WIRING

Every now and then, we find a very old home that is still wired as it was when it was built. These situations are rare; very rare, in fact. Why is that? Because those older homes couldn’t sustain our usage, and their owners were forced into updating. Let’s look at our needs.

Consider the activities and electrical needs of our grandparents. Even in the sixties, there were only a few electrical items. Our grandparents probably had a black and white television in the living room. Many homes didn’t have a television yet though, they may have just had a radio. There was a refrigerator in the pantry, as most kitchens didn’t provide space for them. Chest freezers were just coming on the scene, and few families had them. Lamps may have been used in a few rooms, mainly the living room or parlor, and the bedroom. Some families had a wringer washer to make life easier, but dryers weren’t common yet. Ceiling lights or wall sconces provided much of the light needed. Even decorative holiday lighting hadn’t arrived yet. Families that had a silver Christmas tree used a gyroscope to throw light on the shimmering branches.

When these homes were built, most rooms had one outlet. The electrical panel was most likely a 60-Amp fuse box, and wiring was knob and tube.

Fast forward two generations. Today every room of the home is an electrical jungle, filled with high efficiency appliances and high tech devices. The kitchen now has a massive refrigerator/freezer combination, dishwasher, microwave/convection oven, and a myriad of small mixers, choppers, blenders, sealers, crock pots, insta-pots, televisions, and more. In fact, today’s challenge is where to put all the electric toys when they aren’t in use. Bathrooms have hair dryers, razors, water picks, heated tile, heated towel racks, saunas, and even televisions and audio systems. Offices are filled with computers, faxes, copiers, several monitors, and televisions. Bedrooms have alarm clocks, televisions, and heated and cooled beds with servomotors to change position of the bed or massage the homeowner. Family rooms have huge televisions, game consoles, and sound systems which would amaze our grandparents. Every room of the house has a charging station for all our devices. Do you see the problem?

It didn’t take long for our usage to hit 60-Amps, and soar right on past. Today, most homes are built with a 200-Amp panel and include many breaker slots.

In between these two extremes, there are thousands of homes with 100-Amp panels, two-bladed receptacles, and many other issues. Just as the 60-Amp panels were blowing fuses in the seventies, there are often issues with homes built in the sixties or earlier, which weren’t ready for the usage we see today.

The most common signs are ungrounded receptacles, lack of ground fault protection in damp locations, a shortage of circuits in the home, especially in the kitchen, office, and family room, and shared breakers in panels due to a lack of available breaker spaces. If you have these issues, you are aware of them by now, due to the problems created by them.

If you have never had an electrical inspection by a qualified electrician, and you have had issues with tripping breakers, or you are always either searching for an extension cord or a three-prong adapter, please give Professional Electric a call. Let us dig a little deeper and be sure that your home has been properly updated, and not band-aided with poor quality electrical work.

A quality home electrical upgrade will not only make your life more efficient with ample receptacles in every room, GFCI circuits where needed, and properly isolated circuits throughout the home to avoid tripping them constantly; it will also make your home safer. There is a risk of electrocution or fire in homes with outdated wiring. Our knowledgeable electricians will help you assess your usage, provide tips and tricks, and get you back in control. Visit us online at www.ProfessionalElectric.biz and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter! We are available 24/7 for emergency services! Mobile: (251) 473-5788 Baldwin County: (251) 929-8957.

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WHAT IS STATIC ELECTRICITY AND WHY IS IT DANGEROUS?

Static electricity is an accumulated charge caused by an imbalance of electrons and protons on things around us. Rubbing two materials together may slough off an atom or two as they touch. This creates an imbalance in one of the materials, which sits there waiting for an opportunity to balance itself when something with a corresponding imbalance comes close enough. The balancing discharge causes a pop of electricity or a static discharge. Because this voltage is just sitting there, is it called static. As it seeks to move to something else, the movement classifies it as current electricity, and no longer static.

Although the pop and momentary shock are discomforting, they generally are not dangerous. Many of us are aware of certain places where we tend to get shocked more often, such as the wool carpet at work, or we know from experience that a certain item may discharge often. These little shocks won’t hurt us. They won’t damage our pacemakers or cause mental issues. Often, we can eliminate this issue by simply humidifying the air, allowing it to be more conductive. Ionizers also help correct the problem.

Static electricity in the wrong environments, however, may be dangerous. Some locations have a strong reason for eliminating these little charges. Agricultural businesses, such as grain storehouses, accumulate dust which is easily ignited by a spark. The resulting explosions are lethal. Another danger with this type of set-up is that the actual movement of the grains as they are transported from truck to silo can accumulate a static charge. This sort of build up is usually thought out and the equipment is well grounded, but the transient sparks from other sources can be very explosive. Power tools are usually prohibited in these areas.

Pharmaceutical plants, manufacturing facilities, and other factories using chemicals and gases which are explosive must protect themselves and you from explosions. These places usually have required grounding of any moving item to eliminate static build-up, and tools are also closely monitored or prohibited.

Many locations which handle electronic devices will also protect them by utilizing grounding straps on any humans or moving objects. A small electronic charge is capable of damaging semiconductors, rendering a circuit board inoperable. Many times, these boards are also wrapped in insulating bags to help avoid contact with static charges. As our electronics become smaller and smaller, the charges necessary to damage them are correspondingly smaller. Static electricity becomes more and more of an issue.

Another situation which illustrates the danger of static shock is lightning, which is the discharge of ions, imbalanced as weather fronts collide. The lightning bolt is a huge static spark with the current seeking “earth ground”. We all understand the dangers associated with this type of static electricity. Because of the high voltage in this example, death is a possibility. Herds of livestock have been killed by one bolt of lightning. Fires have started. Lightning may be the deadliest static discharge of all.

Visit us online at www.ProfessionalElectric.biz and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter! We are available 24/7 for emergency services. Mobile, Alabama: (251) 473-5788 Baldwin County: (251) 929-8957.

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WHAT SHOULD I ASK MY NEW ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR?

There is a reason that certain tasks are considered skilled trades. When you hire someone to perform these jobs, there may be safety concerns, which, if not addressed with the proper training, may cause harm or death, either now or in the future. The risks just are not acceptable, so take the time to ask a few questions. If the answers aren’t what you need to hear, please do not just settle for the lowest bid. Your safety doesn’t have a price tag.

Here are the questions you should be asking before any agreement is reached:

· ARE YOU LICENSED, BONDED AND INSURED? While this doesn’t mean that the other questions are not important, there certainly is no reason to go further if this one isn’t answered correctly.

· HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS? While there is no magic number, the longer the better. The marketplace of opinions will not keep a poor businessman around for long. As time goes on, you can be more and more assured that they are doing things right.

· DO YOU SPECIALIZE IN RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, OR INDUSTRIAL? While many companies do work in all three areas at once, you will also find some which are more centered. If you have a commercial job, you need a contractor with that experience.

· WILL YOU DO THE WORK? In a small shop, the owner may do all the work. However, in a growing company, the estimator is seldom the one who does the work, and no matter how much you like the one you are talking to, you want to know about the one who will show up with a toolbox.

· IF NOT, WHAT EXPERIENCE DOES YOUR EMPLOYEE HAVE? Even though the company is responsible for the electrician’s work, you want to know that the person showing up has a decent level of experience. You should feel good about him or her.

· DID ANY OF YOU COMPLETE A DEPARTMENT OF LABOR CERTIFIED APPRENTICESHIP? It is an important piece of training for the skilled trades, and one worth asking about. The apprenticeship should be four or five years in length, and in some cases the new journeyman finishes with a degree as well as a certificate.

· MAY I SPEAK WITH A FEW REFERENCES? There is nothing wrong with asking to talk to a few people about work habits, punctuality, professionalism, and tidiness.

· HOW DO YOU INTEND TO SUPPORT YOUR WORK? WARRANTY? INSPECTIONS? MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT? While this may vary based on the work you are having done, it is always good to know that there is a plan for maintenance or at least an inspection; and of course, a warranty is always good.

· WHAT IS THE TIMELINE IF I DECIDE TO USE YOU? If they are so booked that you can’t get my work done, then you have to search out another contractor OR take that heavy work load as a sign of good work, and work around their schedule.

· HOW WILL YOU COMMUNICATE WITH ME IF THERE ARE ANY ISSUES? Today, there are many ways to communicate. If the employees are not tech savvy, though, then you may be left in a bind while being told that they didn’t have a way to contact you. This is never a good thing, so be sure that they are adept with texting, calling, and leaving written notes.

By the time you have discussed these items, you should have a good feel for the contractor, and the way they work with customers, and that list of references is important, too. Whether you actually call or not is up to you, but the fact that you asked tells them that you are serious.

And if you want all the right answers, be sure to call Professional Electric. We will happily answer your questions, and provide many happy referrals. Our goal is to turn you into our next satisfied customer.

Visit us online at www.ProfessionalElectric.biz and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter! We are available 24/7 for emergency services. Mobile, Alabama: (251) 473-5788 Baldwin County: (251) 929-8957.

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