Tips to hire best electrical contractor in Westwood
There are a lot of different kinds of contractors that you can hire when it comes to electrical work. You need to be careful though because there are some who are only after the money that you will pay them for doing electrical repairs on your home or business.
It is important to know how reliable this electrical contractor really is. Can you really trust an electrical contractor to come and fix what needs to be fixed on your home, office, or commercial building without giving you an electrical estimate? You don't want to hire anyone to do electrical work and then have them give you a lower electrical estimate because you didn't ask questions about the job that they did. If they give you a lower estimate, ask why. Here are some things that you should ask about when you get an electrical contractor estimate.
How many years has the contractor been in business? You need to make sure that you hire an experienced contractor. Anybody can tell you that they are good at landscape lighting or recessed lighting, but experience truly matters. You want someone who knows what they are doing so that they can get the job done right the first time and will not charge you more than necessary.
What is the total cost to have outdoor recessed lighting installed? Some contractors may try to charge you based on the square footage of the property. They might quote you $300 for an outdoor lighting installation and say that you will need to spend another thousand dollars for indoor lighting. When you get a quote like this, it is important to ask whether the cost includes the cost of the rewire. Sometimes the contractor will just bill you for the labor and then ask you to pay for the rewire after the job is done.
Will you be getting new construction and refurbishing? If you are getting new construction, you may want to ask whether the electrical contractor is getting all of the components in place that are necessary for your particular project. Sometimes new construction will install all of the components that are necessary and save you a lot of money. However, if you choose a contractor that is getting new construction and refurbished, you may end up with the price you were quoted plus more because you may need to have parts replaced.
What power source will you be using for your home generator? If you are going to be using gas or propane, you will probably have a separate electrical estimate for your gas or propane generator. If you are going to use electricity, you probably have an electrical estimate for the gaslighting, electricity, and any connection that you may use. You can usually find out what power source is most cost-effective by just asking your contractor.
How many electrical panel upgrades will you require? Most contractors recommend at least two-panel upgrades for all residential customers. Panel upgrades are installed in the electric wiring so that you are not replacing the old wiring with the new wiring. In addition, your contractor should install smoke detectors as part of your exterior lighting system.
What fixtures will you be installing with your new panel upgrades? Most contractors recommend that you install a three-light motion light, a ceiling fan, and smoke detectors. The motion light will be located in an area that has minimal to no foot traffic such as near door entrances, in the hallway, or next to a corner sofa. The ceiling fan will be located about six feet from the floor and the smoke detectors should be located within one foot of each entry.
Are you still considering having the landscape lighting installed? Yes, outdoor lighting installed on your house can be attractive as long as it is not visible from the house's front or back doors. One option you have is to have the landscape lighting installed between the house's exterior and interior wall beams. Another option is to have the landscape lighting installed directly above your landscape.
Before proceeding, make sure you receive a written electrical estimate. A qualified electrical contractor Westwood can give you a price quote over the phone or through email. Make sure to take into consideration any mounting, wiring, or other issues that need to be addressed before beginning work. A qualified contractor can help you get a better understanding of your options regarding your home's electrical repairs.