Where are you looking for an Electrician to assist you with your next electrical project?
Social media – here’s why I don’t recommend social media. Particularly asking random people you don’t know for recommendations – it’s a recipe for disaster.
You’re outsourcing your decision making to others who are as unqualified as you. Do you see how that could be a problem?
I roll my eyes when somebody asks, “can anyone recommend an electrician” or “we need an electrician to quote us for some work” and then they get flooded with 20+ suggestions of candidates within a 15-mile radius.
At least half won’t be suitable for the work (see expertise) but get recommended because they are friends of friends, and they’ll say “they’re the best going” or something equally cringe even though they may have no idea of their qualifications or experience.
Most respondents are well intended but they don’t really understand the needs of the poster – how can they when there’s no information given?
Let’s say you get down to 10 leads to pursue from said random folks – how you going to decide who to contact/use?
Probably by doing all the things you should have done in the first place…
…looking at internet search results, Google business reviews, Parish magazines, governing body websites such as NAPIT, NICEIC, Gas Safe etc to look for bona fide registered members.
Why not just do that in the first place rather than involving thousands of random people who you don’t know…
…the mind boggles.
Facebook business pages – these can be set-up in a matter of minutes and take little effort.
This is why you won’t find me particularly active on social media platforms.
Parish magazines – these do take more effort than launching a Facebook page and this alone prevents some electricians from advertising – those who aren’t willing to invest in their marketing, or they just believe “everything is on Facebook nowadays” which simply isn’t true.
If you are unsure of an advertiser why not contact the editor of the magazine and ask, have they been in the magazine a long while? Do they know anyone who has used them?
Search engine – this could either be in the form of a Google my business listing where you can see more about the business including reviews, or an organic search result where you find a website – how does the website look? What is the image portrayed? Does it look professional? Can you verify any industry accreditations claimed?
What is the specific project you need help with?
There’s not much point contacting commercial and industrial electrical contractors if you want a bathroom light replacing or an outdoor socket fitting in your garage.
Conversely if you have a house you want re-wiring then it would be sensible to seek out someone who advertises that they do this, maybe even specialises in it. For example I advertise that I do not do these as I’m not best suited to.
If you search with the specific project you have in mind, this will narrow down your choices considerably but mean you’ll only be contacting suitable qualified people from the beginning, people who are best positioned to help you.
What is their online reputation such as Google reviews? Feedback from friends, family and neighbours that you know personally who have used them is useful. They’ll not be able to give you technical feedback, but you’ll be sure to hear of any horror stories very quickly.
This, for electricians, would be a governing body such as NAPIT or NICEIC – whilst membership of these isn’t mandatory or a legal requirement it is recommended and allows for easier building control notification for notifiable works.
To join either of these there are minimum entry requirements – such as public liability insurance, test equipment ownership and in date calibration certification, level 3 electrical qualifications as well as testing & inspection (depending on the scope of works the member is planning to offer).
An onboarding face to face assessment will take place on the job as well as yearly reviews where regulation updates are discussed, and 1 or more jobs is assessed.
Both bodies have technical helplines where members can ring for guidance and clarification, as well as regular document releases on hot topics and new technologies.
There is also Part P which was introduced in 2005 into building regulations for England and Wales.
“Part P states that anyone carrying out electrical installation work in a home must make sure that the work is designed and installed to protect people from fire and electric shocks.
Part P applies to any changes made to existing installations, including any parts that have been rewired. In April 2013 further changes were introduced, reducing the range of electrical installation work that is notifiable – removing some requirements in kitchens and outdoors.
By law, all homeowners and landlords must be able to prove that all electrical installation work meets Part P, or they will be committing a criminal offence.
Local authorities can make homeowners or landlords remove or alter any work that does not meet the Building Regulations.” – Electrical Safety First
To summarise – think about your project then look for who would be best suited to carry out the work and then look to verify their credentials and reputation. Don’t ask random folks on Facebook!
