Getting to know your electrician
Written by: No Doubt Marketing
Every homeowner will need the services of an electrician at some point or another. When you need to have electrical work done it is important that it be done correctly or you may end up with years of electrical problems, or worse yet a fire. Because of this it is important that you find a skilled electrician. Here is some information that may help you to find an electrician that knows his or her stuff.
All electricians must go through an apprenticeship
There are many things about working with electricity that can not be learned simply by reading a book. To ensure that electricians are well trained, they go through an apprenticeship program that combines classroom instruction with paid on the job training. These programs are often sponsored by the local chapters of unions or contractors associations. It generally takes about four years for an electrician to be qualified to work on their own. Once they have completed the program they received their certification and they are free to work independently but most start working for an established contractor or construction company until they gain more experience. Electricians are generally divided into two broad categories; maintenance or construction electricians.
Do I need a maintenance or construction electrician?
The answer to that depends entirely on what kind of work you need to have done. If you need to have repairs done to existing wiring then you want a maintenance electrician. Their expertise lies in troubleshooting to determine the nature of the problem and then fixing it. However if you are doing major remodeling or adding a room then you will want a construction electrician that specializes in reading blueprints and laying new wire and fixtures. Most construction companies that specialize in home remodeling or building additions have their own construction electrician on staff so you shouldn't need to worry about hiring one yourself.
Do I need an electrician that has been certified as a Master Electrician?
All electricians must be licensed by the state they work in before they are allowed to work independently. This license is not granted until the electrician has completed his apprenticeship and taken tests to determine his knowledge and ability. In most cases, the fact that they have qualified to receive this license means that they have the skills needed to work around your home. The requirements needed to receive certification as a master electrician varies from state to state, but all require at least seven years of experience working as a licensed electrician.
Before you decide on which electrician to use, you should do a bit of research. Talk to your neighbors and find out who they trust. You may want to contact the local chapter of the electrician's union before you make a final selection. They can offer you inforamtion about an electricians certification. Finally, do not be afraid to ask to see an electrician's license or certification. Remember, you will be paying this person your hard earned money to do work that must be done correctly, take the time to be sure you find the right one.
