Hiring an electrician should be your first step if you have any substantial electrical system work needed in your home. Using the services of an electrician will keep you safe and ensure the job gets done correctly. But let’s face it: electricians do not always have the best reputation. Knowing what to look for when hiring a professional for your electrical work can save you money and help you to avoid becoming a victim of an electrician scam or being taken advantage of you.
Warning Signs of an Electrician Scam
An electrician scam does not necessarily mean the job will be left incomplete or unfinished. An electrician trying to take advantage of you will instead try to complicate the process to receive a higher payment for the job. These are the most common signs to be aware of.
They Provide A Very Cheap Cost Estimate
While it may be tempting to hire the electrician offering a severely discounted price, this tactic is often a ploy to take advantage of homeowners unaware of the market rate for such jobs. Despite the low initial quote, “unforeseen issues” and “expensive new changes to the project” might appear out of nowhere and balloon your bill. When deciding which company to hire, always do two things:
First, look at the reviews for the company and ask for references for prior work. A company that takes pride in its craft will have a long list of happy customers willing to provide feedback and praise for a job well done. Second, receive quotes and cost proposals from multiple companies in the area. If only one business claims that the job is doable at a very low price point, they are often using deception to earn your business, only to charge much more in the future. Quality electrician work is not cheap, but it is mandatory for a safe and functioning home.
They Insist On Extensive Renovations
If you live in a relatively new home, your internal wiring and electrical systems are more than likely still performing well. If your electrician recommends a total retrofit of your home’s wiring system, they may be trying to find unnecessary ways to get paid. If you have issues with power surges or tripped breakers, calling an electrician can help determine the source of the problem. However, if you request an electrician’s services for a specific, pointed issue and they proceed to recommend rewiring rooms that are working as expected, you might want a second opinion. Most electrical problems in a home will not require changes to the entire system and can instead be fixed by pinpointing and repairing any broken or damaged areas.
They Attempt To Confuse You
You should hire an electrician for their expertise, as electrical work can be dangerous and confusing. But when it comes time to hire one, the electrician should be able to simply explain all of the work they will do and provide a clear receipt and estimate of the individual tasks being performed. An electrician using big fancy words and not describing their process is probably trying to take advantage of a layperson’s lack of knowledge to charge exorbitant prices. Some electrician scams even claim that simple tasks and projects are much more complicated than they are in reality in order to receive upfront payment. A qualified professional should be able to fix most issues in your home and will only accept payment in full once a job is completed.
If an electrician seems sketchy, it is often best to trust your intuition. Hiring a business with a long history of customer satisfaction should be step one for all your electrician needs. Here at Promise Electric, we are proud of our reputation as trusted electrical contractors for all your Sarasota electrical needs.
