Commercial electrical systems are much different than residential systems. While the electrical system in a house is typically laid out in a predictable manner, the larger size, scope, and needs of commercial buildings make them more complicated. Not only that, but there is quite a variety of commercial buildings – the category includes everything from bars to apartments, offices to restaurants, and specialized industrial facilities. When you hire an electrical company to service your commercial building, you want to be sure they will take care to handle your system’s problems proficiently and within budget. So, what kinds of experience or skills should you look for?
Experience in a variety of commercial settings. As mentioned, commercial spaces vary widely in their specific setups and requirements. A project may be small, such as in a small warehouse, or the job may include the entirety of a hotel or multi-use building. Request a portfolio of past projects from the electricians you interview, and pay close attention to the diversity of their projects. You should especially look at how recently the company completed those jobs; after all, electrical needs have changed significantly even in just the last 10-15 years. You want to be sure your electrician is up for the task of your commercial space.
Can they work without fully engineered system drawings? If your building is older or if you did not have it constructed yourself, likely, the original electrical drawings that detail the system are not available. An experienced commercial electrical company should understand electrical systems well enough to diagnose and perform exemplary work even with incomplete system drawings. This work requires versatile, creative, competent, and confident technicians. Again, look at each electrician’s past work. If they have performed multiple jobs in buildings similar to yours, that is a good sign that they have a deep understanding of how to address the problem. This skill will keep your facility and system safe and help ensure that the project is completed on time and is priced accurately.
Logs of their previous project delays and underestimations. Reliability is a necessary trait for an electrician to be trustworthy. Are they capable of performing their jobs within the timeline they give in their proposal – and do they stay within budget? How often do they underestimate the cost or time a project will take? Ask each electrician for proof of their completion track record.
Safety should be number one. It is a great idea to ask each electrician you interview about their company’s safety training programs and protocols. A careless technician could create an issue that is even worse than the initial problem and could endanger their lives and the lives of others if some components aren’t wired properly. The company you hire should take pride in its commitment to safe practices during each and every job. You should also ask to see their credentials to ensure they are certified, licensed, and insured so that you do not have liability for any injuries (big or small) that might take place during the course of the job.
Promise Electric is a residential and commercial electrical services company based in Sarasota. Whether a home project or a commercial installation, we are the area’s trusted master electricians.
