With so many contractors available, it can be tough to find a licensed electrician in BC that you know you can rely on. There are always several highly rated electricians to choose from, so how do you know which is best for the project you have? At TCA Electric, we’ve been in the BC electrical industry for several years, and we can definitely spot the difference between fellow qualified electricians like ourselves… and those you may want to avoid. So today, we’re offering five important tips to keep in mind as you start your search for a licensed BC electrician.
Ask all candidates if they’re licensed, bonded, and insured
The first tip should be pretty obvious, but we’re still mentioning it here because you should never, ever skip this question. Before going farther, ask each and every candidate electrician you find in BC whether they’re licensed, bonded, and insured. If the answer is “no”—to any of those!—that’s your cue to pick a different electrician. Electricians must be licensed by Technical Safety BC before they can legally work as an electrician in British Columbia. Additionally, making sure they’re bonded and insured both protects you as the homeowner (in the event that something goes wrong) and demonstrates that the electrician doesn’t cut corners when it comes to proper certifications.
Check out their reviews and ratings
Online reviews are a great way to narrow down your list from every licensed electrician you find in BC to a shortlist of top-rated candidates. While online reviews certainly aren’t the only thing that matters, they’re an excellent shorthand. Electricians with ratings below 3.5 stars or so might be risky, while those above 4.0 or 4.5 with a good number of ratings are probably worth considering. You can also crosscheck your list with the Better Business Bureau for an even better idea of their quality of work.
Consider their experience
Experience is another good factor to consider when looking for a trustworthy electrician. When an electrical contractor has been in business for a long time, that means they’ll have a long track record of their work. For every new job they do, they have their reputation to consider, so you can trust that they’ll put in the best quality of work they can. You’ll also want to consider their experience doing the type of electrical you need. For example, if you have a commercial electrical project, and a contractor is only starting to branch into that area of electrical work, you may want to choose an electrician that’s more established in that part of the industry.
Ask about similar work and references
Related to that point, another good way to find a reliable licensed BC electrician is to ask about any projects they’ve completed that are similar to yours. Consider asking for references when you do this, as well. If they have demonstrated experience doing exactly what you need from them, and their past customers are satisfied with their work, you can be confident in the electrician’s ability to get the job done right.
Evaluate their communication
One final test is a bit more “gut feeling” than these other tips—but it’s still very important! You should evaluate the communication and responsiveness of each electrician you’re considering. Is one company taking days to get back to you? Is another company checking in with you regularly and responding quickly to your questions? Communication matters for an electrical project, and, good or bad, the level of communication you’re getting right now is likely to persist until everything is squared away. If you have a better or worse feeling about one electrician’s responsiveness compared to another, don’t be afraid to go with your gut!
TCA Electric: The Best Licensed BC Electrician You’ll Find!
As you set out to find a top licensed electrician in BC, we hope you find that TCA Electric fits that bill perfectly! Our team of professional Vancouver electricians is fully licensed, bonded, and insured. We have more than 60 years of combined electrical experience, and we offer a full slate of residential, commercial, industrial, and marina electrical services. In addition to providing quality electrical work, customer satisfaction and open communication are our top priorities. We invite anyone considering TCA to see what our past satisfied customers have said about our work! If you’d like to hear more about what sets TCA Electric apart, we’ll be happy to tell you. Contact us today!