There are plenty of home improvement and house repair work that you can attempt on your own such as putting up curtains, painting your walls a different colour, or setting up ready-to-assemble furniture such as a bookshelf. However, you have to keep in mind that not all home repairs can be a do-it-yourself project. Anything that involves electricity is best handled by a qualified electrician.
While a simple light bulb replacement is easy enough, anything more complex should be done by a licensed electrician. A lot of people try to save a few dollars by hiring a handyman to check their electrical wirings without realising that it could actually cost them more in the long run. While hiring a professional electrician can be more expensive, they can easily recognise and troubleshoot electrical problems before it becomes bigger.
The role of an electrician
In a nutshell, an electrician is responsible for making sure that electrical current is flowing safely in your home and that electrical wires, outlets, and appliances are in good working condition. A typical workday for them varies since they handle various tasks such as new installations, data cabling, and testing and tagging. Here are some of the common jobs that they handle.
Installations
Electrical installations happen in the domestic, commercial, and industrial sectors. It includes planning, designing, selecting, installing, testing, fault finding, and repairing electrical systems, lighting, power points, and appliances. They also handle wall TV mounting and ceiling fan installation.
Rewiring
For old houses and buildings, you should consider having your property checked by an electrician. Signs that you need to have your house rewired are discolored powerpoints and switches, frequently tripped breakers and blown fuses, and any burning smell followed by a sizzling sound. While rewiring can be messy and expensive, the good news is that when done by a professional, rewiring only happens once every generation.
Air conditioning and refrigeration
Air conditioning and refrigeration work should be handled by an electrician who specialises in these areas. So for the installation, repair, and maintenance of your AC and fridge, make sure to let an expert handle it.
Data and network cabling
The installation of telephone cables, network cables, and data cables is another area of expertise for electricians.
What to look for when hiring local electricians
Because electrical work is a delicate task, you need to be cautious when hiring someone who will handle electrical installation and repair jobs in your home. Here are some things to consider when choosing an electrician:
Qualifications
You need to find an electrician who is qualified to handle electrical jobs whether it’s to install a telephone socket connection, install power point, or handle a telephone cabling and data cabling job. How do you know if they are qualified? Make sure they are licensed to handle electrical work in your state or territory. Find out also how long they have been in the business. As a rule, the more experienced they are, the more skilled they are at handling different electrical jobs.
Insurance
Even the most careful electrician is still susceptible to accidents. And when we’re dealing with electricity, even the simplest mishap can turn into a big disaster! It is important to hire an insured electrician to make sure that you are protected should anything happen. Remember, you can be held liable if someone gets injured while working inside your property.
Customer Service
How a tradie treats their customers is equally important, especially in this day and age when customer satisfaction plays a big role in determining the success of a business. A lot of electricians are qualified and has the skills and tools needed to do the job. How professional they are and how they deal with clients will make them stand out from the rest.
Cost of hiring an electrician service
How much would it cost you to hire an electrician? The price depends on many factors such as the type of electrical work that needs to be done, the electrician’s level of expertise, and also your state or territory. It is normal for electricians to charge a higher rate for their first hour of work to cover their overhead expenses of running the business.
Based on the data gathered by ServiceSeeking.com.au, average electrician quotes start from $65 per hour. However, this figure may vary depending on the business, the scope of the job, and your location. To get the most out of your money, it is a good idea to always compare quotes first from at least three or more businesses. While you are comparing quotes, you can also call them up to discuss the job in detail, ask for references and if they offer any discount or guarantee for their work.
Here are some feedback from customers who have found electricians through ServiceSeeking.com.au:
"Ray and his team did all the electrical work during my 60-year-old house renovation. Ray organized his work well to fit the overall schedule and never hold up anyone. He used top brand products and the labor work was just fantastic. What made Ray special was that he took the best of our interest to meet our budget when we had to rewire our powerpoints with burnt wires. Ray was also happy to do extra little work out of quote free of charge. And Ray even took time to come back to do little amendment after the full payment during busy Christmas season while lots of tradesmen never show up when they say 'shortly'. The overall price was pretty competitive and someone even quoted me the same price for half of the work. Reliable Aussie pals, highly recommend!" - Bill
"Fantastic Service. John went above and beyond with his work. There were a few hiccups with the electrical in the house I brought but John was happy to take the time and fix it all without an issue. Great service and great price. I will definitely be getting John out again while the reno's continue. thanks again" - Lisa from Victoria Point, QLD
"Jeremy provided me with advice that helped consider other alternatives to my problem. He arrived when he said he would and provided a good quality service (without mess and an aesthetically pleasing result) at what I consider value for money." - Julie from Herston, QLD