Below are some warning signs that you need to hire an electrician right away:
- Frayed wires due to corrosion, heat, bending, or even rat/mice activity
- Shocking switches
- Smoke from switches, appliances, or electrical boards
- Circuit breakers and fuses tripping off
- Discoloured switches or outlets
- Burning smell
- Dimming lights
- Major appliances such as your refrigerator or dishwasher strain your existing electrical system
- Your house has ungrounded two-prong outlets
Do not forget that most electrical faults and damages are a matter of emergency, do not look far to hire a professional, save time by using an electrician near me directory to quickly locate a good technician in your area.
How Much Does Electrical Repair Cost?
Like other trading jobs, the cost of hiring an electrician varies depending on the qualifications of the electrician, the amount of work involved, as well as the state, area, and municipality where the job is needed. Typically, due to proximity, an electrician near you will charge a little less. On average, electricians charge between $75- $125 per hour but these figures are fairly unspecific. Below are a list of electrical projects and their approximate repair and labor costs:
Note that the actual price of installing a new electrical outlet or electrical receptacle depends on the type of outlet desired by the homeowner. Here are the different types of outlets and their average prices of installation:
The price estimates for installing different types of ventilation include:
The price estimates for installing home security and entertainment systems include:
What are the Factors that Affect the Cost of Electrical Repair?
While most electricians charge between $50 - $150 per hour, there are a variety of factors that can affect the total cost you will pay during the course of the job. The location of the house or factory where the electrical work is needed primarily affects the total cost of repair. Electrical repair costs are generally higher in urban cities than in suburbs and local areas. Return patronage to the same electrician near you on subsequent electrical repairs may afford discounts.
Also, some electrical contractors charge appearance fees for their first inspection visit. If that is the case, the client is required to pay the fee in addition to the electrician's per-hourly rates. In fact, some electricians have no-show fees put in place for when prospective clients are absent for their scheduled appointments.
Additionally, clients are expected to cover any miscellaneous expenses that may arise when the electrician gets supplies or materials needed to complete the job. These expenses may include travel costs and material fees.
What Qualifications Should Electricians Have?
There are currently more than 688,600 employed electricians in the United States. In most states, electricians must have formal education and also require continuing education to stay in the field. While the qualification standards vary from one state to another, electricians usually undergo technical and vocational schools, as well as programs that provide practical experience in residential and commercial electrical installation. There are two types of electrical qualifications you should look out for when considering an electrician for hire and they include: journeyman qualification and master qualification.
Generally speaking, journeyman electricians complete a four-year apprenticeship program which includes at least 2000 hours of practical experience and 144 hours of technical training. A journeyman electrician is the right contractor if you need to install and inspect electrical appliances, troubleshoot, and test electrical systems in both homes and offices.
A master electrician has a degree in electrical engineering and at least eight years of work experience. You may need the services of a master electrician to rewire your home, replace electrical outlets, install circuit breakers, install intercom systems, replace electrical plugs, repair aluminum wiring, install electrical baseboard heaters, among others.
Do I need a handyman or an Electrician?
Handyman services are cheap but you may be in for a bigger liability where an electrical fault is not properly repaired to established standards. Note, handymen near you are not typically well-trained for specialized tasks that are electrical in nature. Statistics show that there are about 400 electrocution and 4,000 non-fatal injuries from electrical shocks in the US annually. You are safer leaving any electrical issue in your home to a qualified electrician near you.
What are Common Post Electrical Repair Expenses?
Many licensed electricians clean up the site of work and leave a perfect finish. However, some jobs that require tracing electrical wiring behind walls, under floors, or ceiling spaces may require the expertise of another professional including:
It is important to note that such professional attention usually incurs extra expenses that the client may need to pay outside the total electrical repair fees. Note, hiring professionals near you may help reduce such costs due to easy accessibility.
Does Homeowner Insurance Cover Electrical Problems?
The question of whether or not homeowner insurance covers electrical faults has a few discordant answers. Typically, homeowner insurance does not cover electrical remodeling, maintenance, and upgrade. However, the insurance policy comes into full play when there is damage due to fire, lightning, explosions, riots, aircraft, vehicles, smoke, theft, vandalism, among others. Generally speaking, the degree of insurance coverage depends on the homeowner's insurance policy, the age of the house, the type of wiring used as well as the electrical problem in question.
Can I Use Digital Payment to Pay For Electrical Repair Services?
Yes, many electricians and electrical contractors accept payments via debit or credit cards. In fact, digital payment is preferred to cash for receipt and record-keeping purposes. However, bear in mind that not all electricians offer electronic payment services. If digital payment method is your preferred payment method, make sure to inform the electrician before they commence work.