How To Protect Yourself When Hiring An Electrician During an Emergency
There will inevitably be times in your life where a household appliance or electrical system in your car develops a fault and fails to function as it should, or in some cases completely stop working. In some cases you might possess skill and expertise to fix the problem yourself. But in some cases these problems will require the assistance of an electrical specialist, when your stranded by the roadside or at home in complete darkness the process of finding an electrician can be stressful process by itself. Thankfully here in Lanarkshire there are a high number of professional electricians who provide emergency call-out services to help you, but unfortunately there are also many ‘tradesmen’ who are happy to charge excessive fees for poor quality and potentially dangerous electrical work. Our guide will help you to know what to look out for when searching for a local electrician in Lanarkshire so that you can be sure to receive the best quality service.
Here is a small list we have compiled to aid home and business owners in Lanarkshire to ensure they hire local electricians which are trustworthy and provide professional quality electrical installation, repair and maintenance services which comply with UK Electrical Safety Regulations.
- Verify Credentials and Licences
Ensuring the credentials of the electrician you hire is the single most critical thing to do when looking for an electrician. A trustworthy, professional electrician will be certified by the national electrical inspection council while tradesman such as heating engineers will also need to be Gas Safe registered.
- Take a look at your previous work
Inspecting the portfolio of an electrician you hire is a good idea as reputable contractors rely on previous clients to get more work. You can ask to view their past projects which any professional electrician should be more than happy to share.
- Utilize Review Sites In Your Research
Making use of review sites is good way to find out if a tradesman has experience in the service you require. You can check reviews from past clients and find out what they thought about the quality of their services. It is important to remember that it is possible for tradesman to post fake reviews for their business so it is best practice to look at tradesman with a high quantity of good reviews rather than one or two outstanding reviews.
- Receive Multiple Quotes
Before you decide on an electrician to do a large scale job, get quotes from three or more people. Ask beforehand if there are any charges for a quote. Both the quotation and contract must be in writing. They should clearly state what the work will entail, as well as the costs of labor and VAT. The contract should include the start and end dates, as well as details about payment. It is not always a wise choice to always go with the cheapest offer as reliability and quality are also significantly important.
- Never Pay the Full Cost of Project Upfront
When hiring an electrician to carry out electrical installation or repair services you should never pay the full fee of the project upfront. Tradesmen will sometimes ask you for a deposit for supplies to get the job started. However, if the electrician or tradesman insists on your paying the full fee upfront, this is an immediate red flag. Avoid paying large amounts of money, especially if you do not want to lose your hard earned cash and relinquish control and leverage over the electrician when it comes time to get the job done properly.
- Written Warranty Protection
It is crucial to ensure that signed documentation of any contracts or services are produced to provide evidence that an agreement between the tradesman and you has been made. This protects you against scams and makes sure that all guarantees and warranties are protected.
- Obtain Multiple Ways of Contacting Them
Get as much contact information and emails for any tradesmen that you are hiring as you may need to contact them after they have finished the job. These tips will help you to avoid scammers who pose electrical service providers in Lanarkshire. It can be costly to fall prey to a scammer and can also pose dangers for your safety and well-being.
- Emergency Repairs
You are more likely to be in an emergency situation and not have time to do extensive research on local electricians located here in Lanarkshire so that you can make an educated decision about who to hire. Always ask for a quote on the call out fees when you reach an emergency electrician in Lanarkshire. Make sure you know what you want and ask them for an estimate on the cost of the work before you allow anyone to start. You should agree on a deadline if you need the work to be completed quickly.
What does the UK Law protect you from?
You and a tradesman have entered into a contractual agreement when they agree to perform work for you. You do not need to sign anything to create a contract. Contracts may be written or verbally. Both you and the tradesman are protected by the contract. A tradesman who fixes or maintains a home in your house is providing you with a service. The tradesman must use reasonable skill and care. If there was no agreed price and date, the contractor must charge only what they believe is fair. They also have to complete the task within the given time frame. They must use materials that are of acceptable quality and fit for the purpose they were intended.
Additional, late, or insatiable work requires payment
When hiring the services of an electrician or tradesman you do not have to pay for work not agreed upon or declared in the initial quote or estimate. During situations where unexpected extra work is required the additional cost should be discussed in writing prior to the work being started. Only pay the reasonable price for the service and conduct research to find out what other people would charge for similar work. Tell your electrician if you believe they are overcharging you. If they are unable to complete the task within the time agreed upon, you can also choose to lower your payment however you should fairly assess their work and pay quickly if everything has been done satisfactorily. For every payment, get a signed receipt and retain all documentation.
Do not sign off on any work that has been completed
You should not sign anything saying you are satisfied with the job. For example, you might have to wait until there is a downpour before your roof is fixed correctly. It may be more challenging to make a claim if you have signed a satisfaction notice. The period of six years after the date of any breach of contract gives you the right to bring court action against the tradesman. However, your rights diminish with time and it becomes harder to prove your case.