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Introduction

So you are building a new home, building an addition, or remodeling your existing home, and you need an electrical contractor. You start thinking about the standard who, what, when, where, and how questions. When the lighting and electrical designs are completed, approved by you, approved by the architect, and the walls are framed, it is time to proceed with the installation of the wiring systems.

It is time for ‘the wire to meet the walls”.

When you begin thinking about who, what, when, where, and how for an electrical contractor, there are a range of issues and questions that you must consider. In this document, we have compiled several areas to address, and several questions and answers to assist you in the selection of an electrical contractor.

Besides the electrical contractor that will run the wire to make the lights work, this selection guide can also be used for any contractor that installs audio/video systems, home technology integration systems, security and monitoring systems, voice communications systems, or any other electrical/electronic system that you are preparing to install.

Where Are They Located?

The Closer The Better

That seems like an odd question! However, consider this. If the contractor is commuting several hours to arrive at your project, what happens? There may be weather delays, traffic delays, or any other type of action that can impact travel to and from your job site. And guess what? Every one of those delays cost you money and time. Those delays cost money in the form of additional contractor’s hours, and time delays on your project. And that doesn’t count the additional initial cost for a contractor that is making money while they are sitting in their vehicle driving to your job site! Or, did you think that all the time they spent driving to and from your job they were giving you for free? Think again.

What about the additional expense for the contractor to come to the project for an unforeseen, unplanned, and out-of-hours coordination meeting? And what about the contractor’s need to review related trade concerns? For instance, the plumber needs the electrical contractor to put some wire in a different place in order for the plumbing to meet building code requirements. Another “paid for” trip to the job site could result in additional expense if they need to travel.

Does The Contractor Have An Office or Operate Out Of Their Home?

It’s About Managing Time and Money

There are pros and cons to both sides of this question. Contractors that operate out of their home usually have lower prices. They don’t have the operating “overhead” of rent, utilities, taxes, etc., that a contractor has when they have an office. And yes, all those things go into the cost that a contractor charges you for your project. So the contractor working from their home, can, or will, most likely quote a cheaper price than the contractor that maintains an office for their business. Less cost? That is obviously a positive impact.

However, by operating out of their home, a contractor will most likely have a minimal amount of supply inventory on hand. That could cause a delay on your project if the contractor has to either take the time to go purchase, or even worse, order and wait for the arrival of, a part that is needed for the project. So check on their inventory capabilities. Beware, even the contractor that has an office, may have no more than a “store-front” for an office, and not have any more inventory capability than a home-based contractor. So ask them both the same questions about inventory availability.

Something that seems as simple as putting wire in walls can require a significant tool inventory. A home-based contractor may not have the ability to store all the tools possibly required for your project, and relies on rental of some tools for the required work. Again, just because the contractor has an office, if it is a storefront office, they may be in the same position. Ask them about their tools, what they will be using, do they own them, will they need to rent them, etc.

If you don’t have an office, where do employees report to work? What happens if employees are supposed to report to work at the job site, and the job site is a significant distance away? (See “Where Are They Located”) Communication with employees can be more difficult if you do not have an office where they report to work. So ask how reporting and communications happen in the contractor’s company.

To read the rest of the article on HomeToys.com, click here