Information About Hiring A Certified Electrician Vancouver Homeowners Will Find Helpful

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By Leslie Ball


A home's electrical system is vital to both the comfort and safety of its residents. Due to its complexity, and the potential hazards it presents, the installation, modification, and repair of electrical components is something which should only be handled by a trained professional. By hiring a certified electrician Vancouver BC homeowners can ensure that their residence will run safely and efficiently.

Projects undertaken by electrical contractors include simple ones like the installation of a ceiling fan or light fixture, as well as more complex ones such as replacing and old-fashioned breaker box or wiring system with a more modern one. Another valuable service they provide are inspections, which are conducted to make sure everything is in good working order and to identify any concerns. This can be done before buying a house, and any time after as well.

If someone has been noticing strange occurrences with the electricity in the home such as shocks from appliances, switches turning on or off randomly, flickering fixtures, or the most serious, a burning smell or sparks coming out of an outlet, it is time to call up the electrician. It may be necessary to replace an outdated wiring system or breaker box, or install surge protection.

Customers should compare the qualifications and price quotes of several electrical contractors before settling on one. It's necessary to ensure that the person one hires has current training and preferably takes part in continuing education programs in their field. The homeowner also needs to find out if the fee includes any permit and code inspection which is required.

In the province of British Columbia, electricians do not need a license but they are required to possess a Certification of Qualification to conduct electrical work. Customers should ask to see proof that the contractor meets this requirement, and it also important to verify that he or she also has general liability and workers' compensation insurance to protect one against potential lawsuits should an accident or property damage occur.

Some electricians specialize in one area, so it can be helpful to spend some time choosing someone with the right expertise for the particular project. If the contractor has an apprentice or subcontractors doing the actual work, the customer should find out if they will be supervised. Asking about warranty coverage for the workmanship and parts is another thing one should be sure to do.

The training an electrician undergoes provides a broad knowledge of all electrical components, tools, and how to safely install and repair systems. They typically attend a college or trade school for a specified period of time, and then progress to an apprenticeship position with a certified electrician who will provide them with on-the-job experience for several years, and finally they will take their test which is needed for certification.

Besides residential electricians who are responsible for installing and maintaining indoor and outdoor electrical systems in existing homes and those under construction, there are also other types of electrical contractors. Commercial electricians attend to industrial repairs and installations, while the more experienced, journeyman and master electricians are qualified to train others, and perform more extensive kinds of work.




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