
An electrician is an electrical contractor that you hire for remodeling jobs or new construction. These professionals can be licensed or not. Many homeowners wonder if it's really necessary to hire the fully licensed company or individual when there are cheaper ways to get the jobs done.
Electricians run new wires or replace old ones. They handle electrical boxes, fuses, conduit and circuits. They follow blueprints and plans designed by electrical engineers in order to create working systems within a home or commercial building. Some handymen and jacks-of-all-trades claim to be able to fix your wiring, but buyer beware: electric installations or repairs are complicated endeavors that demand respect from DIYers. Faulty wiring can be disastrous. Here are some pros and cons for hiring a licensed vs. unlicensed individual or business.
Pros of Hiring a Licensed Electrician:
- Licensed pros have had to do coursework in order to learn the ins and outs of electricity. Not only did they have to study and pass tests, they also had to spend time working out in the field acquiring hands-on experience.
- A homeowner can check with the local board of electrical contractors in order to learn about a pro's past history. Is his or her license up to date? Have there been any unresolved complaints about them? These are important items to check into.
- Building codes are set up to ensure public safety, and licensed contractor will stay up to date with them. When the electrical work is done, the local municipalities will inspect it to make sure it's done correctly.
- In order to go through the steps to get their license, these individuals had to be dedicated to their craft and in refining their skill set. This dedication will shine through in the degree to which you can trust their work.
Cons of an Unlicensed Handyman:
- Crossed wires can short out and burn your house down. Worse yet, if the insurance company learns that a non-professional performed the work, they may not pay for the damage caused by the fire.
- Because the handyman isn't being watched over by municipalities, inspectors or the board of contractors, if something goes wrong, there's no recourse.
When building a new house or remodeling, there are many decisions to be made. Deciding between hiring an unlicensed or licensed electrician is one of them. After weighing the facts, a homeowner will have to make a decision for him or herself.
At Shadow Lighting we have a significant group of licensed professional electrical contractors that we would be pleased to recommend for any project that you are considering. Simply give us a call at 604-372-2400 to choose your lighting and we will put you in touch with the right team.
Electricians run new wires or replace old ones. They handle electrical boxes, fuses, conduit and circuits. They follow blueprints and plans designed by electrical engineers in order to create working systems within a home or commercial building. Some handymen and jacks-of-all-trades claim to be able to fix your wiring, but buyer beware: electric installations or repairs are complicated endeavors that demand respect from DIYers. Faulty wiring can be disastrous. Here are some pros and cons for hiring a licensed vs. unlicensed individual or business.
Pros of Hiring a Licensed Electrician:
- Licensed pros have had to do coursework in order to learn the ins and outs of electricity. Not only did they have to study and pass tests, they also had to spend time working out in the field acquiring hands-on experience.
- A homeowner can check with the local board of electrical contractors in order to learn about a pro's past history. Is his or her license up to date? Have there been any unresolved complaints about them? These are important items to check into.
- Building codes are set up to ensure public safety, and licensed contractor will stay up to date with them. When the electrical work is done, the local municipalities will inspect it to make sure it's done correctly.
- In order to go through the steps to get their license, these individuals had to be dedicated to their craft and in refining their skill set. This dedication will shine through in the degree to which you can trust their work.
Cons of an Unlicensed Handyman:
- Crossed wires can short out and burn your house down. Worse yet, if the insurance company learns that a non-professional performed the work, they may not pay for the damage caused by the fire.
- Because the handyman isn't being watched over by municipalities, inspectors or the board of contractors, if something goes wrong, there's no recourse.
When building a new house or remodeling, there are many decisions to be made. Deciding between hiring an unlicensed or licensed electrician is one of them. After weighing the facts, a homeowner will have to make a decision for him or herself.
At Shadow Lighting we have a significant group of licensed professional electrical contractors that we would be pleased to recommend for any project that you are considering. Simply give us a call at 604-372-2400 to choose your lighting and we will put you in touch with the right team.