Electricity is one of the best innovations man has ever made. With it, the life of homeowners in Australia has been made easier. Today, you do not need manual machines or a lot of workforce in your home or business premises. All you need is power installed in your home, and there you go, you can operate almost everything ranging from fridges, juicers, espresso machines, water dispensers, heaters, heavy, machinery, and much more.
Despite the fact that electricity is a good thing, it can be equally dangerous and inconvenience. Made of many systems, electricity gets complications on a regular basis. Some Australian homeowners have taken electrical faults as simple projects that they can do for themselves, which is honestly a safety compromising habit. Whenever you have an electrical problem in your home, always remember that it can cause uncontrollable damage such as fire or electrocution; hence you should make it a habit always of calling a professional electrician whenever the need arises.
Professional electricians are familiar with an array of electrical systems. They can discover emerging issues and solve them promptly before they escalate into a crisis. Hiring one is, therefore, the most prudent decision that you can make as a serious premises. To be on the safe side, do not go for an electrician when you are in need, but rather, look for one as soon as now so that you can always have a reliable person to call in time of need.
Today, finding a good electrician in Australia is not a walk in the park. Honestly speaking, some electrical job doesn’t require a lot of expertise. Hence this industry has attracted a good number of masquerades. To get the best, always have multiple bids. Below are some things that you should look out for in a good electrician.
License and insurance
Factually, this is the, most important factor to consider when looking for a good electrician. Never work with an electrician who is no relevant licenses as required by the law. Why are licenses important?
1) By having a license, it means that the authorities are satisfied that the electrician has undergone the necessary training, therefore, is fit to serve the people.
2) A licensed electrician is legitimate. His goal is not to make tremendous profits from clients, but to help first and earn a living.
3) Being licensed means that the electrician abides by the law of the land and that his/her business does not engage is unlawful practices.
4) A licensed electrician is a responsible citizen just like yourself. He/she ensures that the firm contributes to the overall growth of the nation through payment of taxes.
In Australia, licenses given to electricians are restricted. For this reason, always ensure that your electrician has a license relevant to the type of service you need.
A good electrician should also be in possession of the required insurances from recognisable insurance companies. This is a risky job which can cause accidents and damage to property, which you would not wish to take responsibility for if they do happen. Therefore make sure that you do not sign a contract with an electrician who cannot provide proof of all the insurances required for one to practice the profession. This will always give you peace of mind keeping in mind that you are working with a person who has all your needs at heart.
Professional Qualifications
For a fact, all electricians are not the same. Most of them have not attended any formal training on the job. Hence they are not in possession of any certification or accreditation. While most homeowners would go for this unqualified electricians since they are regarded as “pocket-friendly,” it is not a wise thing to do. Go for one who has gone through a reputable institution of higher learning, and attained certification of completion, which can be provided as proof on request. By doing this, you will be guaranteed that you are working with a skilled, knowledgeable, and most importantly, a highly professional electrician.
Experience
A good electrician is one who has served in your locality and beyond for over three years. By being experienced, it means that the electrician has developed massive skill in the trade, has invested heavily in equipment and training of technicians, and have come up with innovative ways to deal with emerging electrical issues. If all you want is an electrician who will always offer the highest standard of electrical safety and workmanship, go for master electricians who are not only highly qualified, but they also have a guaranteed three years+ experience.
Safety
Would you go for an electrician with a proven track record of consistent electrical failures and tens of complaints of electrocutions after service? Would you sign a contract with an electrician who has been accused of offering services in buildings that have later burnt down as a result of electrical failure? Definitely not. A good electrician understands clearly that this is a risky job, hence investing in safety equipment and training is not an option.
Before choosing an electrician to work on your premises, make sure that you have thoroughly checked the safety measures put in place. Ask to see documented evidence that all the technicians have undergone various safety training and workshops in Australia or beyond. Safety first is a slogan that a good electrician writes in bold.
Quality of Products
Good electricians should offer products that are;
• From recognised brands
• Functional
• Durable
• Easy to operate and,
• Warranted
Never go for an electrician who offers a cheap product with a simple explanation that you will, in the end, save a significant amount of money. When you need an electrical fault solved, you hope that the problem will not persist, hence eliminating inconveniences. Therefore, look for an electrician who will offer you with the best products at a reasonable price.
Excellent customer care
Nobody loves dealing with an electrician who displays a wild attitude and poor communication skills. You do not want to work with one who will come to your house to work, and not talk to anyone, or fail to answer any of your questions. A good electrician has invested in excellent customer care techniques. If he/she fails to arrive in your premises on time, no assumptions will be made that you need to understand. The good electrician will explain and make you understand why this had to happen. If you call to ask about a particular service, the person who picks the call on the other side is well versed with all the services and will give you a satisfactory answer. If the question is too technical, the receptionist will not tell you to go and ask the technicians, he/she will connect you to the technician in a polite way, and you will hang up knowing that all your needs have been well taken care of.
Value for money
A good electrician is neither cheap nor expensive. He/she is committed to giving you value for your money. When you are looking for that ideal one to work in your premises, ask for quotes from multiple technicians. Do not dwell much on the price tag on the service offered, but ask for details such as the materials needed, and the exact fittings to be used. A good electrician is not one who will give you a random figure, but one who will break down the costs, hence giving you a feeling that you will get value for your hard-earned money.
Services A Good Electrician Should Offer
Alarm installation
A good electrician is committed to ensuring that your high-end premises in Australia are safe at all times. He should therefore have extensive training in alarm installations and should be able to install all types of home alarms efficiently. By having a curious mind, the electrician should have the knowledge and skills needed to install even the newest alarm in the market.
24/7 emergency services
Some electrical faults are demanding, and need someone to work on the as soon as possible regardless of the time of the day, or day of the week. A good electrician, therefore, is one who offers 24/7 emergency services, such that they can respond promptly to your call when you have a problem at the middle of the night. Which can be fatal if it waits for some extra hours.
A good electrician understands that in emergency situations, every second counts, hence they invest in well-equipped fleets that can respond to these situations within minutes.
Home automation
Many Australians homeowner’s dream is to have ‘smart’ homes that have recently caused a buzz online and offline. While a layman like yourself could see it as a technological fiction, a good electrician should be able to make it a reality and give you full remote control of your home’s security, lighting, access, and much more.
Lighting
If you have a modern home, you understand that good lighting adds glamour to it. A good electrician gives your home the light it deserves, and suggest better ways to improve the lighting in your indoor and outdoor space.
Rewiring
Do you have wiring in your house that does not meet the standards of the 21st century, or is unsafe? A good electrician is all you need. He/she will offer you with the best rewiring services, and make your home wiring system and adorable element.
Installation of safety switches
Safety switches are important elements of your premises’ electrical system, which protects it from faulty appliances, damaged wiring and safety surges. A good electrician should be able to supply and install safety switches that are functional, durable, and highly reliable.
Other services that a good electrician should offer include;
o Installation and repair of switchboards
o Repair and maintenance of electrical appliances
o Solar power installations
o Wiring new homes
Skills And Qualities Of A Good Electrician
Intellectual ability
Honestly, a good electrician doesn’t need to be a master electrician. However, intellectual ability is critical in making one stand out from his/her competitors. For one to stay ahead of the competition, the following intellectual skills are essential;
Composition and writing
Critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills
Mathematical skills
Reading and comprehension
Interpersonal skills
Dealing with clients is a core business of all electricians. Being a daunting task, most of them find themselves in situations where a customer is too nagging to handle, and they are forced to become rude and eventually lose the client. However, a good electrician is one who has heavily invested in training all his/her employees on effective interpersonal skills, thus providing the best customer care services in the market. They have;
o Active listening skills
o Two-way communication strategies
o Empathy and observation skills
Knowledge of all safety codes
Electricians in Australia, just like in most countries of the world, learn various safety codes and procedures in school. A good one is one who remembers most, if not all of them and put them into practice.
Understanding of business
Being an electrician is a demanding profession, but what good electricians don’t forget is that they are in business, and should display all traits of a good entrepreneur. Developing solid business skills is not an option, some of which include;
• Teamwork and team management
• Time management
• Customer service
• Excellent clerical abilities
• Profit-orientation
The character traits to look for in a good electrician include;
Honesty
Integrity
Dependability
Patient
Client-oriented
Innovative.
How Much Will A Good Electrician Charge?
In Australia, electricians charge an hourly rate. The prices are determined by an array of factors including;
The complexity of the job
The skill and workmanship needed to complete a job
How easy it is to access your location
The risks associated with the job
The type of products to be used, and their prices in your local market.
Expect a good electrician to charge you $60-$120 per hour for small jobs, and $80-$100 per hour for complicated jobs. The prices might scale higher based on the factors mentioned above.
Whenever you are in dire need of a good electrician, always make sure he/she can give a satisfactory answer to the following questions;
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
How long have you been in the industry?
Do you offer warranties on all your products?
How much will your charge for your services?
Do your offer 24/7 emergency services?
Castle Hill Electrician Pros
Based in Castle Hill, we service the entire Hills District of Sydney, NSW and beyond, as shown below:
