When it comes to choosing commercial electrical contractors, it can be difficult to know where to start and what to look for. After all, you need a team that you can rely on to keep your business running smoothly. So we’ve put together a guide to help you through the decision making process.
1. Qualifications and Certifications
Checking the qualifications and certifications of the electrical contractors you’re looking for is a great place to start. Choosing a registered electrician will not only give you peace of mind, as they’re insured and regularly assessed, but it is also a legal requirement in some cases.
Ensuring the contractor working on your project is knowledgeable and is held up to high standards will reduce the likelihood of on-site accidents and any further electrical issues in the long-run. Electrical Safety First, offer a search tool for those looking for registered electricians near them.
At Highland Services, our team are NICEIC approved and we have over 50 years domestic, commercial and industrial experience.
2. Electrical Safety Standards
No reputable electrical contractor will work without strict health and safety precautions in place. In the time of COVID-19, there are even more risks to consider and they should have updated assessments in place as a result. Always ensure that a proper plan is ready and in place for any work carried out.
The right electrical contractor can also help your building meet it’s required regulations too, particularly ensuring that they have met the policies set out in the ‘Electricity at Work Regulations 1989’. At Highland, we help businesses achieve compliance thorough inspection and testing of electrical systems.
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3. Fair Quote & Realistic Project Timeline
For a large project, it’s often advised for a customer to ‘shop around’ and gather a few quotes for comparison. As long as you are clear about what you require and any important time or budget restraints, it should be easy to obtain a realistic estimate from contractors.
It’s important to have realistic expectations when it comes to an electrical project and most companies will want to ensure the work is carried out in a timely manner for their benefit as much as yours. Of course, unexpected setbacks can still occur but most contractors will have taken the care to account for changes in their timeline and will have a good understanding of how to deal with potential delays.
Picking your contractor based upon the quote alone is risky because it’s important to weigh up the value of the expertise they will bring to the project. All of the tips outlined in this blog are important factors in choosing a contractor.
4. Good Quality Equipment
This can be hard to judge until work begins, however, it’s worth noting that all contractors should be working with safe and good-quality equipment. Any issues regarding the tools or safety equipment they are using should be an immediate concern and work should be paused until suitable replacements are brought in.
This could be an important feature to look out for if you visit a contractor when gathering a quote or to sign a contract - look out for equipment that looks well-maintained and don’t feel afraid to raise any concerns or ask questions.
5. Good Customer Service
Clear communication and punctuality are key to meeting project deadlines. At Highland Services , we pride ourselves with our good communication and punctuality and believe this should be the norm.
Whether the workspace will be left messy and unkempt after the electrical work has been completed can be a worry for many people. As a customer, it is not unreasonable to expect cleanliness and care to be a priority for workers.
Workers should respect the space they are working in and do their best to work with minimal disruption to their surroundings. A warm and friendly approach to any other people on site is something we believe is vital to a good working environment and is a quality that should not be overlooked.
6. Testimonials and Case Studies
Testimonials and case studies are a key factor in choosing the right electrical contractor for your project.
You can easily see what type of work they have experience delivering and the quality (if there are images). This can also be the place to see rough time estimates for previous projects and budget if that is also included.
Case studies also offer an insight into what projects they take on and can help inform you whether your project is appropriate for them.
(And be sure to leave a review once your project is complete.)
Highland Services can supply it all and you can even view our previous projects on our website. Whether you’re looking for design and construction, mechanical maintenance or electrical services, domestic self-build or extension.
We specialise in commercial electrical contracting and operate in Cardiff, Swansea, Bridgend, Newport and many other locations across South Wales. If you’re looking for help with your project, get in touch with us today.
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