• Posted: July 19, 2022
• Find an electrical contractor, how to choose electrical contractor ebook

While some contractors promise the moon and the stars, not all deliver on their promises. One of the most difficult parts is assessing the quality of work and perceived value of a contractor before the contract is signed. Powering Chicago’s “How to Find an Electrical Contractor” e-book walks the reader through a proven approach to finding a contractor that best suits your needs and has a history of completing work on time, on budget, done right, every time.

The first step to finding a qualified contractor is to assess the project’s needs; once you’ve done so, your search begins. One step later and you have it narrowed down to your top contractors, but how do you determine which contractor will deliver on their promises? Consider the following steps.

Start by Assessing the Costs of a Project Proposal

To start, ask for multiple bids from contractors within the same area. This will reveal if any contractor is trying to inflate the cost of the project. If a contractor is uncomfortable or unwilling to provide labor hours, this could be cause for concern. If necessary, it’s acceptable to open a conversation with contractors about ways to reduce costs and/or adjust a project’s timeline. Resistance to having these discussions could be red flags.

Does Union-Affiliation Make a Difference?

One of the primary differences between electrical contractors is whether they’re union or non-union. Union-affiliated contractors are different from their counterparts in a number of ways. Differences include the level of training, dedication to safety, overall expertise, and their level of access to labor.

For example, union apprentices trained at IN-Tech, the IBEW 134/NECA Chicago Training Institute, complete 8,000 hours of combined classroom and on-the-job training during the five-year program. Over the course of the program, apprentices also complete between 200-300 hours of safety-specific training. If you’re choosing a non-union electrical contractor, a standard level of training doesn’t exist.

“My preference is union. And the reason for that is I’m familiar with the training, I am confident when working with someone that’s been through the (IBEW Local 134) apprenticeship program. I know they are qualified, and that they have the right skill set. With non-union contractors, you have to determine if they were formally trained.”

Glen Brown, sr. facilities manager in Chicago

Other Considerations That Determine Quality

Aside from determining costs and union affiliation, there are eight considerations that determine quality. Below you’ll find four; download the “How to Find an Electrical Contractor” e-book for the last four.

1. License and insurance. A license is your guarantee that the contractor has done the necessary work to ensure they know how to do the job safely and correctly. Union contractors are licensed and insured.
2. Level of training/ongoing education. A benefit of hiring a union electrical contractor is that they have a base level of training. The training expected of a union electrician is significant.
3. Commitment to safety. Hiring a contractor with a commitment to safety can make a huge difference in a project’s budget and timeline.
4. Third-party recommendations. Word of mouth is an important factor to weigh when hiring an electrical contractor. Consider asking a trusted industry colleague about their experiences with area contractors. Also, consider asking the City of Chicago Building Department, running a Dun & Bradstreet report, a Better Business Bureau report, and consulting Powering Chicago’s find a contractor tool. You can use the searchable tool to find qualified, licensed and insured electrical contractors in your area