How to Find and Choose the Top Electrical Contractor in Chicago

When you realize that you have some type of electrical problem in your home, or you are building a new home or remodel, you need to have a quality electrician on your team. Having someone who knows and understands complex electrical systems and who can make them safe and workable is essential. Of course, finding and working with any type of contractor can be difficult. Since people don’t look for these professionals every day, knowing exactly who to choose and how to make the decision is not easy.

You have quite a few options when it comes to finding an electrical contractor in Chicago, but you really do need to be sure you are taking the right steps. It is not as difficult as you might imagine at first. Here are some tips to get you started in the right direction.

Know What You Need

Many different types of electrical contractors are out there working today, and some of them simply aren’t right for the type of work you need. For example, if you are looking for someone to check the wiring in your home, then you would not want to choose someone who states that they only work on new construction commercial properties. Know exactly what you need in terms of service. If you don’t know for certain because you have an unknown and undiagnosed electrical problem, you can generally choose someone who works in residential or commercial fields to help you, or to at least point you in the right direction.

 

Whom Do You Know?

If you have had friends or family members who have been through a similar situation relatively recently, you might want to ask them for a referral as long as they were happy with the service they received. If you are working with a building contractor, then you could ask him or her for a recommendation.

More Research

However, you may not actually know anyone who has had recent electrical work. That’s okay, since you still have quite a few ways to ensure that you are getting a quality electrical contractor in Chicago. Research is your friend. You want to look up companies in the area and see how much experience they have in the field. Keep in mind that even if the business might be new, it doesn’t mean that the electricians working for it are new.

Use the web to look up information about the company, and to check for reviews from actual customers. If you notice that customers continually leave negative reviews, then it’s a good idea to avoid working with that contractor. Check references, as well. Most contractors will be able to provide you with references and testimonials from their former customers.

Once you start to find companies that look as though they might be a good fit for you, make sure that you take the time to contact them via phone to ask a couple of questions. Are they able to offer estimates? Have a point of contact at the company that you can touch base with if you have any issues or concerns with the work they are doing. When you have an actual interview, it gives you the ability to ask all of your questions, and it can give you a good idea of whether they are the right fit for the job.

If you plan to have an electrical contractor in Chicago working on a remodel with you, or working on a full construction, you will likely be working together for quite some time. In those cases, you have to make sure that you are getting someone with whom you will be able to work well. Personalities really do matter. While this might not be as important with some smaller jobs, it can still play quite a large role in how you feel about the experience.

In the end, you really just need to take your time and do your research if you hope to find a quality contractor who can handle your electrical work. Put some time and effort into finding a great contractor, and you will be able to work with the person anytime you have any electrical work or issues.

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Contact a Good Electrician in WilmetteIf You Have These Electrical Problems

When you work with a good electrician in Wilmette, you will discover that he or she can help you to deal with many different types of electrical issues that might crop up in your home. Houses, even relatively new houses, can have electrical problems, and without taking care of them right away, it is possible that they could become serious, and even dangerous. It is important to know some of the signs and symptoms of a dangerous electrical system so you can get help with it as soon as possible. The last thing you can afford to do is ignore it. If you do, it could result in a fire, which could end with the loss of your home or even loss of life.

Here are some of the most commons signs of electrical issues. If you notice any of the following, make sure that you get in touch with an electrician as soon as possible.

Trouble with Circuit Breakers

When a circuit overloads, the circuit breaker trips, and it causes the electrical supply to shut off. The breaker ensures that the wires do not overheat, and this in turn reduces the chance of having a fire in the home. Most homes will have occasional tripping. However, if you start noticing that the issues occur more and more often, then it could be a problem with the electrical wiring, and that means it is time to consult one of the pros. Many older homes out there seem to have issues such as this, but it can happen with some newer model homes as well if there is a wiring issue that was not caught.

A Shocking Problem

Another issue that you might notice is that you get a small electrical shock when you touch an appliance. It might not give you an outright shock. Instead, it might just give you a tingling sensation. Both of these can be bad though. It means that there is one of two things happening. First, it might mean that there is a ground fault in that appliance. It could also mean that there is trouble with the wiring.

Flickering Lights

If you notice the light continue to flicker, or flicker occasionally, it could be one of several different issues. It could have to do with the bulb. If the bulb is not in properly, or if it is defective, it could cause an issue with flickering. In other cases, it could be an issue with the actual light fixture instead. Other times, there could be an issue with the wiring.

Ceiling Fixtures Get Hot

While most people don’t do this, it is actually a good idea. Every once in a while, take the time to feel the ceiling fixtures around the house. If they are extremely warm, or if the wattage running through the fixture is too high for the bulb, it could overheat and cause damage.

Lights Work… Sometimes

If you notice that the lights in the house are only working sometimes, the culprit could be some loose wiring, or it could be an issue with the fixture. If you plug in another light, and the same issue happens, the wiring in the wall has an issue. It’s time to call in the professional electrician in Wilmette. If another light works fine, then test the original light fixture in another outlet. If it only works intermittently, then it’s time to dispose of that item, or have someone rewire it. Again, if you are going to rewire the lamp, make sure you have a professional do it. Even though some people do this as a DIY project, it can pose some danger.

The Scent

If you notice a burning odor coming from the outlets and switches, then you should turn off the power to the house right away and get in touch with an electrician. This means that something is seriously wrong with the wiring, and you need to have help for the issue before it becomes a fire.

When it comes to electricity, safety always needs to be your main concern.Avoiding or ignoring these issues is a massive mistake, so get in touch with a qualified electrician in Wilmette right away.

Resource:http://www.angieslist.com/articles/5-signs-electrical-problems-your-home.htm

Let a Chicago Electrical Contractor Help with Your Home’s Electrical Problems

Whether your home has been in the Chicago area since before the Chicago Fire or it is one of the beautiful new construction homes, there’s always a chance that you could be dealing with electrical problems. People don’t like the thought of these types of issues with their home, naturally, but these things do occur in homes all around the country. If you notice any type of electrical problem in the home, it’s important to get in touch with a good Chicago electrical contractor quickly.

Ignoring and pretending the problems don’t exist because you feel they are just a hassle to deal with can actually be one of the biggest mistakes of your life. Faulty wiring and other electrical problems can be very dangerous, deadly even. Check out the following, which are some of the most common issues that homes have when it comes to electrical problems. If any of these sound familiar to you, it’s time to call in the professionals.

The Outlet Stops Working

Sometimes, you may notice that one or more of the outlets in your home simply doesn’t work any longer, or it only works sometimes. This could be due to loosened wiring in the system. You may even discover that only half of an outlet is working properly. While it might be tempting to remove the plate, and look at the wiring to see if it is loose or undone, this could be a mistake. It’s always better to let someone who knows what they are doing handle it.

Bulb Burnout and More

You may notice that your bulbs in certain fixtures seem to burn out at a higher rate than in other fixtures. Sometimes, you will notice that the lights keep flickering, or that they go off and come on seemingly at their own whim. Another issue you may notice with the lights is having the bulb suddenly get brighter and then fade. It could even pop. An electrical appliance might have died recently. These types of issues might have something to do with the bulb or with the appliance. However, the problem often goes deeper and into the wiring.

Similarly, you may notice that some of the switches in the home stop working. You flip them, but they don’t turn on the light or appliance. Again, this is often an issue with the wiring in the walls. Sometimes it means that someone replaced the switch wrong. Regardless, it’s time to work with the pros to get things sorted the right way.

Circuit Tripping

Another common problem that you may notice is that your circuit breaker is tripping more than normal. While circuit breakers do trip from time to time, it should not happen too frequently. When it does, it is often an indicator of a deeper electrical problem.When that happens, you will need to take care of the issue right away.

New Appliances Don’t Work

Sometimes, when people have an issue with their old appliances, whether it is the dryer or the coffeemaker, they feel that the lifespan of the device is simply over and that there’s nothing they can do about it. So, they replace the appliance only to discover that this new one has the same problems as the old one did. This means that the problem is not with the appliance at all. Instead, it has to do with the wiring in the home’s electrical system. For example, if the dryer doesn’t heat up properly and doesn’t dry clothing, there could be a poor connection or an issue with the wiring. Having to run the dryer more often means that you will be spending more on your electrical bill each month.

Get In Touch with a Chicago Electrical Contractor

When you are worried about the state of the electrical system in your house, it’s important to start looking for a contractor you can trust right away. Find a company or electrician with plenty of experience in the field and in the area that can help with your residential or business needs. Check reviews, and speak with the electrician before hiring so you can be sure you are working with the right people for the job.

Resource: http://articles.abilogic.com/37028/let-chicago-electrical-contractor-help.html