Choosing a good electrician

Few homeowners do all the necessary electrical work on an old house. Upgrading a service, tying into old circuits, and rewiring existing ceiling lights can be intimidating tasks. Even if you choose to do more limited electrical work and hire the rest out, a good working knowledge of electricity and your home’s electrical system will enable you to discuss the job intelligently with your electrician and to compare bids more critically.
When you hire a contractor, you each have your respective responsibilities and expectations. You need to clearly communicate what you want done and the time frame in which it must be completed. The contractor must be equally clear in stating the work as he or she understands it from your plans, the cost for labor and materials, and a reasonable completion date. Any changes by either party must be negotiated.
This might be a new experience for you. You’ll find this stranger and perhaps a crew of one or two people wandering around your house in work boots, punching holes in the walls, and shutting your power off from time to time. Who are these people and how do you deal with them? Suddenly you’re an employer of sorts, hoping these new employees are going to work out before you write them a check. You and your contractor should have the same goal: an efficient job done as agreed to in advance with a minimum of disruption. Don’t worry, clear communications with a carefully selected electrician—and maybe a box of doughnuts in the morning—will smooth the way for everyone involved.