You’re planning to get your partner that new electric vehicle they’ve had their eye on for a while now, but that means installing an EV charging station in your garage. You’ve heard horror stories from friends and neighbors about botched jobs done by unqualified electricians. You don’t want that to be you.
But what should you look for when hiring someone to do the work? How can you be sure that the electrician you hire can do what they say they can?
Keep reading below to find out why you should only hire qualified electricians, what makes them qualified, and more.
Table of Contents
- Why Hiring a Qualified Electrician Makes All the Difference
- What Makes Someone a Qualified Electrician?
- 7 Shockingly Important Qualifications Every Electrician Should Bring to the Job
- Signs You May Be Dealing With an Unqualified Electrician
- PDX Electric: Highly Qualified Electricians You Can Count on for Your Wiring and Power Needs
Why Hiring a Qualified Electrician Makes All the Difference
Faulty wiring and DIY projects are some of the leading causes of house fires worldwide. Shoddy electrical work not only raises the risk of fire hazards, but also of shock risk and possible damage to your home’s structural integrity.
Performing your own electrical work on your home may also void home insurance claims, incur code violations, and cost you extra in rework costs.
And hiring an unqualified electrician can be just as damaging as subpar DIY jobs. They may cut corners, use improper materials, and skip required permits.
But when a homeowner does their due diligence and hires a qualified electrician who knows their stuff and has the certifications to back it up, they know they’ll likely get quality work. Qualified electricians take legal and liability matters seriously and understand the importance of being properly covered by the correct insurance types.PDX Electric is a trusted team of fully qualified electricians who always prioritize safety-first workmanship, ongoing learning, adherence to the Oregon electrical code, and professional accountability.
What Makes Someone a Qualified Electrician?
A qualified electrician is properly licensed, insured, and formally trained through classroom and apprentice learning.
They have hands-on knowledge, understand the current electrical code, can provide verifiable references, and are properly insured. They pull permits when necessary and will give you a clear, written, detailed estimate.
7 Shockingly Important Qualifications Every Electrician Should Bring to the Job
#1: Proper Licensing
In Oregon, electricians must be licensed by the Oregon Building Codes Division. A few types of licenses they can hold are:
- General Journeyman Electrician
- Residential Electrician
- Supervising Electrician
To receive their license, an electrician must complete an approved apprenticeship program, work the required number of field hours, and pass the Oregon state licensing exam.
It’s essential to verify that electricians hold the licenses they claim because it shows they have the legal authority to work in Oregon, know the state’s required codes, and are held accountable by the state’s standards. Homeowners can verify license numbers online.
PDX Electric only hires qualified electricians for our team, so you can rest assured knowing your electrical work will be handled by a professional with the skills and know-how to do it right.
#2: Insurance Coverage
Electricians should hold both liability and workers’ compensation insurance and should be able to readily provide proof of coverage.
General liability insurance protects against accidental damage during work as well as property damage. Workers’ comp protects the homeowner from liability if a worker is injured on your property.
If the electrician is not properly covered, then the homeowner might be financially responsible for any damage or injury.
#3: Formal Training & Apprenticeship
A qualified electrician should have completed a formal classroom and apprenticeship program, which is a combination of classroom instruction and four to five years of supervised field work. That formal training typically covers:
- Electrical theory
- Load calculations
- Blueprint reading
- Safety protocols
- And more
PDX Electric invests in trained professionals and in providing them with opportunities for continued education and knowledge advancement.
#4: Relevant Hands-On Experience
When looking for an electrician to hire, make sure they have hands-on experience in the area that you need. Only hire those who have worked on your type of project before. For example, you don’t want to hire an electrician to install your new EV charger when they’ve only ever worked with generators.
#5: Knowledge of Current Codes
Electrical codes get updated frequently, with the National Electrical Code getting a refresh every three years. It’s critical that any electrician you hire knows the current codes. Updated code knowledge ensures:
- Safe installations
- Proper grounding
- AFCI/GFCI compliance
- Proper circuit spacing
Permits and inspections compliance can be hard when you’re not up to date on all the current code changes, but when you hire a pro team like PDX Electric, you know that every t will be crossed, and every i dotted.
#6: Strong References & Reviews
One of the fastest and easiest ways to check if an electrician is worthy of trust and your hard-earned cash is by checking their reviews online. Look for consistent five-star reviews, detailed positive feedback, and local testimonials. Word-of-mouth referrals add credibility to a reputation. If you can’t find any reviews concerning the type of project you’re looking to hire an electrician for, ask for references from that type of work.PDX Electric is a trusted Portland area electrical company with a reputation to show for it.
#7: Clear Communication & Detailed Written Estimates
Qualified electricians need to foster clear communication with their clients, meaning they should always be ready to answer questions, explain pricing and charges, and provide written estimates that explain the scope of work to be done. Avoid vague ballpark pricing.
Written estimates should typically include:
- Scope of work
- Materials
- Timeline
- Permit costs
- Labor costs
By maintaining clear, consistent communication, your electrician shows they value your trust and want to keep you in the loop. PDX Electric offers detailed written proposals and transparent pricing before any contract is signed.
Signs You May Be Dealing With an Unqualified Electrician
Unqualified electricians may often do or say things that come off as a little strange or unprofessional. It’s important to pay attention to these, as they may be signs that something isn’t quite right about the situation. To protect yourself, your home, and your investment, it’s crucial that you keep an eye out for any red flags or warning signs.
Red flags to look out for:
- No license number provided
- Failure to show proof of insurance
- No written contract
- Won’t pull required permits
- Suggests “cash only” to avoid paperwork
- Vague or verbal-only estimates
- High-pressure sales tactics
- Dismisses safety concerns
- Significantly lower bid than competitors
- No physical business address
- Poor or nonexistent online presence
Hiring the right team the first time can save you time, money, and headaches. Peace of mind comes from verified qualifications and workmanship you can trust. This is where PDX Electric stands apart from the others.
PDX Electric: Highly Qualified Electricians You Can Count on for Your Wiring and Power Needs
PDX Electric electricians are all fully licensed in Oregon and have extensive hands-on experience across many residential projects. Our entire team is properly insured and bonded, so you’ll never have to worry about shouldering a financial burden that is our responsibility, not yours. We ensure all of our work is code-compliant and permit-ready. Every estimate comes with a written scope of work and transparent pricing.
Contact us online or call to request your free estimate and learn what qualifies PDX Electric as a top residential and commercial electrical company in the Portland Metro area.
