Just like the wiring in your house or the wiring of a car, commercial electric systems break down over time.

There are several ways to tell if your building requires commercial electric services, such as dim lights, constantly tripping breakers and overall poor energy performance.

But what should you ask when you have someone come to service your commercial electrical system? And how do you know if they will be trustworthy?

At Cogburn Electric Inc., we believe in providing our clients with clear information and stellar services. Our highly-trained team can help with any commercial electrical work you may need. Because of our years of experience, we can offer up some important questions to ask when you have an electrician come to your commercial property.

What’s included in the estimate?

First and foremost, make sure you understand what’s included in your estimate. The last thing you want is to sign up for services and then realize that you won’t get everything you need with the quote you received. And no one wants to be surprised by additional costs. Ask for a clear rundown of what will be included in your estimate and servicing so you know what to budget for.

Are you licensed and insured?

It’s important to have a licensed and insured electrician working on your commercial property. Some electricians perform work without a license or with an expired license, while others work without any kind of insurance. This puts you in a precarious situation, and you’ll likely discover sub-par work from these kinds of contractors.

How much experience do you have?

One key indicator of a well-practiced electrician is experience. Specifically, look for one that has experience working on commercial properties. Even better, ask if they have worked on buildings that are approximately as old as your property, especially since some older buildings may have issues that newer buildings don’t experience.

Who will do the updates?

Sometimes electricians have multiple contractors on their team, which is fine. As long as they have a good reputation, you should be confident in hiring them. That said, it’s important to know who will be performing the services on your property and that you understand what their experience level is like, too. If you’re not feeling comfortable with a newer electrician working on your property, be sure to mention this during your discussion.

How long will the update take?

There may be outages and temporary energy issues while an electrician is making updates, and some updates may even require opening up walls to access wiring. So it’s important to know how long the updates will take and what’s involved in the process. That way, you and your tenants will be better prepared for any adjustments you need to make.

Although updates can be an expensive investment, it’s incredibly worthwhile. No one wants old, faulty wiring in their building. It’s a safety hazard and an ongoing nuisance for you and your tenants. That’s why it’s important to find a knowledgeable electrician with the experience to handle your updates with confidence.

Cogburn Electric Inc. would be happy to answer any questions you may have about commercial electric updates, and we’d love to hear from you! Contact us to learn more about our services.