If you are planning a home renovation, to update your kitchen, upgrading your service panel or simply upgrading a few light fixtures, hiring a professional electrician is very important. A quality job is always important when it comes to your home and safety, and poorly installed electrical work installed by unlicensed or non-qualified technicians can put you and your family’s life in jeopardy.
Always be sure to check out your prospective electrical contractor with your local consumer affairs office, check to see that their license is current and their insurance certificate is valid. Referral and recommendations are good to keep in mind, but always make sure to ask for current client references and call at least three past clients to get a good idea of the quality of work, ethics and professionalism of the team.
For a large job such as a new extension, kitchen or bathroom renovation, it is important to show the electrician where any new wall areas are, a complete layout of all the kitchen cabinetry and appliances, as well as specifications on the actual appliances you’ve purchased. Correct locations of recessed lighting cannot be ascertained without accurate plans of cabinetry and new wall locations.
Consult with your electrician prior to the start of the job so they can take a look at the electrical panel and let you know in advance if you have enough room for the new plan or what will be needed in order to correctly wire the new space. Discuss when you will need them there to start the work in coordination with the plumber, carpenter or home improvement contractor, so the job goes smoothly.
If you need help with design plans, lighting selections and electrical layouts, consult with a local kitchen and bath designer who does lighting plans, architectural firm, construction management firm or interior design specialist. Ordering fixtures can be a chore in of itself with the numerous custom order finishes and styles available. Make sure you do it correctly and in a timely fashion to assure that your job does not get delayed or get stuck with fixtures that don’t coordinate with the rest of the home.
When in a doubt, hire a professional and save yourself hours of time and the cost of having to fix poorly designed lighting that doesn’t work, relocating incorrectly placed light fixtures or being stuck with fixtures that don’t work with your plan or don’t match your home’s style. Appropriate lighting in kitchens is absolutely vital to a safe and functional end result, so be sure to do your homework in advance or work with a professional consultant.
