by Shaun Cardenas, Owner, Power Bound Electric, LLC
Who Should I Hire?
If you are reading this, you are probably interested in hiring a contractor. I know when choosing a contractor it can be overwhelming and seem like a game of chance. Will I get a craftsman? Will they be honest? Will they build to a standard acceptable to their respective trade? Can I trust these people in my home, my business? So many variables, that it would seem a daunting task to anyone.
There are some things you can do to help find a reputable and honest contractor. Due to the fact that I am licensed in two states (Arizona and Alaska) as an electrical contractor who has been through the licensing process, I have in-depth knowledge of the safeguards set in place to protect the consumer. In Alaska, for example, I am required to be licensed as both an electrical administrator and a licensed specialty contractor. My business must have a license, and I need a municipal license and a borough license, as well. And to get any of these licenses, I must be bonded and insured. To be a contractor, I must submit proof of my insurance to the state. It is required by law that my insurance representative notify the state if my insurance is canceled or in non-payment. If this happens, my license will be suspended. So this leads me to my first point:
Request a Contractor’s License Numbers
In Arizona, you can go to azroc.gov and search by company name, owner’s name or license number to check out if a contractor is legitimate. Honest contractors will go through all steps necessary to assure their customers of their good intentions by filling out the appropriate paperwork.
Ask for a Contractor’s Insurance
It is perfectly acceptable to ask for a certificate of insurance from a contractor’s insurance agent. Ask for the name of their agent and request that they have the agent contact you. This document should come from the insurance agent on record, not the contractor. These rules are in place for the protection of the consumer.
Make Sure You Like Your Contractor
Before you choose a contractor, make sure that you like them and that your personalities mesh. Chances are that if there are problems, the end product won’t be everything you wanted. Building anything requires communication and a team effort to achieve exactly what you envision for your project. You are trusting your contractor to take your vision and build it with their knowledge. Only you know your vision, so communication is a must.
Financing & Warranties
There are laws in place as far as acceptable down payments and warranty time frames go. Standards vary from state to state, but for the most part it is standard to not accept more than 10 percent down for any job and a year warranty for defects in craftsmanship and work. I never ask for money down, and I personally won’t accept any money until the work has been performed. This is one very effective way I’ve developed trust with my customers. It’s my way of showing my confidence in the fact that I will perform as I stated before accepting any money. You need to trust your contractor to remain ethical and have integrity.
If you do take my advice and ask for license, bonding and insurance information, the contractor should be open and understanding and not make you feel any way other than welcome. If a contractor makes you feel bad about asking or starts making excuses, pay attention to these red flags and follow your gut. It’s usually right!
I hope my insights are useful in your search for a contractor that will make your project stress free and enjoyable. Even if you don’t use my services, I hope your build is a success!
Power Bound Electric LLC
Power Bound Electric LLC is an electrical contractor that is fully committed to giving our diverse Casa Grande clientele prompt, consistently top-quality electrical work designed to meet and exceed industry standards for safety and efficiency, regardless of the size or scale of the electrical work you need done.
Our personable team of fully licensed and insured in-house electricians are leading experts in residential and commercial electrical applications. Drawing on a wealth of experience and training in electrical work of all kinds, we are optimally positioned to give Casa Grande and surrounding communities a more complete electrical service.
With our time-honored commitment to client care, the Power Bound team acts quickly to put your mind at ease and provide electrical services that are completely adapted to meet your specific needs. We will work closely with you to give you a range of proven effective and up-to-date solutions to your home or business’ electrical requirements. And at Power Bound Electric, we never cut corners in our endeavor to give you the very best and fully code-compliant
electrical work possible.
520.836.2677 (AMPS)
PowerBoundElectric.com
ROC#289407, 319871
