Common Mistakes People Make When They Renovate Their Homes
Your home deserves a facelift periodically, and a home remodel provides the perfect opportunity to personalize your home. While it is essential to give attention to the appearance of the house when getting it refurbished, sidelining electrical work is a mistake many are guilty of making.
Skimping on the electrical aspects during renovation could give rise to many issues and problems in the future. Therefore, it’s best to enlist the services of a licensed electrician so they can check and repair electrical set-ups, wiring, and lighting systems in your house when you’re getting renovation work done.
With over two decades of experience, Growler Electrical Automation Ltd. has encountered many challenges when renovating homes which could’ve been dodged had the client been more careful. To keep away from these situations while getting your home refurbished and obtain the best electrical services, we have compiled a list of common mistakes to avoid when renovating your home.
1. Underestimating the work required
We’ve come across many clients who make the mistake of underestimating the work required, thereby giving rise to many problems. If you underestimate the amount of work needed, you will likely get the work done in installments or over the course of several months. This will not only take more time but also cost more. The escalation in the cost can cause financial stress. To prevent this mistake, keep the electrical contractors in the loop from the start. They’ll estimate the work required accurately and will probably offer you a reasonable price for all the electrical work under one contract.
2. Not having a clear set of plans
One of the most common issues we face is the lack of a definite plan from the client before contacting us. It’s best to talk with all the family members and take into consideration their requirements and insert these into your plan. Once you acquaint the electrical contractor with your needs, it becomes easier for them to assess what electrical work is required. Based on that, the raw materials and workforce needed can be gauged easily. Dodging the mistake of not having a suitable plan will save you a considerable amount of time and money.
3. Hiring contractors without checking references
When selecting any technician, it’s imperative to get reviews from their previous clients and check their business rating online. Along with a substantial amount of experience and great skills, a good electrician will have many satisfied clients who will happily vouch for their work. You should avoid making the mistake of hiring a technician without adequate references or credentials. Analyze multiple reviews meticulously before taking a pick. This way, you’ll be assured of receiving work of the highest quality which will help you in the long run.
4. Not fully understanding your legal rights as a customer
Your consumer rights are protected by the law and it’s best to acquaint yourself with them before you dive into signing a contract with the electrician. Ensure that a written contract has been prepared and read it carefully to check the estimate. You want to remember that the final cost cannot be more than 10% higher than the original estimate. If you’re getting major renovation work done, it’s best to take advice from a lawyer or a paralegal. Don’t make the mistake of being unaware of your legal rights. It’s better to spend some time gathering information about your rights as a customer than to get duped.
5. The cheapest bid isn’t always the best option
Although going with the most economical option seems attractive, it’s not the best choice to make. The contractors with significantly lower quote rates usually use substandard materials reducing the quality of work. This may lead to the electrical set-ups not working the way they were intended and compromise the safety of your house. You will have to get that work redone within a short time, resulting in a multifold increase in cost. It’s advisable to select a contractor that uses premium quality material and provides exemplary service, even if it means paying a bit more.
6. Not double-checking the quality of workmanship.
Even if the electrician hired is exceptionally experienced and skilled, it’s necessary to check that you personally supervise the renovation work. You want to check all electrical set-ups, installations, circuits, and devices while they’re being worked upon. If they aren’t working as you meant them to and if there are any changes that you want the electrician to make, they can be made early.
To avoid these and other mistakes made while getting electrical work done, reach out to the experts at Growler Electrical Automation Ltd. We provide expert electrical control solutions and services to mechanical contractors, commercial businesses, and residential clients across Calgary, Airdrie and Rocky View County, Alberta. With over twenty years of experience, our master electrician, Chris Butler, ensures that our clients are provided with the best service. For a complete list of services we provide, please click here. If you have any questions about the electrical field, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch with us by clicking here.