I’m not unskilled labour

I’m not unskilled labour
Shutterstock

I’ve spent four to eight years in apprentice school learning how to plan, install, inspec, and repair electrical products. Don’t insult my intelligence by implying otherwise.

Advertisement

Please don’t try to do it on your own

Please don’t try to do it on your own
Shutterstock

Electricity is complicated and dangerous. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you could start a fire or get electrocuted – sometimes fatally. Pretty much anything beyond plugging something into the wall should be left to a professional. The cost of my visit is nothing compared to the price of your safety.

Here are 12 more home improvement projects you should never DIY.

Call as early as possible

Call as early as possible
Shutterstock

Don’t call at the end of the day if you want same-day service. After 4:30 or 5:30pm, I need to pay my workers overtime, so I’ll charge you more to make up for it. Calling first thing in the morning lets me fit your job into my day – and you’ll see a lower bill.

Look at reviews, not just price

Look at reviews, not just price
Shutterstock

Online reviews are useful when you’re on the hunt for a trustworthy electrician. If the person with the lowest quote also has the worst ratings, it’s worth shelling out a bit more. If that cheaper electrician messes up, you’ll just need to call me (and my higher price) and pay more overall.

Look out for these 13 signs that you’re about to hire a dodgy tradie.

I can’t fix everything

I can’t fix everything
Shutterstock

I don’t specialise in installing dishwashers or washing machines, so please don’t call me about them. You’re better off finding a plumber.

Here are 30 secrets your plumber won’t tell you.

Get as local as you can

Get as local as you can
Shutterstock

The farther I need to travel to get to you, the more time is taken out of my day – and I’ll factor that into your bill. Finding someone closer to your neighbourhood might be able to charge you less.

If the job gets bigger, don’t argue if the bill gets higher

If the job gets bigger, don’t argue if the bill gets higher
Shutterstock

My original quote is based on the project you called me in for. If I find out there’s actually a larger issue at hand, I’ll need to increase my price to match the scope of the project. I’m not ripping you off, I’m just making sure I get compensated for the extra work.

Here are 10 silent signs your home has a major electrical problem.

Give me the pay I deserve

Give me the pay I deserve
Shutterstock

Some customers get sticker shock, but I’m not trying to rip you off. You only see the half-hour of work I did in your home, but that’s not the whole story. I spent years training, and now I need to pay my crew (who went out of their way to get to your home), plus deal with marketing and other costs of running a business—and my prices reflect that.

Learn 11 more secrets contractors wish home buyers knew.

Prepare the work area in advance

Prepare the work area in advance
Shutterstock

Clearing the work space and moving any furniture before I arrive means I can get in and out faster, so I can charge you for less of my time.

We’re happy to help with seemingly simple tasks

We’re happy to help with seemingly simple tasks
Shutterstock

Installing a ceiling fan might not sound complicated, but it’s nothing like putting together a barbecue yourself. You’re trying to figure out the motor while hoisting a 30kg fan three metres above the floor. Call me up – I can finish the job faster and safer than you could.

Meet 10 DIYers who thought they were electricians until they failed.

Sign up for emails