If you need electrical work done at your home in Irving, TX, it’s important to understand what the professionals you’re talking to actually do. There’s a big difference between an electrician, general contractor and electrical contractor.
If you are in need of an expert to perform electrical work, it’s important to understand the different job titles that you might come across. For example, what is the difference between an electrician, contractor and electrical contractor? The team at Tioga Plumbing & Electric in Irving, TX, is here to help you tell the difference.
What’s an Electrician Versus a General Contractor?
Both electricians and general contractors may perform some of the same functions. However, a general contractor is typically responsible for a large renovation that involves several rooms of your home. Some general contractors are also electricians. However, the two roles entail different skills and tasks. A general contractor can perform simple electrical jobs. However, if you need a master electrician, it’s important to hire the right team for the job.
Master electricians are experienced in performing rigorous testing on older or newly installed electrical systems. If you need an electrician, it’s important to ask for documentation that shows their license is current and they have the appropriate insurance to work in your home. Additionally, electricians need to understand the NEC code and state and local regulations to help them avoid fines and safety issues.
An electrical contractor can perform large jobs on residential and commercial buildings. So, suppose you need to install or replace the complete electrical system, including the subpanels, lighting and GFCI outlets. In that case, it might make sense to go with an electrician who is also a contractor like those available at Tioga Plumbing & Electric.
When Would You Choose a General Contractor?
A general contractor describes someone proficient in several trades. However, when it comes to electrical work, you need someone fully qualified to work on your electrical panel box, wiring and anything else that might go wrong. A general contractor is fine if you need someone to switch out a few light bulbs as part of a larger renovation project. However, general contractors don’t typically specialize in complex electrical installations, repairs or replacements.
When Do I Need a Master Certified Electrician?
Ideally, it’s important to have the highest qualification possible for every electrical job. Of all the things you have done to your home, getting the electrical system installed correctly should take top priority. Avoid fire hazards and ensure you have enough power to run all your electrical devices and appliances by hiring a master certified electrician with years of experience and training under their caps.
All of our electrical contractors are also licensed electricians, which has the following benefits for you and other customers:
If you want the job done right, you have to hire the right person to do it. Master electricians represent the industry’s peak. So, if they are also contractors, you get the best of both worlds. It’s worth it to spend the money on someone who has the proper training and experience to complete the work in your home. Here are additional benefits to hiring master electricians, especially if they double as contractors:
- High-quality products. When you hire us as your electrical contractor, we only use top-notch products and equipment to install wiring and other electrical components in your home.
- Access to years of experience. In order to become an electrician and contractor, professionals must put in years of experience as an apprentice, journeyman and master electrician. Additionally, they have to understand electrical design and heavy-duty installation work, something that general contractors and electricians focusing on specific areas cannot provide. If you need your home completely rewired, you want a master certified electrician who is also an electrical contractor. This will give you the best possible outcome.
- Insured work. It’s important to ask about the types of insurance held by any electrician you hire. You want someone with enough insurance to protect their workers should an injury occur on your property. However, you also need a master electrician with general liability coverage in case of damage to your home. Otherwise, you may have to rely on your homeowner’s insurance if anything goes wrong.
When Do You Need an Electrical Contractor?
These contractors provide comprehensive services for offices, homes and industrial buildings. Depending on their specializations, they can design and install complex electrical systems. If you’re looking for a licensed and experienced company to complete a major overhaul at your home, it’s important to understand the different classifications of these professionals, as follows:
- Outside: This type of contractor can install light fixtures, electrical outlets and other power sources for your outdoor living space.
- Inside: other contractors only work on electrical systems specific to your home’s interior. This would include everything within your main living space, basement, addict and attached buildings.
- General: If you need someone who can work on both indoor and outdoor systems, a company that provides both sets of skills.
The considerations for outdoor electrical work include understanding how poor weather affects your installation or repair work.
How Are Electrical Contractors and Electricians Different
It may be hard to understand the difference because the rules are very similar. However, these contractors have greater responsibilities that include:
- Installing, maintaining electrical systems
- Project management outside of electrical responsibilities
- Labor management, training and recruitment
Due to greater responsibilities, electrical contractors may have far different workdays than electricians. So, their activities can vary depending on their specialty and what stage of the project they’ve been called to handle.
Contact Tioga Plumbing & Electric today to discuss your electrical needs for larger projects in Irving, TX, and the surrounding communities.
Photo By francescomoufotografo at istock