Understanding the difference between a licensed electrician and one who isn’t is something homeowners need to be aware of. The consequences of shoddy electrical work include things like faulty wiring and fires. This is something homeowners need to be aware of because there’s nothing more devastating than having an electrical fire in your home and your insurance company refusing to pay for the damages because you used an unlicensed electrician.
Five Star Home Services is your local licensed electrician. We charge affordable prices and have the maximum insurance coverage.
Types of Licensing for Electricians
Because there are different types of electrician licensure in Ohio that vary according to the skills and knowledge, its important for homeowners to understand what license their electrician has and exactly what that license says he can do safely and professionally. All licenses in the U.S. can be either certified, meaning that they work anywhere in the state where the license was obtained, or they can be registered. If they are only registered, it means they’re only allowed to work in a specific region where they’re registered. The four different types of licenses include:
- Certified or registered electrical contractor
- A certified or registered electrical specialty contractor
- Certified or registered alarm contractor I
- Certified or registered alarm contractor II
Performing any electrical work outside of the scope of the specific electrical license stipulates is against the law. Because of this, it’s essential to make sure you’re keeping everything legal to protect you and your home from losing insurance coverage. Insurance will not pay out if there’s damage and it’s after work was performed by someone who wasn’t working legally. This is why it’s essential to ask to see your electrician’s license.
Becoming a Licensed Electrician
Anyone can take the electrical licensing examination. However, passing this test is another subject. Passing this examination demands in-depth knowledge and understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC). The NEC is a set of standardized guidelines adopted for the entire U.S. for the proper installation of electrical wiring and the operation of electrical equipment and tools. The person taking the test needs to use them on the job. Although this guideline is accepted throughout the nation, there are small differences in it from state to state. In order to be licensed as an electrician, the person trying to get their license must have a set amount of electrical work experience for a certain number of years. To do this, they have to work as an electrician apprentice working for a company or with a licensed electrician. This can range anywhere from three to six years of work experience in the field, depending on the type of work.
Why Is It So Essential to Hire a Licensed Electrician?
It is essential to make sure any electrician you hire to work in your home is licensed. This is not only to ensure that there is professional quality work being done to your wires and your system but also because of a host of other reasons like safety. Being licensed means that an exam was taken to determine their knowledge and expertise and that exam was passed. It ensures they have the necessary qualifications to do the work professionally. Hiring an electrician like Five Star Home Services also means the work is guaranteed. Most electrical work needs a local permit to be performed. This permit ensures that the homeowner’s or contractor’s liability insurances are more likely to pay out if something goes wrong, which seldom happens in the work we perform. This coverage is not only for the duration of the actual work but also after the work is completed. Cities and municipalities just don’t hand out permits to unlicensed electricians or any old electrical handyman. Last but not least, being licensed means that the electrician will work according to the safety guidelines outlined by the NEC. Although this does not mean that an unlicensed electrician isn’t safe, it shows you they have nothing to lose if they’re not safe. Remember, it is always better to be safe than to be sorry.
Call Five Star Home Services for All Your Electrical Needs in Greater Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus, Ohio
After reading this, we hope you realize why professional work is so important. If you need some wires fixed or installed, hiring a licensed electrician will benefit you in the long run. If you need the service of a fully qualified, local licensed electrician or are interested in the electrical services we offer, give us at Five Star Home Services a call today!
