Electricity is a commodity that everyone uses daily. For example, we need electricity to make our first cup of coffee in the morning and to power up our computers during the day. In addition, electricity keeps our food cold in the fridge and our televisions streaming content. 

Electricity is also something we don’t think about much. We flip a switch or push a button, and electricity is there. What happens when the power fails? That is when we hire a commercial electrician in Denver to make the repairs or upgrades.  

What Are the Biggest Cost Factors When Hiring an Electrician?

There are many factors to consider when hiring a commercial electrician in Denver. The first is the time it will take to complete the task. 

For example, rewiring an entire home will take longer than installing a ceiling fan. The reason that time is a significant factor is that most electricians charge by the hour. 

Travel time is another factor for an electrician’s cost in Denver, Colorado. An electrician will charge for the time they are on the road to get to your property. Of course, that will not be the same rate for the actual work, but it is still a factor, especially when they need to travel far from their home base. 

Specific electric repair jobs require parts and materials. Electricians carry a stock of parts in their service vehicles. However, those parts are not free. The electrician will add the cost of any needed part to your final bill. 

Finally, there is the job itself. Even though electricians charge a flat rate, not every rate is the same. Replacing a light switch is not as complicated as bringing an entire commercial building’s electric system up to code. The rates will always reflect the complexity of the electric repair.

What Qualifications Should an Electrician Have? 

Experience matters with any type of service professional. That is especially true with electricians. There are three types of electricians in Denver, Colorado. Those are:

  • Apprentice
  • Journeyman
  • Master Electrician 

Each of those electrician types comes with a specific license that reflects training and work experience. For instance, at the lowest level is the apprentice. You need at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training to be a licensed apprentice. You also need close to 300 hours of classroom training. 

The highest level for an electrician is Master Electrician. That is someone who has an electrical degree from an accredited college or trade school. They also need at least 10,000 of experience. 

A Master Electrician will often train an apprentice and journeyman. Those electricians are only allowed to work on specific projects with supervision from a Master Electrician.   

How Long Do Electrical Projects Take To Complete? 

There is a standard approach to completing any electrical project. How long that project will take depends on the scope and complexity of the job. It also depends on the level of experience the electrician working on the job possesses. 

Consider the task of wiring a new commercial building. These are the five phases for this type of project:

  • Set up temporary power
  • Rough-in the wiring
  • Add additional temporary power 
  • Finish the installation 
  • Modify the project 

Depending on the size of the house or commercial building, that work could take several days or weeks to finish. An experienced electrician will always know how long the job should take before they start the gig. That estimate will also include a contingency for the unexpected. They could be weather or supply chain delays. They have to be part of the equation, too.

Every electrical project starts with a quote for the work ahead. The electrician writes up the quote after they inspect the worksite and budget for the labor time and materials. This quote can be a formal bid or contract. Once this estimate is agreed to and signed off on, the work can begin. 

Should Your Electricians Be Bonded and Insured?

An electrician can be both bonded and insured. Those policies offer the most protection for the client. In addition, an electrician needs to carry general liability and professional liability insurance. 

The general liability policy protects the electrician in the advent of accidents. For example, those accidents could involve a client tripping over a spool of wire or the electrician breaking a client’s property. This insurance will cover any damages associated with those accidents. 

A professional liability insurance policy protects the electrician from faulty workmanship. If there is a problem and the client sues, then this insurance policy kicks in. It is helpful for the client to know they are protected as well. 

An electrical contractor will also carry worker’s compensation. That applies to worker injuries that occur on the job. 

A bond is like an additional insurance policy that protects an electrician’s client. The bond means an electrician has to provide satisfactory work. If they don’t, the customer can file a claim the bonding company will pay. Therefore, getting the name of the bonding company when you hire a bonded electrician is essential. 

Given the nature of the work, you should only consider bonded and insured electricians. That protects you and them. 

Why Choose ABC2 Electric?

ABC2 Electric offers commercial electric services for all of Denver, Colorado. The company’s founder, Allan Blake, brings over 50 years of electrical work experience to every project. That is experience that matters. 

ABC2 Electric supports general contractors, engineers, architects, and property managers. In addition, we provide work on new construction and upgrades for existing electrical systems. 

Our goal will always be to get the job done right, on time, and on budget. We will always provide a straight answer to any question. Having satisfied customers is how we maintain our business. 

We can only create happy customers when we complete the job with the utmost standards of excellent quality. So, are you ready to start your next electrical project? ABC2 Electric is prepared to discuss the options.