Electrical Repairs Minus the Hefty Budget (Link Roundup)

Every home, every now and then, needs electrical repairs. There are dangers involved, hence, these projects are not safe for any DIY enthusiast to take on. Many people are better off hiring licensed electricians.

A major concern among those who hire electricians, though, is their professional fee. These experts’ services are often expensive so if you want to save some money, here are a few tips that you can follow –

Don’t be Blinded by Hourly Rates

A lot of homeowners just center their attention to the hourly rates that licensed electricians charge. These charges range from $30 to $70. What they fail to realize is that the most skilled electricians complete with the right tools who charges $70 every hour is a much better choice than someone who charges for $40 but is inexperienced and is still not familiar with all the crucial tools for an electrical job. In this case, the hourly rate is commensurate to the electrician’s work quality and reliability so do not feel any regrets in paying a higher amount of fee. Just imagine the amount of money and time that you will spend on someone who creates a haphazard job – well, you get the picture.

Consider the Travel Charges

These are the very reasons why you are encouraged to hire local electricians. Travel charges create a huge impact on the overall cost for electrical repairs. A lot of electricians spend much of their time snaking through traffic, hence, they have to find a way to compensate for the money that they could have earned had they reached their destination in just a few minutes.

Make a guess where they charge the hefty gasoline fees?

A few electricians charge a much higher rate during the first hour then there are those who charge a flat trip rate. Still, a few others charge a minimum amount for each of their visits while the rest simply charge higher hourly rates to cover their travel expenses.

When it is your first time to call a licensed electrician, ask all the charges upfront and find out if you have the money to pay for them. For instance, trip charge and lower hourly rate for longer projects actually make sense. For short-term jobs, you will be better off with a professional who absorbs his travel costs through his hourly rate.

Pay for Bundle Jobs

In order to save more money and time on electrical work, you should learn to bundle different projects. Each time that you discover an electrical issue, be sure to plot it on a list. When you think that it is the perfect time to get in touch with an electrician, then review that list and find out how many repairs already need to be done. Have a mini inspection of sorts inside your home by searching for faulty switches, crowded outlets or malfunctioning appliances.

When the electrician arrives, you will then have to save money since there is no need to pay him for four different visits as the projects are already bundled in one major repair.

Have Money Saving Fixtures Installed

It is now time to switch to money-saving electrical fixtures. Instead of using incandescent bulbs, slowly invest in CFL or LED lighting. You will soon notice a remarkable drop in the amount of electric bills that you pay.

Prepare Before the Electrician Shows Up

This is more applicable if you are paying the electrician by the hour. Remember that the less time he spends in your home, the more money you get to save. Prior to his arrival, make a precise list of the repairs that you want to be done. Be sure also that the electrical panel box is within reach and away from dangerous or fragile items. Remove all unnecessary items within the area where the electrician is supposed to do electrical repairs.