There is nothing fun about finding that you are without power in the midst of a cold snap. While occasionally everyone suffers a power outage, sometimes the problem is more local. In this instance, you will need an emergency electrician. If your water heater goes, you will need a replacement, ideally pretty swiftly. Of all the things to consider when you are buying a new water heater, finding an electrician is vital. This is particularly true if there are signs of a more serious problem with your electrical system.   The problem with calling out anyone in an emergency is that you don’t really have time to vet them. Often people will call the first plumber or electrician that they spot, without considering if they are reputable.   Where should you look for an emergency electrician? Do you really need one, and if so, when should you call them? 

Can you do electrical work yourself?

With the millions of DIY enthusiasts happily taking on home improvement projects, it would be tempting to believe that work involving electrics could be done by anyone.   However, carrying out most electrical work is illegal if you are not fully licensed, and could end up in a fine of up to $40,000. If your work goes wrong you could end up with the biggest penalty you could imagine; electricity is dangerous and can kill. 

Reasons to call an emergency electrician

There are a multitude of reasons to call in an emergency electrician. These include flickering lights which may point to a larger problem, sparks or smoke coming from an outlet, circuit breakers that keep tripping, or exposed wires.   While not an emergency, you may also need to call in an electrician to fit certain appliances such as water heaters. Tankless electric water heaters are all the rage, but you need an electrician to install them. No hot water in the winter definitely constitutes an emergency. 

Selecting an emergency electrician

Assuming that you are choosing an electrician before an emergency has occurred, so that you have time to conduct a little research, here is how to choose one. 

Ask the electrician about their expertise

Talk to the electrician about what areas they generally specialise in. It may be that your electrician mainly works in the commercial field instead of residential. They may be involved in long-term contracts, and not suitable for emergency work.   Ask what services they offer, and make sure that they can be called on in a time of emergency, and arrive within a reasonable period of time.   Also, look at whether they are part of one of the trade associations. The National Electrical and Communications Australia is the top trade association for those working in this industry. 

Look locally

Australia has many top electricians, but that won’t help you if they are in a different territory. Look for a local electrician so that they can be with you swiftly should an emergency occur.   Google My Business allows companies to list their contact details and other information easily for local customers to find them. There should be plenty of electricians that operate solely in your area. Simply search for an electrician near me to receive a list of tradespeople you can use in an emergency. 

Search for complaints

While you are busy with Google, have a search for any complaints or news on the company. Specifically, you should be worried if you find any court proceedings or links to companies that have been shut down in the past. 

Ask for references

Don’t be too shy to ask for references. While many websites like to show testimonials online, a written reference is more reassuring. 

Look at reviews if possible

Although one report suggests that 40 percent of all reviews online are faked, it is still worth checking them out. Fortunately, the news is that this statistic is likely to be wrong.   We Forum have put the number of fake reviews at a much lower 4%, and when searching for an electrician you are far less likely to come across suspect reviews.   Online reviews can be a handy way to determine whether to employ an electrician or not. They are often the first port of call when looking for products or services. 

Ask your other workers for recommendations

Are you employing any other contractors currently, or have you done so in the past? Ask them for a recommendation. They will almost certainly know an electrician.   Alternatively, go down the age-old route of asking your neighbours or family. At some point in time, one of them will have used an electrician, or they know of one nearby. 

Summary

Hopefully, you won’t have any major electrical emergencies, but if you go through these steps you can at least have someone in place just in case.   If you do have an emergency, switch the power off if it is safe, then call an electrician. On no accounts should you tackle the work yourself – for your and your family’s safety.