When you are in need of electrical work in Philadelphia and the surrounding area, you may be confused as to who you should call. You have the option of hiring a general contractor, but we recommend more specialized professionals for your home’s electrical problems. In this instance, there are two types of professionals you can hire: a residential electrician or commercial electrician.

What is the Difference Between a Residential and Commercial Electrician’s Work?

While they have similar job responsibilities, residential and commercial electricians differ in various ways, such as their education requirements and work environments. Generally, residential electricians handle projects in places such as apartment complexes, townhomes, and single-family units. Commercial electricians work on projects in commercial and industrial facilities such as hotels, chemical plants, mines, office parks, and retail stores.

An experienced electrical contractor in Philadelphia will provide an overview of their residential work repairing electrical systems to help you understand why you should hire them for the job.

The Role of a Residential Electrician in Philadelphia

Residential electricians are also known as home electricians. They are skilled and licensed professionals who inspect, install, maintain, and repair various electrical systems in your home. Depending on their level of expertise, they may also lead entire teams and plan diagram projects.

Typically, the duties of residential electricians include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Installation of lighting fixtures, appliances, air conditioners, generators, new circuits, and other electrical components.
  • Inspection and testing of electrical installations, switches, fuse boards, circuit breakers, and systems.
  • Interpretation of technical drawings and electrical schematics.
  • Repair appliances, lights, switches, and wall sockets while ensuring they are safe for use.
  • Fault-finding, diagnosis, and troubleshooting.
  • Small and large rewiring jobs, including installation of new wiring systems.
  • General electrical maintenance and troubleshooting.
  • Upgrading outdated or poorly installed electrical systems.
  • Issuing Electrical Compliance Certificate for installations that are compliant with the necessary regulations.
  • Keeping up with the current rules for electrical systems and safety protocols.

What Are the Educational Requirements of a Licensed Residential Electrician?

Residential electricians need a minimum of a high school diploma or GED. That should be followed by completing a two-year technical school program and apprenticeship. The apprenticeship would be with a tradesperson or an electrical business installing, repairing, or maintaining home electrical systems to prepare them to work on larger residential projects.

Once a technician puts in the required hours into learning and training, they can become licensed to begin earning while they train. Residential electricians are further classified depending on their training and experience:

  • Apprentice: The technicians train and gain hands-on-experience under the supervision of an experienced professional for a few years before moving to the next level.
  • Journeyman: Once a technician completes an apprenticeship program, they become a journeyman electrician if approved as competent in the trade.
  • Master Electrician: Masters are journeymen who gain experience after years in the field. They demonstrate high levels of competence throughout their work to become master electricians.

Why Should You Hire a Residential Electrician in Philadelphia?

You might think that getting professional help for your electrical projects is a waste of time and money because you can watch a tutorial and get the job done. While that may be the case with small DIY projects, it may not be something you want to do with your home’s entire electrical system.

Even when you think you can do it, you’d be safer using the expertise of a licensed residential electrician. Here are the reasons why:

Safety

Electrical work is dangerous, and thousands of non-fatal electrocutions happen each year. If something goes wrong as you handle your residential electrical project independently, you’ll have no one to blame but yourself. Becoming a residential electrician requires almost 100 hours of classroom training and over 8,000 hours of practice.

Besides, it’s illegal to work on electrical systems without a license. If your inexperience leads to a house fire, your insurance may not compensate you for the loss. Other issues could arise, such as sustaining injuries from mishandling the tools or system.

Save Time and Money

Letting skilled residential electricians handle your home projects saves you time and money. They have the skills and expertise to complete your project without rushing through, all while avoiding the mistakes that could make the problem bigger.

When you hire a professional, you get the job done the first time. That saves you from spending more money on the project than necessary. You also get access to more energy-efficient materials, which you may not be able to do when you work on the project alone.

The Right Tools for the Job

A qualified and licensed residential electrician has all the equipment to do the work perfectly. These include voltage testers, wire strippers, wire cutters, and electrical tapes. These are tools you may not have, which puts you at risk of harm if you handle the project alone.

Someone with years of training and experience knows which tools to use for which job. They also know what problems to expect, how to diagnose them, and how to fix them. You can rely on their expertise to ensure you get top-notch services.

Contact Our Experienced, Licensed Electrician for Your Home’s Electrical Projects

A skilled residential electrician should handle anything that runs on electricity, whether it’s being installed, repaired, or maintained. A general contractor can refer you to your project’s reliable, skilled, and professional electrician. They interact with various professionals and know the ones who can complete your projects successfully.

Hauser Contractors hosts highly trained and skilled residential electricians serving residents throughout the Philadelphia area. We can handle any electrical repair, maintenance, or installation project in your home, whether big or small.

Whether replacing a lighting fixture or installing a wiring system, we will ensure the job is done right. Call us at (610) 510-6020 to start your free estimate or schedule a consultation.