When it comes to hiring an electrician, there are several factors that customers will take into account before making a decision on who is best suited to the job at hand. 

While priorities might vary from job to job — one homeowner might want a task completed asap, while others don’t mind holding out for someone that comes highly recommended — there are certain things that every electrician should be doing to help their services stand out.

Below are some of the key criteria and traits that people will look for when hiring an electrician. 

Quality of work

Perhaps this seems obvious, but taking pride in any work you carry out, whether it be a quick fix or full rewire, is essential for electricians in building a successful career.

Reliability 

A vital trait to have in any profession, reliability goes a particularly long way when working in the trades. Being reliable, paired with delivering high-quality work, is one of the most efficient ways to grow your reputation as an electrician, helping you find new work and repeat customers who know they can trust your services. 

Insurance

There are several insurance policies that electricians should consider in regards to protecting themselves, their employees and their customers. The kinds of insurance you’ll need will depend on the size of your business and the types of work you’re carrying out. However, the key ones you should look into include public liability insurance, employers’ liability insurance, professional indemnity insurance and tools and vehicle coverage.

Transparent pricing

Price will always be a factor for homeowners searching for an electrician, especially in the face of a cost-of-living crisis. There is a balance here; you don’t want to undervalue your services, but being transparent with costs and communicating any potential changes as soon as they arise will help provide peace of mind to your customers.

Recommendations and reviews 

Whether it’s word-of-mouth recommendations, a strong profile on a trades directory or social media testimonials, taking the time to encourage your customers to review your work can be priceless in growing your presence within the electrical industry. 

Qualifications and certifications 

Electricians are highly skilled professionals, and should have completed in-depth training before they begin working in the field. Being able to prove you hold industry-recognised qualifications, such as NVQ certifications, will reassure both customers and employers that you have trained to a high standard and that you possess the skills and knowledge needed to complete work to a safe and competent standard. 

There are additional certifications you may want to consider to help boost your employability and chances of securing work. This includes registering with the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) — while not mandatory, NICEIC-approved electricians must meet strict standards laid out by the organisation, making it a great way to reinforce your abilities. 

For electricians planning to work on construction sites, they’ll need to make sure they’re registered with the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS), as this is now required by nearly all UK work sites.

There are occasions where an electrician might have been working in the industry for some time, and therefore hasn’t necessarily completed modern formal qualifications. In these instances, there are fast-track packages tailored to those who possess the relevant skills and know-how to gain the latest industry accreditations without completing a full-time training course.  

For those that find themselves in this situation, Able Skills offers a Level 3 Electrotechnical in Dwellings Experienced Worker qualification, and an NVQ Level 3 Electrical Qualification Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA).