Looking for a sparky? Our tips for finding a qualified electrician in Melbourne

Has your house blown a fuse?

Planning for a home cinema of your very own?

Looking to bring your business’ electrical health into the 21st century?

No matter your circumstances, if it involves a wire, you need an electrician on your side. Of course, you’ll have to find an electrician first!

So, how does one go about finding the best and most reliable Melbourne electrician?

1) Licensed and insured

When it comes to finding expert electrician help, paperwork and red tape are one of the most effective ways of weeding out dodgy electricians!

A licensed electrician gives you the assurance that your electrician meets legal requirements and offers high-quality electrical work. Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) has strict criteria for applicants:

• A minimum Certificate III in Electrotechnology (Electrician)
• Complete an ESV-approved exam (both practical and theory)
• Evidence of 12 months supervised installation work
• Completion of a 4-year apprenticeship
• Reference checks
• … among others!

It might sound like a lot, and it is.

However, it guarantees that the applicants that make it through know their stuff, and can be trusted to do a good job!

Furthermore, licenses need to be renewed periodically. This ensures your licensed electrician is up-to-date with changes to safety standards and building codes, as well as the latest in training and technology.

2) Do they employ safe work practices?

Electricity is Dangerous, with a capital D.

While electrical safety is drilled into us from the first day of training, it’s not uncommon for a sparky to get complacent. And when that happens, work becomes slack and corners get cut.

If you suspect your electrician of playing fast and loose with safety, we recommend cutting the cord right there and then.

Not only is this important for their safety, but yours too – if they cut corners on their own safety, what does that say about their workmanship?

3) Choose experience and a proven track record

Before hiring an electrician, make sure to check their track record and experience.

As tradespeople, electrical work is very hands-on. While theoretical knowledge is important, a lot of the unique quirks and workarounds that come with electrical work can only be learnt after years on the job.

As such, be sure to do some digging into your electrician’s job experience in domestic, emergency and commercial electrical services.

Look for a long (and more importantly, good) track record. Pay attention to details like:

• When they first started training or were first licensed
• How long they’ve been in the business
• Testimonials detailing specific work that was conducted

We’re not saying you should always go for the oldest electrician you can find in the phonebook.

But for older homes or buildings with wiring that’s a bit more “out there”, hands-on experience can make all the difference.

We sparkies know that experience is a major selling point. Generally speaking, the ones that have the experience to flaunt are more than willing to point it out!

 

4) Specialisation and capabilities

Not all electrical jobs are the same.

If you’re planning something more complex than your run-of-the-mill jobs like installing a new outlet, it might be worth checking your sparky’s specialisations.

• Home theatre installation
• Antenna and satellite dish installation
• Data cabling
• Home security & CCTV installation

Most electricians will be able to complete these jobs adequately. But if you want the best outcomes, we recommend finding an electrician that specialises in these jobs.

That’s because these types of jobs are bigger and more complex than regular callouts.

While the same principles apply, there are also unique quirks and pitfalls that only an electrician that specialises in these jobs will be able to identify and solve.

How do you know your sparky specialises? One way is to ask. Another is to look at their website.

Membership of industry bodies like the Australian Cabler Registration Service (a body that focuses on data cabling which Briggs Electrical is a proud member of) can also tip you off to your sparky’s unique skills.

5) Customer reviews

The internet has been a powerful equaliser in the quest to find a quality electrician.

Back in ye olde days, you had nothing to go off other than your sparky’s word. If you were lucky, a relative or friend might have worked with them in the past.

Thankfully, we live in 2018, where anybody can learn just about anything with the click of a button!

Before ringing a sparky, take a look at their reviews. Is the feedback unanimously positive? What kinds of issues did they solve? Noticed any mentions of repeat business? Able to figure out if they work both commercially and domestically?

All great signs of a great sparky!

Get the right electrician for all your domestic, commercial and emergency needs

Call Briggs Electrical today!

Looking a qualified electrician in Melbourne?

Need them for a specialised electrical service?

Want to welcome a clean, professional, and tidy team into your home or business?

Briggs Electrical guarantees qualified, competent and licensed electrical work, no matter where you live in Melbourne.

With more than 10 years of experience providing quality domestic, commercial and industrial electrical work, our fully-licensed sparkies are ready to work with you.

Don’t put your home and property at risk – contact Briggs here or call us 24/7 on 1300 300 222.