What to Look For in Commercial Electrical Contractors

1. Positive References and Reviews

Understandably, you don't just want to hire the first electrical contractor that you come across. You know next to nothing about them; why would you trust them with your company's electrical system?

It's important to get to know more about any contractor you're considering. Fortunately, it's never been easier to perform some research on service than it is today. You can use helpful resources such as client references, online reviews, and customer testimonials to do so.

First, we recommend Googling the contractor that you're considering and reading all of the online reviews that pop up. Be sure to ask yourself some questions as you read through them, such as:

• Did the previous clients enjoy the customer service that the commercial electrical contractor offered?
• What kind of services/needs did those clients hire the contractor for?
• How quick was the turnaround on the services they provided?
• Was the customer satisfied with the results? Have they experienced any setbacks since?
• Would the customer recommend the electrical contractor to others?

Finding the answers to these questions can help you in a variety of ways. If you wish to go more in-depth, you can ask the contractor for references that you can call to ask more in-depth questions.

2. Proper Business Insurance

Even for professionals, electrical work can be a dangerous profession. Not only are there dangers tied to the electrical side of the operation, but there's also the risk of injuries or property damage.

Imagine the horror of trying to shave a few dollars by hiring a cheap electrical contractor, then finding out (after an accident) that they aren't insured. Without proper business insurance in place, you could be held financially responsible for the damage or injuries that were sustained.

To avoid that, you need a commercial electrical contractor with proper business insurance in place. Be sure to look for coverage such as business liability insurance, workers' compensation, and umbrella insurance to ensure that all costs are covered.

Business liability insurance can help protect you in case you endure some property damage while the contractor performs their job. Workers' compensation will cover all costs associated with a worker's injury (such as medical bills, lost wages, etc.).



While this is a bit of an unorthodox question, don't be afraid to ask it. You'll want to make sure that the electrical contractor you hire has all their business insurance needs in place before you hire them.

3. High Return on Your Investment

We briefly touched on ROI in the introduction, but it bears worth repeating: an experienced commercial electrical contractor can give your company a higher return on your investment.

The focus should never be on finding the cheapest price. If you go down that road, you might get exactly what you'd paid for cheap service.

Instead, you should prioritize finding a service that fits into your company budget, but includes all of the necessary services that you need. Make sure to ask for an all-in price, including all of the fees and labor costs.



Be prepared to spend a bit more on experience. However, that's what business experts refer to as a "good expense", since it lessens the chance of error or property damage, thus reducing the likelihood of a financial or operational setback.

4. Experience in the Commercial Realm

There are far too many commercial property owners out there that make the mistake of hiring an electrical contractor without any commercial experience. They use them because of a close relative or family ties. 

While there are services like Buell Electric that offer both residential and commercial electrical services, you want to make sure they have experience in the commercial realm before you hire them.



Hiring an experienced contractor can help you avoid some major setbacks. They'll use their knowledge to envision the project, find potential hurdles, then give you insight on how their services can help you avoid them.

5. Community History

You're a proud member of Dunedin, why not hire commercial electrical contractors that are just as invested in your community as you are?

Avoid the big companies at all times. Their sole focus is to cut costs and get the job as quickly as possible, not necessarily focusing on efficiency.

If you need commercial electric lighting in the Dunedin area, be sure to reach out to Buell Electric. We take tremendous pride in supporting local businesses and helping you keep your electrical systems in tremendous shape day in and day out.

Invest in the Right Commercial Electrical Contractors for Your Business

Now that you have seen an in-depth list of what to look for in commercial electrical contractors, be sure to use this information to your advantage.

Take the time to read this article for more information on the 7 signs you need to call an emergency electrician immediately. If you see any of these signs, call us right away at 727-648-6101 and we'll be happy to assist you further.