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To install an electric vehicle charger at home, it is recommended that you hire a licensed electrician. Faulty electrical work can have serious implications that could put your family and property at risk. Here are a few tips that will help you select the right electrician:
There are essential paperwork that an electrician should carry – license, insurance, and certifications.
Mandatory paperwork consists of the electrician’s license and their insurance. Electricians must be licensed by state or local authorities to complete electrical work within that region. A license will come with a license number; that an electrician can provide to you upon request. You can verify the license number by confirming it with the licensing authority. The requirements to receive a license varies by state; but most will require a certain numbers of hours of electrical work completed under the supervision of a licensed electrician. In addition, the electrician would need to pass an exam to qualify for the license.
Electricians will also carry liability insurance or a bond that can cover any damages that result from electrical work they completed (for example, a fire results from faulty work).
While not necessary, some electricians are certified by manufacturers to install their chargers. Tesla, for example, certifies electricians to install its charger. A certification by a manufacturer like Tesla and ChargePoint or another organization like EVITP, means that the electrician has undergone special training on electric vehicle charger installation. Any electrician, however, can install a new circuit and wiring to power an electric car charger.
When choosing the right electrician, it is advisable to compare multiple quotes from different electricians. While doing so, ensure that it is an apples-to-apples comparison in terms of what is included in the estimates. Specifically, find out what’s included in the quote. It should include materials and labor costs, and permitting costs at minimum. Some quotes may vary depending on an electrician’s approach to the charger installation. This can be related to cable routing or additional equipment they might want to install.
A good electrician will be communicative and responsive to the customer’s needs. When you engage an electrician, you should assess how well they communicate the process and desired results. You can also check online reviews and also potentially, ask for references from past jobs.
Finding and booking an electrician can be easily streamlined by using the Charging Center Quote Comparison tool. Based on a few key details provided by you, we reach out to our pool of licensed and certified independent installers located near you and get quotes. Three quotes are then presented to you for final selection. It is important to note that these quotes may differ based on the approach proposed by the electrician. However, they will include all the necessary details like materials, labor, and permitting costs. Your contact information is handled with the utmost care and not shared with service providers. We also aggregate online reviews to give you an insight into the customer service of a particular electrician. This way, you can speed up the process of ultimately installing a charger at your home.
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