Becoming a Qualified Electrician
If you’re just starting out or considering a career as an electrician, trade or vocational schools are a good place to start because they offer programs that teach electrical theory as well as the basics of electrical engineering and electrical installations. Some programs involve apprenticeships. Most electrical contractors begin as apprentices. Here are some places to start looking for an apprenticeship if you haven’t completed one already:
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
- National Electrical Contractors Association
- Independent Electrical Contractors Association
- Associated Builders and Contractors
After completing an apprenticeship, the next step for most electricians is to get a license.
Do Electricians Need to be Licensed?
Rules vary from state to state, but most states require electrical contractors to carry at least a journeyman license. Some cities and municipalities do, too. Some states require different licenses for different types of electrical work. Generally, these are the criteria for obtaining a license:
- Registered business entity
- Proof of completed apprenticeship
- Proof of insurance
- Application fee
- Passing exam score
In most states, aspiring electricians must pass an exam in order to obtain a license. The exam covers the National Electrical Code, as well as local codes.
What Equipment do Electrical Contractors Need?
Electrical contractors should invest in a van to carry their equipment to various job sites. Useful equipment to have on hand includes:
- Electrical tape
- Solder wire
- Solder flux
- Solder wick
- Flux cleaner
- Freezing spray
- Kapton tape
- Wire wrapping wire
- Single-core wire
- Multi-core wire
- Approved Voltage Indicator
- Insulated screwdrivers
- Wire cutters
- Wire strippers
- Multifunction tester
- Battery drill
- Electrical wall chaser
- Fish tape
Marketing an Electrical Service
It’s a good idea to build a website that lists your contact information as well as the services you offer, your license numbers, and testimonials from satisfied customers. Social media and Google Ads are effective means of building a following and directing traffic to your website. Another good place to find work is to contact homeowners’ associations, as their executive committees and managers tend to keep a list of contractors on hand for their residents to contact and use. It can also be fruitful to keep an eye out for new builds, upcoming government contracts, and renovations, as these sorts of projects often require extensive electrical work.
Estimating Electrical Work
To produce an estimate for an electrical job, consider the materials required and their cost as well as the number of hours you estimate the job will take to complete.
What an Electrical Estimate Should Include
- Contractor’s contact information
- Address of job site
- Customer’s contact information
- Cost of materials needed
- Cost of labor
- Estimated total cost
- Payment terms and conditions