QUESTION: Do you charge a service fee to come out?
ANSWER: Yes, as with most companies, the cost of doing business requires us to have a service fee. However, if you think it might be something simple, please give us a call and we may be able to direct you on how to fix the problem without us even having to come to your home. There has been many times that a homeowner has called us and we give the solution over the phone.
QUESTION: My house is really old and I am afraid that things have deteriorated and it could be a fire hazard. Should I have my home rewired?
ANSWER: If you are not experiencing issues with your electric outlets or you aren't planning on adding a much heavier electrical load, it is highly unlikely that you will need to have your home rewired. The older wiring will last forever and is nearly impossible to deteriorate. If you are experiencing power outages when you use multiple pieces of equipment at the same time, you may need to have us look at it, but in most cases rewiring a house is unneccessary.
QUESTION: We still have the round fuses instead of circuit breakers. Is this a safety issue?
ANSWER: No, it is not a safety issue unless the fuse box is damaged or deteriorating. Fuses are actually more sensitive than circuit breakers; therefore they are safer than circuit breakers. The problem with circuit-breakers is twofold. 1. After a fuse protects your home from an overloaded circuit, you have to throw it away. Therefore you may go through many fuses. Secondly, the majority of insurance companies now require that fuse boxes be replaced with circuit breakers.
QUESTION: Are our 2-prong outlets still ok to use in our home?
ANSWER: Most appliances and electrical devices today come with 3-prong plugs. The third prong is for grounding purposes. For safety issues, it is advisable to have everything in your home properly grounded; therefore, you should change them.
QUESTION: What is a GFI?
ANSWER: A GFI is an abbreviation for a Ground Fault Interrupter. It is a specially designed outlet normally used in wet locations to protect an individual from electrical shock. A GFI measures the resistance on the "positive" and "negative" loads connected to it. If there is more resistance in either of the 2 loads, the GFI trips. The electrical code requires that GFI's be installed in all kitchens, baths, and laundry areas
QUESTION: Is All Electrical Work Dangerous?
ANSWER: Any type of electrical work does have an associated level of risk including injury and/or death. Another risk is creating a fire hazard. We do not recommend inexperienced people attempting any electrical wiring or installations. All electrical work should be done by an insured, licensed electrician.
QUESTION: Will my work require an Electrical Building Permit?
ANSWER: Most household service work will not require a Permit. Major projects such as room additions and basement finishing probably will require a Permit and inspections. Failure to follow building codes could require your work to be completely redone at additional expense. If a Permit is required we will take on that responsibility for you.
QUESTION: Will my location be without power when you are working?
ANSWER: Chances are your power will not be turned off while we work. If power interruptions are required it is usually limited to a single circuit and only for a short amount of time. Major projects may require total shut-offs while service connections are being done. In any event we will minimize the time that you are without power.