It may be tempting to outsource your electrical work to an unlicensed electrician, as their rates can be quite a bit lower than a licensed contractor. It's important to consider the risks when hiring any contractor or electrician for your project. Here are some reasons why it's always best to go with a licensed professional. 

Aren't All Electricians Licensed?

Simply put, no. There are many people out there who offer electrical services without a license. It is usually legal for them to perform projects up to a certain dollar amount, but there are certain tasks that are illegal for them to perform. Obtaining a license is a time consuming and expensive process, which is why these individuals are able to offer their services at a reduced rate. 

The Licenses Explained

There are various licenses one can obtain when practicing electrical work in the state of Iowa. 

The most basic license that can be obtained is called an "unclassified person" license. This can be issued to any person who submits an application and who is currently working for a licensed electrical contractor. This license may also be issued to an individual after they complete their apprenticeship schooling if they do not pursue a higher level of license, such as the journeyman license. 

Most contractors will encourage their electricians to get schooling, in order to better educate them and so that they can eventually obtain higher licenses. Once an employee is enrolled in trade school, they will get an "apprentice" license. Apprenticeship school requires 8000 hours of on the job training and 4 years of school to complete. 

Once apprenticeship schooling is completed, any electrician with the required hours can take the test for his "journeyman" license. To obtain this you must either pass the State of Iowa Electrical Journeyman exam (for a class A license) or apply for a Class B. Class B journeyman have never taken the exam, but have been in the industry for years and can demonstrate they have the necessary qualifications, training and experience. 

If an individual would like to further his career, he may be interested in a "master" license. A master electrician is a person having the necessary qualifications and technical knowledge to properly plan, lay out, supervise and install equipment for light, heat and power. 

Each license demonstrates the electrician has had both hands-on training and also proper schooling to ensure they know the National Electrical Code and are following safety standards. 

Top Reasons to Go with a Licensed Professional

The top reason to choose a licensed professional is safety. Any licensed electrician has been trained on the NEC code and ensures you will get a project that you can feel comfortable with. 

Licensed contractors are required to have liability insurance. In the event of an accident, this provides an extra layer of coverage. This provides protection if anyone is injured or anything is damaged, and you can rest assured it will be covered by the contractor. 

Licensed contractors can be held accountable. In the event that something were to go wrong, you can count on a licensed professional to hold to the industry regulations set forth. Regulatory bodies are in place to protect you in case anything goes wrong. If something were to go wrong with an unlicensed person, there is little to nothing that could be done in this way. 

Many times work is completed by unlicensed individuals in a sub par manner and licensed professionals need to later be called in to fix the issue. This is inefficient and will cost more money in the long run, when a professional could have been called first to get it done right the first time! 

It's really an easy choice when considering whether to hire a licensed or unlicensed electrician. Licensed professionals offer numerous advantages. Qualifications, expertise, commitment to safety, ability to obtain permits, time and money saving efficiency, liability insurance and accountability make them indispensable to your next electrical project. Don't compromise and regret it down the road - give us a call today to schedule your next project!