How Does Iowa Qualify Electrical Contractors?
Iowa requires electrical contractors to carry valid licenses issued by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing. Eligibility for the electrical contractor’s license in Iowa requires the applicant to be a Master Class A, B, or Residential Master License holder or for the company to employ an electrician who meets these requirements.
Discuss Contract Project Experience
A company’s recent projects portfolio will illuminate its capabilities. When meeting with potential contractors, ask for their portfolio of completed work throughout Iowa. Review their history of projects and determine whether they have the proven background to meet your standards.
Questions to ask when evaluating the contractor’s past projects include:
- What steps did the company take to complete the project within the stated timeline?
- How did they remain within the budgetary scope for the project?
- Who was the project lead, and can I discuss my project with them?
Reviewing the company’s completed projects and the process they undertook to complete the work will help explain their professionalism and give you confidence in their project management knowledge.
One example of an area in which skilled electrical contractors can significantly impact building projects is improving the efficiency of electrical systems. They can harness their experience to help select suitable equipment to minimize ongoing electrical and future equipment maintenance costs.
It’s how qualified contractors help clients save money on the initial project and reduce building operations costs over the coming decades.
Explore Your Project Goals
Whether you have a tight deadline for a residential building project or a strict budget for commercial design-build work, stating your project goals can help contractors determine whether they can meet them. Experienced electrical contractors might be able to complete 6-month projects within a 3-month timeline but may require additional man hours and resources to complete the work to the tighter turnaround time.
Make time to review your project goals with the contractor so they can then outline the budget and timeline to expect early within the estimation process.
After your initial project discussion with the electrical contractor, you should feel confident that they understand and have a plan for the following:
- The timeline for the project
- The initial budget
- The performance objectives for each project phase
Review the Company’s Warranties
The warranty coverage your electrical contractor provides can determine your level of systems protection for the years ahead. Analyze the company’s warranty policies and ensure warranties incur no additional cost to your building firm.
The warranties should cover all elements of the electrical project and provide comprehensive coverage in case of an installation issue or an equipment failure in the years ahead. Review their warranties before signing a contracting agreement and ensure you’re comfortable with their terms.
One of the many reasons construction firms partner with Custom Electrical for their projects is we provide them with a 5-year warranty at no additional cost.
Assess Their Compliance and Training
What steps does the company take to ensure they complete their work to specification? Can they provide documentation for their team’s training work?
Under the ESA, the Designated Master Electrician for the project is held responsible for ensuring the completion of all work to the standards within the electrical code while following all electrical safety regulations.
Ask to speak with the master electrician within the company to discuss their approach to compliance while their team is on-site. The master electrician should regularly communicate with on-site teams, answering technical questions and overseeing their day-to-day project work. This oversight should include regular project meetings and site visits.
Document the Project Scope Before Signing a Working Agreement
Before finalizing your choice of contractor, ask that they provide you with a draft project proposal including the timeline, cost, equipment specifications, and objectives. This document will act as the central reference point for future work and help support the initial stages of the working process between your team and your electrical contractor.
Put Decades of Electrical Contracting Experience to Work on Your Project
Discover why clients throughout Iowa depend on Custom Electrical as their electrical contractor of choice. Serving clients throughout Central and Eastern Iowa, including Des Moines, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids, Custom Electrical is your go-to specialist for precise, superior-quality electrical work. Call our electricians to explore your project scope via (515) 669-3418 or book your expert project review online.
