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What Does an Electrical Contractor Do?

Electrical contractors are responsible for installing, maintaining and repairing electricity in homes, businesses and factories. Depending on the type of construction work they perform, they can also design and install security systems and HVAC equipment.

During the planning stage of an electrical project, an electrical contractor reviews blueprints to determine the electrical needs of the building. She then customarily meets with the building owner to ensure she understands all the electrical aspects of a specific job and can properly prepare a bid.

Once the bid is approved, an electrical contractor begins preparing and executing the installation of all the wiring in the building's walls. She carefully double-checks each path and connection to ensure it is safe and complies with building codes.



When the installation is complete, an electrical contractor performs maintenance to ensure all systems function at optimal capacity. Typically, this involves inspecting equipment, replacing parts that are outdated and restoring functionality to old systems.

They may also be responsible for relocating power lines and wiring to meet changing utility needs, coordinating with local utilities to ensure adequate service. They also have the ability to troubleshoot problems and make recommendations on how best to fix them.

The electrical contracting industry is a fast-growing field, with opportunities for career growth and advancement available to experienced workers. With experience, they can start their own business or move into management roles with a large contractor.

Keeping track of multiple jobs and their associated deadlines can be challenging, but an effective organizational skill is essential for electricians to stay on top of projects. For example, they may schedule appointments for many different clients in a single week to complete their work on time.

In addition, electrical contractors must be able to communicate effectively with customers, other electricians and the general public about their jobs. They are often the first people customers call to discuss problems and provide advice on how to resolve them.

Working in an industry that requires a lot of physical activity and heavy lifting, electrical contractors need strong cardiovascular and upper-body strength to complete their work safely. They also need to be comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions and on utility poles and structures, as well as indoors around confined spaces.

Maintaining and storing tools is another important part of an electrical contractor's job. They need to keep their toolkits organized and in good condition so they can find the tools they need quickly when needed.

They also need to know how to read schematics and drawings that indicate the layout of wiring and breaker boxes for a particular project. They must be able to use these skills when rewiring and installing new equipment, such as streetlights or wiring fire alarms.

Most electrical contractors work independently as self-employed professionals, but they are also employed by large contracting companies. Most of them work 40 hours per week, though some may be required to work overtime during busy periods.

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