Category: Electrical Construction Contractors

These days, with so many different types of technology and tools out there, there are a variety of different types of electricians that work in specialized areas. Of course, generally speaking, an electrician in Northern Virginia is someone that specializes in the maintenance, repair, design, and installation of power systems. However, such areas of expertise can span a wide range of professional and industrial sectors, everything from the residential construction industry to office maintenance.

So, how do you first determine what type of electrician is right for your needs? Well, as one of the best electricians in Northern Virginia, RD Matthews Electrical Contracting has highlighted some of the different types of electricians you’ll find in the area, as well as their specialties.

Two Primary Categories

Although we’ll dig deeper into the different specialties of electricians, there are two primary categories where today’s average electrician will fall, that of:

• Wiremen: These are electricians trained to workwith the lower voltages found on the inside of buildings and are often tasked with installing and maintaining electrical systems in commercial, industrial, and residential properties.

• Linemen: These electrical experts are trained to deal with more heavy-duty electrical applications that contain high voltages, such as utility transmission systems and other outdoor power systems. They often work to ensure that the electricity produced at local power plants is sufficient and makes it to power substations to be properly distributed to commercial and residential properties.

Different Types of Electrical Certifications

In addition to the categories mentioned above, there are also different certification levels for electricians. Your average electrical contractor will most likely be a Master Electrician, but it takes years of work to get to that level. First, they’ll need to become a certified apprentice electrician by going through an apprenticeship program. Doing so requires a high school diploma or equivalency, in addition to hundreds of hours of training.

After completing your apprenticeship, which can take anywhere from three to six years, the next step is becoming a journeyman electrician. To do so, you’ll need to pass a test and become licensed by your local, state, or federal licensing committee. With a journeyman license, you’ll finally be able to work on your own, as well as train apprentices.

The last step up the certification ladder is becoming a master electrician. Although the requirements vary on a state-by-state basis, there are some commonalities. Most states require at least 4,000 hours of work as a journeyman, as well as an exam.

Electricians Based on Particular Specializations

As previously mentioned, there are many different areas of specialization for electricians. These run the gamut from working in particular job sectors to specializing in specific applications. Some of the most common are:

• Residential Electricians:The most common type of electricians in Northern Virginia are residential electricians, which specialize in maintaining the electrical systems of residential properties. Their duties include everything from performing electrical wiring installation, to maintenance and repairs on homes, condominiums, and apartments.

• Commercial Electricians: This type of electrician works on buildings like offices, or other workplaces, and is responsible for performing electrical repairs, as well as installation and maintenance work in the commercial sector. Additionally, commercial electricians also frequently help plan and design the electrical systems when new commercial buildings are constructed.

• Industrial Electricians: This type of electrician helps troubleshoot and repair electrical equipment used by industrial facilities, like mines, power plants, and factories. Often, the systems industrial electricians work on are complex and include large machinery and lighting systems. Industrial electricians will usually work in tandem with maintenance supervisors or facility managers.

• Auto Electricians: As the name says, auto electricians have a specialized area of focus and they only work on the electrical systems of vehicles. This means that in addition to traditional electrical training, auto electricians also boast a comprehensive understanding of how vehicles operate, as well as auto diagnostic systems to help troubleshoot electrical issues.

• Maintenance Electricians: In the industrial, commercial, and residential sectors, maintenance electricians are key. They help ensure that all the components of a particular electrical system are running at optimal levels, as well as performing maintenance and repairs when needed. This often includes installing new electrical components or upgrading existing equipment to improve efficiency. Maintenance electricians will have completed a formal apprenticeship and received on-the-job training from a licensed electrician.

Safety & Working Conditions

When it comes to safety, the best electricians in Northern Virginia will have undergone at least some type of formal electrical safety training to minimize on-the-job accidents and issues. Often, this consists of training from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that details specific safety procedures, such as lockout and tag-out procedures, in addition to what tools to use when and the specific type of personal protective gear required for certain jobs.

Contact us today for more about our electrician services

If you’re in need of a reliable electrician in Northern Virginia, the team from RD Matthews Electrical Contracting has you covered. We specialize in a range of electrical services including recessed lighting installation, ceiling fan installation, smart switch installation, and more.

As a family-owned and operated business, RD Matthews Electrical Contracting is committed to providing the best electrical services in Northern Virginia. Our commitment to customer care and satisfaction is unwavering, and over the years, we’ve developed a solid reputation for being an electrical contractor you can trust.

For those in need of commercial, industrial, or residential electrical services, contact RD Matthews Electrical Contracting online today or call (540) 840-2933. You can also learn more about what we do by visiting our FAQs page online.

Are you looking for a residential electrician in Northern Virginia? Here are some tips from our team at RD Matthews Electrical Contracting that will help you find the right electrician for your needs.

• Talk to Neighbors & Friends

Many homeowners, at one point or another, may have had to call upon a residential electrician in Northern Virginia for services. If so, friends and neighbors can often offer you some advice as to companies or contractors they have used in the past.

• Industry Experience

You don’t want to trust your home to just any company or residential electrician. Be sure you do your research to find an electrician/company that has a proven track record of success along with plenty of electrical experience. You want to be certain they have previous experience working with the specific wiringsystem your home has, or the upgrade you are looking to install.

Online reviews and past testimonials can prove invaluable and are a great way of knowing if an electrical company has experience providing quality work.

• Licensed & Insured Service

While things like testimonials and experience are important, you must choose a residential electrician that is licensed and insured in Northern Virginia. License and insurance are very important and can protect you and your home in the event there is any sort of issue or problem.

If a potential electrician or company tries to evade this question or can’t properly show proof that they are indeed covered, immediately look for another company. Any reputable and professional company will be fully insured and licensed.

• Get A Consultation

The last thing you want to be stuck with is an enormous bill for work that you either didn’t need or didn’t know was going to happen. An electrician should be more than willing to discuss your needs and expectations before ever discussing billing. They should also be able to provide you with a free consultation or quote about how much your electrical repair or installation will cost.

If they are unwilling to or attempt to get you to sign a contract without understanding or listening to your needs, move on to another company. Never sign any contract unless you feel completely comfortable doing so.

Contact RD Matthews for Electrical Services in Northern Virginia

Whether you need recessed lighting, electrical repairs, ceiling fan installation, and more, our team of residential electricians in Northern Virginia is here to help. Please contact us today for a free consultation.

If you are planning on building a new custom home in Northern Virginia, choosing the right electrical construction contractor will be critical.  Electrical systems aren’t easy to get right, and if anything is faulty at the time of installation, you could have electrical problems for years to come.  Most importantly, you might not able to pass a local inspection once construction is complete.

You need an electrical construction contractor in Northern Virginia that you can trust to do the job right the first time, giving you an electrical system which is future-proofed and ready for years of use.

These are some of the most important factors to look for when choosing a potential contractor.

Five Critical Factors When Picking Electrical Construction Contractors

1. Proper licensing and insurance

Before hiring an electrical contractor, always ask to see their credentials.  Make sure they have all the licenses and approvals needed to work in Virginia.  Also, if possible, it is vital they have an insurance policy – backed up by a bond.  Otherwise, should an electrical contractor without insurance suffer an accident on your property, you could end up responsible!

2. Look for experience

Home construction contracting is a business that is relatively easy to get into, but hard to stay in without plenty of genuine skills.  Companies which have been around for years will be the ones who have proven themselves.  You don’t want to risk your home wiring on newcomers.

3. Reputation among other contractors

If you want to learn the truth about a particular contractor, try talking to other construction companies in your area.  A general contractor will know a lot about which Northern Virginia electrical construction contractors are actually trustworthy and should be able to make good recommendations.

4. Their willingness to listen to your plans

When you are talking to potential contractors, discuss your plans for the future and how you see your home being used.  The good ones will plan their installation around your needs and look towards the future.  Bad ones will treat the job like a “one size fits all” project.

5. An emphasis on safety

Finally, ask about their safety procedures – including planning, training, and emergency procedures.  Working on power systems can be extremely dangerous, and you’ll want to be certain they prioritize the safety of everyone involved in the job.

For highly experienced electrical construction contractors in Northern Virginia, RD Matthews Electrical has over 25 years’ experience in the trade!   Contact us to discuss your needs.