Hiring a commercial electrical contractor for new buildings, retrofit projects, and existing facility upgrades and maintenance will pay dividends to property owners seeking to get their projects done right, on time and on budget

DENVER, CO – Commercial and industrial property owners generally employ a maintenance supervisor to handle the routine repairs and fixes in office buildings, retail centers, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities, but when it comes to major repairs, upgrades and installations it is best to hire an experienced contractor with the specific expertise in the task at hand.

Nowhere is this more true than in a commercial property’s electrical system, as wiring, lighting and power needs of such facilities are subject to rigorous local codes and specifications, and only a licensed, bonded and insured electrical contractor can ensure the accuracy and speed necessary to keep business operations in the buildings running smoothly. Plus, an experienced commercial electrical contractor is specifically trained to keep utility costs in check, helping commercial property owners manage their power expenses in the most efficient manner possible.

The wiring, lighting and power usage in a commercial property is always unique to the situation at hand. Factors like the number of people working in the facility, the hours of operation, the types of businesses and their individual power usage, the number of visitors (like customers in retail), and special considerations for industrial machinery all come into play.

There are actually three specific instances where it pays dividends to call in a professional commercial electrical contractor.

First is on a design-build project, one that is the construction of a new facility from the ground up. Experienced commercial electrical contractors have broad experience working with architects and architectural plans and can assist with expertise in the overall design of the buildings’ electrical systems. This can include LEED certified buildings, as many electrical contractors have experience in meeting the often stringent demands of energy efficient buildings, with attention to detail on such issues as solar applications and LEED qualifying interior and outdoor light systems.

Another application for calling in a commercial electrical contractor is for a redesign or retrofit building project where often outdated existing electrical systems are completely overhauled to meet current codes and the new purposes for the building. Once again, working with architects and interior designers, an experience electrical contractor is fully versed in having retrofit properties meet the demand of the new uses.

And finally, electrical repairs, upgrades and maintenance on existing facilities in use by occupant businesses will ensure that the property meets the electrical demands of the tenants while at the same time keeping in mind that downtime for any business is a costly expense for the tenants and building owner alike.

Here’s a handy checklist of things to look for in a commercial industrial electrical contractor:

• Expertise. Make sure, through due diligence, that the contractor and each of its electricians have expertise in the type of project under consideration. For instance, if the building is a retail center, has this contractor done the same kind of work successfully on a similar, and similarly sized project? Any reputable commercial contractor will have references; check them.
• Licensure. Make sure the electrical contractor under consideration is fully licensed in the jurisdiction where the work is to be performed, and also check if any complaints have been filed against the contract5or and, if so, how they were resolved.
• Certification. There are a variety of certifications available to commercial electrical contractors, including those from trade associations and PSHA (The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration).  These certifications insure that the contractor and its licensed personnel have complete all the necessary continuing education to stay current in their field and the ensure workplace safety.
• Insurance and bonding. This is a very important step to protect against any mishaps or injuries on the job site. Ask for information about the policies and bonds in question to make certain they include the proper level of financial protection and building-owner indemnification. It’s a good idea to have an attorney check the policies to ensure they are up-to-date, cover the company and the individuals involved in the project and provide the proper coverage and protection.
• Outside sources. Vet the potential commercial electrical contractor with the local Better Business Bureau to check standing, complaints and resolutions. Also, many states and local government jurisdictions have boards and commissions that also collect and disseminate such information.

Commercial electrical work, from the complex to the very minor, is exacting and involves a whole host of business considerations. Getting the job done right, on time and on budget are essential to the property owner and the tenants of the facility. Commercial electrical contractors with the requisite experience are highly trained to deliver just what is needed and hiring the right one will pay dividends to commercial/industrial property owners for years to come.

In Denver and throughout Colorado, Allstar Electrical Services have been providing expert commercial/industrial electrical contracting to new and retrofit properties, as well as providing upgrades and maintenance services for commercial properties for over a decade. The company has worked with property owners, individual tenants, developers, architects, insurance companies and designers on everything from complete design-build projects, to such services as machine hookups, security systems, computer circuits, and much more. For complete details call 303-399-7420.

From minor electrical repairs to simple common sense about the use of electricity in a home, a few safety tips will keep homeowners in the electrical loop

DENVER, CO – The electrical service in any home is at the heart of family’s lifestyle, operating the lights, appliances, the air conditioner, even the hot tub. Everyone understands that, of course, but like everything else that just comes “on” with the flip of a switch, electricity is just one of those things we take for granted – until an emergency or the need arises.

As licensed and experienced electricians serving the Denver metro area for over a decade, Allstar Electrical Services works regularly with all kinds of clients: those who are informed, the misinformed and those who simply just want it fixed or expanded. In any case, when it comes to a home’s electrical service the admonition is for caution. Electricity can kill, injure or create fires if not handled properly, and it pays to know some basic safety rules.

The most basic safety and convenience rule is to know where the home’s electrical service box is located. Most often referred to as the circuit breaker, this is the usually grey box on the back of the house where the electrical service comes in from the utility. The box itself is designed to gather that electric service and then distribute it throughout the home through the many circuits on the box’s panel. These circuits come in different power ratings, like 20 amp or 15 amp, depending on the room or the appliance being served and the electric demand in question (e.g., kitchens typically need a higher power rating to handle the refrigerator and all of the other appliances, and often will be served by two or circuits). It’s good to know where this electrical panel/circuit breaker is in the event a circuit trips and power needs to be restored, and also so the homeowner knows where to turn off a circuit for minor repairs or the whole service in case of an emergency. Of course, we recommend keeping the area around the circuit breaker free of obstructions – patio furniture, plants, etc. – so there is easy access year round.

It’s also good to know how a particular home’s electrical panel is rated. For a long time, and until up to about 15 years ago, the basic standard was 100 amp service. But today most homes, even small ones, require (and may be mandated to have) 200 amp service at minimum. The reason is simple: home electrical demand has mushroomed, with entertainment systems, computers and accessories, and the myriad of electrical appliances and power chargers that have become part of everyday life in recent years. Think about; we used to have a television, and that has been overtaken by a whole system consisting of a TV, DVR, surround sound, DVD, game system, all often drawing power from the “plug” that used to power just the TV.

Knowing what’s there is important. A recent customer of ours, in an older Denver home, wanted to add a few new outlets in the home, add electrical service and lights to his garage, install a ceiling fan, and install a new chandelier. Easy, right? Turns out he had 100 amp service, inadequate (and out of code), that was already a safety hazard to the home, much less with increased demand. We upgraded the home to 200 amp service, fulfilled all of the increased electrical convenience in the home, and now he is poised to be able to add more conveniences (A hot tub? A swap cooler?) with ease. Also, it should be noted, it would have been impossible to sell this home without upgrading to 200 amp electrical service before placing the property on the market.

When performing relatively minor home electrical repair, like replacing light switches or wall outlets, here’s how to keep safe:

• Locate the proper circuit breaker in the circuit box and turn off the electric to the circuit to be worked on. Before commencing work make sure the circuit is off; plug in a lamp in the outlet or one nearby on the same circuit to make sure the circuit is off. If in doubt, don’t proceed. Use a voltage meter to check if the power is off.
• Study up and read the directions. Most electrical devices come with instructions, and it is wise to follow these to the letter. You want to make sure positive is positive, negative is negative, and the ground is installed properly. If the device purchased has scant directions, there are plenty of helpful sites on the internet to walk even the novice through a simple repair.
• Install the right switch/outlet. Bathrooms, kitchens, garages and any location where an outlet or a device plugged into it may come in contact with water require a GFI (ground fault interrupter) that protects against shock. Not only is it wise, it is code in most areas.
• Use tools – screwdrivers and pliers – with rubber/insulated grips or handles. Probably wise to wear gloves, too.
• Never stand in water while attempting an electrical repair.
• Wear shoes with non-conductive soles, like tennis shoes. Also, wear protective eyewear.
• Red and black wires are typically the “hot” wires, meaning the current is flowing from the circuit breaker. White wires are usually the negative or “return” wires, and the ground wire is generally bare. Older homes, however, may feature wires that are not color-coded. In this case you can use a voltage meter (you’ll have to flip the circuit break back on once the wires are exposed) to check.

Many people also attempt, with varying degrees of success, to do more complicated jobs like installing a ceiling fan or putting in a new outlet or switch themselves. Ceiling fans, particularly those with lights as well, are complicated, and we get a ton of calls to finish up where the homeowner failed. Our advice: read the directions closely, and then again, build the fan on the floor first, and make sure you fully understand the wiring. Also, beyond wiring, make sure the anchoring bracket can handle the job and that the fan is installed properly on the bracket; a fan creates momentum and can easily throw itself off an unsecure bracket, creating a myriad of problems.

Additional light switches and/or outlets require cutting into the wall, locating the feed wires and tapping them, and perhaps pulling additional wire. Study up because there are code requirements about distance off the floor, what kind of wire to use, etc. And often such a job requires a permit to be pulled from the local government jurisdiction and a demonstration that the installer knows more than the basics about such an installation.

For these things, the Allstar Electrical Services recommendation is to call in a professional, licensed electrician so there will be confidence in the outcome.

Here are a few other, more basic electrical safety tips:

• Extension cords are meant to be temporary, not a component of the house wiring. They tend to heat up over time and should never, ever be placed under carpets, rugs or furniture. Never staple an electrical cord into place to keep it off the floor; should the need arise, there are U brackets which don’t pierce the cord for this purpose.
• Don’t overload circuits. If you experience tripping circuit breakers frequently when turning on multiple appliances (e.g. the microwave and the toaster), that circuit is underpowered or you need an additional circuit in that area.
• Power surge extension cords may protect the device plugged in from a power surge, but remember that if you plug multiple devices into the surge protector (e.g. computer, printer, keyboard) they are all still being plugged into a single outlet. Not recommended.
• Keep portable heaters and space heaters well ventilated and away from things that can burn, like carpets, furniture, newspapers/magazines and the like. And never operate them if no one is around.
• Unplug appliances – and, yes, charger cords – when not in use. Not only is it a potential electrical hazard, even a toaster plugged in but not in use is drawing power and wasting energy.

Electricity is, of course, a wonderful commodity that fulfills our lives in big and small ways each and every day. But it is also potentially dangerous and should be handled with care. With a growing demand for electrical devices in every room of the house, keep in mind that most Americans are continually adding to the strain on a home’s electrical system, and like anything else it should be inspected by a professional  periodically to make sure it is in tip-top shape. Second best just won’t do.

Except for the most minor repairs, it is not recommended that homeowners perform electrical work. It is dangerous, of course, but also there are a ton of rules and regulations that must be followed that only professionals keep fully abreast of. We at Allstar Electrical Services perform the full gamut of home electrical tasks, from the minor to the very complex, including inspections, to ensure everything is in order. Phone us at 303-399-7420 for complete details on any electrical project.

Search for an electrician online these days and chances are that you’ll notice what we did…more electrical shops have combined their services with other subcontractors to offer across-the-board repairs and remodeling.

Plumbers have aligned with Electrical Contractors and with HVAC specialists. Electrical Contractors have merged with alternative power companies. Some subcontractors are now promoting their companies as a one-stop-shop for all home repairs.

At Allstar Electrical Services Inc., we believe in doing one thing well-Electrical repair and contracting services. We don’t want to be all things to all people, insists Allstar founder and president Gary Stone.

“Decades of experience as licensed, bonded and insured master electricians has shown us that we can outshine any other electrical contractor in the Western United States because we focus on electrical contracting and repairs exclusively,” says Stone who has been in the electrical contracting business for 30 years.

Stone draws the analogy of the dentist vs. the hygienist. “Some people insist on seeing a dentist who performs routine cleanings himself. Others realize that they’re better off being treated by the hygienist because a hygienist cleans teeth all day long, every day and therefore is more expert than the dentist who does it occasionally.”

At Allstar Electrical Services, we’re experts in electrical installation for commercial and residential, indoors and outdoors. We’re expert at new construction and remodeling and repairs. We don’t pretend to do framing or drywall finish or plumbing and heating. We don’t do roofing or window installation. We do electrical work and we do it better than anyone.

We arrive on time. We respond to emergencies 24/7. We are family-owned and operated. We clean up our work area when finished. We get the job done better and quicker than companies that try to be a jack of all trades and master of none.

If you’ve got an electrical repair-no matter how minor-contact Allstar today at 303-399-7420. You’ll discover why our experi8enced, reputable company is the only one you’ll call in the future.

Allstar Electrical Service installs new service in older homes to boost the home’s ability to run more electrical appliances

Do you love Victorian architecture, older homes and mature landscaping? The thing that lures people to buy a home is rarely the electrical service or features, and that’s hardly ever the case when buying an older home.

And one of the first things new homeowners of older homes discover is that there aren’t enough electrical outlets to service a modern day lifestyle. Even more dismaying is learning that the wiring in your older home is outdated or made of aluminum. And if the overall power system is inadequate, it could be that you will need to add new electrical service to increase the capacity…even to run the most basic electrical appliances.

Gary Stone, founder of Allstar Electrical Service in Denver, Colorado and in Colorado Springs, Colorado, often gets calls for estimates of “what it will take to get the right electricity in our home.”

His first question is, “How old is your home?”

Older homes with only 120-volt service less than 100 amps can’t support major improvements and additions to the electrical plan.

Unique to older homes that haven’t been upgraded to new service is the problem of too few outlets. The National Electrical Code requires outlets every 12 feet or one per wall. Some older homes that have been retrofitted with electrical service don’t feature outlets on exterior walls. The lack of such outlets, says Stone, nearly guarantees inconvenience. In-room lamps can’t be positioned near enough to an outlet and using extension cords isn’t necessarily desirable especially when they’re strung across a room becoming a tripping hazard.

The first electricity was generated and sold out of a plant in Appleton, Wisconsin. It was 1882 and the Appleton plant was the first in the area, extending only as far away as a mile.

It’s not uncommon for homes in some of the older neighborhoods in both Denver and Colorado Springs to date back to 1875. Homes were heated mostly by coal until the 1930′s to 1950′s when electrical service began to be retrofitted into residences. Some types of home construction, particularly plaster exterior walls, didn’t accommodate wiring being installed underneath and it’s not unusual to find a room in one of these older homes with conduit running around the perimeter of the room, outlet to outlet.

The cost of new service in an average-size home can run from $8,000 and more, a big tab to an unsuspecting homeowner who discovers that his/her new abode needs such service.

Of course, says Stone, you can contact Allstar Electrical for a review of your property and its current electrical service before you come to the closing table. But often people fall in love with the address of a certain home and too late discover that upgrades and lighting fixtures exceed their budget so soon after making a home purchase. Still other lenders will require that a home be upgraded to full-capacity code-passing electrical service prior to closing. And as frustrating as that can be for all parties involved to have a closing stalled because of this requirement, it makes living in the residence much more comfortable right from the get-go.

Call Allstar Electrical Service today and inquire about their Premiere Customer Service Agreement, available for an annual fee of only $79, are like an insurance policy—protecting customers against the worry that they’ll ever be left literally in the dark or without other electrical service when an emergency arises.

Contact Allstar Electrical Service, Inc. today to enroll in the Premiere Customer Service Agreement and rest assured that you’ll get priority service if and when an electrical emergency arises. Call Allstar Electrical at 303.399.7420 in Denver and 719-314-9419 in Colorado Springs. Or email President Gary Stone at gstone@allstarelectrical.com.

Professional installation isn’t just about knowing your circuit breakers, voltage or LED lighting. Performing clean electrical work is as much about being meticulous with installation and clean-up, particularly when it comes to remodeling in residential homes.

Gary Stone, president of Allstar Electrical Services, Inc. based in Denver, Colorado with satellite services in Colorado Springs, Colorado, insists that his electricians, from master electricians to apprentices, leave an immaculate work area when they’re finished with an electrical upgrade or installation. If the job takes more than one day, it means cleaning up at the end of each day too, stresses Stone.

That organization on a surface level also filters down to demanding organization within electrical boxes. The point of that kind of detail-oriented management of electrical installation is that it ultimately makes it easier on the homeowner or building manager when they need to check the electrical box, whether that’s to trip a breaker after a power outage or if additional electrical services are added down the line.

It’s not unusual for unprofessional electricians to leave a breaker box unmarked or wiring to an outlet unfinished.

Stone won’t stand for that.

“Our clients remember us for the professional manner in which we show up on time, dressed in clean uniforms, driving fully equipped vans, and foremost how we engage with the customer as professionals,” Stone, who founded Allstar Electrical Services, Inc. based on the premise that too few electrical contracting companies were willing to go the extra mile investing time into proper job preparation and clean-up.

As part of the job done by Allstar Electrical Services’ electricians, the electrician calls to confirm timely arrival on the job site. After the electrician has reviewed the service area, he will inquire of the homeowner the best route to enter and exit the house so as not to be disruptive to the people living there or the activities ongoing in the home. Dogs and small children can be curious, and the Allstar electricians secure the work area so as not to endanger any pet or child.

Once the work is completed, Allstar electricians will vacuum or sweep the work area, taking packaging materials with them when they leave versus leaving the boxes and scrap wrapping materials on the floor for the customer to tidy up.

“It’s our belief that an overall professional electrician, one that presents professionally to the customer is also the superior choice for competent electrical installation. When the job is finished, we want our customers to remember the event as pleasant, well-managed and thorough. We bring a package offering to the client’s location and the reward is the excellent feedback we regularly get after every job is finished,” adds Stone.

Allstar Electrical Services can be reached by calling Colorado Springs office at 719-314-9419 or Denver at 303-399-7420 to schedule an estimate or a repair.