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for calling in a commercial electrical contractor is for a redesign or retrofit building project where often outdated existing electrical systems are completely overhauled to meet current codes and the new purposes for the building.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