A job well done is something family-owned Mr. Electric of San Mateo strives to deliver every time, but according to owner Jeff Balich, the Burlingame-based company can offer customers much more than that. “I’d say we help them achieve peace of mind,” he says. “We get the job done in a timely manner and are professional the entire time.” This includes respecting property by taking measures to ensure work areas remain clean. Electricians wear booties when they come into a home and use tarps to prevent surrounding areas from getting dirty. When a job is finished, they always clean up after themselves.

Mr. Electric of San Mateo offers an extensive range of services, including electrical panel upgrades, home inspection, surge protection, GFI outlets, ceiling fans, recessed lighting, hot tub and spa wiring, and full rewiring of old homes and remodels (including knob and tube replacement). Its thorough knowledge of up-to-date codes and equipment guarantees clients’ homes will be safer, says Mr. Balich.

Good communication is important to continuous customer satisfaction, so being honest and upfront with every client is important to Mr. Electric of San Mateo, and it begins with the bid process. “Instead of billing by the hour, we bill using the Straight Forward Pricing™ ” guide, explains Mr. Balich. Simply put, charging by the job instead of by the hour means homeowners aren’t surprised by the final bill. At the conclusion of each job, the company makes a follow-up call to the customer to assure they’re completely satisfied.

Mr. Electric of San Mateo’s commitment to its customers includes guaranteeing a thorough job that’s backed by honesty and expertise. “Some companies cut corners by coming in with a lowball estimate,” says Mr. Balich, “and then they raise the price once the contract is signed. They don’t do the job properly, compromising safety and sometimes causing damage that we’re later called in to fix. This ends up costing homeowners extra money.” By contrast, he says, Mr. Electric of San Mateo has the reputation of doing jobs right the first time.

It’s crucial to keep your home’s electrical system in good working order. The following checklist can provide homeowners with some basic knowledge of what to look for when assessing the electrical safety of their homes:

Inspect your main electrical service panel. Check for rust, loose connections, poor installation, arcing, a burning smell, or water damage.

Walk the perimeter of your house. Check for exposed wires and make sure all outlets are GFI-protected and have a waterproof cover. Make sure there’s adequate lighting near entries and exits.

Inspect your interior outlets. Check for GFI-protected outlets in your kitchen, bathrooms and garage. Make sure all outlets are three-pronged and grounded, especially if you have electronic components plugged into them. Watch for any loose connections when you plug in a cord—if it’s overheating, it’ll smell or look burnt.

Inspect your interior smoke detectors. Make sure you can locate them in your bedrooms and hallways and confirm they’re working properly. Change the batteries if necessary.

Also, check your garage, attic and crawl spaces for exposed wiring, and make sure circuits aren’t overloaded.

While the above list isn’t intended to be a substitute for a professional inspection, it can at least give you an idea about the condition of your home’s electrical system. If something concerns you, it’s in your best interest to contact a qualified electrician to do a professional inspection and make repairs where needed.

When looking for an electrician, it’s important to choose one with an established reputation backed by a track record of excellent service, trustworthiness and honesty. “Make sure they’re Diamond Certified, for one,” says Jeff Balich, owner of MJB Electrical Contractors in Burlingame. “Choose a quality contractor who you don’t have to worry about—one who will give you and your family the peace of mind you deserve.”

Ask about the experience of the company’s employees. Are they certified electricians who are skilled and highly-trained? Always do your homework to make sure the professionals to whom you entrust your family’s safety and well-being are properly certified and insured.

Q: If I hire you, can I feel safe having your workers in my house?

A: Absolutely. All our technicians are drug-tested and background-checked. I can vouch for their trustworthiness. They wouldn’t be working for us if they didn’t meet our high standards.

Q: Can electrical panels be moved to any location in the house?

A: No. They must be put in a code location, which means there has to be three feet of clearance in the front and 30 inches side by side. We can help you decide where the ideal place would be for electrical panels in your house.

Q: What’s a GFI outlet?

A: GFI—sometimes called GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)—is a safety device that’s designed to protect you from shock or electrocution and is required anywhere in or around the house where an outlet may come in contact with water, like kitchen counters, bathrooms, garages and other outdoor areas. These outlets automatically shut off the electrical current whenever water or dampness is detected.

Q: I have an older home. Should I replace my electrical panels?

A: To be on the safe side, any panel that’s more than 40 years old should be inspected by a qualified electrical contractor. In particular, Federal Pacific Panels and certain Zinsco Panels are outdated and pose significant fire and safety hazards.