Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for electrical contractors that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Wizard Electric, the key to keeping clients happy is simple: go the extra mile to make sure every aspect of their projects is completed to their total satisfaction. “I want my clients to be comfortable and trust that I’m going to provide them with the best possible service,” affirms Partner Brian McMenomey. “By walking them through every step of their jobs and checking in on them after the work is complete, I’m able to ensure they have great experiences.”

Wizard Electric has been providing electrical services for residential and commercial clients in Solano, Napa, Yolo and Contra Costa Counties since 1978. The company is qualified to handle everything from panel replacements and electrical code upgrades to LED lighting installations and whole home rewiring projects, and it also offers 24/7 emergency service for the convenience of its customers.

Mr. McMenomey understands that he’s working in people’s homes and businesses, so he always cleans up after himself and makes sure everything is correct before he leaves the jobsite. “My job is to give each customer exactly what they’ve paid for and ensure my work is safe, correct, and up to code,” he says.

Another distinguishing attribute of Wizard Electric is its dedication to communicating with its clients throughout their electrical projects. “Written and verbal communication are absolutely critical during an electrical job, and I take that very seriously,” confirms Mr. McMenomey. “By documenting everything in writing, I lay a strong ground level of expectation that both parties can agree to, which eliminates confusion.”

When it comes to general home maintenance, don’t forget about your electrical system.

Most residential electrical systems are buried behind walls, so until an outlet or switch malfunctions, many homeowners never think about keeping them up-to-date. However, according to Brian McMenomey, partner at Wizard Electric in Winters, neglecting your home’s electrical system can lead to serious safety hazards. “Over time, electrical components experience wear and tear,” he explains. “The parts undergo heating, cooling, expanding and contracting for years, which can create loose connections. Also, power can arc as it tries to make connections, which creates microwelding and poses a fire risk.”

How to proactively prevent electrical problems
So, what can you do to protect yourself, your home and your family? “Hiring an electrician to perform regular maintenance can help reverse some of these problems before they become too serious,” says Mr. McMenomey. Here are some other steps you can take to protect your electrical system:

• Keep trees and bushes trimmed and away from cables and wires outside of your home or business.
• Check your electrical panel or breaker box for burned, scorched, or loose wiring.
• If you have outlets or switches that aren’t working, feel warm to the touch, are discolored or cracked, or make buzzing or crackling sounds, show them to an electrician.
• Regularly test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and replace their batteries every six months.
• Only use light bulbs that are compatible with your fixtures. Make sure the bulbs are at or below the recommended maximum wattage.
• Replace light bulbs that are damaged or don’t have a covering. Bare bulbs can pose a fire risk.
• If you use extension cords or run electrical cords under carpeting or across rooms, have an electrician install new outlets where they’re needed.

Q: How much will it cost to complete my electrical project?
A: That depends on the type of work, but I can give you an estimate once I see what I’m dealing with.

Q: How long will it take to complete my job?
A: It depends on a variety of factors, but I’ll give you a timeline before work begins so you know what to expect.

Q: Will you need to put holes in my walls?
A: Possibly, but I’ll talk to you about that ahead of time and make sure you’re OK with it. If I need to cut into your walls, I’ll do a rough patch to cover the holes. I can’t do any texturing or painting, but I can recommend other contractors that provide those services.

Q: Do I need a permit for my job?
A: Most electrical work requires a permit, but I’ll handle that process for you.

Q: Does PG&E have to be involved in my job?
A: When I change main electrical panels or do big rewires, PG&E needs to be involved. If that’s the case with your project, I’ll coordinate with them to complete the work.

Q: Does it matter what type or brand of electrical panel I have?
A: There are certain panels that you want to watch out for. Some are rated so low that many homeowners insurance companies won’t cover them because they’re known to malfunction. I can recommend a good electrical panel brand for you and tell you whether your current panel is safe.

Q: Do I need to have a grounded electrical system?
A: Many older homes don’t have grounded systems, but overcurrents and surges from PG&E can hurt your appliances and electronics if you don’t have a proper grounding system installed.