With electrical work, you often cannot see a bad job. A plumbing mistake drips. A painting mistake peels. A wiring mistake stays hidden behind the wall until something heats up. So you need to check before the work starts, not after. Most of these checks take only a few minutes.
Know what kind of job you have
Three very different jobs are all called "electrician work".
The first is a fault: a breaker that keeps tripping, a socket that stopped working, or a fan that hums but does not turn. The second is new work: a new AC point, an extra circuit for the kitchen, or a geyser line. The third is full rewiring or a new distribution board. That is a bigger project that needs a plan and may need approvals. It is not a one-day job.
Tell the electrician which one you have. Someone who is very good at fixing faults may not want to rewire a whole house. It is better to hear that from them at the start.
Questions to ask
Are you licensed, and by whom? In most states, electrical contractors and wiremen are licensed by the state's electrical licensing board or electrical inspectorate. A licensed person can tell you this easily. It matters most for rewiring, where the work may need to be approved. But ask every time. If the answer is not clear, the work may not be either.
How is the earthing here, and how will you check it? Earthing is often missing or damaged in Indian homes, whether in Delhi, Lucknow or Ahmedabad. This is common in older houses and in flats where people have added new points over the years. A good electrician checks it every time and tells you what they found. If they never mention it, they are not checking.
Which breaker protects this, and is it the right size? You will hear MCB and RCCB. An MCB cuts power when there is too much load. An RCCB cuts power when current leaks to earth. A home should have both. You do not need to know the ratings. The electrician should look at the board, tell you what is there, and say if it is enough for the new work.
How old is the wiring, and what type is it? Aluminium wiring, copper wire that is too thin, and joints wrapped in tape inside the ceiling are common in older buildings. A good electrician can open one switchboard and tell you what the rest of the house is probably like.
What brands will you use, and can I see the boxes? Cables and switches from known brands cost more but last for many years. You do not need the most expensive ones, but you should know what goes into your wall. Ask them to leave the boxes with you.
Can you give me the quote in writing? List the points, cable lengths, breakers with their ratings, and labour. You should be able to show this list to another electrician for a second opinion.
What to check while they work
You do not need to watch them all the time. But you can easily check three things.
Cables should run inside conduit pipes, not loose under the plaster. Joints should be made inside a box, not left hanging. When they finish, they should test every switch and socket in front of you, including the ones they did not touch. A circuit that worked before and does not work now is a clear sign of careless work.
Warning signs
- A quote given without looking at the distribution board.
- "No need for earthing, it is only a fan."
- Not wanting to show the materials, or to leave the boxes.
- No testing at the end.
- They do not answer their phone the week after.
Ask people who have already hired them
The best check is someone who hired that electrician a year ago and can tell you if anything has tripped since. That is a neighbour, not a search result.
On Zinola
- Ask your street who they used, what the job was, and if it is still working well.
- Read the electrical reviews neighbours in your area have written.
- Open the electrical directory to see who covers your area and message them directly.
You deal with the electrician directly. You do not book or pay through Zinola. After the job, write what happened. The next person on your street will want to know.