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 Electrical Assistance Inc., the key to keeping clients happy is simple: make sure they’re satisfied with every aspect of their projects, including the final price. “We strive to get everything right the first time and we’re always code-compliant,” says owner Victor Soares. “We also let our clients know the pros and cons of the electrical work that they want done, and they really appreciate that type of honesty.”

Electrical Assistance has been providing electrical repair and installation services for residential and light commercial clients in Marin, Napa, Sonoma, and San Francisco Counties since 2018. The company has the in-house capabilities to handle everything from electrical panel upgrades to complete rewiring projects, and it’s also qualified to install electric vehicle charging stations.

Unlike less experienced electrical contractors that stretch out the size and scope of projects just to make higher profits, Electrical Assistance focuses on helping its customers save money wherever possible. “If there’s an easier way to do a certain job, we’ll present that solution to the client so they can choose what they want to do,” explains Mr. Soares. “Sometimes there’s a solution that isn’t top-of-the-line, but it’s right for the situation. As long as it’s legal and up to code, we’ll do it if it’ll reduce the client’s costs.”

Another distinguishing attribute of Electrical Assistance is its company-wide dedication to honest communication. “We make sure our clients are up-to-date on everything we’re doing,” affirms Mr. Soares. “We’re very transparent about what they need and we show them all the possible solutions to their issues so they can make informed decisions. At the end of the day, our job is to give them what they want and leave them with smiles on their faces.”

You can save money and still get safe, legal, up-to-code electrical work.
Most homeowners are concerned about cost when it comes to maintaining their properties, even when it comes to work that’s important to get right, like electrical repairs and installations. Fortunately, there are ways to save money when hiring an electrician that don’t compromise the quality, safety or legality of the work.

Troubleshoot before calling a professional. If you have a problem like an entire room going dark or a kitchen outlet that doesn’t work, you can often handle the fix yourself. “Try resetting the breakers—most of the time, the power will come back on,” advises Victor Soares, owner of Electrical Assistance in Novato. “As for an outlet with no power, try pressing the button on the outlet to reset the GFCI. Kitchen and bathroom outlets will usually work again once you reset them. If that doesn’t work, call a licensed electrician to look at the problem.”

Ask your electrician about other options. For expensive installations like new electrical panels to accompany electric vehicle charging stations, there may be options. “You might not be required to get a panel upgrade just to have an electric vehicle charger,” says Mr. Soares. “There are ways around that situation that are still code-compliant. A quality electrician should be willing to assess what you already have and what you need to determine the best solution.”

Always hire licensed and insured contractors. Saving money by hiring a company with little to no overhead can seem like a good deal, but the long-term dangers and possible costs outweigh the benefits.

Hire an electrical contractor that isn’t stuck in a rut. Some electricians work the same way every time, while others look for ways to help their clients save money while keeping their homes safe. Before hiring an electrician, Mr. Soares recommends calling prospective hires to learn more about what they can offer. “It’s all about empathy and whether they try to be informative and helpful,” he says. “It’s also nice to get a feel for whether the company is on top of trying new things and thinking about the best ways to help their customers.”