When we have a problem with our electrical systems, such as an outlet that has stopped working or perhaps a light fixture needs replacing, we often reach out to an experienced and licensed Electrician to come out and see what the issues are; and of course to make any

necessary repairs. Having said that, most often we also want to know how much the service call will cost us.

Here at Bolt Electric, we often have folks calling and asking for an “Estimate” or “Quote” on electrical service/ repair costs, before even considering  scheduling their appointment.  While It's always great to get as much information as you can; especially if you're going to be spending some money on repairs, you have to remember that while some electrical repairs can be fairly straightforward, that isn’t always the case.

Most often in order to know whats  needed to make repairs, someone with experience in the field will need to do some looking into the problems to understand them.  Many people confuse the difference between troubleshooting electrical work VS estimating electrical work,

so we thought to shed some light on this topic!

The Differences:

The differences between a “Service/ Repair appointment” and an “Estimate Service Appointment”; are determined by what is required to complete the scope of work for the project. The major deciding factors for scheduling a service call versus an estimate; are based on whether a problem is occurring that requires a solution; or you are requesting an upgrade or new installation service.

While it’s always a good idea to know what you’d be spending in advance, electrical repair work can sometimes be very tricky and time consuming. It can also be very straightforward, which is why the need for troubleshooting is so critical.  Most electricians can provide you with their rates for repairs, which will give you an idea of cost for a Service Call beforehand, but sometimes there can be troubleshooting involved and that can take some time.

Troubleshooting:

Troubleshooting is a process of elimination to locate the cause(s) of the electrical issue(s), decide the best course of action to initiate repairs, and then to make the repairs necessary to have everything in working order, as well as up to the NEC Electrical Code.

Troubleshooting an electrical issue can vary in the time it takes to trace out the problems therein depending on the extent of the problem. For instance, a clothes dryer is no longer working. The electrician will need to determine if it is the electrical line running to the clothes dryer, the outlet, or the appliance that is experiencing the problem. Another example is when you have several outlets or switches in an area that are not working or possibly tripping a breaker. The Electrician would need to trace the source of the issue for each individual outlet and switch, as well as the breaker itself. The issue could be as simple as one outlet or switch tripping the circuit breaker to that area, or perhaps the actual circuit breaker has gone bad and needs replacing, or is just overloaded.

These type of scenarios require an experienced and licensed electrician with the skill of troubleshooting to determine the issue and then make repairs, and in a timely manner.

In the event they are unable to complete the scope of work to make these repairs in a reasonable time-frame, or due to the nature of the issue, you would then cross over into Estimate Service appointment territory.

Estimate Service appointment:

An Estimate service appointment will ultimately determine the most probable total of expenses to be incurred on the work for an upgrade or new installation type of service, such as installing a 240 outlet for a new dryer; or possibly upgrading or rebuilding of your main service panel.

Recessed lighting, Car Charging Receptacles, Spa Hookups, and Dedicated Circuits are also services that would require an Estimate Service appointment as well.

An experienced electrician would require a brief inspection, and a comprehensive discussion with the client as to what is either recommended, desired, or required to perform the services that best fits the customer’s needs.

Once the electrician understands the full parameters of the job, the Electrician would then have to shop around for pricing on all of the materials that would be needed, as well as factoring in the time involved to execute the job, and then compile all of this information, to present a fixed price or Proposal, for the customer.

Is there a Service Fee for an Estimate Service appointment?

The easy answer is, yes. Some companies charge a small fee for an experienced and licensed Electrician to come out for the initial visit, and then they will apply that service fee as a credit to the proposal. Others will factor the estimate appointment, or diagnosis of the work into the total cost of the project, without the fee on the front end.

We hope this helps to clear up the differences between whether you’re needing a Service/ Repair Appointment;

or an Estimate Service Appointment.

At Bolt Electric, our experienced and Licensed Electricians perform both Commercial and Residential Service and Repair, as well as Estimates for future projects. We would never send a salesperson to estimate on a job they wouldn’t perform themselves.

Please let us know if we can assist you with Service/ Repair or Estimate Service Call for future projects.

Bolt Electric, LLC

13106 Lookout Way

San Antonio, TX 78233

(210) 545-BOLT (2658)

www.boltelectricsa.com