The terms electrician and electrical contractor are often used interchangeably. While there’s a great deal of overlap, these are separate professional categories involving distinct responsibilities and skills. When considering the services best suited to your needs, it’s important to know which of these specialists you should turn to. Use the guide below to learn what sets these jobs apart and what they do.
How Do Electricians & Electrical Contractors Differ?
Electricians are trained and licensed to carry out electrical work, such as wiring, lighting, commercial electrical equipment, and alarm systems. In states like Georgia, electricians may become qualified either through classroom training or paid apprenticeships. Residential electricians are the most numerous, and there are further specializations, such as industrial, high-voltage, and highway systems.
Meanwhile, an electrical contractor is a business owner or group of professionals acting as a business entity to design, install, and maintain specialized electrical equipment and systems. While an electrician may double as a contractor if they operate independently, this is a separate function from the electrical work they perform. Similarly, contracting companies often employ electricians to construct or maintain the systems they design.
What Does an Electrical Contractor Do?
Electrical contractors’ duties typically include planning, designing, budgeting, and coordinating the construction of electrical projects for separate companies. In addition, they manage relationships with clients and partners as well as contracting staff. They’re usually further classified by the type of work they perform.
For example, line or outside contractors are responsible for creating the electrical infrastructure needed to deliver electricity from a power plant to a building or facility. Inside contractors design, install, and maintain electrical systems within a property, such as building wiring or outdoor lighting. A third specialization, integrated building systems contractors, involves work with low-voltage systems in telecommunications, security, wireless networks, and power controls.
If you’re in need of an experienced commercial electrical contractor, look no further than J.R. Electrical LLC in Marietta, GA. We are fully licensed and insured professionals offer high-quality electrical installations, repairs, and maintenance services to businesses throughout the Metro Atlanta area. We hold ourselves to industry-leading standards on jobs of any size, from minor rewiring projects to whole-building upgrades. Call (770) 420-1530 or schedule a service.
