Electricians in Omaha, NE

Omaha Electricians

There are some home repair projects that you can let slide down your to-do list, but you shouldn't be lax about issues relating to your home's electrical system. These issues are not cosmetic, and they can make your life difficult or even create some dangerous conditions. It's an especially good idea to make sure you have your home's electrical components and wiring systems in good working order before Omaha's summer storm season and the subsequent winter blizzards hit in full force. You don't want to be caught in inclement weather without the ability to heat your home or watch weather reports to get news about an oncoming storm system. Finding a reputable electrician and getting a good deal on your electrical services in Omaha is a matter of doing some research.

Where to Find Service for Omaha Neighborhoods

Omaha is a modestly-sized and populated city. Thus, it may be easy to find an electrician from any part of town to service your home, whether you live in the business-oriented downtown area or the urban havens of Old Market and Benson.

Some contractors may be willing to travel outside the city limits to nearby towns such as Ralston, which is nestled in Omaha's southern edge. Other nearby suburbs, such as the quiet, family-oriented Papillon, may also easily receive electrician services from Omaha-based professionals. Those who live west and south of the Platte may end up paying more than what it might cost for a local professional to do the same job due to transportation costs.

Residents may want to stick to Nebraska-based professionals to carry out their electrical repair and installation projects to be sure the project is performed by a properly licensed professional. If, on the other hand, you live on the Iowa side of the Missouri, even if you're in the Council Bluffs or Carter Lake areas, it may be a good idea to opt for an Iowa-based electrician. Nebraska and Iowa do have a reciprocal licensing program, but it is important to make sure the electrician has carried out the proper procedure to qualify for this reciprocal license.

Average Costs for Omaha Electrical Services

Because a project's budget relies heavily on the specifics of the situation, it’s important to get quotes from multiple qualified professionals and compare the different prices. Depending on the project, electricians in Omaha can charge well under the national average for their services, so it’s possible to get a good deal on almost any project. The average prices in the table below offer better idea of what's normal in the Omaha area and how the River City stacks up against the rest of the country.

Official Requirements for Omaha Electricians

Omaha is not one of the few Nebraskan cities that issue their own municipal electrical worker licenses. Instead, electricians in Omaha are licensed by the state. The State of Nebraska issues several different levels of licenses:

• Apprentice Electrician
• Electrical Contractor
• Fire Alarm Installer
• Journeyman Electrician
• Residential Journeyman Wireman

Both Journeyman Electrician and Residential Journeyman Wireman licenses are acceptable for residential work. These two licenses require multiple years of experience, so you can rest assured that any electrician who holds this license from the state has proven himself or herself as a competent professional.

Residential Journeyman Wireman licenses are valid only for residential work, so those with this license may be better suited to completing projects in a home, although Journeyman Electrician licensees should also have the necessary skills to work in a residential context. Electrical Contractor license holders in Omaha are the most advanced professionals in the field; the State of Nebraska requires these professionals to hold a college degree. Those with Fire Alarm Installer licenses are only certified to work on fire alarm systems.

How Electrical Systems and Components Impact the Value of a Home

Few prospective buyers are likely to be interested in a home that has a faulty or unreliable electrical system, and this is especially true in Omaha when bad weather seasons are constantly on the horizon. No one wants to move into a house during blizzard season and wonder if the electric heating system is going to give out at a moment's notice. If you plan to sell your home in Omaha, make sure you pay attention to what appraisers say about your electrical system. If there are issues, even small ones, they could have a negative impact on what your house is worth in a competitive real estate market.