For many first-time commercial property managers or business owners, low voltage systems are a completely new aspect of building maintenance and construction. They’ve never had to work with a low voltage contractor to keep their building safe and up to code. Luckily, many of the qualities you should look for when hiring a contractor apply to low voltage contractors, with a couple of key differences.
Range of services
When you’re building a new commercial space or modernizing your existing space, don’t work with multiple contractors when you could just work with one.
When searching for a low voltage contractor, choose one that can handle it all for you. A trustworthy and established low voltage contractor will be able to provide the full range of low voltage system installations, including:
- Fire alarms
- Data communication
- Access control
- Video surveillance
- Security
- Paging
- DAS
- Audio/Visual
- Nurse call
Limiting the amount of contractors you work with will better control costs, make scheduling installations easier, and result in a more cohesive low voltage system and experience. Plus, you’ll only have to meet with and gather quotes once, as opposed to multiple times for multiple system installations.
Experience in the community
Working with a low voltage contractor who has experience in your community (and in different industries) will always result in a better experience.
Many contractors or electricians with very little experience in low voltage installations will advertise low voltage services as if they are seasoned installers. The fact of the matter is, low voltage installation takes specialized training and knowledge to properly execute systems in a clean and safe manner.
Local experience is just as important. Given that many low voltage systems are required by highly specific laws in municipalities and states, local knowledge goes a long way towards ensuring compliance.
Positive reviews
Since reviews are written by customers just like you, you’ll get a great idea of what it’s like to work with any low voltage contractor you’re considering. Contractors are good at making lots of claims to being the best or great to work with. Reviews will back up or refute the claims they are making.
Additionally, always check to see if the contractor you’re considering working with has references to share. Most trustworthy contractors will have past clients that will back up their claims to you directly.
Responsive communication
In any construction or renovation project, communication is crucial. Most projects will have any number of contractors and workers in and out throughout the project. Different services and contractors must be scheduled weeks in advance, and even a one-day delay can create a major issue and result in your timeline being disrupted.
Make sure any low voltage contractor you work with provides clear communication. This will help make sure timelines stay on track, but also ensure that you are kept in the loop of your project’s status and made aware of any delays or hiccups. When you call, they should be happy to answer and have answers to the questions you ask them.
Offer end-to-end solutions
After installation, low voltage systems will need to be managed correctly to get the most out of them. Whether it’s security monitoring, yearly inspections to make sure everything is running right, or just someone available to answer your questions, work with a contractor who can be a long-term partner.
Reputable low voltage contractors offer end-to-end solutions to make things easier on their clients. Since you’ll be working with the contractor who installed your system, you know that they’ll be familiar with your specific system and be there in case you have a problem.
Common solutions that trustworthy low voltage contractors offer include:
Flexible schedule
Whether it is an emergency repair or a short window in which you need your system installed, working with a low voltage contractor who can be available on your schedule is crucial.
When something goes wrong with your system, it can be a dangerous safety issue waiting to happen. Having a contractor who can work with you to come out and fix any problem will go a long way. Similarly crucial is having a contractor who can fit in an installation in the oftentimes short windows that exist in construction projects.
Work with a contractor who values your time and can work with you to make sure your timeline stays on track.
Professional team
The strength of your low voltage system ensures your commercial space is not only up-to-code, but that you, your employees, and your customers will stay safe.
While there are plenty of low budget contractors, low voltage systems that can be purchased online, and cheaper options, working with a professional contractor will ensure your commercial space is safe and in compliance. It will also protect your business in case something happens and a faulty system can be held at fault.
Additionally, professional technicians have reputations to uphold and will be on-time, look professional when at the work space, and can be trusted to do the job right the first time. Why trust anything else when it comes to your space?
Work with a low voltage contractor you can trust
At Low Voltage NW, we work with commercial property and business owners in the Willamette Valley and throughout Oregon to install and service the highest-quality low voltage systems available.
Contact us today to get started.
