Getting a Construction Project to Turn Out Like You Planned

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Large or small … getting construction projects to run smoothly, completed on time, and on budget always presents its challenges. To have the end result turn out the way you want takes planning and staying on top of the details.

Having a well thought out plan always makes things easier.

Planning is Key to Success
To be successful we have found that defining the plan, adjusting the plan when needed, and ultimately implementing a well thought out construction plan is key to the success of your project.

When working with multiple contractors it is essential that the roles and responsibilities of each are clearly defined.

To make this happen the project manager, or owners group should consider the following standardized practices. Be sure to solicit the input and perspective from those involved about their specific tasks.

• Who is in charge
  First and foremost establishing a clear chain of command and identifying who has the authority to make changes and spend additional monies is key to the success of any project large or small.       With larger projects, if someone from the owners group is too busy or not qualified to make construction related decisions, we highly recommend a good project manger.
• Scope Statement
  

  Understanding the scope, schedule and milestones of the project helps the contractors coordinate their work schedules.

  A simple document that clearly defines the work to be done, deliverables, key milestones, and ideally a schedule of values and costs. A scope statement may change during the project, but it shouldn’t be done without the approval of the project manager and/or the owners group.

• Written Schedule
  A visual representation of the time line that breaks down the scope of the project into well understood dates and times for all the trades in the job.
• Written Change Orders
  Get them in writing and make sure all parties agree ahead of time how they will be billed!
• Milestones
  Identify high-level goals that need to be met throughout the project and make sure they are well understood by all the players on the job.
• Communication Plan
  This is of particular importance if your project involves outside stakeholders. Create reporting about project details and a schedule of when to update team members based on deliverables and milestones.  Also determine what the preferred method of disseminating information on progress reports will be, i.e. email, phone, text, pictures, video.
• Weekly job site meetings with all the players
  This is essential to avoid rework and costly delays and conflicts. Start by making sure everyone on the project has contact information for every other person on the project. The importance of getting all the players on the job working together is key to the project’s ultimate success.
• Only Hire Pros
  Hire the best trade’s professional you can. It is the single best investment you can make if you want less headaches and contractors who will go to bat for you and look out for your best interests. Remember low bid is exactly that – it always comes with a cost.

It’s A Beautiful Thing
Staying on top of all aspects of the project using these suggestions will make a big difference. As we all know, “It’s a beautiful thing, when it all comes together according to plan.”

Contact Us With Your Questions
We’ll be happy to answer your questions and have one of our licensed pros assist you in obtaining more information or a quote on your next electrical project.

Contact us today at Artisan Electric or give us a call at 765-414-3913.

At Artisan Electric we believe that when we support one another that “we all come up together”.   Our mission “To achieve success with a relentless pursuit of quality, safety, value, and ethics by elevating the work of electricians to a level that is more than just construction; but the work of Artisans” directs our everyday actions.

Acquiring your input on how we are performing is critical to our team meeting its long term goals.

The Importance of Online Reviews
Online reviews continue to grow in importance to every business. Through information obtained from Invesp we know that …

• 90% of consumers read online reviews before visiting a business
• 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations
• Customers are likely to spend 31% more on a business with “excellent” reviews
• 72% say that positive reviews make them trust a local business more
• 92% of users will  us a local business if it has at least a 4-star rating
• 72% of consumers will take action only after reading a positive review

How you can help Artisan Electric
Obtaining feedback on our performance through online reviews helps us improve our business.

Good reviews are important and we love to hear that we did things to your satisfaction, but we also realize that we are not perfect and do make mistakes.  If we failed to meet your expectations, we also want to hear from you.  Truth be told learning what we are did wrong can be more important than the praise we receive for things we do right.  If you have immediate concerns please call me directly at 765-414-3913 option #3, or send me an email at cvoglund@artisanelectric.net – owner Chris Voglund and the Artisan Team.

How to Make an Online Review
We encourage you to go online and leave a Google, Yelp, Facebook or Angie’s List review of your professional experience with Artisan Electric.  The links to each are below.

GOOGLE REVIEW	YELP REVIEW	FACEBOOK REVIEW	ANGIE’S LIST REVIEW

Contact Us With Your Questions
We’ll be happy to answer your questions and have one of our licensed pros assist you in obtaining more information or a quote on your next electrical project.

Contact us today at Artisan Electric or give us a call at 765-414-3913.

Add to Your Summer Memories with Great Outdoor Living

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With spring here and the summer soon to follow we can all look forward to taking advantage of those long summer days and warm summer nights.  Having an outdoor living space with extra amenities that your friends and family can enjoy will add to your summer memories.

Outdoor Living At Its Best
Here are five great ways to take your patio, deck or backyard to the next level.

Add visual appeal with outdoor lighting.

1. Incorporate Landscape and Architectural Lighting
Make your outdoor space and walkways more functional and attractive with lights around your deck, walkways and landscaping.  LED accent lighting adds beauty and appeal to your evening activities.

2. Supplement Outdoor Heating and Cooling
Using fans and patio heaters you can help cool the summer heat or be comfortable in the fall when the temperatures drop.  Ceiling fans in your screened-in porch or gazebo can easily be installed.

Relax in your own hot tub.

3. Install Outdoor Audio and Video Systems
Enjoying the game or your favorite music while relaxing on your deck can be a lot of fun with family and friends.  Installing a big screen TV and audio components around your outdoor bar or pool can easily be done with today’s technology.

4. Add a Spa or Hot Tub
When it comes to relaxing nothing beats a Jacuzzi or hot tub.  Incorporating a hot tub into your outdoor design will give you extra enjoyment for many years.

5. Create an Outdoor Kitchen

Enjoy great meals in your outdoor kitchen.

For the chef in all of us, creating a place to grill and prepare meals is a great way to entertain and enjoy a great meal at the same time.  From the simple to the elaborate, outdoor kitchens can be created to your specifications and budget.

Electrical Expertise Required
From installing a ceiling fan, to adding accent lighting, to wiring an A/V system, all of these projects require input from a knowledgeable electrician.  Making sure that all wiring is to code and is weather proof is important to insure everyone’s safety.

Any one of our the certified electricians on the Artisan Electric team would be happy to discuss your plans and provide input on turning your backyard into the outdoor space of your dreams.  Just give us a call at 765-414-3913 or contact us at Artisan Electric.

Surge Protection Can Save You Thousands of Dollars and Tons of Aggravation

How much can Surge Protection save you? That depends on how much you’ve invested in your home theatre; audio and computer equipment; and home appliances.

Electrical Spikes Come from Multiple Sources
The dreaded lightning strike on or near your home can quickly take out your home’s electronic devices including your computer, TV, audio equipment and alarm system.  It can also damage and/or degrade larger items like refrigerators, washers and dryers, and other home appliances.

Power surges are also caused by appliances inside your home from larger motors like refrigerators, microwave ovens, tools and HVAC systems.  When electrical spikes occur from these motors, sensitive electronic devices can be affected.

How do you protect your home and equipment from these highly disruptive power surges?

Step 1: Ask a qualified electrician to take a look at what you have in your home or office that is susceptible to power surges and where surge protection is warranted.

Step 2: Add surge protection at the main power panel, cable TV/satellite service and telephone service.  This protects inside your home from major electrical spikes from outside sources i.e. lightning strikes.

Step 3: Install smaller surge protectors to protect sensitive electronics inside your home from power surges caused by large appliances and other motors within your home.

Step 4:  Protect equipment located outside the home such as the air conditioning unit, pool pump or well pumps.

Avoid Expensive Replacement or Repair Bills
Protecting your valuable assets now by adding surge protection will prevent you from dealing with expensive replacement or repair bills later.

Artisan Electric offers surge protection products for commercial and residential customers. For more information on these products go to SurgeAssure.

Free Site Assessment
Have questions or concerns about surge protection for your home or business?  Contact us today at Artisan Electric or call us at 765-414-3913 and let our licensed pros do a free site assessment.  We can then discuss the best way to protect all your electronic devices.

Not all electrical contractors are created equal.

This is the prime time of the year to start new construction projects. And almost every one of those projects will require some electrical work.

There are a lot of individuals and companies that offer to do electrical work.  In choosing which one is best suited to install a new electrical service; wire your home or business; or perform service calls and repairs; you’ll want to ask the following questions.

Do they hold current state licenses?
Are they up-to-date on all code requirements?
A license is your guarantee that the contractor has completed the necessary courses and practical work to perform the job safely and correctly. You should insist on any job, large or small, that your contractor demonstrates adherence to code and license requirements. Failure to do so could mean additional costs down the road to re-do a non-compliant job.

What type of training have they received?
Choosing a company that uses degreed journeyman electricians, who have completed a 4 or 5 year certified apprenticeship program, helps guarantee that the electrician has both the field experience and education to provide top level services and deal with the unforeseen in a professional manor.

Are they bonded and insured?
A call to the City Engineers Office in the town or county where you live can reveal a lot.  Find out if the trade you are researching requires a state license, and if the specific contractor you are researching is bonded with the city or county they are working in.

Be sure your contractor carries their own workers’ comp insurance. Ask to see copies of current policies and make sure they have not expired. Make no mistake, if an electrician is injured on the job, it will come back on the homeowner’s insurance policy if the contractor doesn’t carry workers’ comp insurance.  Always ask that a COI (certificate of insurance) be sent directly to you from their agent!

Are they listed with the Better Business Bureau or well-reviewed on Angie’s List?
The Better Business Bureau has an ever growing data base of information on contractors – you can find out a lot from their website or a phone call.  Angie’s List is a great resource to find out about first-hand experiences other customers have had with a contractor.

Does their company do background checks?
Not all electrical contractors perform background checks. In this day and age it is important to know who you are hiring and letting into your place of business or home.

Is their estimate clear and in writing?
A proper estimate for work should be fully itemized; provide adequate details and a scope of work; outline the terms and obligations of all parties; and always be in writing.  It should be clear what is and what is not going to be done for the dollars you are about to spend.

Will they provide full disclosure?
If you feel uncertain about an initial estimate ask the contractor to provide a schedule of values.  This is a document used to break down and track all job costs, including percent mark up of material and profit.  A good contractor should be willing to share this information with you up front.

Ask for recommendations and references.
Talking with someone you trust, who has worked closely with an electrician, can give you valuable insight into what you can expect in service and workmanship. If you cannot get a recommendation then ask the electrician for references.  Contact the references to learn firsthand about their experience with the contractor.

We’ll Be Happy to Answer Your Questions
Talk to us about your next project and we’ll be happy to answer all your questions. We’ll follow up with one of our licensed pros providing an estimate on any electrical work you wish done.

Contact us today at Artisan Electric or give us a call at 765-414-3913.

Creating Your Perfect “TECH” Space

Remodeling dens, basements, living rooms, lady lairs, outdoor living spaces, she sheds, and man caves is very popular right now.

Having that space where you can enjoy the big game, stream movies, play video games, have the neighborhood kids over, and entertain family and friends has become a #1 priority for many.

Understanding how to integrate multiple layers of technology is important when creating that perfect TECH space.

Don’t Underestimate the Technology and Electrical needs as part of the “Big Picture”

When designing spaces that have multiple layers of technology there are some important considerations that impact your end result.  These include placement and type of audio and video; lighting and environmental controls; internet and provider connectivity; and integration devices (such as smart remotes) that make up your home media or entertainment center.

Lighting for your new space and how it will be controlled is another essential part of getting the right look and feel for a given project.  Both the lighting and component integration entail extensive understanding of technology, as well as the electrical considerations and lighting design.

An Amazing Space or a Bad College Apartment
Integrating audio and video equipment for optimum effect involves its proper placement within the room, both visually and for the best performance and effect.  The right lighting can really set a room apart and increase its functionality. Thinking through how the room will be used will determine the type, number and location of A/V components and lighting options.

When all the pieces come together in the right way, they make for amazing spaces.  When they come together in the wrong way, they lead to technology frustrations and often look like a bad college apartment.

Consult an electrician on the design and installation of new technology.

Talk to Your Technology Friendly, Local Journeyman Electricians at Artisan Electric – we are here to help!
So when you decide to remodel that prime space, it would be wise to have an experienced team involved both in the design phase of your project and for the install and completion.  Our team has the experience and boots on the ground expertise to assist in a wide range of tech based projects.

So what can we do?
o    Full line electrical contracting – residential, commercial, light industrial
o    Audio and Video distribution – for home, business, industry
o    Conference room and commercial business space tech solutions (War Rooms)
o    Video conferencing solutions
o    Smart office systems
o    Smart home systems
o    IT infrastructure
o    Network cabling
o    Generator Systems / Critical power
o    Surge protection solutions for home / business / industry
o    Wireless access solutions
o    Electronic integration design and consultation services
o    House of worship audio / video / lighting solutions and space planning
o    Events centers and theatrical space audio / video / lighting solutions and space planning
o    Custom integrated lighting design and installation
o    Conference room and office furniture solutions with design support
o    Tech consulting for business and industry (proper planning makes for predictable results)
o    Home theater / listening rooms
o    Retrofits  / remodels of all kinds
o    Audio testing / acoustic sound treatment solutions
o    Hearing loops
o    Crestron control systems
o    Wireless solutions for audio and vide
o    Custom interface systems and programming
o    Consulting for other outside resources teams, architects, and plan review services
o    If you can dream it we have the team to make it a reality!

The Artisan Way
Artisan Electric would be happy to review your ideas for any remodeling project, business space, or new home construction. Just give us a call.  We’ll go over our ideas and discuss the approach we use to get you to that final “yes, that’s what I wanted” moment with the least amount of headaches and stress.

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Change Your Lighting For A Dramatic New Look

Looking for a relatively inexpensive way to give your home a dramatic and distinctive new look?  Change the lighting.  By adding new lights, replacing old fixtures and rethinking how you light each room, your home can take on a new appearance and ambiance.  Using newer lighting products can even save you money.

Each Room Has Its Own Personality
Lighting should be tailored for each room.  Family rooms that are used for multiple purposes will require different lighting schemes than kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms.  Assess how a space is used before doing a lighting makeover.

Lighting in layers allows you to choose light fixtures that provide light where you need it and add visual interest as well.

Ambient or General Lighting
Ceiling fixtures and chandeliers provide light throughout a room.

Task Lighting
Add extra light to areas where chores and activities get done. Reading, cutting up food, applying makeup, and work areas benefit from task lighting.

Accent Lighting
Add interest to the décor or unique features of your home.  Lighting over a painting or display, or below or above cabinets will set these areas apart.

Ideas to Stimulate Your Imagination
Here are some suggestions we have to upgrade your lighting and not only enhance the ambiance of a space, but also make it more functional.

• Use wall-washing recessed lighting fixtures around the perimeter of a small room to illuminate the walls and make the space feel larger, or highlight artwork or other special features.

• A combination of ceiling lights, wall mounted sconces, and table lamps can create an overall look that resonates.  Adding sconce lights to living rooms and dining rooms is a very cost effective way to spruce up a space and really change the look of a room.

• For dark corners, use metal can up-lights. They can be purchased in a variety of styles and only need to be plugged in, with the light directed at the dark area. These are small and can be placed out of sight in a potted floor plant or on the top of a dresser.
  

  Dimmer switches add versatility

• Install under-cabinet light strips in the kitchen, desk area, or workroom. The light will shine directly on the work area and make any task easier. Switch them off when you leave the job.

• When lighting a three-dimensional object such as a fireplace, sculpture, or favorite item with recessed lighting, it is more effective to light it from two or three different angles.  Make sure you avoid the runway light look by not placing recessed lights in a straight line.

• Install dimmer switches on as many lamps and light fixtures as practical.  Dimmer switches and controls add versatility – creating a light source that’s customizable to your needs.  Set a different mood in your dining room, bathroom, bedroom and even outside on your deck or patio. You’ll have control over the intensity of light around your home and save energy at the same time.Being able to dim the lights in a given space is one of the quickest and most affordable changes that can be made to dramatically affect the lighting in a space.

Need Some Help Picking Our New Light Fixtures
Picking out new light fixtures and determining what can be done to change the lighting in a space can be an intimidating process.  Lighting is an art, we understand this very well (it is in our name after all).  We would be happy to assist you with design and new ideas to find a fresh approach for your space.  Just give us a call.

Lighting Up the Holidays … Safely and Efficiently

Decorating the outside of your home with Christmas lights and decorations adds to the spirit of the season.  For many stringing lights is an annual tradition that the whole family enjoys.  But along with the holiday glow come a number of electrical hazards that need to be avoided.

LED Christmas Lights

Standard or LED Lights
LED Christmas lights, although a little more expensive, use less energy, last longer and give off similar light levels. Because they draw less current, you can also attach more LED light strings together.  Given the energy savings and greater service life, LED lights are the way to go.

Buy the Correct Type of Lights
Make sure that the lights and decorations you use are rated for outdoor use and are UL rated. Check the color-coded UL mark on the product’s package. A green holographic UL mark means for indoor use only, while a red UL mark indicates the lights are safe for both indoor and outdoor use.  Putting indoor-only lights outside in the weather can result in electric shock and fire hazards.

Inspect Lights First
Inspect all lights, electric decorations and extension cords for signs of damage to wire insulation, plugs, and bulbs. If cords and plugs are damaged, discard and replace the decoration.

Too Many Lights Strung Together Can Be A Problem
One of the most common mistakes made when stringing lights is connecting too many strands of standard lights end-to-end.  Most manufacturers’ guidelines allow up to three strands to be connected.  Exceeding these limits can lead to overheating and a potential fire hazard.  Because of their lower current draw, LED lights allow for considerably more strings of lights to be strung together.

Overloading extension cords can also occur if you attach too many lights to one cord.  Use good quality cords with 14 gauge wire (or larger) that are rated for outdoor applications.  Be careful were you run the cords and how you install them.  Do not pinch them in windows or doors or use nails or tacks to hang them.  Use insulated hooks instead.

GFCI Outlet

GFCI Outlets Are Important
According to NEC code outdoor lights and cords that will get wet should be plugged into an electrical outlet that is GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protected.  This will protect you and others if a short circuit occurs.

Be Safe When Hanging Your Lights
Take extra care when hanging lights from metal surfaces like gutters or aluminum siding.  These surfaces are very conductive and a defect in a wire can cause a sever shock under the right conditions.

When hanging Christmas lights outdoors, reduce your risk of electric shock by using ladders made of non-conductive materials like wood or fiberglass-reinforced plastic instead of metal ladders.

Always turn off all Christmas lights and decorations before going to bed or leaving the house.

ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS AND BE SAFE AS YOU PREPARE FOR THIS SPECIAL TIME OF YEAR.

Need Something for the Holidays?
We’ll be happy to come out and have one of our licensed pros give an estimate on any electrical work you wish done.  Contact us today at Artisan Electric or give us a call at 765-414-3913 and we’ll answer any questions you have.

Now’s the Time to Get Your Outdoor Lights, Signs and Home Ready for Winter

No one likes dealing with outdoor lights that don’t work or hot tubs that don’t heat up when cold weather arrives.  Repairing outside wiring, pole lights and signs when the fixtures and ground are frozen make these tasks extra difficult.

That is why NOW is the time to have exterior electrical maintenance done.

Fixing lights, signs and other exterior electrical items that are in need of repair is easier and less expensive now.  There are also preventive maintenance steps you can take in the fall that will help eliminate potential problems when your electrical usage increases during the winter months.

Six Areas to Check Before Winter Arrives
We suggest checking out these six areas around your home and business before the chill winds blow.

Check outdoor electrical panels.

• Panels and service equipment – The summer cooling season and the big electrical loads from AC units stress electrical systems hard. The same thing occurs at peak heating season when the below zero temps set in.Fall is a great time to service this equipment before the winter heating season kicks in. It is a good idea to have your outside electrical service, meter box, and electrical panel board “the breaker box” inspected and all the wiring connections and breaker terminals tightened on a regular basis.  Manufacturers recommend this be done annually.

• Landscape lights – after a summer of heavy use many landscape lighting systems have some fixtures and lamps that need repair … these get very hard to service once the ground freezes. If there are in-ground buried wiring issues sometimes we have to wait for spring.

• Outdoor spas and hot tubs – checking the electric circuits that heat the water in your spa or hot tub is good insurance from an electrical equipment failure that might lead to a costly freeze up of the unit.
  

  Make sure all your outdoor lighting is working properly.

• Exterior lighting on homes – it is always more expensive to service outdoor lighting in the winter time – especially those hard to reach fixture locations and pesky motion sensor lights.  These outages become much more noticeable and inconvenient as our days grow shorter.

• Exterior lights and signage on commercial buildings – hard to reach pole lights, building lights, and signs are very difficult and costly to service once they freeze up.  Once this occurs we often cannot get the fixtures apart to work on them.

• Portable space heaters – it is the time of year when many of us start reaching for space heaters to keep rooms comfortable…. we see this a lot in older historic homes.  Space heaters draw a lot of current and many older electrical circuits are not rated for this kind of use.  If you are going to be using portable heaters you need to know if the circuit and electrical outlet you are using is correctly sized and rated for the load. Never use portable heaters on extension cords, plug strips, or two-prong adapters!

Exterior Electrical Maintenance
We’ll be happy to come out and have one of our licensed pros give an estimate on any electrical maintenance work you wish done. Contact us today at Artisan Electric or give us a call at 765-414-3913 and we’ll answer any questions you have.

No lights.  No water.  No heat.  No air conditioning.  No refrigeration.  No sump pump.  No security.  No ability to work from home.  Or even worse no computer, TV or video games.

When you lose power most of your home systems and appliances no longer work.  They all depend on electricity.  So when major thunder, snow and ice storms bring down power lines, or our aging power grid fails, we all hope our local electrical utility company can get power restored quickly.  But sometimes it can take days depending on the extent of the damage in a given area.

How Long Can You Live Without Power?
Deciding if you need a standby/emergency power generator depends primarily on how long you can live without power before your business or personal situations are impacted negatively.

Reasons you may not be able to go without power for an extended period of time, especially if it is during periods of bad/cold weather, are ….

• Young children
• Seniors with medical needs/equipment
• Large quantities of perishable foods
• Security systems
• Life safety systems
• Basement flooding
• Home businesses

What is a Standby Generator?
A standby generator automatically operates within seconds of a utility outage.  An automatic transfer switch senses the loss of power and redirects the electrical load to the generator that kicks in and provides your home with electrical power.  Unlike portable generators, standby generators are installed permanently outside your home and will provide uninterrupted backup power for days.  Smaller, air-cooled essential-circuit units are slightly larger than portable generators and can energize just a few circuits at a time.  Larger, liquid-cooled whole-house systems will comfortably power all your home’s needs.

With Generators, Size Makes a Difference
The size of generator you’ll need will depend on how many electrical items you need/want to run.  If you choose to run only essential circuits, a 7 KW to 12 KW unit can run up to 16 critical loads, although not all at once.  Mid-size units of 12 KW to 20 KW will allow you to operate more creature comforts like your TV, more lights, and at the high end of this range, even your AC.  A 20 KW to 48 KW high-capacity, liquid-cooled generator can provide electricity for an entire home.

Getting Set Up with a Generator
A standby generator will require professional installation.  Initially you’ll need to assess your load requirements and the logistics of installing a generator in your home.  Connecting a unit requires advanced electrical and plumbing skills, as well as knowledge of local ordinances and building codes. You’ll also need permits before you start and inspections when you’re done.

Standby Generators Add Value and Peace of Mind
Typically having a standby generator on your property will increase the value of your home.  Buyers like the idea of having back up power particularly in regions where power outages are common.  Having a back-up system in place also provides “peace of mind” for those with family members or personal property that may be affected by loss of power for an extended period of time.

Free Site Evaluation
Have questions on whether or not you would benefit from having a standby generator?  Contact us today at Artisan Electric and let our licensed pros do a free site evaluation.