Did Your Home Get Damaged in a Storm?

You will want to be proactive in helping yourself by checking the service equipment attached to your house. If you do not assess damages yourself and think the utility company is making all repairs for you, you are mistaken. The power company will not reconnect your power when reconnecting others if you have damages to “customer-owned equipment.” See the picture on this page showing “customer-owned equipment” often requiring repair. In the case where you do not have repairs in the works, when the power company arrives in your area to restore power, they will inform you that you need to make repairs, and you will drop out of their priority for your area in order to assist other customers. Not being proactive will cause you further delays in power restoration.

Keep in mind you will need the repairs to be reliable for years to come. Hire a licensed electrician who can actually pull the required permit and perform the required work for power restoration. All jurisdictions affected by Helene are requiring permits before power will be restored to damaged equipment owned by customer. Jurisdictions vary on the requirements of the completed work in order to be approved for their area. The electrician needs to know these requirements and meet these requirements in order to not cause further delays or require additional repairs.

Get a price beforehand to complete work. This allows you to make the decision on whether or not you will pay for services out of pocket or through insurance. If submitting an insurance claim, use an electrician who can provide pictures and assist with the knowledge to encourage claim approval. The delay of this decision could prolong restoration of power even further.

Unfortunately, parts required to make immediate repairs are beginning to be depleted in the area and are having to be sourced from surrounding areas and states.

Keep in mind many service providers, like Quality Electrical Contractors, have team members without power as well, yet we are all still out in the community trying to assist our trade partners and neighbors. Know that we are working diligently to source parts and complete ongoing repairs as quickly as possible.