Here to help

How much will this cost me? +

Troubleshooting: Customers prefer an accurate price based on their exact electrical issue, but what if the exact issue is unknown? This is where troubleshooting and diagnostics come in to play.

• We charge a flat rate for diagnosing the issue, which includes repairs up to one hour.
• Any repairs after the first hour are billed in 15 minute increments.
• We won’t do any major repairs without first discussing cost with you.

Do you give free project estimates? +

We are glad to discuss smaller projects by phone or via email. We’ll ask for photos, rough measurements and other specifics in order to provide a cost estimate.

What about larger projects? +

For larger projects where an in-person consultation is necessary, we charge a $95 consultation fee. During the consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to review all of your questions. We will provide you with a full proposal to help you in making your decision.

How do I pay you for your services? +

When the job is completed to your satisfaction, our electricians can accept your payment directly. For larger projects, a partial deposit will be required in advance.

Payment Methods:

• Business or Personal Check
• Online Electronic Bank Transfer
• Major Credit Cards (4% fee)
• Consumer Financing (4%)

What factors do you consider when determining cost? +

There are many factors that help us determine the time and resources required for each project. They include:

• Ease of Access
• Price of Materials
• Mounting Type
• Heights and Confined Spaces
• Distance
• Material: Plaster/Wood/Block/Siding
• Obstacles
• Digging Required
• Machines Needed
• Power Company Fees
• Permits/Inspections

My home inspection found that my electrical panel is an unsafe brand. What should I do? +

Your electrical panel is the last line of defense against electrical fires. In Western PA, there are two brands of electrical panels known to have serious defects: Federal Pacific “Stab-Lok” panels and PushMatic panels, each of which can fail to trip in a short-circuit situation. If you have either of these brands, please consult us. While replacing an outdated electrical panel is about as fun as replacing the transmission in your car, it will help ensure the safety of your home for years to come.

My home wiring is knob and tube. Is it safe? Do I need to replace it? +

Knob and tube, although deemed the electrical system of choice back in the day, is not safe by today’s electrical safety standards. Since knob and tube uses no ground wire, there is no protection when a fault occurs. As a result, the risk of shocks and fires is increased. Knob and tube wiring will eventually break down and if your home has seen multiple homeowners, handymen and contractors, the mechanical abuse — and inevitable wear and tear — may mean it is time for a replacement. Baby Bird can inspect your wiring and determine the best course of action, and we are also skilled in finding ways to replace your old wiring while taking care to preserve the beauty of older homes.

What is a GFCI outlet? +

A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter is a receptacle designed to protect you from electrical shock when moisture is present. If your house was built in or after 1981, there is a good chance that your kitchen, bathrooms, garage and outdoor outlets are protected by GFCI outlets. You can identify a GFCI outlet by the two buttons on the face of the outlet. One button will say “test” and the other says “reset”. The “test” button will cause the GFCI outlet to trip (or turn off), and the “reset” button will reset (or turn on) the GFCI outlet if it has tripped. If the outlet will not reset when the “reset” button is depressed, it is time to replace the device.

Should I be concerned if there are light switches in my house that don’t do anything? +

In most circumstances the switch does do something, it just isn’t obvious. Many light switches that do not appear to control anything control what is called a “switched outlet”. Switched outlets are sockets in a room that are controlled by a wall switch. These sockets are designed so that a floor lamp can be plugged in and controlled by a wall switch. Most new homes are built with switched outlets as the lighting source because they are less expensive for the builder to install than an actual ceiling fixture. If you have reason to believe your switch is not functioning for other reasons, Baby Bird can evaluate your wiring and determine the problem.

I have an outlet in my house that doesn't work. Should I be concerned? +

Before you worry, find a small table lamp and plug it into the outlet in question. Then, find all the wall switches in the room and start turning them on. If you find that the table lamp turns on when you flip a wall switch, you simply have a “switched outlet” which allows a floor lamp to be used as a light source.

If you cannot find a switch that turns the outlet “on”, check around the room and see if other outlets or lights are out. Next, check the electrical panel to see if any circuits are tripped. If they are, reset the circuit breaker. If you cannot find a light switch or tripped circuit breaker and the outlet still does not work, be sure to call Baby Bird and we can evaluate the problem.

I found a tripped circuit breaker in my electrical panel, but I cannot turn it back on. +

There are a few possibilities here. The first is that the circuit breaker has simply tripped and needs to be reset. To reset a circuit breaker, the switch must be set completely to the “off” position until you feel a “click”; once the switch has been set to off, set the switch back to the “on” position. If it returns to the “on” position without tripping again, the circuit breaker has been successfully reset.

If the circuit breaker will not reset and trips when the switch is set to the “on” position, there may be a short circuit or overload on that circuit. If the circuit breaker cannot be reset, be sure to call Baby Bird and we can evaluate the problem.

What is a “short” or a “short circuit”? +

A “short” and “short circuit” describe the same problem. A short circuit happens when the “hot” wire (the wire carrying the electrical current, most commonly the “black” wire) meets either the grounded conductor (also called the neutral, most commonly the “white” wire) or the equipment ground (the “bare copper” wire or “green” wire). When a short circuit occurs, excessive heat is generated. A practical example of a controlled short circuit is the spark generated by an arc welder. In the same way, a short circuit that occurs in your home will generate heat and sparks if left unchecked. Thankfully, the circuit breakers in your electrical panel will cut power to the circuit in the event of a short circuit.

Can I change a 2-prong outlet to a 3-prong outlet? +

You cannot install a three-prong outlet where a two-prong outlet exists. This is not permitted by National Electrical Code Standards. Proper installation would consist of running new wiring to each receptacle equipped with a grounding wire ensuring the safety of your device, equipment and home.

My home has aluminum wire. Should I be concerned? +

All houses, including new houses contain some aluminum wire. For example, the service cable that connects your meter base to your electrical panel is an aluminum cable. Some of the feeds for your large appliances such as a heat pump or range may also be aluminum. These applications are completely safe.

The type of aluminum wire that has gained a bad reputation is aluminum branch circuit wiring, most commonly found in homes built between 1965 and 1973. Branch circuits are for your lighting and wall outlets. The reason aluminum wire tends to be problematic in branch circuits is because of the greater number of splices (one for the ground, one for the neutral, and one for the hot). Each of these splices poses the potential for a loose connection, and because aluminum has a greater expansion coefficient than other metals used in wiring devices, it tends to develop loose connections where it is spliced. These loose connections eventually begin to spark and generate heat, which can lead to a fire if left unrepaired. If you have aluminum wiring of any kind in your home and have a question or a concern, be sure to call Baby Bird and we can evaluate the problem.

Why do my lights dim when I switch on a vacuum cleaner? +

Like your refrigerator, dishwasher or washing machine, your vacuum cleaner features an electric motor. While running, an electric motor consumes a steady amount of electrical current. However, when starting, an electric motor consumes approximately seven times the current that it would normally consume while running steadily. This creates a tremendous load on the circuit that the vacuum is plugged into, thus causing the lights to dim while the vacuum motor is accelerating to its operating speed. Once the operating speed is reached, the vacuum consumes less energy and does not cause the lights to dim.

What wiring do I need for my new outdoor pool or spa? +

A pool, or spa, is a great addition to your home, but many people do not know the extensive wiring involved in a safe installation. There is an epidemic of improperly wired above-ground pools and spas. Please be sure to hire an experienced electrician for pool and spa equipment wiring. Where water and electricity are involved is not the place to cut corners.

Most units require a 50-amp, 240-volt feed to power the pump motors and associated heaters that may be installed. Spas and pools must have power fed through a nearby safety disconnect switch. This allows you to turn the power off, quickly, in case of emergency. A nearby convenience GFCI outlet is also required by code.

All metal parts of your pool or spa, and their equipment, must be bonded together using solid #8 bare copper. Burial of wiring is required to be 18” deep, significant trenching is involved in pool and spa installations.

These are important safety features. Remember, when we're talking about water and electricity, they don't mix. Please take extra safety precautions to prevent electrical shock or electrocution and keep your family safe. Contact Baby Bird to ensure all your existing outdoor pool and spa equipment is properly wired so you can relax and enjoy!